Daily Joust – Wk 12: Did We Learn Anything?
June 25th, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |
On Monday each week I take a look at the fantasy baseball game breaking down players who have produced noteworthy performances of late – not just positive outings mind you, but I’ll also delve into some of the players that have been sucking wind of late.
To get your daily fantasy baseball fix make sure you head over to DailyJoust.com to set your salary cap club. Can you use this information to your benefit over at DJ?
GAINERS OF THE WEEK
Matt Holliday (+21, $128,000 in DailyJoust Salary)
And you were doubting him just a few weeks ago, admit it. Holliday is on fire over his last eight games as he’s produced 17 hits, two homers, 12 RBI and nine runs. In the process he’s jacked up his average to .299 on the year with 12 homers, 47 RBI and 48 runs scored. Guess what? That puts him on pace for his traditional .300-25-100-100 effort. The greats usually figure it out and end up producing by the time the season is over.
Tommy Milone (+70, $241)
Doesn’t it seem like his name should have two “L’s” in it? I need to talk to his parents about that. When a rookie starts the year 7-5 with a 1.21 WHIP you can’t help but be excited about it. However, his ERA is slightly below average at 4.13 and he’s taken the whole “I’m Clayton Richard and you only pitch me when I’m at home” situation to a whole other level. In eight starts on the road Milone is 2-4 with a 7.42 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. In six starts at home in Oakland he’s the best pitcher ever at 5-1 with a 0.99 ERA and 0.77 WHIP. There’s your blue print on how to use him.
Chris Nelson (+20, $93K)
With Troy Tulowitzki out of action, Marco Scutaro has moved on to short leaving second base to Nelson. Displaying an uncommon power bat given his “game,” Nelson has gone deep three times with two doubles and a triple over his last eight games leading to nine RBIs. He’s also lifted his average from .226 to .268 the past 10 days thank to five games with at least two hits. He makes an excellent short term play given how hot he has been and for the fact that he should qualify at second and third in all leagues (many seem to be slow to the party, just take a look at his owned rate at Feaflicker).
Jake Westbrook (+105, $320K)
The last time he took the hill he tossed the 14th complete game of his career as he allowed only one unearned run to the Tigers. Over his last three outings he’s been “quality” each time out lasting at least six innings with no more than three earned runs allowed. One of the main reasons for his success is that he’s walked only two batters in those three games. It’s really pretty simple. When he avoids the free pass and keeps the ball down in the zone he has a lot of success. He’s a two-time starter this week against the Marlins and Pirates, and that would seem to make him a solid play this week.
LOSERS OF THE WEEK
Felix Doubront (-60, $274K)
After a run of 5-straight games allowing two or fewer earned runs, Felix has now permitted 12 earned runs over his last three starts as his ERA has gone from 3.75 to 4.31. The strikeouts are terrific, 85 in 79.1 innings is impressive, but his recent cold spell has knocked his ratios down to below league average (his WHIP is 1.35). He’s 8-3 and pitches for a strong squad, but it might be time to consider whether or not you should be counting on him to lead your fantasy rotation.
Bryce Harper (-19, $73K)
Hey, it was bound to happen. Bryce Harper might end up being the next Mickey Mantle as some say, but let’s not forget he can’t legally buy a Jack & Coke – not by a longshot – and that he isn’t exactly flush with professional experience at this stage of his life. At his current pace he’d produce the following numbers over 150 games (he’s played 50): 21 homers, 60 RBI, 95 runs and 14 steals. That’s impressive for any player no doubt, never mind one his age, but he’s seen his average fall .017 points the past 10 games (.286), the same total his OBP has dropped (.367). Everything is still impressive, but perhaps, just maybe, there’s a slowdown on the horizon?
Trevor Plouffe (-24, $87K)
Plouffe has a rather amazing 15 homers in just 175 at-bats this year thanks to his insane run the past month, but let’s keep things real here. He is batting .246 with a .327 OBP, hardly impressive numbers. He has 40 strikeouts in 175 at-bats. He has just one long ball and two RBI over his last eight games. You added him for nothing so who’s complaining, but his outlook in the second half of the season isn’t exactly golden.
Giancarlo Stanton (-21, $62K)
Look at his monthly totals. Maybe Jay Bruce has some company for the streakiest high level power bat in the game.
April: .247-1-9
May: .343-12-30
June: .205-3-5
Like I have said every time someone has asked me, this guy just isn’t a .300 hitter. His current mark of .274 seems about right, and he’s on pace for 35 homers and 100 RBIs which would also be impressive, but that transcendent season people were hoping for isn’t likely to materialize.
