Deadline Weekend
July 29th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
I’m on a working vacation. As almost all of you know by now, I do a daily fantasy show for SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. While I do the show from the Bay Area in California, and I’m not kidding I literally do the show in my slippers at times, my co-hosts are in St. Louis while the SiriusXM studio that the show originates from is in Washington D.C. I was able to visit D.C. to meet the crew this week, and it was a great time. I’m now in St. Louis and the good times are still rolling. Some thoughts from the trip…
Went to the legendary Pappy’s Smokehouse for lunch today in St. Louis. Had quite the feast, and the staff was super friendly. Give yourself a lot of time if you go though, it took 45 minutes in line just to place our order.
It’s warm as hell back east. It’s 90 degrees in STL today an it feels cool compared to the temperatures I’ve been subjected to of late.
I toured the dome where the Rams play (thanks Amanda), and got a behind the scenes tour. Nice facility, but odd to think about a football game being played under a roof.
Speaking of the NFL, I’ve been asked multiple times about whether or not I will be ranking football players here at BBGuys. The answer to that question is – I think so. I won’t be doing much NFL writing here – though I will be writing NFL for Rotoinfo.com and FantasyAlarm.com. However, I’m thinking about doing something for the BBGuys crowd, and that is, releasing my own personal positional rankings. I’m thinking that I might do so next week, so look for information on how you can get your hands on the “Oracle’s” 2011 NFL rankings.
Some trade deadline thoughts…
Hunter Pence is as consolid a hitter as you will find. Any team would be wise to add him to the mix if the cost wasn’t prohibitive.
Ubaldo Jimenez should remain a Rockie. Don’t know why they would be looking to deal him when they control him for the next few years at a very reasonable price.
Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera are available for the right price according to reports. According to the Royals that ‘right price’ is a #3 starting pitcher. Good luck with that Royals.
The Rangers aren’t certain what is wrong with Neftali Feliz, so they are looking to add an arm to their bullpen. They appear to be a finalist in the Heath Bell sweepstakes, but the two sides are having a hard problem coming to an agreement. Late word suggests that the Rangers are now interested in the Athletics’ Andres Bailey. However, don’t you think they are gonna have to pay an awful lot to get an arm from their own division? Given that Bailey is under control through 2014 this is most likely a smokescreen being set out to get the Padres back to the dealing table.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Andrew Baiely, Heath Bell, Hunter Pence, Jeff Francoeur, Melky Cabrera, Neftali Feliz, NFL, NFL Player Rankings, Pappy's, Rams, St. Louis, Trade Deadline, Trades, Ubaldo Jimenez
By Nick on Jul 29, 2011
Who wins in a Bautista for Pence/Freeman trade?
By Dave on Jul 30, 2011
Hi Ray, hope you have had a great vacation. I have J. Zimmerman. and after tomorrow he will have probably 4 starts left. and his last 2 starts have been pretty bad. I can pick up Cahill or Floyd or Chacin. or now that Fister is in Detroit. which one do you like ? thanks !
By Tito on Jul 31, 2011
Hey Ray,
How would you rank Adams, Clippard and Nathan if they were each closing in their respective cities (SD, WAS, MIN)?
(@Tito: assuming Storen goes to MIN).
Thanks Ray!
By Ray Flowers on Jul 31, 2011
Dave – Zimm bounced back and looked great once again. That 160 IP limit is real, but he’s pitched so well almost all year I’m off the opinion that if you’ve kept him this long, you might as well ride him until he’s shut down and then make a move.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 31, 2011
Tito – As we know now, Storen was not dealt, Adams was. Go
Storen, Nathan, Adams, Clippard.
By Bob on Jul 31, 2011
hello Ray.
I am in the semifinals of our head to head league i need help with my 3rd sp.
i am starting Cliff Lee and Jon Lester we get 10 pts for a win -5 for a loss. -1 bb/erun, +1 for inning pitched,k
Its a 2 week playoffs.
Marcum at home vs stl and @ stl
Scherzer home to tex, at KC at Balt
Gallardo @ Houston @ Stl
Thank you
By Bryon on Jul 31, 2011
Hey Ray,
What do you think of Wandy Rodriguez the rest of the way? Without Bourne and Pence he will have an even tougher time getting wins.
