Around the Horn: June17, 2011
June 17th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |(1) Interleague play messes with players.
(2) Dan Uggla still can’t get her going.
(3) Jake Peavy to the bullpen?
(4) Daric Barton headed to minors?
(5) Ryan Vogelsong continues to amaze.
(6) Tommy Hanson dealing with shoulder woes.
(NOTE: After this video was posted the Braves put Hanson on the 15 DL after an MRI revealed shoulder inflammation).
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Adam Dunn, Alex Avila, Conor Jackson, Dan Uggla, Daric Barton, Hideki Matsui, Interleague, Jake Peavy, Ryan Vogelsong, Travis Hafner, Vlad Guerrero
By Fenz on Jun 17, 2011
OK, Kong, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a spot or two open to roll the dice early on guys like Belt, Rizzo, Brett Lawrie and now Dayan Viciedo, the latter three of whom are still on my roster. Would you swap any of them for Jason Kipnis? My 2B has been a revolving door all year, although Rickie’s little brother Jemille has been showing some potential in a bad lineup.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 17, 2011
Fenz – you like that nickname eh (Kong)? I used to power that ball over the fence, back in the day of course.
We can keep rolling through minor leaguers, but the truth is that no one is sure when they will be up, or how they will perform.
Rizzo at 1B.
Lawrie 2b/3b
Viciedo 3b/of
You have to check your lg rules. Where do Lawrie and Viciedo qualify? I ask because I dont think you should have Kipnis/Lawrie/Weeks on your squad if they are all 2B guys.
Kipnis has been killing it at AAA hitting nearly .300 while flashing power and speed. He’s got a bright future.
By Fenz on Jun 17, 2011
Thanks. Lawrie’s eligible at 2B (and I’d keep him over Weeks, if/when he’s promoted) and Viciedo is at 3B (10 games at new position to be eligible). I’m always enamored with the “phenoms” a year or two too early (Belt and now likely Rizzo are proving me out again).
By CHRIS on Jun 17, 2011
ray,
quick trade question here…i would be giving up corey hart and cuddyer for matt cain and kinsler,hurting at pitching.what do you think of that trade?
By Danny Tanner on Jun 17, 2011
Hey Ray-
Without me going in to details and listing my team, can you just give me a rough answer of which side you would prefer to have in a trade?
Miguel Cabrera and Greinke
or
Halladay and Holliday
Thanks!
By Dale Murphy on Jun 17, 2011
Great Job Ray. Always love your work.
When are you going to advocate for me to be in the hall of fame? The rules say, “Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.” Clearly I showed integrity, sportsmanship, character, and was a tremendous contributor to the team. Not to mention I was one of the greatest players of the 80s, leading the National League in games, at bats, runs, hits, extra base hits, RBIs, runs created, total bases, and plate appearances for all of the 80s. I am the only player in the history of baseball, other than Roger Maris, to win more than one MVP award to not be in the hall. I was also the 6th player in history to join the 30-30 club….all before the introduction of performance enhancing drugs into baseball.
Considering how people want to not vote for players such as Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Clemens, etc who didnt show integrity, sportsmanship, or character – Why don’t writers like yourself advocate for me more often?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 17, 2011
Chris – Hart is decent, and Cuddy a big help with all his positions. However, if you need pitching adding Cain is really solid, and though he has struggled for long periods of time, Kinsler can be an elite option.
I said this deal is a good one for you.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 17, 2011
Danny T – The deal is basically moving parts for parts.
I look at both Miggy and Holliday as top-15 bats.
I view both Halladay and Greinke as top-15 arms.
Really no way to go wrong either way. Answer probably depends on which position you have more of a need for – OF or 1B.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 17, 2011
Dale Murphy – I don’t know if you new this, but you were my favorite player growing up. I even patterned my pre-swing warm up after you so that we looked similar.
You were a fine player, and a great role model, something that isn’t often seen in the game anymore.
The arguments against you often focus on the fact that you were an elite option for only about six years. If I had a vote, I’d pull the trigger. If Jim Rice is in there, and you were a better all-around player, why not you?
By brad on Jun 17, 2011
i asked yesterday about trading weeks and rasmas for hanley rameriz and francour your thought
Today was offered cliff lee and pence for longoria and m cain
you thoughts
By Ray Flowers on Jun 17, 2011
Brad – do this deal. Lee is elite. Cain very good, but not elite.