DAILY CONTEST
I’ve likely got some big news coming on this front this week, so keep an eye our for that. As for right now…
Today you can sign up for the King Arthur’s $50 Free Roll on DailyJoust. No entry free is required to get a chance to play the game and earn your free chance to take home part of the $50 prize pool. All games that start at 7:05 PM EDT or later are open to add players to your daily fantasy baseball squad. So get over to DailyJoust, put together your one day lineup, and get ready to win some free $.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Bryce Harper, Chris Nelson, Felix Doubront, Giancarlo Stanton, Jake Westbrook, Jay Bruce, Tommy Milone, Trevor Plouffe
By greg on Jun 25, 2012
Hey Ray – as far as MI options go (in a 10-team w/ OPS added), do you like Aybar, Espinosa, or Rickie any better than Alexei? I’m inclined to the stay the course with Alexei who I think will return to his norms once US cellular heats up in July/August, but Aybar seems to have remembered how to hit these last 15 days and was more valuable overall (on ESPN) than Alexei last year. Thoughts here? thanks
By Jeremy on Jun 25, 2012
Hey Ray, my team is up and down this year. I’m tied for the last playoff spot in a H2H 10-team keeper league. I really can’t see my team making the playoffs since I’ve scraped by for my last 3 wins. So I’m trying to build for next year while staying competitive this year. I picked up Bauer last week. What should I expect from him? I also got this offer for him today [keeper round in ()]:
He gets David Price (2nd Rd) and Trevor Bauer (21st) and I get Lance Lynn (21st) and Tommy Hanson (6th).
I’m not feeling it. Is Lynn that much better than Bauer? What do you think?
While I’ve got you, which of these SSs tickle your fancy the most: Plouffe, Lowrie, Desmond, Scutaro? Thanks for all your help.
By Icehole on Jun 25, 2012
12tm mixed head to head
been offered an interesting deal and like to hear your opinon on such.
Kemp and Jarrod Parker
4
BPhillips and JLester
By Ray Flowers on Jun 25, 2012
Greg – Rickie Weeks should be added. Improving somewhat in June with .247 AVG and .356 OBP. I do like Alexei though, and if you want to stay the course with him you’ll get no complaint from me.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 25, 2012
Jeremy – My thoughts on Bauer can be seen here – http://www.rotoinfo.com/blog/fantasy-baseball-the-on-deck-circle-06252012.html
Keep Price and Bauer.
Bauer is a way better option at keeper than Lynn.
Desmond would be my choice at SS right now.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 25, 2012
Icehole – Kemp and Jarrod Parker 4 BPhillips and JLester
Parker a bit smoke/mirrors with all the walks.
Kemp coming, but ability to steal in question.
Phillips killing it right now. Lester, better bet moving forward than Parker.
I’d take the two vets since I’m not sure about Kemps health, or how Parker will do in 2nd half.
By Steve on Jun 25, 2012
Ray,
Scratch last entry. Owner rejected. What about:
I give up Granderson, Kelly Johnson
I get Choo, Kinsler, and Burton
Thoughts?
By Callaway on Jun 26, 2012
Hey Ray, Keeper league trade: I get Darvish (kept in 6th Rd) and Adam Jones (18th) for Price (2nd) and Reddick (21st). What do you think? If I take it, my keepers would most likely be Sale (21st), Bautista (10th) and Jones (18th). Thanks man.
By jb(not JB) on Jun 26, 2012
Ray, 10 team roto 5×5 5 time limited keepers
Moustakas a keeper type? Will the 20+ HR power he showed in the minors develop in the bigs? Thanks, I owe you many beers.
By Ming on Jun 26, 2012
Ray:
First, thanks for all your efforts, advice, humor. Since I found this site and the radio show my life is infinetly more improved!
I have a couple of trade offers with deadlines out there and need a quick response (if you can do it) I am in a 12 team, mixed 6×6 roto (obp and k/9) are the added cats.
I have Kemp on the DL. i was offered holliday for him straight up. or in another deal i was offered nelson cruz, miguel montero for kemp, salvador perez and tyler clippard. should i bail on kemp or keep him? I am really worried about that hammy…
By jb(not JB) on Jun 26, 2012
Ray, 10 team roto 5×5 5 time limited keepers
Another opin pls. Holliday and Weaver for McCutchen and Josh Johnson? I am out of the running and looking to next year(bad,bad,bad). Viewing McCutchen as a keeper and I would probably try to move Johnson. Wouldn’t be able to keep Weaver.
