Valentine’s Day Special
February 14th, 2013 | by Ray Flowers |
If you forgot to look at a calendar consider this your public service announcement for the day. It’s Valentine’s Day moron. Go out and get your special someone something special. It doesn’t have to be a diamond ring – though I’m sure those are welcomed – it just has to be something that shows you care. A box of candy (one that doesn’t look like you bought it at the convenient store on the corner would be nice). A stuffed teddy bear like the one above. Hell, if all of that isn’t happening make a card. Nothing says I care like a handmade card. Don’t worry if it looks like it was done by a seven year old. This is one time that it will seem adorable even if you have no artistic talent (for those of you who are interested in the holiday, the History Channel has a nice little section of videos discussing the day).
Before I go and get all soft on you all, and yes I have a special day about to be set in motion (my lady planned an evening for me that is a total surprise. Hopefully I haven’t jinxed it by mentioning it here in this piece), let’s get back to the world of baseball which is the real reason you came to BaseballGuys.com today, not to read my mushy thoughts on the holiday.
Grant Balfour will likely miss 4-6 weeks as he went under the knife on Thursday for a knee issue. The club hopes he will be able to return in time for Opening Day, but that’s obviously an open ended question at this point. Ryan Cook would seem most likely to take over given that he filled the role with aplomb last season in the first half. Some may have forgotten with Cook that he had 14 saves, 21 holds, a 2.09 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 9.82 K/9 mark in 2012. That’s an elite line folks. Some will mention Sean Doolittle as a possible closing option, but the guy literally has less than 75 innings pitched in his career (he’s a converted hitter). He’s got a huge K arm, 11.41 per nine last year, and he walked only 2.09 per nine, but he’s just so inexperienced and really only has one solid pitch at the moment (he threw his fastball 87 percent of the time in ’12).
Trevor Cahill lost 10-15 lbs over the winter. Question. How does Cahill not know how much weight he lost? Did he never weigh himself before (I mean, can he see his toes now or what)? There’s obviously a benefit to getting in better shape. It should take some pressure of Cahill’s legs and give him a bit more oomph at the end of the season. Cahill pushed his K-rate to 7.02 per nine last year, a career best, and more than a batter above his career rate. If he holds on to those gains, and is able to maintain his out of this world 2.69 GB/FB ratio from last season, that ERA (3.78) and WHIP (1.29) could certainly come down.
For those of you looking for some sexy Valentine’s outfits…
Rich Harden threw Wednesday and said that his surgically repaired shoulder felt pretty good. “I’m hoping it’ll feel the same when I start facing hitters. I threw mostly fastballs because I’m trying to get that feel back.” The Twins don’t know exactly yet if Harden would fit best in the bullpen or at the back-end of the rotation, but I would bet that if he’s healthy he’ll be able to get batters out. For his career Harden has struck out 949 batters in 928.1 innings.
To sign up for your baseball league this year make sure you check out Fleaflicker.
Kyle Lohse is still looking for a team as clubs are still a bit unsure about whether giving him all that cash, and giving up a first round draft pick as compensation is worth it. For more on Lohse see his Player Profile.
Adam Wainwright had a 3.94 ERA and 1.25 WHIP last season, solid numbers indeed but off the pace he set for himself before he had Tommy John surgery. I’m here to tell ya though, he pitched much better than it seemed. Take a look at his xFIP for a quick snapshot of how he performed: 3.32 in 2009, 3.02 in 2010, Tommy John surgery in 2011, 3.23 in 2012. His 8.34 K/9 mark is a five year best, and his 3.54 K/BB ratio was better than his 3.02 career mark. Toss in a career best 1.93 GB/FB ratio (career 1.57), and we have a guy who is primed for a huge season in 2013.
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: Adam Wainwright, Grant Balfour, Kyle Lohse, Rich Harden, Ryan Cook, Sean Doolittle, Trevor Cahill, Valentine's Day
By Fenz on Feb 14, 2013
Ray, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, which eight of the following players should I love most (in 12-team, mixed, points league with up to 8 keepers and 27-man roster): Holliday (5th round value), Cespedes (16th), Medlen (17th), Trumbo (18th), S. Perez (19th), Rizzo (20th), Rutledge (20th), Desmond (21st) and Minor (22nd)? Thanks for your insight.
Fenz
By Ray Flowers on Feb 14, 2013
Fenz – I like the V-Day spin.
1 Cespedes
2 Desmond
3 Trumbo
4 Perez
5 Holliday
6 Medlen
7 Rizzo
8 Minor
By Fish on Feb 14, 2013
Ray, Happy Valentine’s Day. Wainwright vs Strasburg. Both in last year at $8 and $9 and can be optioned indefinitely for $5 more per year effective immediately. Was going to take Strasburg to $19 (3 years) and Wainwright to $13 (2 years). Right move? Reading the draft guide and your comments today has me wondering. Thank you. Fish
By Ray Flowers on Feb 14, 2013
Fish – Take both out to three years. Wainwright should be a rock not that his arm has been repaired.
By Tim on Feb 14, 2013
Ray, heard you twice yesterday on the radio, both times without Kyle once mid day and once in evening. Wanted to touch base on two things:
1. In the evening and a lot you talk about pitching and I think one point you often forget to mention is that EVERYONE has pitching, you have 9, especially in keeper leagues (which a lot of people seeking your advice are in)teams who fall out of contention will have pitching to trade you, they wont necessarily be a trade partner on a specific position, especially a scarce one. This is another reason I typically dont spend much in auction for pitching, because if Im contending, I know guys out of it will have something to give me.
2. In the afternoon you were talking about draft strategies and trades, you were referencing someone taking “your guys”.
Two points:
1. I think you dont get any closer to a championship by giving up your best players taking on non keepers in baseball or non starters off a bench in football from a team you are trying to catch. I realize your team gets “better” but the gap between you and the best team might get wider. Used to drive me crazy when a team would give away their best keeper for an owners (10 Keeper league) 10th guy and then 2 guys he wasnt keeping.
One thing I think in terms of who likes players, especially in an auction, keep track when you get a player, who were the other owners bidding on that player (assuming they werent bidding you up) this gives you some potential good value down the line if they are trade partners, you have a sense of who they like on your team.
By Levi on Feb 14, 2013
Ray- what was your buddy’s pitching pamphlet you had mentioned before? I think it had a deal until valentines day
By Ray Flowers on Feb 15, 2013
Levi – Paul Sporer is his name. http://paulsporer.com/
By Ray Flowers on Feb 15, 2013
Tim – Thanks for listening my man. Was fun doing the two shows.