Hot Stove: December 6th, 2011
December 6th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
Things are really heating up at the Winter Meetings, and it appears that the Marlins are plenty serious about being the story to emerge from the festivities. But before I get to that, we had a couple of deals take place in the last 24 hours as pitchers are the target of seemingly every team.
Sergio Santos was an excellent bullpen arm for the White Sox last year. After every other White Sox bullpen arm was seemingly given a shot to handle 9th ining duties, Santos stepped up and solidified the role on his way to 30 saves in 36 chances. He walks too many batters, 4.12 per nine innings last year, but it’s easy to forgive that when you look over at the K/9 column and see 13.07. Santos signed a deal with the White Sox that will pay him only $8.25 million the next three years, though there are three other team options after that for $6 million, $8 million and $8.75 million (basically his team has him under control for 6-years at a cost of about $31 million). That “cheap” cost made him an excellent option to deal for the White Sox, and they did just that Tuesday sending him to the Blue Jays for minor leaguer Nestor Molina (there is no truth to the rumor that he is related to Nestor The Long Eared Christmas Donkey). White Sox fans will be furious at this deal since Molina is likely a couple of years away from being a major player, but after a year at Single and Double-A in which he posted a 12-3 record, 2.21 ERA 10.22 K/9 an a stupendous 9.25 K/BB mark, the future is bright for the 22 year old righty.
Kevin Slowey is someone I’ve long been in the corner of (check out the Player Profile I wrote back on March 28th, 2011). However, two issues have precluded him from reaching the heights that I think he can. (1) The guy just can’t stay healthy. In two of the last three seasons he’s failed to reach 100-innings. (2) He gives up way too many fly balls (48 percent of batted balls in his career), and they leave the yard at a near crippling rate (1.42 homers per nine innings). Therefore, the Rockies move to deal for him makes little sense to me. The Rockies think he can be a solid #4 or #5 starter, but given the enviornment in Colorado Slowey seems like a horrible addition given his long ball woes.
Aaron Harang had a decent season with the Padres going 14-7 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. However, the San Diego born righty, who also went to San Diego State, wasn’t able to work out a deal with the Padres. No matter, He’ll end up merely needing to rent a U-Haul truck to move his stuff to Los Angeles after he agreed to a 2-year deal with the Dodgers ($12 million).
Albert Pujols is the best hitter in baseball, and the Marlins and the Cardinals are the two teams bidding most heavily for his services. Reports are circulating, including one by Bob Nightingale, that the Marlins have extended an offer to Pujols worth more than $200 million. The Cardinals are still in the mix, but it’s growing more likely by the minute that Pujols’ decision won’t have to be about one team outspending the other, it will be about where he wants to play for the next decade.
Andrew Bailey is on the market, though the Athletics asking price is apparently so high that Bailey may as well not be available. So far it seems like one of those situation where the A’s are saying ‘if you overpay we’ll give him to you’ but few teams seems willing to meet the exorbinant price the A’s are asking for in return for their often dominating closer who is under their control through 2014.
Jimmy Rollins was thought to be almost as good as gone from the Phillies 36 hours ago. There is now some growing optimism that he could return, though it still seems like the club is unwilling to go 5-years on a deal like Rollins wants. If the Phils are unable to come to an agreement they will look to add Aramis Ramirez while at the same time moving Placido Polanco to free up some cash. If Rollins returns, look for the Phils to go with Polanco as their third baseman and pass on Ramirez.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Aaron Harang, Albert Pujols, Andrew Bailey, Aramis Ramirez, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Jimmy Rollins, Kevin Slowey, Nestor Molina, Placido Polanco, Rockies, Sergio Santos, Twins, White Sox
By Ivar Anderson on Dec 6, 2011
Ray:
Interesting stuff, as ever. Where do you see Aramis going if not Philly?
By Ray Flowers on Dec 6, 2011
Ivar – Market still evolving for Aramis Ramirez. Looks like the Brewers have a good shot as he’d be a nice fall back after losing Prince Fielder.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/135119573.html
By Nick on Dec 7, 2011
I’m in a 16 team PPR league. Playoffs begin this week. We play two RB and I have MJD, Starks and Ben Tate. Who would you pick up out of the following: Ricky Williams, Brandon Saine, or Kahlil Bell?
Thanks. Your rankings helped me make the playoffs in all three of my leagues.
Nick
By Pabs on Dec 7, 2011
Pujols is going to Miami – No question
By Ray Flowers on Dec 7, 2011
Nick – Glad you’ve had a good year so far. Hopefully it continues in the playoffs.
Start MJD and… yikes. I’d add Saine, but I don’t think expectations should be high at all. Your 2nd RB spot is a dangers zone, pretty shocked you made the playoffs with this group, you must have scrambled well. With Foster getting huge workloads, hard to trust Tate. The Packers just dont run. Barber is the back you want in CHI. Williams, 2nd fiddle to Rice. I’d go Saine here, but again, none of your secondary options are anything other than RB3′s in your setup.
