Fact of the Day: May 2nd
May 2nd, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |
Everyone panics when their players start slowly in fantasy baseball. What do I always say, something like ‘stay patient’ I believe? Let’s take the case of Ryan Braun – one of the players that EVERYONE was bashing me for supporting a few days ago.
After action on April 29th Braun was hitting .263 with four homers, 11 RBI an a .822 OPS through 22 games. Those numbers would lead him to a pace of .263-29-81 with that .822 OPS over the course of a season, and there isn’t a single Braun owner in the world that would be happy with that. Still, I said remain patient.
On April 30th, as you all know, Braun went bonkers hitting three bombs, producing four hits (he also had a triple), while scoring three runs and pushing six across the plate. After the game Braun was then on pace for 49 homers, 120 RBI, a .294 average an a .994 OPS.
Think about that.
That one game, because it was so huge and because the season is still so young, vaulted Braun from being on pace for the worst production of his carer to a pace that would net him a career best in homers and RBI while pushing his OPS up to the exact same mark of .994 that he reached in his amazing 2011 season.
Sample size people.
For those of you who may have missed it…
Last week I broke down how the fantasy production of Rickie Weeks and Darwin Barney wasn’t appreciably different since the start of the 2011 season.
Tags: Darwin Barney, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun
By Joe M on May 2, 2012
I love Braun and really happy to see him hitting balls to places baseballs have never seen. I truly believe that something was shady about the positive test last season, and I dont buy it that he juiced. After passing so many of those tests in his career while killing the ball, I just didn’t buy it. This guy is a pure natural talent and i’m really happy the media and bashing fans didnt get the best of him.
As a baseball fan he’s a real pleasure to watch play..
By Joe M on May 2, 2012
I see this coming from Pujols soon as well. As soon as he puts together a few consecutive good games, he will go on a Pujols tear and will move people up in the standing quickly.
Raw talent is Raw talent, both Pujols and Braun are 2 of the best players of this generation and anyone who doesn’t buy into it will lose out.
By Matt on May 2, 2012
Pujols sucks
By jon on May 2, 2012
Afternoon ma’ friend:
I’ve got a my Beachy/J Garcia for his Strasburg/Chapman on the table.
QS, K/9, W. 10-teamer. I have a deep staff already (Verlander, Waino, JJ, Beachy, Luebke, Scherzer, Garcia, Bedard) but we have a 200-start limit.
Get the best arm in the deal here or keep my man-crush Beachy?
By Ray Flowers on May 2, 2012
I hope that everyone that sends questions on a daily basis has made a donation to BaseballGuys.com or bought the Draft Guide.
By Ray Flowers on May 2, 2012
Matt – You’re right. Pujols does suck. Guess that’s why he’ll end up in the HOF.
By jon on May 2, 2012
You know it, Ray! Bought the guide and sent everyone I know (who’s not in my league, of course… heh.) in your direction as well. At the same time, I shall keep in mind that you’re only human… or are you in fact a fantasy baseball league-winning cyborg sent from outer space?
Cheers, man.
By Ray Flowers on May 2, 2012
Jon – 10 tm league, unless you have holds, Chapman has very little value right now. All changes if he closes, but that’s a huge IF. As dominating as Strasburg is, I’d rather have the two SPs.
By Ray Flowers on May 2, 2012
Jon – I once had to outrun a terminator who was hell bent on removing me from existence because I helped some guy win a fantasy league in 2013 or something…
lol
By Robert on May 2, 2012
Hey Ray…I’ve got Youk, and well, you know the rest. I’m currently stashing Sergio Santos and Jorge De La Rosa with my two DL spots. Which one would you drop? I have Nathan, Marshall, Myers and Jansen as my relievers. And I have Price, Lincecum, Romero, A. Sanchez, Capuano, Arroyo, and Niemann as starters.
(And just so you know, I absolutely bought the draft guide, and I’d buy it again for all of the help you give me.
)
By The Sportsguy on May 2, 2012
Need a short term solution while Youk is out…D Kelly or Elliot Johnson?
By pd on May 2, 2012
thoughts on middlebrooks as youk replacement? also help out on possible two start pick ups for week starting may 14th? where is most reliable info for future pitchers starts so far out? Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on May 2, 2012
PD – Middlebrooks is an AL only option. I dont think he sticks full time – where would he play when Youkilis returns? Solid short term, but not long term.
2 start pitchers for 2 weeks from now? No way to know that. Who knows who will even be two start guys at that time. Injuries, rainouts, rotation changes etc.
I use CBS for 2-start pitchers, pretty solid.
By Ray Flowers on May 2, 2012
The SportsGuy – Go with Johnson. He seems to have a much clearer look at PT than Kelly.
By Ray Flowers on May 2, 2012
Robert – Gotta keep Santos. If he closes in the second half, that’s 15 saves. DLR is a nice hold with a power arm, but he’s always a control risk, and coming back from surgery ain’t going to help that.
By Alan on May 2, 2012
Ray,
In my utility spot would you suggest dropping Daniel Murphy to pick up Jed Lowrie?
