On this week’s edition of “The Fantasy Beat”, Justin and Trevor talk about 1st Basemen around the majors who have surprisingly started the 2012 season off well. They also talk about the slumping players at 1st.
Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto, Eric Hosmer, Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Dunn, Prince Fielder
Tags: Adam Dunn, Edwin Encarnacion, Eric Hosmer, Joey Votto, Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder
The FSWA winner of the Best Baseball Series of 2011, BaseballGuys.com is the only source you will need for your fantasy baseball knowledge. OK, you might need other sources, but BaseballGuys.com should be on your daily list of must reads for the insights an analysis it provides on the world of baseball.
The co-host of The Drive on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87: M-F at 5-8 PM EDT), Ray has spent years squirreled away studying the inner workings of the fantasy game to the detriment of his personal life. Specializing in baseball, football and hockey, some consider him an expert in all three. Ray's work can also be found as feature writer for: Fantasy Alarm, Rotoinfo, Rotowire and Sports Illustrated.
You can contact Ray through e-mail at fantasyfandom@yahoo(dot)com or on Twitter.
By Alan on May 19, 2012
Ray,
Should I drop Marshall? In a 12 team 5×5 league I also have K. Jansen, Axford, Casilla, Soriano. If I drop Marshall I could pick up one of these guys on the ww: S. Romo, B. League, A. Reed, Thayer, Dolis, Fuentes, Downs, C. Janssen. Thoughts?
Thanks, your advice and the draft guide helped me out so much. I’ve been top 3 in the standings so far. Thanks again.
By david on May 19, 2012
hi, ray. 12 team mixed. My beltran and jj hardy for his ryan braun.
good trade for me or giving away too much?
beltran has been my draft steal, but i feel like i’m waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop right on his knee. how do you assess health risks for guys like him? as for ss, i have furcal, too. he’s also a health risk, of course, but i have stephen drew on my dl so should have him back in 3-4 weeks.
i also have a few decent options to rotate into my IF spot without hardy (carlos lee, murphy, swisher). thanks.
By Jeremy on May 20, 2012
Hi Ray, What are your thoughts on the struggles of Alex Avilla so far? Will he turn it around?
By Ray Flowers on May 20, 2012
Alan – No certainty on how Reds will handle the 9th. Chapmaman has been great, but Marshall has also been impressive: 7 for 8 in saves, 13.19 K/9, 1.88 BB/9, 7.00 K/BB, 2.89 GB/FB. Those are HOF type numbers. He’s seen his HR/F double, and .488 BABIP which is insanely high.
Very confused how in a 12 tm lg there are full time closers on the wire – how is that happening?
I’d hold Marshall until team decides what they are goin to do, and then you can move on to Reed or League.
By Ray Flowers on May 20, 2012
David – My beltran and jj hardy for his ryan braun.
I don’t have an issue here. Beltran simply can’t keep up his early pace and he’s got knee/foot issues. Hardy has been a 120 game type player for years as well. If healthy they could be an impressive duo, but I’d still take the elite production of Braun.
Drew returning in a bit gives you a solid support option at SS as well.
By Ray Flowers on May 20, 2012
Jeremy – I wrote about Avila in October last year talking about 2012 – http://baseballguys.com/2011/10/27/player-profile-alex-avila/
“However, there is a miniscule chance that he will be able to replicate his BABIP success even with that strong line drive rate. After posting marks of .308 and .278 his first two abbreviated campaigns, numbers right in line with the .290-.300 big league average, that number flew all the way up to .366 in 2011. Avila doesn’t hit enough line drives for that number to be sustainable…”
His BABIP has fallen .103 points this year. Oddly though, his LD-rate is way up. Of course, it’s not a sustainable pace at 27.5 percent. Given that high LD rate, it’s a shock to see his GB rate so high. Basically, things really need to stabilize here, and they should, over the course of the season. He should be solid, but not elite.
By greg on May 20, 2012
Hey Ray – I’m looking at a deal that would send my Strasburg to get me back Cliff Lee. It’s 10-team Roto w/ QS, W, K/9. Considering the depth of the league and the K/9 stat – could you make a case to keep Stras over Lee here? Or don’t get cute and make the move (esp. given the uncertainty around Strasburg’s IP limit)?
a few other pieces involved, but they’re sort of immaterial to me. the Stras/Lee kernel is the big question. thanks!
By Ray Flowers on May 20, 2012
Greg – Given the slight biceps issue with Strasburg, and the fact that he’s always being removed from games do to pitch and inning limits, I’d add Lee. The Phillies ace is a more stable option in my mind. He will lose the K/9 issue to Strasburg, but wins and QS might still go in his favor.
By Mark on May 21, 2012
Ray – I need your help with my RPs in a 5×5 roto since I’ve been hit by the injury bug. I need to have 3 out of this group…please do not get sick!
Currently on Roster:
Robertson (on my DL)
Fuentes
Henry Rodriguez
Jordan Walden
Available on the Wire (yes I’m desparate)
Romo
Parnell
Sean Marshall
Bass
Benoit
Thornton
By Ray Flowers on May 21, 2012
Mark – Are you targeting skills or roles? If it was me, I’d drop Walden an add Romo. He’s the most skilled arm. I’d also add Thornton. He’s another ace out of the pen. Neither is likely to get saves right now though. I’d really like to add Marshall as the third arm. He’s obviously out as closer, but his K, BB and GB/FB rates are all still elite.
If trying to vulture a few saves, add Benoit over Marshall.
By Marc in CO on May 21, 2012
Good morning Ray,
12 team H2H home league. I’m in first but wanted to shake things up. I give Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez. I get Jose Reyes and David Wright. Likey or no likey?
Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on May 21, 2012
Marc in CO – I question the wisdom of trying to shake things up when you’re in first place…
I’d do this deal. From this point forward Reyes has ever bit the chance to match Castro, and Wright, though obviously not in line to keep up this pace, is a better option than Aramis R.
By The Sportsguy on May 21, 2012
What is the prognosis on Peter Bourjos PT once Hunter comes back from DL? I have to beleive he will play every day until then but after….
By Ray Flowers on May 21, 2012
The Sportsguy – The Angels will go with Trout, Hunter, Wells when they are healthy I’d have to think. Of course, they are down two OFs right now and Mark Trumbo is hitting like he thinks he is Albert Pujols. Bourjos should see plenty of work in the short term, but if he doesn’t show something I worry about how he fits into the mix when everyone is back on the field.
By Baseballer on May 21, 2012
I’m considering trading Nick Markakis for Billy Butler as I’m weak at the CI/1B position and have depth in the OF especially after Gardner comes off the DL. Thoughts?
By Ray Flowers on May 21, 2012
Baseballer - I’m considering trading Nick Markakis for Billy Butler
I got no issue with this at all. Butler is a fine young ball player, and of the two, he has a bit more run production upside. Big fan of Butler here.
By Kris on May 23, 2012
Hi Ray,
I’m in a 12 team mixed 5×5. i was offered Tim Lincicum and Kendrys Morales for Moustakis and Corey Hart. What do you think? They could both be buy lows, but is it risky? Is Linc just unlucky right now?
By Ray Flowers on May 23, 2012
Kris – was offered Tim Lincecum and Kendrys Morales for Moustakis and Corey Hart
Morales is really boring to me. Still, he should be able to keep pace with Moose this year.
Hart is a solid batter with a lot of power. He’s also seeing more time at 1B so he could pick up elig there as well. Still, I’m a big Lincecum fan. If you need an offense turn it down. If you need pitching, accept her.