If you haven’t picked up Josh Willingham yet, you have about 30 second left. Last week, you could hear the buzz in fantasy circles as he regained his form with hits in 7 of his last 18 at-bats. Maybe you weren’t convinced. After all, he does play for the Washington Nationals. So perhaps his eight-RBI performance, courtesy of two grand slams, makes you a believer. I’ll pause while you claim him.
There are always a few players like him every year, especially in the outfield, who are deserving of good fantasy team homes, and Willingham definitely falls into this category. Currently, he boasts a .298 average, but with only 39 RBI. Keep in mind he platooned much of April and May, even part of June. And in fantasy, you know that it’s not about what you’ve done, but what you’ll do.
Willingham joins other respectable players who are ignored. Just look on his bench.
Starting pitcher John Lannan has surrendered only three runs in his last 23.2 innings, yet Yahoo shows that he’s owned in only 36 percent of its leagues. And if you look at the transaction trends, just as many people are dropping him as they are claiming him – 996 adds vs. 995 drops recently. I don’t get it.
Nyjer Morgan is hardly a sleeper, but he is owned in only 75 percent of Yahoo leagues; shocking considering his production. While his average dropped as low as .252 on June 19, he stands now at .303 with 55 runs and 30 stolen bases, 12 of those in July.
Outside of the Nationals, here are a few other considerations:
Tommy Hunter – In 30.2 innings, the Rangers starting pitcher has surrendered only five runs for a 1.46 ERA, with three wins over his past four starts. Taken in only 32 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Scott Feldman – Another Rangers pitcher who’s commanding respect. Feldman has four wins in his last five starts, posting a 2.51 ERA during that stretch. Owned in only 55 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Erick Aybar – Spent much of the season hovering around .270-.280, but his recent surge has boosted his average to .316. In July, he’s one of the hottest players with a .507 average (35 for 69), 14 runs and 16 RBI. Owned in only 37 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Toronto Blue Jays of fantasy
In reality and fantasy alike, this is the time of year GMs should take a good look at their squad for strengths, weaknesses and trade bait. Check out your opponents too; see what need you can fill. I’m surprised at how seldom fantasy trades actually materialize. Perhaps it’s because there are often decent alternatives on the waiver wire that don’t require making your opponents better. Or perhaps it’s because the only deals you’re offered are of the ridiculous sort you often hear from sports radio callers. Roy Halladay for Michael Bourn. Right.
In my league with Matt Jackson, we alternate between second and third place each week. I feel pretty good about that lineup and our playoff chances, especially with Raul Ibanez back and some good recent pickups – Joe Pineiro and John Lannan. But in my other league, I feel like the Toronto Blue Jays. My team is decent, even better than decent, I think. But somehow I ended up in the AL East with really strong competition. I liked it better when half my league was marred by parties and hangovers, often forgetting to start their pitchers. Those were the days.
If you’re hovering around 8th place, and contemplating coasting, stop that foolish thinking. You have seven weeks (depending on league settings) to reach your playoff potential. Consider this GM boot camp.
Shouldering the pain
The further back you are, the bigger the risks you should take. For instance, look at Pedro Martinez. But don’t look too close: he’s 37-year old, injury prone and hasn’t pitched in three months. If you look beyond that, you’ll see a three-time Cy Young award winner who is driven to make a comeback. He has maturity and discipline that could position him for surprisingly good statistics for both the Phillies and you. And again, if you’re looking up at most of your opponents, why not take a chance?
Another risky pickup with good upside potential is Jason Schmidt. Remember him? Schmidt hasn't pitched for two years while he’s recovered from shoulder surgery for his labrum tear, frayed biceps, and scarring in the bursa sac, whatever that is. The three-time All Star has looked good in his Class-A rehab assignment for the Dodgers, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA. His velocity is down, but should improve as he regains arm strength.
Also consider Tim Stauffer. Another pitcher. Another shoulder problem. Stauffer missed the entire 2008 season recovering from shoulder surgery. Stauffer’s return was a good one, going seven innings, surrendering only two runs against the Giants.
Rodrigo Lopez returns on Monday for the Phillies from a brief shoulder setback on July 8 when he left the game early with shoulder tightness. In two games, he gave up two runs both times in 5 and 6.1 innings respectively.
