15 Responses to “The Fantasy Beat: Champ or Chump?”

1. By greg on Apr 22, 2012

   Hi Ray – I’m thin at closer with Myers, Casilla, Cordero, Aceves. Do I drop Aceves (I know you don’t like him in the role) assuming that BOS makes a change of some kind. I could use his spot to stream starters as my league is shallow (10 teams). Hold on to him given the thinness of my closer situation or cut him loose (Bard is available on WW at the moment). thanks!

2. By Joe M on Apr 22, 2012

   Hey Ray

   Whats your take on Daniel Hudson at this point, is this a good time to go after him, especially given the injury?

   I can probably get him for Swisher.. Do the deal?

3. By Fenz on Apr 22, 2012

   With the objective of improving offense at the margins (without regard for positional needs), would you pick up any of Hafner, L. Cain, C. Quentin, A. Escobar, Alonso or Infante in exchange for Jekyl (1st half) & Hyde-ish (2nd half) Ryan Raburn?

4. By Ray Flowers on Apr 22, 2012

   Greg – In a 10 tm lg, no love at all for Aceves. As you stated, I dont love Aceves in a 15 tm lg for that matter. I’d make the move and drop him to add Bard.

5. By Ray Flowers on Apr 22, 2012

   Joe M – Hudson should be fine in 15 days. However, I have a hard time suggesting to anyone to target an injured pitcher for a like talent. Given the start of Swisher, I’d be aiming higher if I was going to move the Yankees hitter – at least get someone who is healthy.

6. By Ray Flowers on Apr 22, 2012

   Fenz – Quentin is a nice power bat. He should be solid when on the field. Would rather have him over Hafner, Alonso. Infante great start, but just solid. Escobar nice speed should lead to ample steals, but little else. Cain the best 5×5 skills, but he’s also got scant experience in the bigs and is coming back from injury.

7. By Casey on Apr 23, 2012

   Hey Ray-
   My league is a 12 team 5×5 head to head mixed league. My starting lineup is fielder, Brandon Phillips, jeter, Arod, Bautista, Cuddyer, ichiro, Holliday, and Ortiz. On the bench I have swisher, cozart and just added coco crisp. My team has been good overall, but has really struggled in SB and SV categories and has lost in those categories all three weeks. My power numbers have been really strong even though Bautista hasn’t really started hitting yet. My question is, would you trade jeter for dee gordon and Joel hanrahan( or Brandon league), or would you just hold on to jeter and stick with my current roster for now?
   Thanks

8. By Ray Flowers on Apr 23, 2012

   Casey – Adding Crisp and Gordon would be a huge boost to your speed quotient.

   Jeter for Gordon and either reliever, seems like a solid deal to me given that it addresses both your current needs. League and Hanrahan are both strong options in the pen. I’d like to suggest Hanrahan, but with the uncertainty right now with is leg, just add League and avoid the headache.

9. By jon on Apr 23, 2012

   I have these FA RPs ranked as follows in my 10-team league with k/9 (according to Skills, as you would no doubt advise): Venters, Adams, Shaw, Cruz, Rauch.

   I know it’s folly trying to guess who might be closest in line for Saves, but with only Casilla, Cordero and Myers to my name – I’m a little stuck and having to face folly. How would you alter the above ranks to include proximity to Saves?

   All things considered, is Venters still the best pickup here? Thanks!

10. By Bryan on Apr 23, 2012

    Ray – Napoli and Youklis for Jose Bautista? The team with Napoli aslo has Buster Posey. It is roto, 12 team, yahoo standard 5×5. Fyi.. I named my team baseballguys.com. Thanks man!

11. By Ray Flowers on Apr 23, 2012

    Jon – As you stated, trying to predict which RPs will become closers is very difficult. At least you’re only in a 10 tm lg so there are more options to go around.

    Francisco has been a little spotty so maybe Rauch gets a shot in the 9th, but even so, Rauch isn’t that good.

    Cruz only has value while Hanrahan is hurt. I dont think that will be much longer.

    Venters and Adams are the two best arms you listed, without a doubt. If you wanted to go Adams, thinking Nathan more likely to blow it than Kimbrel, I wouldn’t have a problem with that.

12. By Ray Flowers on Apr 23, 2012

    Bryan – Hey now, thanks for the love!

    Do you start one catcher or two in this setup?

13. By Bryan on Apr 23, 2012

    Ray – it’s a one catcher league. The guy with Napoli has buster posey as a utility spot. The guy with bautista has waiver junk at catcher. So, Napoli and youklis for Jose Bautista?

14. By Ray Flowers on Apr 23, 2012

    Bryan – Bautista is not one of my favs, you know that from reading my stuff, so I never would have drafted him in the first round this year anyway.

    So would I deal Bautista for Youkilis and Napoli? I think you pretty much have to. If this was a 2-catcher lg this would be even more of a win for you. As it is, I think you get two solid bats in return for the one big bat of Bautista. I have faith in Youkilis turning around his slow start. You could ask others and they’d likely tell you otherwise, but that’s how I view it.

15. By Bryan on Apr 23, 2012

    Bryan.. Thanks ray.. Actually, I am the guy with Napoli.. I didn’t want to away opinion so I left it ambiguous… You turned me onto Napoli late last season. Thanks!