Around the Horn: June6, 2012
June 6th, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |(1) Alex Avila headed to DL with hamstring injury.
(2) Colby Rasmus blows up – can he be trusted?
(3) Andy Pettitte dominating batters. Can it continue?
(4) Carlos Quentin is Babe Ruth?
(5) Huston Street returns to action.
(6) Alfonso Soriano flashing power bat. Did you notice?
(7) What to do with the perpetually disappointing Tim Lincecum?
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Alex Avila, Alfonso Soriano, Andy Pettitte, Carlos Quentin, Colby Rasmus, Dale Thayer, Gerald Laird, Huston Street, Tim Lincecum
By Jake on Jun 6, 2012
Ray,
Trade question: I have Sergio Santos on the DL, Clippard, Papplebon, and Russel in the pen. I am last in save and first in K’s, ERA, WHIP, and Quality starts. Do I trade CC Sabathia for Josh Johnson and Frieri? I would drop Wade Miley or just wait for Marmol or Clippard to lose their job.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2012
Jake – Do I trade CC Sabathia for Josh Johnson and Frieri
Since you are last in saves, I can sign off on this, though the Angels haven’t committed to Frieri as their full time closer, and remember that he still has control issues that could crop up at any time.
By Jaren on Jun 6, 2012
Ray,
Pretty far out of it in saves in 5×5 10 team roto. Do I trade Chapman for Trout straight up?? I have BJ Upton WIllingham and Viciedo/Swisher in my OF with Crawford Berkman Jackson on the DL.. ???? I like this trade but just not sure.
By Scott on Jun 6, 2012
Is getting Lincecum for Bryce Harper considered on the cheap?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2012
Jaren – trade Chapman for Trout straight up?
If you’re out of it in saves and are thinking about punting the category, having one save guy isn’t gonna do anything for you in a 10 tm lg where other teams have 3 or 4 closers. If you can get Trout, no issue with it, though, if you only start 3 OFs having seven of them on a 10 tm roster is far too many.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2012
Scott – Is getting Lincecum for Bryce Harper considered on the cheap?
I think that’s a good deal to make. Harper has been really, really impressive. But it’s a long season. It will be interesting to see how he does once the league adjusts.
By godfather on Jun 6, 2012
i need to punch up my outfield in a cdm (roster sameness)league; i can snap up morse/trout together cheaper than braun alone, using two instead of just one of my five remaining moves…i’m a longshot at best, but it’s way early to rain this out
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2012
Godfather – I’m telling Charlie Wiegert you stole his handle by the way.
Two is often better than one, but remember, that they take up two rosters spots so are Morse/Trout more productive than Braun/X ?
By godfather on Jun 6, 2012
yeah, that’s my dilemma, ray — the move, not charlie, who respects his elders…even as they grow fewer and further between…thanks
By John on Jun 6, 2012
Ray:
Love the radio show. Listen every day. just got offered a huge deal in a 12 team mixed roto with 6 cats (obp and k/9 are the extra 2)
I get Texeira, Luke Scott, Justin Upton, Adam Wainwright and Juan Cruz for Pujols, Swisher, Victorino, Rafael Soriano and Jarrod Parker. Do I make this deal. The clock is ticking…..
My team is good offensively except for sb. My pitching is weak in era, whip and k/9
By baseballer on Jun 6, 2012
Ray,
I’m tiring of the inconsistency and strikeouts of one Dustin Ackley manning my MI in my Yahoo! points league. For a 50K guy, he isnt flashing much power and franjly has been average at best. I have the hot Neil Walker sitting out there and the boringly consistent but wonderful 15bb to 15K ratio’d Scutaro who plays in Coors often.
Would u dump Ack for either of them?
Thanks in advance,
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2012
John – Glad you like the radio show my friend.
I HATE deals this big. Too many moving parts.
I get Texeira/Luke Scott/Justin Upton/Adam Wainwright/Juan Cruz for Pujols/Swisher/Victorino/Rafael Soriano/Jarrod Parker.
Cruz useless. Scott boring.
