Free Agent Monday
June 6th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
I’m not a huge fan of waiver-wire bingo. I think too often we go for the quick fix when slow and steady often wins the race. You know what I’m talking about. Some guy goes 5-for-8 with a homer and a steal and you’d knock over your mother to get to the computer first so you could add him to your team (I know which one of you out there would do it to, so don’t B.S. me and say you wouldn’t). So it’s with trepidation that I throw out the following names based upon their work the past two weeks. Still, it’s Monday and you need to get your lineup in shape for the week, so if you have injured players, or guys that you simply can’t stomach for another week, here are some options you could turn to.
Alexi Casilla – .432-0-5-9-5 in 44 ABs
Finally. This guy can hit and steal a base, just look at his minor league numbers at Triple-A over 168 games: .278/.370/.371 with 38 thefts. However, after hitting .281 in 2008 with the Twins he’s struggled to get significant playing time in the bigs. With the Twins in desperate need of offense you can’t think he will be sitting any time soon, though it will be interesting to see what happens when Tsuyoshi Nishioka returns from the DL. For now, Casilla is white hot, and since he qualifies at 2B and SS there could easily be a spot for him on your club.
Freddie Freeman – .378-1-7-4-1 in 45 ABs
The problem for any solid first base hitter is that first base is the land of the titans. Solid just won’t cut it unless you are in a deep league or one that starts corner infielders. However, the Braves’ rookie is doing his best to make you consider his name for a starting spot. In six of his last eight games he has at least two hits, he’s driven in seven runners in that time, and lo and behold his season long batting average is now .277 – not bad when you consider it was sitting at .220 less than a month ago (May 13th). If you need an injury fill in he seems primed to help, but again, make sure you don’t make the mistake of thinking Freddie’s ready to be a starter at first in a 12 team mixed league.
Chase Headley – .354-0-5-5-2 in 48 ABs
Most will look at Headley and see one homer and 23 runs scored and think – why even bother with this third baseman? In retort I’d point out the following. (1) Headley is hitting .280, a solid mark. He’s also working on a 15-game hitting streak. (2) His OBP is strong at .385. In fact, that’s the best mark of any NL third baseman. (3) He has seven steals. Only two third base eligible players have more – Ryan Roberts and David Wright have nine each. Headley isn’t a difference maker, but he’s a solid add if your lineup needs a boost.
Adam Kennedy – .342-1-8-7-0 in 38 ABs
Kennedy came out of nowhere to hit .289 with 11 homers and 20 steals in 2009 after it seemed like his career was heading off into the sunset. He predictably slumped last year down to .249 with three homers, but he’s back at it again in 2011. The Mariners’ offense is atrocious, so Kennedy should continue to see time until he slows down. The pending call up of Dustin Ackley is a concern, they won’t call him up to have him watch from the bench, but until then Kennedy is a moderate add for those of you who need some batting average help up the middle, and he’s always good for a few thefts.
Miguel Olivo – .350-4-13-7-1 in 40 ABs
Over the last three games he has three homers and seven RBI, and he’s posted a hit in 6-straight to raise his average .012 points. Consistent. That’s what Olivo is. I’ve said and written it before, but here it is again. Over the past five years only two catchers in baseball have 11 homers and 41 RBI each season. They are Brian McCann and Miguel Olivo.
Cliff Pennington – .349-0-3-5-1 in 43 ABs
If you are a Jimmy Rollins or Hanley Ramirez owner you might look this guys way. He’s clearly hitting well, and he’s shown the ability to swipe plenty of bases (he had 29 steals last year). He’s nothing more than a place holder in mixed leagues, but you could do worse in the short-term.
Ruben Tejada – .326-0-8-5-0 in 43 ABs
Limitations are the name of the game here. In 17 games this year he has zero homers. In 95 career games he has only one. In 17 games this year he has zero steals. In 95 games he has only two. He’s also hit a mere .232 in 272 career at-bats. OK, maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned him at all.
Ty Wigginton – .326-3-5-8-0 in 43 ABs
He somehow always goes underrated while somehow getting enough at-bats to blast 20 homers. Ty qualifies at 1B, 3B and 2B in every league, so he is a great guy to have at the end of your bench. When he’s getting regular playing time, like he is now, and is also hitting well, as he has since he returned from injury, then it makes a lot of sense to have him in your starting lineup.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Adam Kennedy, Alexi Casilla, Chase Headley, Cliff Pennington, FAAB, Freddie Freeman, Free Agents, Miguel Olivo, Ruben Tejada, Ty Wigginton
By Mike on Jun 6, 2011
Ray – would you roll the dice on Hanley? Just was offered Hanley and Verlander for Jose Reyes and Alexi Ogando. I have Raja Davis and Michael Bourn, so steals are not a priority. Thanks for your help.
By Alan on Jun 6, 2011
Ray,
I have Hanley Ramirez in my 10 team Points league. Right now I have D. Barney in my SS position. Do I stick with Barney or drop him and pick up someone else on waivers like : Casilla, Bartlett, Theriot, A. Gonzalez, Cabrera?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Mike – Hanley is on the DL until next week. I wanna believe he’ll kick things back in, but it’s pretty tough to think he will just return to normal. I’d greatly prefer Reyes at this point – by a ton.
Obviously, same I’d say the same thing about Verlander over Ogando.