Longoria is elite. Pence really, really good, just on cusp of elite.
If you have someone to play third, do it.
By david on Jun 18, 2011
hi, ray. 12 team mixed weekly head-to-head (which you don’t like).
i have adam lind who’s been a monster recently. i worry about his back holding up, so have been thinking of dealing him (i’m also well stocked for HR’s and RBI). what do you think of lind going forward?
possible trades including him…
1) lind and jj hardy for alexei ramirez & michael bourn (i can use the sb help, but bourn dings me for K’s for batters).
2) also got close on lind & hardy & derek lowe for elvis andrus & clayton kershaw, but the other owner is now backing off.
By Nick on Jun 18, 2011
Hanley Ramirez and Tommy Hanson for Andrus and Garza… fair trade?
By Ricky S on Jun 18, 2011
Ray,
What do you think of this trade. Old school 4×4, 12 team rotisserie. Sell high on Morse, and the other guy is buying low on Lincecum. Which side of this would you rather have:
I trade Mike Morse and Tim Lincecum
I get Jose Bautista and Erik Bedard
I kinda like it, especially because there is no strikeouts, but I wanted to get your take on it. Thanks as always. By the way, I used to have that same Superman hat. Haha
By Ray Flowers on Jun 18, 2011
David – I don’t worry about Lind’s back, I worry about his production. There’s just no way he keeps this up.
If you can get Bourn and Alexi Ramirez for Lind/Hardy, make that happen immediately.
Lind/hardy/lowe for Adrus/Kershaw = I like this deal as well. Hardy likely won’t stay healthy, and Lowe is just a roster filler.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 18, 2011
Nick – Andrus is solid, as is Garza, but no way that duo matches HanRam and Hanson. However, the two more talented guys are dealing with injury as you are well aware. Still, I’m taking the better players and hope they get over their injuries.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 18, 2011
Ricky S – Bedard is such an injury risk. I know he’s looked great, but wow, its a risk. Bautista is hitting .240 w/ .744 OPS in June. I’m sticking to my thoughts on him.
I just can’t do the deal with so much emphasis being on Bedard.
By Jeff on Jun 18, 2011
Hi Ray,
What are your thoughts on trading Berkman for Latos? I’m trigger shy on this one.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 18, 2011
Jeff – Berkman has a terrible avg. in June, but his run production continues to be impressive – .224-6-15. Still, any sane person knows that the best is in the rear view for Lance (he isn’t going to hit 40 homers with 120 RBI).
Latos has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five starts. He’s been solid while not returning to the level he flashed last year.
I’m at a disadvantage here since I don’t know your club. Straight up the deal seems relatively fair for both sides. Answer might be based on need.
By Fenz on Jun 18, 2011
OK, Ray, I’ve been offered a trade that looks like a no-brainer for me but I’m having a hard time pulling the trigger. I would get Pedroia, Heyward, Liriano and Blackmon in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez and Dayan Viciedo. My head says do it but my attachment to the Pujols of 2011 is telling me no. I think the key is what Liriano does ROTW. I have Konerko at 1B, too. 12-team mixed points league. What do you think?
By Jesse T on Jun 18, 2011
Hey Ray, just have a trade question for you and wanted to get your opinion going forward:
14-Team Mixed Roto – 5×5 – 1350 innings limit
Offered Mike Stanton for Michael Pineda:
Current outfield: Matt Holiday, Drew Stubs, BJ Upton, and Coco Crisp (also play Justin Smoak at Utility sometimes) – so I play four of those players between OF and Util each day.
Current SP’s: Kershaw, CC, Francisco Liriano, Pineda, Kuroda, Lilly, Nolasco
Current Hitting: I am 6th in HR and 8th in RBI – 27 RBI behind the leader and 9 HR’s behind the leader.
Current Pitching: 1st in Wins, 2nd in K’s, 2nd in ERA and 10th in WHIP (RP/closer problems).