I’ll take second set since Soriano looks like Yanks closer even when Robertson returns.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2012
Baseballer – Ackley is on pace to hit 11 homers, 55 RBI, 90 runs and 15 SBs. Those are pretty solid numbers from a young second sacker. He’s not a power hitter. Top level likely 20 HRs.
He’s still the best option of the three you mentioned, though if it’s about a salary cap, hard to go against Scutaro who is a third as expensive.
By Chrissy on Jun 6, 2012
Hello Ray!!
I need some help at first base, currently running with Matt Adams and picked up Laporta…ugh! 12 team roto keeper Adam Lind was dropped and I hear buzz of him heating up and possibly being brought back up. Should I take a shot? Also, as an example, if I was to entertain possibly trading Clayton Kershaw, at any postion, who would be a realistic target for a bat? As always, thank you for your help!
By JDW on Jun 6, 2012
Mr. Flowers,
Thank you so very much for your generous and always awesome around the horns! I really appreciate you taking the time, effort, and bandwidth. No question – just sincerest thanks!
By wesley on Jun 6, 2012
Hey ray, You should be selling a $3 mid season rankings sheet? just a suggestion for u . But anywho i need your help. Can you please rank these pitcher for me Niese, Kuroda, billingsly,nolasco, and cahill.
thanks again ray
By Rusty on Jun 6, 2012
Nice tips in the vid, Ray! Thanks.
By El burro on Jun 6, 2012
Hola ray
14 team mixed, 6×6 with OPS, redraft league
Eric Aybar just became available on my wire. Would you drop Alcides Escobar for him? Obviously, Aybar has been awful to date and ZIPS projects them very closely ROS. What do you think? I tend to think steals might be a wash, Aybar has more pop upside (like 5 HR vs. 2 HR) and Alcides has more AVG upside (like .280 vs .245)… Am I off here?
Thanks
By Joe on Jun 6, 2012
Hey Ray,
I could use another SP and i guy in my league is offering up Johan Santana on the trading block. I was considering offering him Trumbo for Santana but i wanted your take…Santana has been great so far but he could be an injury risk.
By Matt on Jun 7, 2012
Whats the deal with Justin Upton? Is he injured? Should we expect a DL stint? Would you be worried?
By Thomas on Jun 7, 2012
Keeper league with OPS. I own Tulo and have a chance to flip him for Cargo. My outfield is already stacked with McCutchen Braun Harper and Upton. Would you flip Tulo for Cargo? I know how hot Tulo can get but it is a H2H league. Tulo seems to always get injured each year and I feel all his value is in the SS position. Do the deal?
By Patrick on Jun 7, 2012
Offered my Tulo for his Kemp. We are in a 6×6 H2H keeper league. Thoughts?
By jon on Jun 7, 2012
Hey Ray – I need a 6th SP in my 10-team league w/ OPS, QS, W, K/9. You like Latos, Kuroda or Norris? I’m down in W & QS so Kuroda’s situation could help me most but I think Latos is the best arm despite the slow start. And he’s in that little bandbox. You agree?
I have Verlander, Haren, Strasburg, Wainwright, Gallardo and whomever I add would be my 6th.
What’s your read her?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Chrissy – If you deal Kershaw, you need an elite hitter back. At first that means guys like Fielder, Votto, Pujols. With the early season struggles of Pujols, it might just be the other two right now. If you deal Kershaw for any player, you have to get back a top-15 hitter = elite.
Lind has hit very well in the minors, but even so I don’t know what his role will be when he is recalled. He’s a better option than LaPorta I’d have to think.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
JDW – Thanks for the support. Always nice to hear someone just say thanks.
You’re welcome.
By Jeremy on Jun 7, 2012
Hey Ray, I have Rickie Weeks, he’s been a little better lately, but someone dropped Ben Zobrist, he’s been pretty bad too .199 6, 19, 5
Weeks has similar #’s for the season. What do you think? Drop Weeks for Zobrist?
I’m in 1st place in 5×5 Roto, 10 team league BTW.
