In the Bowls of Hell
July 25th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
I’m in Washington DC this week, before I saunter on over to St. Louis mid week. It’s a ton of fun getting a chance to spend some quality time with the great folks I work with at Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio. To the last person, a class act group. But I gotta tell ya, this heat is killing a kid. As a California born and raised boy, 90 is pushing the limits of my heat tolerance. As you are all likely aware, there is a historic heat wave hitting the east coast right now. The other night at Camden Yards in Baltimore, and it’s a spectacular place to view a ball game, it was 102 degrees at first pitch. I know your thinking that’s super hot for a day game, but the problem is it was 102 degrees at 7:05 PM. It’s almost too hot to live. Thank goodness there were copious amounts of beer available because what’s better when it’s hot than continuing to dehydrate yourself with booze?
This past weekend saw the HOF induction of Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar take place. While I have some doubt about the efficacy of Blyleven, there is no doubt whatsoever that Alomar was worthy of induction, a fact that I covered in The 2011 Hall of Fame Class. If you ask me, Alomar is one of the five greatest second basemen of all time so I can’t understand why he wasn’t inducted in his first year of eligibility. I’ve also written a few other pieces about the HOF, and two of them are What is a HOF Closer?, and Innocent Until Proven Guilty if you have some time to kill.
Now on to a Mailbag question…
I’ve been holding onto Desmond Jennings and now I can finally get him in my lineup. I need someone to sit between Coco Crisp, Delmon Young, Eduardo Nunez and Magglio Ordonez. Weekly lineup. Steals is not an issue for me, but in a race for R, RBI, HR still.
— Vinny
Desmond Jennings is an elite talent that I profiled back in The Prospect Trinity (the piece also discussed Dustin Ackley and Brett Lawrie, the other two arms of the Trinity). Jennings has taken forever to get to the big league level. The Rays were reluctant to start his arbitration clock early, and then he suffered an injury down on the farm. However, he’s making up for lost time rather quickly as he he killed it since being called up to The Show going 4-for-6 with two runs and two steals making him pretty much a must add in all formats.
Looking at your group, here’s what I would suggest doing.
Magglio Ordonez is hitting .322 in July. He still isn’t showing any power, and he has no speed, but his bat should play as a 5th outfielder type in mixed leagues as long as he’s healthy.
Eduardo Nunez is hitting .333 in July, and he has stolen four bases each of the past three months. However, you say speed isn’t a big need for you which mitigates the main value add of Nunez.
Delmon Young is hitting over .300 his last 34 games, but he has only two homers and 26 RBI in over 250 at-bats.
Coco Crisp has only one steal in his last 10 games, but he’s up to 27 thefts on the year and it’s pretty hard to say adios to production like that.
I’d add Jennings and let go Mr. Nunez if you have your infield covered. If you have outfield depth, there’s really no reason to keep the limited upside of Ordonez.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Camden Yards, Coco Crisp, Delmon Young, Desmond Jennings, Eduardo Nunez, HOF, HOF Induction, Magglio Ordonez, SiriusXM
By Nick on Jul 25, 2011
Which side of this trade do you prefer – Sabathia/Billingsley or King Felix/Madson?
Thanks.
By B.J. on Jul 25, 2011
Hey Ray,
Quick trade question for my 10 team Yahoo H2H where we start 3 OFs. I would be giving up Jay Bruce and Jordan Zimmermann for Ubaldo Jimenez. I’ve got JUp, McCutchen, Gardner, Gordon and Dez Jennings as other OF eligible guys so losing Bruce doesn’t kill me plus Zimm will get shut down at some point. Should I make this move or hang onto Bruce and Zimm? My SP is lacking a bit and this trade would free up a spot for when Oswalt comes off the DL as I have nobody worth really dropping.
By Ross on Jul 25, 2011
Shin Soo Choo Question for you Ray!
I read today that he is a few weeks ahead of schedule to return (Hopefully mid August). Is worth a pick up?
Here is a little back ground on my team situation. I am playing in a 12 team H2H league and currently in second place. Choo helped me last year to win a championship kinda under similar circumstances, think I picked him up around the same time last year. We don’t have a DL spot and also know he wasn’t doing well before the injury, but he was ranked fairly high by most headed into this season and the Indians could use him for a run at the playoffs.
Love to get your thoughts. Thanks for any advice!!