Any thoughts on the deal (Pineda potential/innings limit, expectations of Stanton moving forward, etc) would be greatly appreciated as always! Could also try and move Upton/Coco for lesser SP to someone in needs of SB’s if you think.. Thanks in advance, Ray!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 18, 2011
Fenz – let’s say Blackmon and Viciedo equal each other out. That means it’s AGone fro Pedroia/Heyward/Liriano. I’d do that all the time. However, it’s a risk for two reasons. 1- You are taking on three guys with health concerns. 2- It’s not a 3-for-1 deal. You still have to drop two guys which makes the deal much closer than it looks at first glance.
Since you have Konerko at first base, I’d be inclined to accept.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 19, 2011
Jesse T – Stanton is what he is. A massive power hitter who won’t steal bases or post a strong average. Think Adam Dunn production before he forgot how to hit. As such, and given the makeup of your club, I’d say doing this makes sense. I have a hard time thinking Pineda will sustain his current levels. Plus, as you stated, he is likely to have his innings curtailed later in the year.
By Ty on Jun 19, 2011
Hey Ray,
Morse has been an absolute stud for the past few weeks. Is now a good time to trade him while his value is high? Not sure if he’ll keep this up or fall back to earth like Matt Joyce.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 19, 2011
Ty – Everyone seems to think that if someone has an extended hot streak that all of a sudden they are the next Albert Pujols. They aren’t.
If Morse was really this good, why haven’t we ever seen it before? Problem is Jose Bautista did it, so now everyone thinks that each time someone busts out they are going to continue to do it. They are wrong.
With Morse…
His walk rate is down (compared to career level).
His K rate is up.
His OBP is .004 points up.
His LD-rate is a perfect career match.
His BABIP is .004 points up (I’m nervous though that he will be able to sustain a .350 mark).
As I see it… Morse can be a .285-30 type of hitter.
Chances are someone in your league thinks he’s a .320-40 hitter. If someone does, sell him for certain.
By brad on Jun 19, 2011
I can trade Longoria for C lee and one of the following Ackley or pennington or kubel .
would you make trade with any of these players as second player in deal I like lee and he would clearly help my pitching i want another hitter because we play in 15 team mixed and pickups are limited I dont normally like to trade hitters for pitching you thought s would help.
By Mark on Jun 19, 2011
Sergio Santos has been killing my ERA and WHIP the last couple of weeks. I’m in a small 5×5 league and have a decent staff but my ERA has been steadily rising.
Kershaw
Haren
Greinke
Hudson
Marcum
Rivera
Street
Walden
(Santos)
Should I drop Santos to pick up another reliever like Pauley, Mike Adams or Broxton or should I grab another starter such as Nolasco, Billingsley or Latos? Which Non-closers do you see with the best peripherals going forward? Will you be updating your ROTW Rankins any time soon? Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 19, 2011
Brad – Longoria for Lee and Ackley.
I see no problem with this deal in terms of the fairness of it. You would be getting an ace level hurler, and a top middle infield prospect who should be able to help right away.
I don’t know who you’ll go to at 3B, but on the surface, the deal looks solid if you really need SP help.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 19, 2011
Mark – I did ROTW rankings for pitchers barely two weeks ago.
http://baseballguys.com/2011/06/03/rotw-rankings-pitchers/
How deep is your league? How many spots do you have for pitchers? How many pitchers do you need to start SP/RP or doesn’t it matter? Is it a weekly league, or a daily league in terms of changing your lineup? All of that goes into answering this question.
By Joel on Jun 19, 2011
Ray:
I’m inclined to cut Carp tomorrow am for Carlos Carrasco. care to talk me off the ledge, or should I do it? Carp is a black hole in every way, and to my untrained eyes shows no signs of getting any luckier anytime soon.
By Tyler on Jun 19, 2011
Hey Ray,
My pitching staff is just plain struggling…
Carpenter (Pitching decent enough recently, always finds way to lose)
Oswalt (Not good since return from DL)
Ubaldo (traded Zach Britton early on for him, hasnt done anything especially since the only time I benched him was his complete game : (
J. Sanchez (are you kidding me with the walks?)
David Price (Solid but he is only one game above .500)
Pineda (Beast, but he is so limited in his pitch counts that there is no chance of a matchup changing performance complete game)
What should I do about the first three specifically? Wandy is remarkably available and so are others such as Colby Lewis, Gavin Floyd, Bedard, Norris, Niese, Carasco, etc… Should I continue to wait it out and hope these guys figure it out or are any of these better options assuming that if I get rid of them their names alone will probably prompt a waiver pickup. Thanks for your help!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 19, 2011
Joel- I would not do it. Here are the numbers.
