Pitchers: now hiring, inquire within

Barring the playoffs, the draft is by far the highlight of any fantasy season. Whether it’s online or at a sports bar, there’s plenty of smack talk, name calling and misinformation. The arrogance and self-hype, while annoying, is almost contagious. And someone always takes Jim Thome too early.

I over prepare for a draft because that’s what I do. I gauge how the first 10 rounds will unfold, and I scour the Internet looking for sleeper pitchers. But there are always a few players who slip away, and a few decisions (or make that several) that I wish I could go back and change.

But that’s OK. The draft itself is overrated. Look how much your team changes…or should change, over the course of 162 games. Whether you have Manny Ramirez or Lance Berkman – don’t panic, you’re still in it. A-Rod’s cyst and Brian McCann’s blurred vision, while frustrating, you managed to find a temporary replacement. You can even accept Jose Valverde’s DL status after having his calf drained, especially if you picked up LaTroy Hawkins.

All of this is manageable if you’re a good manager and can find a suitable substitute. That’s what the “add-drop” is for. It can turn any bad draft around. But there’s only one problem this year.

My league is now a 12-team league.

What used to be a transaction lover’s paradise is now a scavenger hunt with all the good players, and even the bad ones, taken. I feel like Cecil Cooper scanning his minor league rosters for prospects: Surely, there has to be someone I can call up. Come on, Ed, seriously…where are you hiding our pitchers?

A few days ago, I was shopping for a pitcher, and I felt like I arrived at the garage sale after the morning rush - forced to sift through mismatched coffee mugs and tools I’ve never seen before. That was me, only looking at the available orphan pitchers.

Scanning through the list, I see Ricky Nolasco is available. If it weren’t for his 9.07 ERA, I’m sure he’d be a great addition. What about Scott Morrow? He pitched two scoreless innings on Thursday to lower his ERA to 8.03. He’s on a roll. Manny Parra has an ERA under 6.00, but allowed eight earned runs (yes, eight!) on Saturday. I did notice Doug Davis was available. But last year, I had him, dropped him, and repeated. Both departures were ugly. There’s Shaun Marcum – hurt, Jesse Litsch – hurt, and Tim Hudson – also hurt. You see where I’m going with this.

Where is the bargain bin?

I ended up with Yankees middle reliever Alfredo Aceves. This is the first middle reliever I have ever, ever had on my team. I’m not a big fan of middle relievers. Not enough output, and too much risk. Plus, most are in the middle for a reason: they're not good enough to start or close. But I had an open slot on my roster. And his ERA was barely above 1.00. So, in a moment of weakness, I picked him up. And got burned. In his first outing on team Lil Bow Wow, he gives up one run in one inning for a 9.00 ERA. I hate middle relievers.

Enough about me. Here are a few pitchers who might be available if you’re lucky:

Josh Outman – I’m sure he’s tired of hearing this, but what a great name for a pitcher. Much better than pitcher Homer Bailey’s name. Outman has surrendered only two earned runs in his last 19.2 innings for Oakland. He’s owned in only 1 percent of all Yahoo leagues. Of course, he’s already taken in my 12-team league. Of course.

Ricky Romero – has completed his rehab assignment for his strained right oblique, and is scheduled to start Tuesday at Baltimore. Look for him to resume his dominance, albeit brief, with a 1.71 ERA before his injury. The Blue Jays hurler is taken in only 17 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Rick Porcello – boasts a 3.55 ERA, winning his last four starts for the Tigers. Porcello has yielded only three runs in his last 24 innings. Owned in only 36 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Have a question – or a starting pitcher – for me? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com

I am stuck on Band-Aids

Your team stinks. You’re a loser….OK, not really, but you are losing every week. You’re content when you tie. And you look forward to playing (and trash talking) the only team worse than you. And that poor fool just had triplets, lost his job, and his internet connection. What do you do?

Don’t give up. Maybe it’s not so bad. You don’t need an extreme makeover. Sometimes you just need a temp to fill in for an ailing or stinking player. One or two moves can make a big difference. A short-term move may be just what you need.

Temp players have a big incentive to over perform. It’s a big opportunity for them to step up and earn a bigger share of the playing time, or earn a promotion to the closer roll, for instance.

Here are a few Band-Aids…just hopefully not the ouchy kind:

CJ Wilson – With Rangers closer Frank Francisco sidelined with biceps tendinitis, Wilson has assumed the closer role, notchings saves in his last two opportunities. He could make a big impact, even if only temporarily. And if you're desperate enough, don't underestimate his value even if demoted to set-up guy.

David Aardsma – With Scott Morrow demoted to specific relief situations (read: when there is no way whatsoever he can blow it), Aardsma earns the closer role. This has promise to stick, as so far he is 4-for-4 in save situations.

