18 Responses to “Fantasy Beat – Pitchers Down, Catchers Up”

1. By Jesse on Jun 23, 2012

   Hey Ray,
   I’m in 1st in a 12-team mixed roto league, and usually don’t like to make big trades atop the league, but I got an interesting trade question for you. I can use improvement in RBI’s and HR’s are really close with 5 of us; in 1st in SB’s by about 17.

   I give up Kinsler, Broxton, & Doumit and get Pujols, Ackley, and Utley.

   My current lineup is below:

   C: Doumit and S. Perez
   1B: Konerko
   2B: Kinsler
   SS: Dee Gordon/Trevor Plouffe
   OF/Util: Braun, Holliday, Bruce, BJ Upton
   Bench: Adam LaRoche (fill in for Konerko days off)

   RP: Brox, Casey Jenssen (Santos on DL), Frieri, Grilli, and Brandon League.

   Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated as always!

2. By Ray Flowers on Jun 23, 2012

   Jesse – I give up Kinsler, Broxton, & Doumit and get Pujols, Ackley, and Utley.

   Pujols is great, but with Konerko not necessarily needed.
   Ackley obviously is no Kinsler, though solid.
   Utley is a total wild card.

   Based on how your league is apparently set up, you do not have an MI, right? If so, you cant do a deal to add two second baseman, at least I wouldn’t, cause one of them will likely always be on the bench give your OF strength (with one playing at UT).

3. By Joe on Jun 24, 2012

   Hey Ray,

   After getting your draft guide and nailing both of my drafts this year, i find myself in 1st place in one league and 2nd in another.

   I’ve been holding Brett Gardner all year and I’m sitting middle of the pack in steals. I have a chance to add Coco Crisp but i’d hate to drop Gardner. Time to move on or do you feel Gardner could be worth holding on to.

4. By Allen on Jun 24, 2012

   Yo ray what side you got in a 12 team h2h. Pedroia, haren, viciedo for kipnis, josh johnson, and Allen Craig. Love the work, thanks

5. By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2012

   Joe – Glad the Guide helped you to some first half success amigo.

   Gardner is a DISASTER. He’s been killing me too.

   I’d still rather have him than Crisp though, and if you’ve waited this long might as well wait a couple more weeks.

6. By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2012

   Allen – pedroia, haren, viciedo for kipnis, josh johnson, and Allen Craig

   Pretty fair here.
   I love Pedroia, but obviously it’s Kipnis at this point.

   Haren isn’t as bad as some of the numbers suggest, and he’s so consistent. Johnson has been his old self the past 6 weeks, but obviously injury concerns linger.

   Viciedo is a solid run producer, but one with holes in his game. Craig should give a better average, and has nice flexibility.

   Give me 2nd set, but close.

7. By Trophyhunter on Jun 24, 2012

   Howdy Ray, great column.
   T.H. current team Pitchers Bench
   Napoli-c CC Sabathia A.J.Ellis-c

   M.Harrison M.young-util
   Pujols-1b F.Rodney-RP
   Kinsler-2b K.Jansen-RP J.Mcdonald
   Reyes-ss J. Peavy K.Louse
   H.Ramir-3b A.Petite R.Oswalt
   J.Bautista-lf
   J.Hamilton-cf
   C.Beltran-rf
   M.Dunn-util

   Sorry the type got a little mixed. But my main
   question is out of all these players, can ya give me your opinion of who to trade for Votto? I know
   the owner will give up Votto for right pick/picks. Thanks…T.H.

8. By Ray Flowers on Jun 24, 2012

   Trophyhunter – Glad you enjoy my work.

   I have no idea what anyone would value a player at. Also dont know the other fellas needs.

   I’d say you have to give a 1B back, so Dunn has to be in there (dont think you want to move Pujols).

   So how about Dunn/McDonald

9. By Mark on Jun 24, 2012

   Ray – I need to drop two players in a 5×5 league (no trades). I have some positional flexibility so I’m not worried there. Below are the candidates. Thanks for all of your great work!

   Hosmer
   Carlos Lee
   Plouffe
   Youkilis
   LaRoche
   Hardy
   Zobrist

10. By Edgar on Jun 24, 2012

    My cc kubel ibanez Stephen drew for dunn plouffe James shields Jerome Williams

11. By Ray Flowers on Jun 25, 2012

    Mark – 10 teamer eh?

    Zobrist is a must hold.. He’s hitting well over.300 with a run scored a game in June.
    Ditto Lee.
    Ditto Ploufe.

    Two most obvious drops are LaRoche and Hardy. Still, Hardy has value do I probably wouldnt just let him go since he has a shot at being an elite power hitter at SS.

    Drop LaRoche… Plouffe? Again though, he’s been so hot I can really say I’m in favor of this move. Can you do a 2-for-1 deal?

12. By Mark on Jun 25, 2012

    Ray – No, it’s a 12 teamer with your help!

13. By Morgan on Jun 25, 2012

    Hey ray, My Adam Jones for Weaver didn’t pan out. He countered with my Jones for his Halladay. Thoughts?

14. By Ray Flowers on Jun 25, 2012

    Morgan – ZERO chance that works for you. Halladay is on the DL, why would you give up an elite OF for that? Halladay also left behind a declining K rate, a rising walk rate, and lowest GB/FB ratio of his career.

15. By KevinB on Jun 25, 2012

    Hey Ray!

    I am in a 12-team 5×5 Roto league with a 25 man roster and 1 DL slot. I have been offered J. Sheilds (SP) for D. Jennings (OF).

    My OF : Choo, Beltran, Stanton, Trumbo, De Aza, Rasmus, Jennings

    My SP : Grienke, Kennedy, Scherzer, Vogelsong, Liriano, E. Santana

    In offensive categories, I am 11, 12, 12, 10, 7
    In pitching categories, I am 2, 2.5, 4, 7, 5

    I am in 6th place and I would like to upgrade my pitching. Is this trade worth the upgrade or should I just stick to finding someone off of the WW?

16. By jon on Jun 25, 2012

    Hey Ray – I’m a compulsive RP stasher and its led me to Bell, Reed, Clippard, Janssen as my closers in 10-team w/ K/9 and saves. Should I bother with Parnell or Perkins given my crop or leave them for others to chance on? currently tied for lead in saves.

    Also – Youkilis or Reynolds in this format (AVG/OPS).

    thanks man! you’re the best in the biz.

17. By Ray Flowers on Jun 25, 2012

    KevinB – Obviously your pitching is in deep need of a boost. Given that, do this deal. Shields is a rock on the hill, and Jennings hasn’t been anything remotely close to what many expected.

18. By Ray Flowers on Jun 25, 2012

    Jon – Parnell/Perkins both likely to cede the roles when FF and Capps are healthy. I’d keep the four you have. Only add the two new guys if your really looking to kill it.

    Reynolds = huge fan. AVG tho can be dreadful as we know.
    Youkilis = thoughts http://www.rotoinfo.com/blog/fantasy-baseball-the-on-deck-circle-06252012.html

    I’d take a shot on Youkilis, but very close.