By Nick on Dec 7, 2011
Thanks Ray. It’s a very deep league. I actually had the most overall points in the league. My receivers are Calvin Johnson, Roddy White, Santana Moss and Jimmy Graham, and my QB is Tim Tebow.
Your rankings helped tremendously. I actually paid for them twice.
Thanks again.
By Rob on Dec 7, 2011
Hi Ray,
Would you add Owens as a handcuff to MJD or is KArim still #2? Would need to drop K.Bell from the depths of my bench.
And in a non-PPR, need 1WR, 1RB, 1Flex from: S.Greene, Bradshaw, Spiller, Helu, Marshall & White. Which two would you sit this week?
Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on Dec 7, 2011
Rob – I don’t think Karim is really in the mix right now for the Jags. However, I’d keep Bell for the moment with Forte out of the mix.
I’d sit Bradshaw and Marshall. Don’t like it at all out wide, but what can you do there. In terms of the backs, I’m just not sure about Bradshaw getting more than 10-12 touches, so I hesitate to recommend him this early in the week.
By Bobby on Dec 7, 2011
Should I start Big Ben or pick up Rex Grossman?
By Ray Flowers on Dec 8, 2011
Bobby- Did you listen to Nathan Zegura today on SiriusXM??
I’m still going Big Ben. Better QB, better players around him as well. Matchup may not be quite as good, but he’s just a better, safer option.
Go Big Ben.
By Rob on Dec 8, 2011
Thanks, Ray! Okay, so last email of the week:
To pick up Saine, I would need to drop one of these bench options: Kahlil Bell, Greg Little, Denarius Moore. Is Moore viable in any of the next three matchups (when will he be healthy again?)? I traded Tate for him a few weeks ago just before he dropped off the face of the planet, fortunately Tate hasn’t been exploding either. Little has been consistently average and has a sweet matchup in Week 15 (ARI), though I would not use him this week (PIT) or week 16 (BAL) so if I don’t use him next week, what’s the point of holding onto him? So, that being said, I see good upside for Bell and Saine. Here are my WR and RB options (14 team PPR):
MJD, Spiller (starting those two) Blount (ugh), Jacobs, Kahlil (+ possibly Saine)
Moss, Holmes, Garcon (starting these three), AJ, Lance Moore, Greg Little, Denarius Moore.
If AJ plays, would you start him over any of those first three? We start 2WR, 2RB, 1WR/RB flex.
Would you cut any of these guys to pick up Saine, MJD’s handcuff and/or a handcuff for Tebow/Romo (2qb league and I don’t have any other qb options on the bench).
Thanks!
By Alan on Dec 8, 2011
Hey Ray,
I’m a Forte owner and in need of some advice. I’m in a 12 team PPR league and we start 2RB, 2WR, 1 FLEX (RB, WR, or TE) I’m starting Rice at RB and Jennings, Welker at WR. I need to start two of these, 1 at RB and 1 at FLEX: Murray, McGahee, Tolbert, Kevin Smith, Lloyd, A.Johnson, A. Hernandez?
Also, what D/ST do you like: MIA, NO, STL, NYG, TB, ARI, JAC, SD?
Lastly, I heard you mention something about a recent article you wrote pertaining to Matt Forte. Where can I find that?
Thanks a lot. You’ve helped me out a lot this season. I’m 11-2 with #1 seed in the playoffs.
By Ray Flowers on Dec 8, 2011
Alan – Murray is a must start out of that group. Easy on him, especially with his fullback back in the lineup. AJ may not play. Smith may not play. Lloyd may be catching passes from Rams 3rd string QB. Makes easy second call – McGahee, just make sure his health woes are minor. I’d fo MIA with turnover machine VIck back under center.
By wesley on Dec 8, 2011
Hey ray whats up? Need a little help. Non ppr big ben or tebow? Then pick 2out of blount, julio jones, maurice morris, and spiller, thanks alot
By Ray Flowers on Dec 8, 2011
Wesley – Go Tebow. Go Spiller, Jones, Blount, Morris. Good luck.
By Alan on Dec 9, 2011
Ray,
I went with your advice and picked up the Dolphins D/ST for this week. However, someone just dropped the Chiefs. Which would you rather have this week and going forward? Thanks
By Ray Flowers on Dec 9, 2011
Alan – Look at the schedule my friend. Are you really going to start the Chiefs in Week 15 against the Packers? Also, you want nothing to do with MIA in Week 16 against the Pats.
By Rob on Dec 9, 2011
Hi Ray,
Who would you start this week? I need 1WR, 1RB, 1 Flex in a 14 team PPR:
Garcon, Holmes, Spiller (double eligibility), Blount?
Already starting MJD and Moss.
With your help, I’ve had the great fortune to make it to the playoffs in all of my leagues!
Thanks for all you do!