23 Responses to “Around the Horn: May23, 2012”

1. By Chase Golden on May 23, 2012

   hey Ray I know it all depends on league context, but who could I reasonably be looking at in return for Brian Lahair? Trying to sell on him while still possible

2. By Ray Flowers on May 23, 2012

   Chase Golden – I wish you would have sold LaHair weeks ago. At this point with his struggles the past few weeks, it’s going to be pretty hard to get a great return. If you can deal him for someone who still thinks he is a stud, do it.

3. By Bryce Martin on May 24, 2012

   Bud Norris notched his 4th productive win in a row this week. He has been going really well this season. His whip is down .13 points, his era is down .63 points… Is this an incremental improvement year for him like last year? Is he capable of sustaining these numbers? The K rate is on target. The walk rate is as expected. So is he just going to get better at missing bats as he matures?

4. By Alan on May 24, 2012

   Ray,
   I’m in a 12 team 5×5 league and can pick up one of these guys: A. Rios,
   Middlebrooks, Y. Cespedes. What would be the best pick up for the rest of the season? I have a DL spot on my roster if you suggested Cespedes.

   Thanks.

5. By Bill on May 24, 2012

   Ray,
   With Reed being named closer for the White Sox would you drop any of these guys to pick him up ?(Axford, Jansen, Casilla, R.Soriano)

6. By Fish on May 24, 2012

   Ray,
   What’s the 411 on Rizzo and Arenado? In my NL only team I’m the proud owner of Ramos, Werth and Sandoval – still sitting pretty in 1st place but wondering how long I can get by with Chris Nelson or Huff in my starting lineup. At least the Matt Adams promotion enabled me to get Nelson out of there while he’s on the DL. Thanks.
   Fish

7. By Callaway on May 24, 2012

   Alright Ray, I’m going to ride out Napoli’s cold streak b/c you told me to!

   Trade offer: I’m getting Prince Fielder and Jordan Zimmerman for Jason Heyward and CJ Wilson.

   I can slide Micheal Young from 1B to 3B, play Price at 1B, and replace Heyward at Util with Allen Craig when he gets off DL. Lawrie moves to bench until he picks it up. Sound like a move you would make?

8. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

   Bryce Martin – I’ve been a big Bud Norris supporter for years continually having more faith in him than others. The record – not likely to continue with Astros. The Ks? Yes, he obviously is a K per inning guy. The walks “as expected.” I can’t agree with you there. He cut a batter off his walk rate last year so some slight growth is possible this year. However, he’s cut another half batter off his BB/9 rate. I don’t know if he can hold on to that. He still is just lg average in GB/FB, HR/9, HR/F. I’m not saying he can’t better his ratios from last season, he can, but he’s not a lock to do it.

9. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

   Alan – I’d suggest Cespedes as the biggest upside play. Still, I’m a big fan of Rios who might be a slightly safer option, even if he lack the power upside of Cespedes.

10. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

    Bill – Reed has been the closer for about two weeks. Don’t know why they officially names him yesterday. Regardless — I’d consider moving to him from Soriano. There is no clarity yet on what the Yanks will do once Robertson is healthy.

11. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

    Fish – Not great news if you are a Rizzo owner. Looks like could be a while.

    http://www.sulia.com/channel/baseball/f/1d6e8d3e-07be-4071-916c-482bbd1ca612/?source=twitter

    Arenado still has only 165 Abs above Single-A ball. He is hitting .303, but has only three homers in 44 games. I still think he needs more minor league seasoning, but that doesn’t mean he wont be up at some point soon.

12. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

    Callaway – I’m getting Prince Fielder and Jordan Zimmerman for Jason Heyward and CJ Wilson.

    No issue with this at all. You get a stud at first, and though I’d prefer Wilson to Zimmerman, there isn’t much diff.

13. By Mike on May 24, 2012

    Ray- I’m the commish of my 12 team league and a trade has been proposed. The trade is Lincecum for Peavy. We need 8 votes to veto the trade and that has occurred. As the commish I can over rule the voters and allow the trade as I’m not part of the trade. I think it’s fair. Some of the same guys do this in football where a trade occurs and they veto trades because they think they could’ve provided a better offer. What’s your take?

14. By Callaway on May 24, 2012

    Thanks Ray… Btw, thanks for all the advice you give us. You are my main source of fantasy advice and I won my league last year by listening to the Fantasy Drive last year. I read your columns here and listen to your show almost every day. I can’t speak for all your listeners and readers, but I really appreciate what you do!

15. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

    Callaway – You da man. You got it.

16. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

    Mike – The trade is Lincecum for Peavy. We need 8 votes to veto the trade and that has occurred.

    I see no reason why this deal should be vetoed.

    Linecum is the better pitcher.
    Peavy is pitching better.

    Interested… are people vetoing it cause they think Peavy is going to win the Cy Young Award, or because they think Lincecum will rebound? The fact that I have to ask the question shows why the deal shouldn’t be vetoed.

17. By Mike on May 24, 2012

    Thanks Ray. My thoughts exactly. Both guys are taking risks. One that Lincecum will rebound and the other that Peavy stays healthy. That is why I allowed the trade to happen. Thanks for the input.

18. By Troy on May 24, 2012

    I just started getting into daily leagues and wanted to know some basic strategy so I don’t get fleeced early.

19. By Ray Flowers on May 24, 2012

    Troy – Some thoughts…

    Check out splits: home/road, lefty/righty, night/day, PITCHER/HITTER as well.

    Also pay close attention to current work – guys struggling or not recently?

    Probably best to choose your SP first, since they cost the most, and then work around them.

20. By Nathan on May 24, 2012

    Ray-
    My Lance Lynn and Chris Sale for his Roy Halladay? Which side of this trade do you like? If I give up 2 for the 1, then I could add AJ burnett or Paulino off waivers. Does that make the deal any better?

    thanks.

21. By Mike on May 25, 2012

    10 team NL only. ROTW pick one, Rizzo, Arenado, Dobbs, or Gaby Sanchez?
    12 team AL only. Start Cobb vs. Boston? Drop Figgins and stash Hultzen?
    ROTW Iannetta or Hundley 18 team 2 catchers? I have Yadier
    Thanks Ray
    Mike

22. By Ray Flowers on May 25, 2012

    Nathan – My Lance Lynn/Chris Sale for his Roy Halladay / add AJ Burnett or Paulino off waivers

    Do the deal for Halladay and Burnett.You could slot Paulino in if you want, but I’m gonna go with the vet.

23. By Ray Flowers on May 25, 2012

    Mike – NL only – jeez, tough call since call up dates for all is key. Sanchez.

    AL only – I’d pass on starting Cobb.
    Can stash Hutlzen, but we may not see him to really late in the year.

    Mixed – Iannetta, though Hundley can’t be this bad.