Athletics & Astros Deal
February 5th, 2013 | by Ray Flowers |
The Athletics and the Astros completed a five player deal, and though none of the names really jumps off the page at you, there are two names that will be drafted in nearly all mixed leagues and they also have the ability to be impressive single league contributors. There’s also an arm you might want to pay attention to in the reserve rounds of AL-only leagues. Oh, I’ll also touch on the Mets’ bullpen and my favorite Mexican food.
The A’s and Astros pulled off a five player deal Monday. Here are the details.
Athletics Receive: Jed Lowrie, Fernando Rodriguez
Astros Receive: Chris Carter, Brad Peacock, Max Stassi
Here’s a quick rundown.
Lowrie is the “big” name, for what that is worth. He leaves a good hitter’s park in Houston for a pitcher’s yard in Oakland. He’s also never able to stay healthy. Here are his games played totals: 81, 32, 55, 88 & 97. That’s five years without even 100 games played folks. He’s also got the most boring slash line you will ever see: .250/.326/.417. With a full season of at-bats 20 homers is possible, but as you can tell from this brief little note, I’m not a huge fan. Rodriguez was 2-10 with a 5.37 ERA last year in the minors, but at least he struck out 78 batters in 70.1 innings. ”He’s got a real big arm,” A’s GM’ Billy Beane said. ”His record, his ERA are probably a little bit misleading.”
Carter is the big catch for the Astros. He has immense power, and with Minute Maid Park posting a Park Indices mark of 107 for right handed batters (seven percent better than the league average), his power should be on full display, and oh what a stroke it is. Carter powered 12 homers with 53 RBIs in 72 games at Triple-A before blasting 16 homers in just 218 at-bats with the Athletics. A word of caution though. Carter strikes out a ton, 83 in 218 at-bats last season and 124 in 332 career at-bats leading to a scary 32.3 percent K-rate. It’s no surprised he has hit .214 in those 332 at-bats. He’s got oodles of raw power, but he might perform a lot like his new teammate, Carlos Pena, in 2013 (I would have to think that Pena plays first base with Carter at DH most of the time leaving Brett Wallace without a spot in the daily lineup unless the ‘Stros decide to let him play some third base where they appear likely to go with Matt Dominguez to start the year). Peacock had a disastrous 2012 at Triple-A with a 6.01 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 4.41 BB/9 mark over 134.2 innings. A one time high end prospect, he’s likely to get a chance at the Astros’ fifth rotation spot this spring, but given the downgrade he offered on the field last season he;s likely going to have to prove himself all over again (he was dominant in 2011 though – 15-3, 2.39 ERA, 0.99 WHIP with 177 Ks in 146.2 innings at Double and Triple A). Stassi is a catcher who played at High-A last season and is likely a couple of years away.
I like burritos but not tacos, especially if the tacos have hard shells. Carnitas is my favorite, as are black beans. I think you need something in there to grease the wheel, I like guacamole or sour cream, but I think cheese is a bit of an overkill since, honestly, it’s hard to taste it with everything else in the mix. Just thought I would share.
To sign up for your baseball league this year make sure you check out Fleaflicker.
Who is the Mets closer? We are left to assume it’s Frank Francisco at the moment, but GM Sandy Alderson isn’t ready to confirm that line of thought. “I think a lot will depend on what we see over the course of February and into March,” Alderson said. “I think that’s something that will be determined in the course of spring training. Health is an issue. Performance is an issue.” Francisco had a 5.53 ERA and 1.61 WHIP last season, though he was surprisingly effective in the saves category converting 23 of 26 chances. He’s a big strikeout arm, 415 in 376.1 career innings, but he’s often bit by the long ball and last season he had a hard time finding the strike zone with a 4.46 BB/9 mark. The Mets may be interested in Jose Valverde, but they would likely be better off going with Bobby Parnell if they don’t go with Frank. Bobby does exactly what I look for in any hurler – he provides strikeouts and grounders. Parnell has averaged 8.25 Ks per nine innings, and last season his ground ball rate was over 61 percent (career 1.80). Last season ha also reigned in the walks issuing just 2.62 batters per nine, and when you throw 96 mph+ batters have a tough squaring up the ball consistently.
