Deals a Startin
July 27th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
It was only a matter of time before the deals started to fly with the Trade Deadline set for July 31st. I usually avoid the rumors, they tend to change like every 13 minutes, but today we’ve actually got a deal that we can discuss. Here are the parameters.
White Sox Receive: Jason Frasor and Zach Stewart
Blue Jays Receive: Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen
That’s what we know for certain. However, there’s a twist. It looks like this deal is a precursor to another move. Here is that proposed deal.
Cardinals Receive: Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, Mark Rzepcynski and Corey Patterson
Blue Jays Receive: Colby Rasmus, Trevor Miller, Brian Tallet, P.J. Walters
I know, my brain hurts too. Here are some of my thoughts on the key players involved in the deals.
Colby Rasmus
A five tool talent prone to mental lapses and selfish/destructive behavior, the dude is just 24 years old and just a year removed from a .276-23-66-85-12 campaign. He can’t hit lefties (.228 in 303 at-bats in his career), is prone to massive slumps (he’s hit .201 over his last 42 games), and he strikes out too much (more than a fifth of his at-bats), but there is no disputing the talent – and he’s still just 24 years
Edwin Jackson
A nice arm no doubt, but he’s always been inconsistent. On the year his K/BB ratio of 2.49 would be a career best, but he still sports a 3.92 ERA, has a high WHIP at 1.42, and is a roller coaster ride. He’ll move to the NL which should help at least a bit, making him a solid add in mixed leagues. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the year, so he has something to pitch for.
Octavio Dotel
He can still fling it, he has better than a K per inning this year, and he’s even done a solid job limiting the walks with a 3.68 per nine mark which would be a four year low. He’s also locked in right now with a 2.40 ERA over his last 19 appearances.
Jason Frasor
This righty really has better stuff than he’s given credit for. He doesn’t have one outstanding skill, but he usually throws strikes, doesn’t kill you in the ratio categories (2.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP), and generally does a good job keeping the ball in the yard (0.76 HR/9 for his career).
Corey Patterson
Fleet of foot, Patterson always seems to have a stretch where he flat out kills it, but in the end the numbers never seem to get to where you look at them with excitement (i.e. his slash line is .252/.287/.379). Really, a .287 OBP? The six homers, 44 runs and 13 steals make him a solid league specific add, but he simply isn’t a very good hitter.
Mark Rzepcynski
Rumpelstiltskin has a nice arm. He get Ks, he has an 8.22 K/9 mark in the bigs, and he gets grounders like no ones business (54.4 percent). He may never pan out as a starter, but he could have a long and successful career with his skill set coming out of the pen.
Zach Stewart
A 3rd round pick in 2008, Stewart might end up doing the old starter in the minors, reliever in the majors thing. Also like Mark R., Stewart has a nice ground ball arm, though his K-rate has dipped a bit the two years (about seven per nine the past two years in Double-A).
Mark Teahen
Really? I’ll say this, he is a great follow on Twitter (@ESPY_TEAHEN)
Tags: Brian Tallet, Colby Rasmus, Corey Patterson, Deals, Edwin Jackson, Jason Frasor, Mark Rzepcynski, Mark Teahen, Octavio Dotel, Trades, Trevor Miller, Zach Stewart
By Chad on Jul 27, 2011
Ray- Danks has looked great lately. Is he worth a pickup? I have Weaver, Shields, Pineda, Stauffer, Gallardo, Daniel Hudson.
By matt on Jul 27, 2011
Ray, I had an account with draftstreet and i keep trying to sign on, but it keeps popping up sign up now, and there is no log in part what do i do?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 27, 2011
Matt – Sorry about that. Can you go to the HELP page and send a note? I work with DraftStreet, but I dont work for them. How about this link:
http://www.draftstreet.com/ContactUs.aspx
By Ray Flowers on Jul 27, 2011
Chad – I’ve literally said to add Danks for weeks. Even when struggling, he’s long had better skills than you’d think looking at his ERA.