Thank you for your knowledge! I listen to you guys every day on my drive home!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Wesley – I’m seriously considering doing a mid-season update to the DraftGuide focusing on rankings. Great minds think alike.
Niese (if healthy), Billingsley, Nolasco, Kuroda, Cahill
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Rusty – You got it. Happy to give you something positive to do for a few minutes.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
El burro – ZIPS = just a projection system, and I don’t pay much attention to them at all.
Neither player has pop. Doesn’t matter if you go Aybar or Alcides there.
To say Escobar has more AVG upside – where you getting that?
Career: Aybar .271 Escobar .257
I have no problem taking Escobar as the choice over Aybar, but it’s pretty much a toss up.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Joe – Santana could be an injury risk? He IS an injury risk. Major surgery and no pitches last year = injury risk. He’s been great. I will continue to say though that I’d be shocked if he keeps this pace up, shocked, and he’s a hit or miss option for 30 starts if you ask me. Would I deal Trumbo for him? If you have another solid 1B option, then you can do it.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Matt – Some thoughts on Upton here – http://baseballguys.com/2012/06/07/mailbag-june7-2012/
K-rate = stable
BB-rate = stable
Steal rate = stable
HR/F = stable though down three percent.
Line drive rate = way UP. 26 percent compared to career 19.5 Given that, his BABIP should be up and it’s not (.298 vs. career .334). That doesn’t make sense, at all. I’d expect a rebound when that number normalizes. He just needs to lift the ball more.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Thomas – I’d take CarGo over Tulo right now, just like I told everyone to do in March.
Do you only start 3 OFs? Gotta get in a lg that starts five buddy.
If you do this deal, your got one too many starting OFs if you only start 3 (even with one in UT spot, you still have someone on the bench).
I’d do the deal.
I’d then trade Harper to get another strong SS in return.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Patrick – I’d side with Tulo over Kemp right now. Tulo will be back earlier. Plays tougher position to fill. Also, will Kemp run when back? He wasn’t running all year long, and now that he’s had two DL stints for a leg issue, I really doubt he steals a ton of bases in the second half.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Jon – Kuroda is solid, but I don’t want solid given your other two options. I think Latos is a better pitcher than Norris, though he hasn’t shown it much this year. I’d agree with you and go Latos. He’s actually pitched much better at home in the “bankbox” (4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) than on the road (6.12 ERA, 1.72 WHIP).
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2012
Jeremy – Dropping Zobrist is a big mistake. Though struggling, he’s still on pace for 15 homers, 55 RBI, 80 runs and 15 steals. And he has sucked this year.
Give me Zobrist over Weeks, just like I wrote back in Jan.:
http://baseballguys.com/2012/01/26/adp-talk-late-january/
Glad you enjoy the radio show too.
By DaFightins on Jun 8, 2012
YO Ray. about a week go you responded very diplomatictely about my goofy trade of adrian Gonzalez and Robert andino for Kelly Johnson and James Loney in a keeper legue. I agree..Gonzalez for Kelly Johson is pretty weak. Trade two has now been agreed… Cole Hamels and James Loney for CJ Wilson and Michel Cuddyer. … Going forwrd…can David Cooer, Ben Revere and,,,, maybe, possibly, a healthy Coco Crisp be trusted?
By Matt on Jun 8, 2012
Ray – Need a replacement for Tulo – Plouffe or Barney? Thanks! Matt
By Ray Flowers on Jun 9, 2012
DaFightins – What up amigo…
Cole Hamels and James Loney for CJ Wilson and Michel Cuddyer.
This is a solid deal for you – Loney just doesn’t measure up to the others here, so moving on from him is solid.
Can David Cooper, Ben Revere and maybe, possibly, a healthy Coco Crisp be trusted?
I wouldn’t trust any to be a daily play unless your in an AL only lg.
Revere/Crisp are the same player, so having both on one team is tough.
Cooper has done well, but Lind could return and cause PT issues.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 9, 2012
Matt – Plouffe has major power advantage, but oh is that average an eye sore. I’d say if it was a long term thing I’d go with Barney, but since it’s short term why not add Plouffe and hope he blasts a few homers next week.