Carpenter: 7.11 K/9, 3.25 K/BB, 3.33 xFIP, 1.44 GB/FB
Carrasco: 5.58 K/9, 2.13 K/BB, 3.28 xFIP, 1.64 GB/FB
I’m going with the veteran who is a better pitcher, and has a lot of room to improve once his numbers normalize (i.e his BABIP., LD rate and LOB%).
By Ray Flowers on Jun 19, 2011
Tyler – Wandy is a must add at this point. I’ve been touting him for about six months.
I’d drop Carpenter for Wandy. However, as I just wrote on this message board, I’m a big fan of Carpenter and I fear you might end up regretting the move when he improves.
This is why I really hate shallow leagues. I’m not in a single league where Wandy, Niese, Norris, Bedard, Floyd or Lewis is available. Obviously this is a very shallow league (10 teams?). Given that its so shallow, you can be more agressive in making moves cause there will ALWAYS be good arms on waivers. Just like with Carp, I can’t in good faith say to dump Oswalt, but there is no way Bedard should be on waivers. He’ll get hurt at some point, if he doesnt I’ll be shocked, but you can’t let him sit out there. I hate shallow leagues. lol
By Scott Y on Jun 19, 2011
Ray, I’ have Crawford on the DL and Pence in the infirmary; I’ve picked up Blackmon from Colorado and was thinking of chancing on Nyjer Morgan, Roger Bernadina or Cody Ross. Thoughts? 16 team head to head weekly points league. Thanks,
By Cory on Jun 19, 2011
Ray,
I am in need of some pitching help(10 team,mixed). I have Haren, Gallardo, Nolasco, Britton, Billingsley, Stauffer, Beachy(on DL)and Stauffer. Top Pitchers available are Baker, Vogelsong, Humber, Burnett and Niese. I am not sure who to drop and who to pick up.
I also have a trade question that could possibly help out my staff. I have A-rod and he wants him bad.He has Longoria and his SP are Halladay, Josh Johnson, Lester, Price, Jurrjens, Buchholz and T. Hudson. Is it worth it too trade for Longo and 1 of his starters, if so which one? Thanks
By Ray Flowers on Jun 19, 2011
Scotty Y – If I was in a 16 teamer, I’d take a shot on Bernadina. Ankiel is on the DL, and we talked to Bill Ladson Sunday night on the radio show on Sirius XM , and he told us that he was a big fan of bernadina and he thinks he will (a) get full time work, (b) that he wouldn’t be at all surprised if he did very well with it. Currently, Roger has a 6-game hitting streak with three homers and a steal, not to mention six RBI. Plus, I’ve been touting him since January, so no reason to stop now.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 20, 2011
Cory T – Baker is the best of the lot. I’ve been talking him up since last season. Don’t know why people didnt listen.
Your deal here sounds like a great one if you can get Halladay, Lester or Price. However, the other dude would be dumb to give you one of those SPs and Longoria for Arod so I don’t think it happens – though I’d sure try.
If it doesn’t, just add Baker. I’d rather have Baker/ARod than Jurrjens/Longoria.
By Craig N on Jun 20, 2011
Help
I was offered Weiters Swisher and K Gregg for
Gio Gonzalez Conger and Dyson
al only keeper league…..Gio would be a keeper for 9-12-15 $ the next three years..it’s a dump deal…..I need saves and power wouldn’t hurt
By Ray Flowers on Jun 20, 2011
Craig N – If Congar turns out to be an offensive stud, this deal gets a lot closer. However, Swisher is suddenly hot and he’s a very stable hitter (see last 5 yrs). Wieters is better than Congar right now, and likely to be better in three years as well. Gregg I don’t like at all, but he continues to get and convert save chances.
Team 1 wins this deal.