Should I try to use him in a trade to get Doug Fister? Will Fister start winning some games now that he has an offense?
thanks Ray
By matt on Jul 31, 2011
Vernon Wells or Matt Joyce? I need to clear up a spot and I kind of hate them both.
By Ray Flowers on Aug 1, 2011
Bob – Gallardo has one good matchup, one bad one, but four of his last five outings he’s given up two or fewer, and three one or fewer. Tough for me to go against him, especially since HOU dealt their two best players.
By Ray Flowers on Aug 1, 2011
Bryon – I don’t really try to figure out wins Bryon, there’s really no way to predict them. That said, the Astros dealt their two best hitters, so that’s not going to do Wandy any favors.
I wrote about Fister here: http://baseballguys.com/2011/08/01/deadline-deals/
I’d still prefer Wandy over Fister.
By Ray Flowers on Aug 1, 2011
Matt- Joyce and Wells both not so good.
As hot as Joyce was, he has been a disaster of late. He’s hitting .213 since the all-star break and that’s a huge improvement over his .178 mark his last 45 games. He flat out stinks right now.
Wells is hitting .169 over 15 games, but he does have 12 HRs his last 43 games.
I’d go with Wells.
By Bobby on Aug 1, 2011
Welcome back Ray,
A working vacation is not a (REAL VACATION).
I see you enjoyed the heat/humidity, hopefully Kay was good to you in STL.
By Ray Flowers on Aug 1, 2011
Bobby – I agree with you — I worked way too much on my trip, despite hanging out each night until all hours of the morning. I need my beauty sleep.
By True North on Aug 4, 2011
So no one knows baseball exists in Canada?
I guess it’s like no one knows this site exists. Nice jab at those who used to follow you north of the border.
Looks like you have as much trash-talking in you as Rasmus’ father. Unfortunately, neither of you can back it up.
Later, minor league site commentator. I`ll head to Baseball HQ whenever I need serious baseball discussion without childish put-downs.
By Ray Flowers on Aug 4, 2011
True North – As much as anything I was referring to the fact that in the U.S. there aren’t many who know the game is played up north (it was way more directed at people from The States than it was toward Canadians).
As for attendance, you tell me – 24th this year and 26th last year. The average game in Toronto has 23,026 people this year. That’s a number that is nearly doubled by the Phillies (45,496).
By True North on Aug 4, 2011
Ray, to your credit you still posted my comment, despite the fact that it was heavy-handed. Kudos to you.
I’ve re-read your comment and it sounds like the type of pot-shot I’ve seen other baseball writers engage in, on slow news days. But, you’re generally fair and as a result, would be inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt.
As for attendance, if you look at it by league, the Jays are mid-pack in the AL. Strangely, the 6 teams behind the Jays in the mixed league attendance rankings to date, are all AL teams.
And no, I don’t want to defend what the Jays are doing in terms of their attendance efforts. I am not a fan of the team and couldn’t care less. However, I’m a baseball fan above all — there are a lot of Canadians in fantasy leagues for a reason.
Sites such as yours play a role for those of us outside of the US who need a baseball fix. Please know that there are a lot more of us than one might be tempted to assume.
Those who thrive in the fantasy writing world, are inclusive, not divisive. My comment was only meant to respond to what looked to me as an unnecessary slight.
Thanks once again for reverting.
Keep well.
By Ray Flowers on Aug 4, 2011
True North – I may not agree with you or anyone else, but everyone has a right to have their thoughts heard. The only time I censor things on here is when there is foul language or outright buffoonery. Obviously your comment fell in neither category so I let it go up.
No hard feelings at all. I’ve had so many people bash me over the last decade that I’ve done this, personal attacks etc., that I’ve grown weary of trying to defend myself against it. If people are moronic in their beliefs, then I just let them go. I’ve got too much on my plate to engage in that junk anymore.
I appreciate you taking the time to write back.
And so you know, in case you didn’t, my second favorite sport it hockey (I write about it for SportsIllustrated.com), I’ve been a season ticket holder with the Sharks forever, and I love the city of Vancouver.