Nolan Reimold – Recently called up to replace Luke Scott, who is nursing a sore shoulder, Reimold has potential to stay in the lineup. If he’s not starting, it’s likely the slugger will go back to Norfolk where he can continue tearing up Triple-A with a .394 average and nine home runs. By the way, I'm guessing by his name, his parents thought he'd be a pitcher.

Rocket fuel evaporates

So sad that the Houston Rockets season has expired. We certainly enjoyed the ride. I liked mixing in Rockets red every other day. I joined Matt Jackson and Marc Vandermeer for Game 6 in Sports Radio 610's suite (thanks, Management!). And thanks, Rockets, for never giving up.

Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.

I can't keep up

I have 100 pages left in the Roger Clemens rags-to-riches-to-scandal book. And I had just purchased the Alex Rodriguez biography with a similar drugs, women and lies theme, when I heard the announcement: Manny Ramirez suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. I need at least a couple of months before that best-seller is released. I know this is bad for baseball, but honestly, I find these stories fascinating. Now I want to go back and read Jose Canseco’s tell-all book. It’ll be like reading a prequel.

As fun as the drama is, it’s not so fun for fantasy if it impacts you. The obvious loser in this debacle is the Manny owner who loses a roster spot for 50 games. There is no DL equivalent for players in this situation. I checked the league settings to make sure. And for the stat production you’ll get when Manny returns, dropping Manny is not an option.

Andre Ethier owners, like me, are also frowning. This means Ethier loses his protection. He doesn’t get as many good pitches, and doesn’t score as many runs. Thanks Manny. Of course, Ethier will still start on team Lil Bow Wow for me. But I will sulk, and blame Manny when Ethier has a bad week.


Replacing Manny

Juan Pierre is an obvious pickup. He’s good for average and stolen bases. Pierre doesn’t have power, nor RBI in the eight spot. Astros outfielder Michael Bourn is a prospect too. He’s more like Pierre and less like Manny. Justin Upton of Arizona is also a good replacement, and he brings more power (6 home runs) than Pierre and Bourn . Take a look at Philadelphia’s Jayson Werth too – solid stats with .290 average, 6 home runs and 21 RBI.


Other players to watch:

Russell Branyan – the Mariners first baseman has earned an everyday spot. Should boast respectable numbers in home runs, RBI and runs. In mixed leagues, he’s a good addition.

Jon Garland – in his last four starts, Garland is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA, bringing his overall ERA down to 4.03. Could this be the old Jon Garland?

Brian Bannister – in only four starts this season, he’s undefeated at 3-0 and showing excellent form with a 1.48 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.

Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com

Why can't I quit you, Cole Hamels?

Yogi Berra once said “Good pitching always beats good hitting… and vice versa." Bad pitchers seem to beat me up. At least the ones on my team. I wonder how I didn't see it coming. Take a look at this year’s disappointments. You’ve got the injured hurlers: Brandon Webb and John Lackey; those recovering: Cole Hamels and Scott Baker; and those who are bad for no reason: Josh Becket, Cliff Lee and Francisco Liriano.

So, how long do you wait? Do you bench these flops? Or do you hope they’re shelved on the DL for awhile? Trading, while doable, is risky – not to mention painful when your league mates burn you with them. And yet dropping just doesn’t seem right. Really, how do you drop Cole Hamels?

My advice: suffer with them for now. But be smart about it. Bench when appropriate. If it’s a Sunday afternoon and you’re barely winning ERA, you should bench the misfit. Their track record shows these guys are winners. Their streaky start could just make their turnaround that much better. Law of averages, right? If you have an unproven pitcher who’s not cutting it, then by all means, drop him, trade him, spit on him….whatever. But think twice before discarding a star.

Here’s a look at some pitchers who are showing promise to improve your staff:

LaTroy Hawkins – will only give you 3-4 weeks of relief while the ailing Jose Valverde recovers from multiple hematomas in his right calf. Astros starting pitching has been a nice surprise this season, and if the offense shapes up, the save opportunities will increase.

Dallas Braden – a bright spot on the cellar dweller Athletics with a 2.10 ERA. His WHIP is a little high for his ERA, proving he’s able to settle down and get key outs. Or he’s just lucky. With the A’s offense struggling, don’t count on a lot of wins, but he’ll help keep your ERA down.

Sean Marshall – has been steady since earning a spot in the starting rotation on April 16 vs. the Cardinals. Marshall is unlucky in the win column, but ERA is impressive at 3.32. Strikeout numbers are equally good at 15 over the 18 innings he’s notched as a starter. Still available in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Scott Richmond – owned in only 58 percent of Yahoo leagues, Richmond boasts a 2.70 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He’s 3-0 on the season for the Blue Jays.

Cinco de Mayo

Sports Radio 610 teamed up with Cyclone Anaya’s for Cinco de Mayo, shown here with Matt Jackson and Adam Wexler. Matt has convinced Marc Vandermeer, and even the 610 sales staff, to get a Von Wafer mohawk if they beat the Lakers in the playoffs. I declined, but my dogs are in.

Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.