By Carl on Jun 20, 2011
Ray- you recently answered a question for me regarding an OBP league. I was wondering if you could point out a couple of guys who would shoot way up in your ROTW rankings if the league was OBP instead of AVG (example: Chris Iannetta as a catcher). Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 20, 2011
Carl – OBP is pretty standard fare. It’s easy to look at the category and get a feel about it. Look for guys that see a lot of pitches, ones that draw walks. OBP isn’t something that comes out of nowhere. It’s a skill that is honed over the years so you can pretty much always see it. A perfect example is Bobby Abreu. His skills have dipped, but he still posts that strong OBP mark. Only once in the last 13 years has the mark dipped below .369.
By Craig N on Jun 20, 2011
Ray- I have another deal in the same AL only league…I think I am selling high and buying low.
I trade B Boesch for SS Choo…..based on salary, Choo not a keeper, Boesch would probably be a keeper at $7 in 2012….what do you think??? I think I’d be getting a sb upgrade, and a .300 hitter due for a tear….4×4 Cat league.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 20, 2011
Craig N – I’d do this deal. Boesch to me, is a solid bat. Choo can be an elite bat. It may not pan out, Choo has really struggled, but he still has the talent that Boesch never will. Its a risk since even if Boesch regresses as I expect he’s still a fine option at $7 next year, but I’d play for this year and do the deal and hope that Choo finally awakens.
By Ricky S on Jun 20, 2011
Ray,
Who do you like more ROTW: Mike Moustakas or Jason Kubel.
Also, thoughts on Venters ROTW. Worth owning in a 10 tm 5×5 weekly league over closers like Melancon or Javy Guerra?
By Fred on Jun 20, 2011
Hello Ray…hope you enjoyed the weekend. Once Desmond Jennings get the callup, who would you rather have as a #5OF ROTW, Jennings or Bernadina? (Note: Did not use Acronym “ROS”) Peace…out!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 20, 2011
Ricky S – The answer depends on your club, your league size etc. With Kubel taking forever to come back, it’s hard to trust him right now. Plus, he plays the deeper position in the OF. That would seem to point to Moustakas being a better option since he plays a position that has been beat down this season.
You can use Venters over Melancon, not in a 10 team Lg. In fact, you’re also better off using Guerra for the saves. As great as Venters has been, it’s tough to start him in a 5×5, 10 tm league if he isn’t getting consistent saves.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 20, 2011
Fred- Glad you avoided the unsightly ROS
When will Jennings be called up is the key?
I don’t like playing the what/if game unless (a) I’m in a keeper league or (b) if I’m in a very deep league.
Bernadina is hot, Ankiel is on the DL, and he should see a ton of playing time. I’m gonna suggest Bernadina for those reasons.
By brad on Jun 20, 2011
What do you think of this trade
H Rameriz and Francour for weeks and rasmas?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 20, 2011
Brad – Francoeur is replacement level. HanRam can be elite.
Weeks is a star at second. Rasmus is all over the place, but has strong skills.
I’d take Weeks/Rasmus.
By Pablo on Jun 24, 2011
Hey Ray – someone in my league dropped BJ Upton to the waiver wire. My outfield is Braun, J. Upton, Pence. I rotate Pagan and Hunter through a Util spot based on matchups. Should I drop Pagan or Hunter for BJ? I am in 1st place (thanks to you and the guys at XM!) in a 12 team mixed 5×5 (OBP instead of Avg) league. I’m solid everywhere but SBs. Thanks!
By Ryan on Jun 24, 2011
Ray- My OF consists of: Cruz, Choo, and Ethier. I was offered Stubbs\D Hudson for Cruz\Liriano. Should I jump on this? I need the steals, but also will lose more power since I had Pujols go down for me.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2011
Ryan – Stubbs\D Hudson for Cruz\Liriano.
Stubbs is in a slump, not surprising given his Ks. He’s nothing more than a .250 type of hitter until he fixes that. He will be hot then cold, so you have to have patience with him. Cruz is the batter I would prefer to have, but he concerns of his own with injury at hte top of the list.
Hudson and Liriano are pretty similar options at this point. I don’t see a major difference between the two. I’d prefer the healthy Hudson who has also been more consistent.
If you need the steals you can do this deal. Cruz has the skill to steal 20, but with all his issues with his legs, it doesn’t look like he will be running too much.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2011
Pablo – Pagan is performing better of late. Hunter is as well, he’s got a 6-game hitting streak, but he’s still only up pt .243. Still, his value doesn’t measure up to that of BUp. If you need steals, Upton is a great source of that, so let Hunter go.