All-Stars and stripes
Earlier this month, Houston Astros Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, Chris Sampson, Jason Michaels and mascot Junction Jack made their annual stop to The Methodist Hospital for fun and games with Methodist employees and patients. Milo Hamilton served as the emcee. Photos here show Pence winning a dance competition as Lance looks on as the judge. Sampson actually won the audience vote, but Berkman quickly pointed out that his moves were not family-friendly and disqualified him. In musical chairs, a super-competitive Berkman outlasted Pence after knocking off several Methodist employees. After the contests, the players visited several patients, bringing joy to those who couldn’t attend the festivities earlier.
In my league with Matt Jackson, we alternate between second and third place each week. I feel pretty good about that lineup and our playoff chances, especially with Raul Ibanez back and some good recent pickups – Joe Pineiro and John Lannan. But in my other league, I feel like the Toronto Blue Jays. My team is decent, even better than decent, I think. But somehow I ended up in the AL East with really strong competition. I liked it better when half my league was marred by parties and hangovers, often forgetting to start their pitchers. Those were the days.
If you’re hovering around 8th place, and contemplating coasting, stop that foolish thinking. You have seven weeks (depending on league settings) to reach your playoff potential. Consider this GM boot camp.
Shouldering the pain
The further back you are, the bigger the risks you should take. For instance, look at Pedro Martinez. But don’t look too close: he’s 37-year old, injury prone and hasn’t pitched in three months. If you look beyond that, you’ll see a three-time Cy Young award winner who is driven to make a comeback. He has maturity and discipline that could position him for surprisingly good statistics for both the Phillies and you. And again, if you’re looking up at most of your opponents, why not take a chance?
Another risky pickup with good upside potential is Jason Schmidt. Remember him? Schmidt hasn't pitched for two years while he’s recovered from shoulder surgery for his labrum tear, frayed biceps, and scarring in the bursa sac, whatever that is. The three-time All Star has looked good in his Class-A rehab assignment for the Dodgers, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA. His velocity is down, but should improve as he regains arm strength.
Also consider Tim Stauffer. Another pitcher. Another shoulder problem. Stauffer missed the entire 2008 season recovering from shoulder surgery. Stauffer’s return was a good one, going seven innings, surrendering only two runs against the Giants.
Rodrigo Lopez returns on Monday for the Phillies from a brief shoulder setback on July 8 when he left the game early with shoulder tightness. In two games, he gave up two runs both times in 5 and 6.1 innings respectively.
All-Stars and stripesEarlier this month, Houston Astros Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence, Chris Sampson, Jason Michaels and mascot Junction Jack made their annual stop to The Methodist Hospital for fun and games with Methodist employees and patients. Milo Hamilton served as the emcee. Photos here show Pence winning a dance competition as Lance looks on as the judge. Sampson actually won the audience vote, but Berkman quickly pointed out that his moves were not family-friendly and disqualified him. In musical chairs, a super-competitive Berkman outlasted Pence after knocking off several Methodist employees. After the contests, the players visited several patients, bringing joy to those who couldn’t attend the festivities earlier.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Rescue me
Dear Ed Wade:
Hello, it’s me Erin, a fellow team owner…but of the imaginative variety. I am writing to enlist your help with my fantasy team. You see, I’m in second place, but with two teams nipping at my heels, both just one game behind me. And because our league was too cheap for the upgraded Yahoo Plus league, our head-to-head scoring makes it possible to plunge from second to eighth place in just one week. Amateurish, if you ask me. This leads me to why I’m writing you…
I lose the save category every single week.
I have two closers: Matt Capps and LaTroy Hawkins. I hear you laughing. I realize both are relief pitchers for sub-.500 teams. One isn’t even a closer, and one is rumored to be dealt to the Twins as a set-up man. I know all of this. Trust me, I know every painful detail of my miserable save scenario.
I have a decent excuse for Hawkins. I claimed him when Jose Valverde’s calf ballooned with fluid. You don’t even want to know who he replaced on my staff. As for Capps, no excuse.
You would think with 28 MLB teams, there would be enough closers to go around in a 10-team league. But my league (so cleverly named Astros 2009) has this infatuation with closers. They even put closers in the SP/RP slot. Really. I don’t get the strategy, yet it has blocked me out of the save category every week. I compare it to playing blackjack with the fool who hits/stands randomly. It completely jacks with the cards you’re supposed to get, not to mention annoying. This is exactly how I feel.