Don’t forget to get your copy of the 2013 BaseballGuys Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide which is now available. Nearly 150 pages of insight to help you dominate the competition in 2013.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Bobby Parnell, Brad Peacock, Chris Carter, Fernando Rodriguez, Frank Francisco, Jed Lowrie, Max Stassi
By Steve on Feb 5, 2013
Ray: I am in a $260 13 team mixed auction 5×5 rotto (2 catcher) league. We can keep 5 players for 2013 only. I have 4 keepers and can keep one of these two players. Who would you keep Pestano for $3, Saltlamachhia for $1 or neither. Thank you for your help.
By Jim on Feb 5, 2013
Ray, just ordered the Draft Guide and it feels like Christmas Eve.
Good comments on the Astros-A’s deal. I wonder how cheap I can scarf Chris Carter in my NL-only.
Coming back to you in a couple of days with a tough keeper question. Trying to trade this problem away, lol.
By Ray Flowers on Feb 5, 2013
Steve – I think both guys are fine to hold at the cost. You really can’t go wrong with a C who should hit at least 15 homers, so I’d go with Salty and try to get Pestano back at a lower rate on draft day.
By Dave on Feb 5, 2013
Hey Ray. Could you please help me out? 12 team 5×5 keeper league. We keep 10 players and start 2 at each position and 5 OF. I am keeping 9 position players and 1 SP. I am Ok at all positions, but no 2B currently. I have Allen Craig and AGON at 1B currently and might be able to get Kinsler for one of them. In a keeper, how do you feel about Kinsler for AGON, seems Kinsler has been in decline and a much softer lineup in Texas now. Thanks for your help and will be ordering the draft guide – 100+ pages dude? WOW
By Jack on Feb 5, 2013
Hey Ray, I really like your radio show… You guys do great.
I am in a 12 team dynasty, We do not get holds but we do use k/9 … We start 10 pos players (2 utility), and 3 SP, 2RP, and 2 P ..total of 27 roster spots…
Here are the questions
1) how many pos players would u hold vs sp/p … Sp is valuable in this league
2)of these players, would u keep any of them? John Mayberry, Ryan layaway, (I have montero-az and arrenchibia) , Jordan walden, Lorenzo Cain, Juan Francisco
3rd and final ? – what do you think of these players going forward and are they worth keeping in the.long run Andrew cashner and Juan Nicasio? ( I have Huston street as 1 of my closers)
I am looking short term and long term, some of my prospects are Skaggs, sano, tavaras.
By Ray Flowers on Feb 5, 2013
Jack – Glad you enjoy the work that Kyle and I do. We try hard to put a good product forward.
10 hitters is four low from “normal.”
7 pitchers starting is two low from “normal.”
Because your rosters are a bit small, there will always be hurlers on the wire. I’d go 12 pitchers, 15 hitters, something like that.
Cain only possible keeper. Would hold him.
Cashner is a hold. Nicasio I’d pass…
By Ray Flowers on Feb 5, 2013
Dave – Not 100 pages, 150 for Draft Guide! boom. LOL
If I understand you, 12 teams starting 24 2b’s make Kinsler huge. Concern’s yes, but I think you have to keep him given your setup.
By Jason on Feb 6, 2013
Ray – Loving the guide so far! I’m especially excited for the excel sheets, as I did that on my own with your guide from last year. You saved me a TON of time with those docs! Thank you!
Now, on to my question… I’m in a 16-tm keeper points league. Would you keep any of these guys (up to 3 keepers, but don’t have to keep any):
Adrian Gonzalez
Jacoby Ellsbury
Ryan Zimmerman
Brandon Phillips
Jordan Zimmerman
Brandon Morrow
Oh, and I forgot: I have Jason Heyward as well if that changes any of your keeper help…
Thanks Ray!
By Ray Flowers on Feb 6, 2013
Jason – Lots of folks mentioned they would love the excel sheets for the rankings, and The Oracle tries to listen for what people want.
I’d think the answer all depends on penalty. If you keep three guys do you lose your top three picks OR do you just get to keep three?
By Jason on Feb 6, 2013
It would be my top 3 picks… If I didn’t keep anyone, I would have my 1-3 rounds to select from all the non-keepers.
If history serves me right, 11 of the 16 kept 3 keepers, while only two teams kept no one last year. That’s so you might have an idea as to what might be out there for my selection if I don’t keep anyone (we don’t know who is being kept for each team at the moment).
By Ray Flowers on Feb 6, 2013
Jason – If you lose a first, second and third, I worry about these guys. I dont see a single first rounder in the group. It’s a 16 tm lg though, so if you dont keep anyone, and let’s say 40 players are kept, you will be in huge trouble. I’d go Agone, Zimmerman, Heyward. At least that way you have a nice base.