I’d avoid the deal. I just don’t trust Hanley, not if I had to give up Reyes.
By BVtime on Jun 6, 2011
Help!! Should I give up Zobrist and Beltre For Crawford and Peralta??
10 team H2H Mixed.
By FP on Jun 6, 2011
Hey Ray! Weekly 10 team 5×5 roto. Currently 9th in SB and 7th in R’s. I picked up Casilla this weekend when Furcal went on DL to try to improve those stats. Tabata is on WW and eligible to pick up tomorrow. Better to drop Casilla for Tabata for R and SB? Thanks.
By Joel on Jun 6, 2011
Ray: in my 6×6 h2h league, my SPs are Hamels, marcum, Carpenter, Anibal, CJ Wilson, Ervin Santana and Brett Anderson (ugh).
I’ve been offered Adam Dunn for Ervin Santana. I could replace him with Stauffer, Edwin Jackson, Scott baker or Danks off the wire (I’d lean Stauffer).
I have to take Dunn for Ervin, right?
By brad on Jun 6, 2011
have first pick this week
deciding between dee gordon and salty have bad catchers jaso and hanigan could always use speed im playing bartlet at catcher
also trying to figure out who will fillin for d fowler blackman or chris nelson any insight would be helpful
By Nick on Jun 6, 2011
Ray,
14 team h2h 7 pitching cat. added holds and walks. 10 innings minimum per week. My sp are terrible but rp are good, so what do you think of using only rp as a strategy. I consistently losing 5 categories per week. I would plan on trying to trade my sp better middle relivers. Please shoot some holes in this theory and get me off the ledge. Thanks
By Nick on Jun 6, 2011
I was offered Hanley, Rizzo and Oswalt for Andrus, Gordon and Lohse… fair trade? Do you like Beckett instead of Oswalt?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
FP – Of you drop Casilla and add Tabata, who will play SS since Furcal is on the DL? If I had to choose straight up would be Tabata – but that doesn’t fit your need.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
BVT – Zobrist/Beltre for Peralta/Crawford.
Peralta has been great, and quals at two positions.
Zobrist has been solid and quals at two positions.
Beltre is a solid run producer but not an elite level performer.
Crawford has finally turned it around and is an elite level performer.
Give me Peralta and Crawford.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Joel – Dunn for Santana I would do. Go ahead and replace Santana with Baker. After tonight:
Baker: 3-4, 3.86 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 8.56 K/9, 3.09 K/BB
Ervin: 3- 4.30 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 7.42 K/9, 2.88 K/BB
Baker has been better anyway.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Brad – Blackman will be called up tomm. according to reports to replace Fowler.
If you start two catchers, jaso/hanigan aren’t giving you much. Salty has 3 HRs, 7 RBI, 7 runs last 10 games.
Still, Gordon has elite speed and will play everyday until Furcal is healthy, so I’d add him.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Nick – My pitchers rankings are here – http://www.rotoinfo.com/blog/fantasy-baseball-2011-player-pools.html
Close, but I’d rather have Oswalt.
Do this deal.
Gordon has been merely avg. since April. I keep telling everyone that Lohse can’t keep this up.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Nick – In a H2H, you cannot give up 4 pitching categories on a weekly basis and win. RPs can get you the ERA, WHIP, holds, SV categories though, in which case you’d be winning four of the seven categories which tips the balance slightly in your favor, but for me, I always try the balanced approach.
By Jimbo on Jun 7, 2011
2 Q’s.. Here on out…2011
Choose 2: Laynce Nix, Melky, Blackmon? (20 team, standard categories + K’s)
Choose 1: Stauffer, Minor, Felipe Paulino (same as above + QS)
Thanks Ray!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2011
Jimbo – Nix has shown the power bat so I’m taking him. My second choice, I’d take Melky. He is boring and all, but he is likely to get his 500 ABs, and that means a lot. Blackmon has been great in the minors, but that’s a crowded outfield with the Rockies, so I’m not at all sold that he plays everyday ROTW.
By Jim on Jun 7, 2011
Need either power or sb’s, choice of to replace Thome until he gets back: @BaseballGuys Need 1 DH pickup, Ruggiano,Tolbert, Revere, Nix, or Halman? Thanks..
By Jimbo on Jun 7, 2011
Thanks again Ray! Exactly what I was thinking but feels “right-er” coming from you… Blackmon upside and recall has my twitching to take him but I’ll harness my rookie fanaticism for this time. However, I have taken Goldschmidt already for keeper league.. I’m not 100% rookie cured
(hedging my bets on Miranda). YOU’RE THE MAN!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2011
Jim – I’d go with Nix. It’s hard to argue with a ..296-9-24-21-2 line in just 135 ABs. The BB/K is scary bad, but the power is legit.
By Sanibel on Jun 7, 2011
Ray, per your post: Olivo or JP Arencibia? You seem to like Olivo.
Also C. Headley or J. Francoeur for the next month or so (utility)?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2011
Sanibel – For my catcher rankings see – http://baseballguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ROTW-HIT-May30-2011-BBGuys5.pdf
I don’t predict guys for the next month.
Headley – http://baseballguys.com/2011/06/06/free-agent-monday/
Frenchie just ain’t very good. Hitting only .234 the last 31 games.
Go Headley.