Around the Horn: July17, 2012
July 17th, 2012 | by Ray Flowers |(1) Joey Votto out 3-4 weeks with knee injury.
(2) Jose Bautista (wrist) placed on DL. Further tests to be run.
(3) Jacoby Ellbury/Carl Crawford return to 1-2 spot for Red Sox.
(4) John Axford to loose closing job?
(5) Dan Haren (back) to return this weekend.
(6) Jeff Francis looking pretty sharp for Rockies.
(7) Brett Wallace close to call-up for Astros.
(8) Phenom Matt Harvey close to starting for Mets?
(9) Justin Upton on trade block – why?
Tags: Brett Wallace, Carl Crawford, Chase Headley, Dan Haren, Francisco Rodriguez, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeff Francis, Joey Votto, John Axford, Jose Bautista, Justin Upton, Matt Harvey, Scott Moore
By Nick on Jul 17, 2012
Do you prefer Gose or Marte? Thanks
By Ray Flowers on Jul 17, 2012
Nick – Gose is the on up right now. He’s a solid add for some speed help. Marte is the better overall hitter. I’d rather have Marte, but Gose is the one who is up now.
By Matt w on Jul 17, 2012
Ray, who do think is going to be a better player the 2nd half of the season: Trevor Plouffe or Pedro Alvarez? I have pedro and he is good at getting hrs and rbi’s, but plouffe is better at average and can still get almost as many hr’s and rbi’s. What do u think?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 17, 2012
Matt W – Plouffe/Alvarez very similar skills. Plouffe has multi position. Plouffe isn’t a positive option in AVG, just isn’t. He might be slightly better than Alvarez in AVG, but that’s a pretty low bar to set.
Keep Plouffe if you need the flexibility, but I’d favor Alvarez.
By Regina on Jul 18, 2012
‘morning Ray!
The offer in my inbox is Choo and Konerko for Rizzo, Desmond Jennings, and Ethier. Jennings and Rizzo are in Utility spots.
I need a 3B since Bautista is on the DL. He has Moutstakas in a utility spot. League is h2h with extra categories (2b, 3b, ops). Would asking for Moustakas and Konerko be a good counter? There are OF on the wire but not 3b.
By Ryan on Jul 18, 2012
Hey Ray, my starting pitching is pretty thin and I currently have a logjam in the OF. I just got Crawford back and was offered my choice of Haren or Lester. Should i do it, or hope Crawford’s stock continues to rise and get someone better?
thanks
Ryan
By Morgan on Jul 18, 2012
Hey Ray,
Just lost Votto and Ortiz and I didn’t have any bench hitters. I’m going to drop Capps for either Adam Lind or Carlos Lee. Which do you like going forward? Leaning Lee.
Thanks Ray!
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2012
Regina – Choo and Konerko for Rizzo, Desmond Jennings, and Ethier.
Konerko has really slowed. Be it natural regression or the wrist issue. Still, I like him better than Rizzo. I also like Choo as much as either of the other two, but it’s two. I’m favoring the three some here.
If you asked for Moose/Konerko for Rizzo/Jennings/Ethier.
Let’s call the production of Konerko/Ethier a wash.
Is Moose for Rizzo/Jennings a good deal? Not really.
Why not just target Moose directly since you need a 3B?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2012
Ryan – I wrote about Crawford today here:
http://fantasyalarm.com/rounding-the-bases-the-worry-meter/
That piece also has my thoughts on Haren.
I’d rather have Haren, provided he is healthy. Either SP for Crawford is acceptable, but Crawford still is the elite player of the group – if he can stay healthy.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2012
Morgan – I’d go with Lind over Lee for the moment. He’s been the better hitter the past three weeks. If I was looking at the entire second half, I’d go with Lee – but it’s awful close.
By Regina on Jul 18, 2012
I’m just not good at trades Ray! very good with the waiver wire, but not with trades. That’s why I need these sanity checks
By Luke on Jul 18, 2012
Am i out of my mind for accepting Trout for Cano ROTW? Can get Ricky Weeks at second as a fill in at 2nd. Nervous
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2012
Luke – Am i out of my mind for accepting Trout for Cano ROTW?
No one can say you’d be crazy to take this. Since Trout came up he has been the #1 guy in fantasy. I’d still lean toward Cano cause he plays second, but at this point it’s a near dead heat.
By Wayne on Jul 19, 2012
Ray, I listen to your show frequently. I have a question regarding the statistics on which you base your decisions. Do you get these from a particular website or do you download into a spreadsheet and make your own calculations? I’m asking because I don’t always see the statistics you mention (like BABIP, GB/FB ratio, etc) on the websites I’ve looked at.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 19, 2012
Wayne – There are two places that are great resources for what you are looking for.
http://www.baseballreference.com
http://www.fangraphs.com
Great place to start digging.