By Ricky S on Jul 25, 2011
Ray,
I have a few questions for you:
1. I took your advice and laid off on a previous trade. Here was the trade I ended up making:
I give Paul Konerko, Andrew McCutchen, and Adam Jones.
I got Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto, and Delmon Young.
I am in first place, and have Choo waiting to come back to replace Young if/when that happens. What do you think of the deal?
2. After making this deal, who would you start in utility ROTW. Jennings or Delmon Young? I just want to use the best overall player in a 5×5.
Thanks for your help as always!!
By Ray Flowers on Jul 25, 2011
Nick – Sabathia/Billingsley or King Felix/Madson?
Madson’s value is so up in the air. Is he the closer? A setup man? Batardo, Lidge, Madson… really tough to call.
If you are desperate for saves take that side. Otherwise, I’d go the other side. Sabathia is the equal to King Felix, and I really like Billingsley. He ain’t the most consistent arm in the world, but he’s healthy, got a good arm, and pitches in a good yard.
I’d take the first duo.
By Matt on Jul 25, 2011
Hey ray. Any good roto football sites you recomend. Will you be doing football rankings
By Walter on Jul 25, 2011
Hi Ray,
Which of these DL SP’s do you think will be better ROTW? Roy Oswalt or J Sanchez? I currently have Sanchez on my DL and could pick up Oswalt off waivers and drop Sanchez if you think he might do better – love to hear your insight.
By Nick on Jul 25, 2011
Would you trade Sergio Santos for Chad Billingsley? The league is 10 team, head to head. I have Hanrahan, Walden, Madson and Nathan.
Thanks.
By Luke on Jul 26, 2011
Ray, I’ve been in first all year. My hitters are stacked but I have no extra hitters on my bench. All of my spots are filled with extra starters since we have no innings cap. I’ve had Bedard stached in my DL spot and want to activate him for Friday’s start. Need you insight on who to drop. My pitchers are Verlander, Ogando, Cueto, Worley, Marcum, Pineda, Bumgarner, Baker, Kuroda, and Luebke. I’m thinking Pineda, What’s your thoughts?
By Brian on Jul 26, 2011
Ray:
I am wanting to add D. Jennings. I am in a 12 team mixed 6X5 format. I would be dropping T. Wigginton to do this. Is is a good idea to drop wiggy with the limmited playing time, or is he more valuable down the strech being eligiable at 1,2,3,of? I like the big upside of Jennings, but in a tight race in my league.
Thanks again for your time.
By Dennis on Jul 26, 2011
Hi Ray,
No word yet on Pagan and his issues but all things being equal would you prefer Pagan of Denard Span ROTW?
Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on Jul 26, 2011
Matt- I will be writing football for Rotoinfo.com and FantasyAlarm.com
You can catch my stuff at Rotoinfo right now – http://www.rotoinfo.com/NFL
FAlarm in a week.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 26, 2011
Walter – Oswalt and Sanchez are both big time arms. Given the uncertainty with the Giants SPs, its tough to know about Sanchez. Oswalt is a better pitcher, but that back is an issue. I’d say take a shot on Oswalt. He should be back soon, so keep those fingers crossed.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 26, 2011
Nick – Would u trade Santos for Billingsley?
Since you have a deep RP group, I’d have no problem making this move since there is no need to have five closers, even in a 10 tm league.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 26, 2011
Luke – You have a good group. I’d try to deal before dropping. If you want to drop Pineda, who has seen his ERA go up 1.06 runs his last three starts, why not trade him with Worley and try to get one big arm back? I bet that the duo would bring back something really strong.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 26, 2011
Brian – Adding Jennings is a great move to make right now. He’s got elite wheels, and an every day role. Wigginton is a solid player given his flexibility, but I have little issue at all with making this move. Wigg is solid, Jennings can be a category difference maker with his wheels.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 26, 2011
Dennis – Span or Pagan?
No telling here. I’d say throw a dart and go for Span. He has slightly better skills, and other than his wheels, Pagan just hasn’t been able to match,at all, the levels we saw from him last year.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 26, 2011
Ross – Choo is worth taking a risk on, but realize two things. (1) He’s coming off an injury that often saps a hitters strength. (2) He wasn’t exactly killing it early on this year.
He has 20/20 .300 skills, but I’m not bullish on him doing that when he returns.
He’s a wildcard add at this point, but in a 12 team lg in which starts 5 OFs, he might be worth it.