Thanks
By pd on May 2, 2012
thanks i know its pretty far in advance for that. suppose i could use middlebrooks short term. Altuve is available I could slide aviles over to 3b? i have E5 at first base and trumbo on bench.
Ive had alexei like three years in a row…looks like he might be coming out of his early slow start. He would have been on my bench this week if youk didnt get hurt.
Im going to ATT tomorrow to watch Giants game I will buy u a beer(s)at 21st amendment if you want to stop by. I promise NOT to talk about my fantasy team.
By Nick on May 3, 2012
Jordan Schaefer or Tony Campana?
Thanks
By Cliff Prince on May 3, 2012
Hi Ray
There was a trade in our league that has caused some controversy and some owners want it up for a vote. The deal was Pujols & Jansen for J Upton, Hosmer & Kubel. Do you think this is a lopsided trade that should be overturned? This is a 12 team, 6X4,25 man roster, nonkeeper league.
thanks
By Ricky S on May 3, 2012
Ray,
What are your thoughts on Vance Worley and Chris Sale? I’m in 3 leagues and own both in all 3. How do you rank them for the rest of the year, and are either sell high candidates?
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Alan – I would stick with Murphy. There is no way that Lowrie keeps this up.
http://baseballguys.com/2012/05/01/tuesday-tips/
I’d be sticking with Murphy.
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
PD – Thanks for the invite… won’t be able to make it though.
Cheer them on to victory.
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Nick – IF healthy Schafer, he’s just going to get way more playing time. If however, as seems possible, Schafer ends up on DL with his oblique issue, then the answer is clear.
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Cliff Prince - Pujols & Jansen for J Upton, Hosmer & Kubel.
Pujols is the best hitter of the past decade. Jansen seems primed for greatness.
Upton has been a slow starter, but like Pujols was a 1st rd pick.
Hosmer has been a slow starer and seems primed for greatness.
Kubel isn’t a .333 hitter, but he’s a solid bad.
Yeah, this deal is unfair an lopsided no doubt.
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Ricky S – I wrote about Worley here:
http://baseballguys.com/2012/04/30/daily-joust-wk-4-did-we-learn-anything/
Sale is a dynamic talent who is likely on an IP limit.
Both guys are sell high if someone thinks they are going to win the Cy Young award.
Sale isn’t going to have a 1.00 WHIP, Worley a sub 2.00 ERA – so technically both are sell high guys.
Doesn’t mean you have to sell though. Both should be solid until their innings run out.
By Jeremy on May 3, 2012
Hey Ray, I have a trade question (10-team H2H league, realize you hate them):
A guy in my league really wants Gio Gonzalez. I have the SP to back up losing him I believe with Kershaw, Morrow, Shields, CJ Wilson, Anibal Sanchez, Minor, Jaime Garcia, Capuano, and Niese.
Looking to boost my OF/Util of Heyward, Braun, BJ Upton, and Zobrist. I want Bruce. Thinking of offering a SP/OF for SP/OF deal to him. What do you think of the following:
Give up Gio and Upton for Bruce and one of the following – Johan Santana, Jordan Zimmerman, Hanson or Lance Lynn (who could get starts out of the RP slot)? Thanks
By Bobby on May 3, 2012
Hello Ray
I am in a 10 team roto league i have Hanrahan is H Bell dropable now? Most owners only start 1 rp.
thanks
bobby
By Cliff Prince on May 3, 2012
Do I note a touch of sarcasm in your reply to the Pujols trade question?
By Robert on May 3, 2012
Welp, Ray…not only do I have Youk, but I also have Panda (not a 48 hours for my fantasy team). I dropped DLR to make room for Youk, like you suggested. Now with the new Panda news, who would you drop between Youk and Sergio Santos to make room for Panda? I’ll likely keep all three for the near future (maybe I can make it until Youk gets back), but I’d like to know your thoughts for when I’m forced to make a move. Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Jeremy – Don’t like this at all. Upton doesn’t do it same way as Bruce, but if both are healthy ROTW he will be as productive as Bruce cause of steals. I like Gio Gonzalez as much as any of the other guys you are mentioning – except for Johan and Lynn who don’t belong in that group of arms despite solid starts from both.
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Bobby – I’ve never heard of a 10 tm lg that only starts 1 RP, seems like a total waste of time to me. But if you only start 1, you don’t need to hold on to Bell.
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Robert – Boy, daily questions eh? Rough 48 hours for a lot of people.
Well, if you lost one 3B, I dont know how dropping your other 3B makes much sense. Given that fact, I guess dropping Santos would make the most sense, though as you know, I’d like to avoid that too.
By Bobby on May 3, 2012
Hello Ray.
We must start 1 R.P ..some start 2 R.P I use Hanrahan as my number 1 R.P. Should i drop H Bell for C Perez or Campana?
Thank you
By Ray Flowers on May 3, 2012
Bobby – Bell is totally up in he air right now. I would drop him an add Perez.
Campana is only a speed option. He’s not worth anything more than a 5th OF spot in a deep mixed lg.