Add him for sure. I wouldn’t drop the guys you listed, but he’s certainly worth adding.
By Nick on Jul 27, 2011
Would you start Baker tomorrow vs. Texas in a daily, head-to=head league? I’m ahead in ERA and WHIP but very close in Wins and K’s.
Thanks.
By Ryan on Jul 28, 2011
Ray,
I was offered Longoria\Beachy\Hanrahan for Lincecum. I currently have Halladay & Verlander too, so should I pull the trigger?
By Tim Reins on Jul 28, 2011
Ray: I have been offered David Wright for Robinson Cano. What do you think?
Thanks
Tim
By Jesse on Jul 28, 2011
Hey Ray,
I know your probably busy, but with the news the last few days about Heath Bell possibly going to the Rangers (along with a struggling Neftali Feliz) do you think Bell takes over the closers job in Texas? I just traded Coco Crisp for Feliz (and I know you have said something has been off with him this year given his poor K-Rate, but I needed some help in a roto league with saves).
My overall question is whether you would recommend trying to flip Feliz right now, if you anticipate Bell taking over the closers role? Or would you wait and see what happens first? (Obviously it depends what I could get for Feliz, but say hypothetically I could make some sort of deal that helps my team – I’m not trying to say I would panic and just dump Feliz for nothing).
Thanks as always in advance for the help!
By Ray Flowers on Jul 28, 2011
Ryan - Longoria\Beachy\Hanrahan for Lincecum
I love Lincecum, but you cant give up those three talents for him. On the flip side, if you re getting the three, make it happen.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 28, 2011
Tim Reins - David Wright for Robinson Cano
I’d go with Cano. Wright has been great since he returned, no doubt, but I’m still going Cano. The Ks are an issue with Wright, and Cano has just been so elite all season long that he’s still the fella I want here. Might change my mind if weeks go by and Wright proves he’s healthy and all, but with Beltran gone, I say go with Cano.
By Andy on Jul 29, 2011
If Heath Bell is traded to Texas, will he still be the primary closer there?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 29, 2011
Andy – I’m only guessing here. I honestly dont have an answer as to what role Bell would fill in Texas.
Given the struggles of Feliz the year, and the fact that Nolan Ryan questioned his will a few days ago, I’d be inclined to think that Bell would take over in the 9th for Feliz, so plan accordingly.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 29, 2011
Jesse- Given the struggles of Feliz the year, and the fact that Nolan Ryan questioned his will a few days ago, I’d be inclined to think that Bell would take over in the 9th for Feliz.
Look at Feliz’ numbers this year – its obvious to see that he just isn’t right – he looks nothing like the hurler we saw last year.
If you wait on Feliz and the club adds Bell – you’ll get nothing for Feliz unless you are in keeper league. Its a risk either way, and one that you’ll have to asses based on your team, and what you can get for Feliz.
By Donna on Jul 30, 2011
Ray- What is your take on the value of Jason Marquis and Doug Fister on their new teams? As a tiger fan I was hoping for more but do you think with the run support he will have, will Fister be fantasy worthy in a 10 team league? Thanks for your help this season!
By Ryan on Jul 31, 2011
Ray,
Who would you rather have for the reminder of the season?
Crisp or Reddick?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 31, 2011
Donna – Marquis and Fister are two solid big league arms, but only strong options in league specific setups. I honestly dont think either is a must start in 10 team leagues. In fact, I personally wouldnt roster either, other than in a spot start, even in 12 team league. They just dont have the skills to pay the bills long term which is why I’m not a big fan of either in the fantasy game.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 31, 2011
Ryan – Crisp or Reddick?
Give me Crisp. He is running like crazy, no reason to think that he will stop either. As long as he stays healthy, he’s looking like a potential big time producer the ROTW since the A’s didn’t deal him. Reddick has been hot, but he just doesn’t possess the skills to keep up his hot start much longer.