19 Responses to “Around the Horn: May15, 2012”

1. By John on May 15, 2012

   very good info and warnings of buyers beware

2. By Jeremy on May 15, 2012

   Hi Ray, what are your thought on Alexei Ramirez? How does he compare to Stephen Drew? Thanks.

3. By Ray Flowers on May 15, 2012

   Jeremy – Ramirez and Drew are very close. I’d take Alexei cause he’s healthy. Drew is getting close and makes a nice stash, but still a bit uncertain healthy wise. If healthy and rocking, both are right at the bottom of the top-10 SS.

4. By greg on May 15, 2012

   Hey thanks Ray, I’ve got a question about a Haren trade.

   I’m trying to give Andrus/Haren to get Kershaw/Pence.

   I would be getting the Kershaw side and would replace Andrus with Alexei. Aybar also on the WW if he ever heats up, as is Stephen Drew.

   10-team 6×6 roto w/ QS, W, K/9, AVG, OPS

   Which side you rather have? I LOVE Andrus this year especially in front of Hamilton. I also have Verlander and Strasburg already, so Kershaw would just be ridiculousness. But I want him! Heh. Is damning my SS spot too high a price to get the Kersh?

5. By Craig D on May 15, 2012

   Ray – I was just offered Billy Butler and Jay Bruce —> for Votto. I view Billy Butler as a poor man’s Votto. Jay Bruce is breaking out and still very young with big upside. Hell, so is Butler!

   My OF are Matt Holliday, Micahel Bourn, Josh Reddick, Ellsbury on the DL.

   I’d be dropping Chase Headley.

   You like the deal?

6. By Nathan on May 15, 2012

   Ray – What do you think the outlook for Gregor Blanco is going forward? Is he worth rostering in a 12 mixed?

7. By Nick on May 15, 2012

   I have lost Wilson Ramos for the year in a salary cap league. I can’t make unlimited pickups. Should I pickup Carlos Ruiz or try to trade for Weiters or Napoli? I know it’s a vague question but I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

8. By Mark on May 15, 2012

   Ray – 5×5 12 team roto. Do you like Hosmer or Ike Davis ROS? Thanks for all you do!

9. By Ray Flowers on May 15, 2012

   Greg - I’m trying to give Andrus/Haren to get Kershaw/Pence.

   I don’t think youre damning your SS spot. Coming into the year Alexei Ramirez was a top-10 option, and still plenty of time for him to end up that way.

   I don’t know if the guy will accept this offer. Kershaw is what he is, a start, and Pence can be viewed, in some circles, to be a safer bet than Haren. Go for it and good luck.

10. By Ray Flowers on May 15, 2012

    Craig D – I was just offered Billy Butler and Jay Bruce —> for Votto. I’d be dropping Chase Headley.

    That’s the thing with uneven deals. Butler/Bruce for Votto is a slam dunk – you have to take it. However, when you add Headley into the mix, it’s a much tougher call. Still, you can replace a Headley type off waivers, so I’m still doing this deal.

11. By Ray Flowers on May 15, 2012

    Nathan – The Giants named Gregor Blanco their RF, and he has been hitting leadoff as well. Still, not much to get overly excited about. Third team in four years. In 770 at-bats his slash line is well league average at .260/.359/.330. He does offer some nice speed upside, and if he plays everyday he could be a 5th OF type in mixed leagues.

12. By Ray Flowers on May 15, 2012

    Nick – I’d pick up Ruiz unless you have plenty to trade to get a Wieter/Napoli who are going to cost you a ton.

    Ruiz is not a .330 hitter. He’s not a 20 HR bat. He could hit .300 with his solid approach, and thanks to his hot start he could reach 15 homers, but realize that leaves him as a moderate option best served as a catcher #2 in mixed leagues.

13. By Ray Flowers on May 15, 2012

    Mark – 5×5 12 team roto. Do you like Hosmer or Ike Davis ROTW?

    Not even close for me. Give me Hosmer. Look at his #s last yr and this yr.

    2011: 1.57 GB/FB, 6.0 BB%, 14.6 K%, 13.5 HR/F
    2012: 1.64 GB/FB, 8.6 BB%, 12.5 K%, 13.9 HR/F

    That’s right, he’s actually improved this year even though it doesn’t look like it.

    BABIP last year .314. This year, .165.

    When the hits start falling Hosmer should be fine.

14. By Mike on May 16, 2012

    Hey Ray,

    I’m thinking of buying low on Haren and selling high on Lynn. Deep 16-team, HSH-Points league.

    Trade Seager & Lynn FOR Haren, Dirks & Dozier?

    Thanks

15. By marco on May 16, 2012

    PULOJS??

    I have an offer of Pulojs for Victorino and Dunn. I have other decent OF (Carlos Gonz., Chris Young, Rios, Morse (DL), etc. The question is….will Pulojs be pulojs the ROTW or will he pull a 2011 Adam Dunn?.

16. By Ray Flowers on May 16, 2012

    Mike – Trade Seager & Lynn FOR Haren, Dirks & Dozier?

    Go for it. Haren is a great buy low, Lynn a great sell high. Make this deal happen. Like it.

17. By Nate on May 16, 2012

    Good stuff as always, Ray.

    Trying to sure up the back end of my rotation in a 12 team 5×5 H2H. Who do you like the rest of the way- Bud Norris, Friedrich, Daniel Hudson, Niese or Bass?

    Young guys like Friedrich and Bass scare me, but their K/9 and K/BB rate is great (of course so is Scherzer’s), Hudson is coming off injury, and Niese and Norris are always up and down with little run support.

18. By Ray Flowers on May 16, 2012

    Marco – I have an offer of Pulojs for Victorino and Dunn.

    I think it’s obvious that Pujols will improve, though each day his slump lingers doubt inches upward.

    I think it’s obvious that Dunn isn’t likely to hit 45 homers with a 1.000 OPS, but he’s also not going to revert to last season’s level.

    So do the deal? I’d hold onto your duo, but it’s really close.

19. By Ray Flowers on May 16, 2012

    Nate – Hudson if healthy, and well worth a risk that late. Niese very solid, but not much upside. Norris has the biggest K arm, but issues with wins and walks at times.

    Add Hudson, well worth it.