Thanks
By Joe M on Jun 26, 2012
Hey Ray
Both my DL spots are taken up by Reimold and Beachy, its a 3 year keeper league, I have Beachy in 11th round and Reimold in round 22. I have the option of keeping them for 2 more seasons. Are they worth holding on to or just let them go? (I assume Beachy will probably miss about half of next year and who knows how he will come back from the surgery)
Someone in my league dropped Brett Gardner last month and I can use some speed, would be nice to have him down the stretch so I would like to open up a DL spot for him.
This is a 12 team league
Thank You
Joe M
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
Steve - I give up Granderson, Kelly Johnson I get Choo, Kinsler, and Burton
Granderson for Kinsler is close cause Kinsler plays 2B.
So KJ for Choo and Burton is fine. Realize though that burton has to deal with perkins, and capps shoujldn’t miss a huge amount of time.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
Callaway - I get Darvish (kept in 6th Rd) and Adam Jones (18th) for Price (2nd) and Reddick (21st).
Given the HUGE price of Price, I’d say go for it. Darvish is still pretty darn expensive though. Really depends on how many players are kept. If you’re only keeping three players a team, I dont want Price as a second rounder, just too early.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
jb (notJB) – How many players do you keep? Do you use corner infielders? Is there a cost associated with players? Contract lengths? That’s what matters when talking Moose.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
Ming – Thanks for writing the kinds words. I try to keep it fun and informative.
Dodgers say Kemp likely to be out until right after All Star game. Kemp for Holliday isn’t awful. You get three extra week of Holliday, and there’s no telling if Kemp will run once he comes back given his multiple leg issues.
Deal #2 :
was offered nelson cruz, miguel montero for kemp, salvador perez and tyler clippard.
Montero > Perez but I’m not going to do this deal if you have to also add in Clippard. Just not worth it.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
jb (not JB) – Holliday and Weaver for McCutchen and Josh Johnson?
If it’s a keeper, and you can’t keep Weaver but can keep McC, and you’re out of it this year, I’d do it.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
Joe M – I’d be inclined to keep beachy, but with Tommy John he could miss first half next year so you’d really only have him for 1.5 yrs. Chances are he wouldn’t be 100 percent next year, so it’s only one year at 100%. I wouldnt keep him given rd 11 value.
Reimold sounds like a nice 22nd deal, but at this point there is simply no way to know how he will respond to surgery/treatment. I probably wouldn’t keep him either.
Add Gardner, much better play for sure. Also keeper worthy too.
By Joe M on Jun 26, 2012
Thank you
By Mark on Jun 26, 2012
Ray – 5×5 12 team non-keeper league with no trades allowed.
I need to drop a hitter to pick up a pitcher since Morrow will be on my DL longer than I expected.
Who do I drop?
Hardy Yukilis Carlos Lee Plouffe Hosmer
Who do I pick up off of waivers?
Latos Cahill Parker Diamond Bauer Worley Gee
Thanks!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
Mark – Latos great outing last night, and I’d slightly favor him over Bauer and Gee.
Plouffe and Hardy mean you have two SS backups. You don’t need that, right?
I can’t say drop Hardy given his past, and Plouffe has been so hot, hard to dump him either. If I had to, I’d cut Plouffe, but how about swinging a 2-for-1 deal to open up a roster spot?
By Steve on Jun 26, 2012
Ray,
Thanks for all the time and advice! Here are some other offers I’m pondering…
(a) I give up Dunn and Berry and I get Beltre?
(b) I give up Dunn and Berry and I get Adrian Gonzalez and Balfour?
OR
(c) I hold out and wait for the owner re: the offer of giving up Granderson and Kelly Johnson and I get in return Choo, Kinsler, and Burton?
The other thing I can do is stand down. However, Dunn, KJ, and Kipnis have been killing me the past 2-3 weeks. They are simply not hitting. They have all been integral in my ascension to the top spot so, it’s hard to accept the downturn. I even sat KJ this week for BA only Carroll. I can’t sit Dunn or Kipnis because they may snap out at any moment and when they do, they snap out in a big way.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 26, 2012
Steve – You got it.
A – Deal is OK.
B – Deal is OK.
C – Deal is OK.
Not to be boring, but none super exciting.
A- Do you need a 3B? If so go for it.
B- I wouldn’t do this one. Balfour pretty useless.
C – I dont think Burton racks up 20 saves or anything, so moderate part.
You CANT look at 2 weeks and think you need to make a series of moves. NO ONE is consistent every week. Everyone slumps at times.