If you’re still reading, here’s how you can help. TRADE VALVERDE. Think about it. Do you really think the Astros can be successful with Felipe Paulino in the rotation? You land another starting pitcher, move Hawkins to closer, and we both win. Well, I’d probably earn a save, but you know what I mean.
Check out these starting pitchers (you too, Ed):
Ryan Sadowski – Two games, 13 innings, no runs, two wins. Not bad. Friday night, he completely mesmerised the Astros lineup, as most new pitchers too. Funny how the pitcher usually has the advantage in that situation. Still, take advantage while you can. Currently only owned by 11 percent in Yahoo leagues. But that’ll continue to climb.
Scott Richmond – Only owned in 62 percent of all Yahoo leagues, Richmond has given up more than 2 earned runs only once (three runs on June 30) since May 13. Nice ERA and WHIP at 3.69 and 1.20 respectively.
John Lannan – I now have Lannan in both of my leagues. Surprised to see him available, and even more surprised to see that he’s taken in only 5 percent of Yahoo leagues. Really? His ERA is an impressive 3.45. I know he plays for the Nationals, so he won’t help your win count as much as others. But it’s not like Roy Halladay is available in anyone’s league.
Brian Bannister – I was reluctant to include him with his inconsistent performance this year, but he’s hot right now. I realize he pitches for the Royals. His last three starts, he’s posted a 3.38 ERA, but no wins to show for it. So consider him a decent pickup if you're in a deep league.
Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
Hello, it’s me Erin, a fellow team owner…but of the imaginative variety. I am writing to enlist your help with my fantasy team. You see, I’m in second place, but with two teams nipping at my heels, both just one game behind me. And because our league was too cheap for the upgraded Yahoo Plus league, our head-to-head scoring makes it possible to plunge from second to eighth place in just one week. Amateurish, if you ask me. This leads me to why I’m writing you…
I lose the save category every single week.
I have two closers: Matt Capps and LaTroy Hawkins. I hear you laughing. I realize both are relief pitchers for sub-.500 teams. One isn’t even a closer, and one is rumored to be dealt to the Twins as a set-up man. I know all of this. Trust me, I know every painful detail of my miserable save scenario.
I have a decent excuse for Hawkins. I claimed him when Jose Valverde’s calf ballooned with fluid. You don’t even want to know who he replaced on my staff. As for Capps, no excuse.
You would think with 28 MLB teams, there would be enough closers to go around in a 10-team league. But my league (so cleverly named Astros 2009) has this infatuation with closers. They even put closers in the SP/RP slot. Really. I don’t get the strategy, yet it has blocked me out of the save category every week. I compare it to playing blackjack with the fool who hits/stands randomly. It completely jacks with the cards you’re supposed to get, not to mention annoying. This is exactly how I feel.
If you’re still reading, here’s how you can help. TRADE VALVERDE. Think about it. Do you really think the Astros can be successful with Felipe Paulino in the rotation? You land another starting pitcher, move Hawkins to closer, and we both win. Well, I’d probably earn a save, but you know what I mean.
Check out these starting pitchers (you too, Ed):
Ryan Sadowski – Two games, 13 innings, no runs, two wins. Not bad. Friday night, he completely mesmerised the Astros lineup, as most new pitchers too. Funny how the pitcher usually has the advantage in that situation. Still, take advantage while you can. Currently only owned by 11 percent in Yahoo leagues. But that’ll continue to climb.
Scott Richmond – Only owned in 62 percent of all Yahoo leagues, Richmond has given up more than 2 earned runs only once (three runs on June 30) since May 13. Nice ERA and WHIP at 3.69 and 1.20 respectively.
John Lannan – I now have Lannan in both of my leagues. Surprised to see him available, and even more surprised to see that he’s taken in only 5 percent of Yahoo leagues. Really? His ERA is an impressive 3.45. I know he plays for the Nationals, so he won’t help your win count as much as others. But it’s not like Roy Halladay is available in anyone’s league.
Brian Bannister – I was reluctant to include him with his inconsistent performance this year, but he’s hot right now. I realize he pitches for the Royals. His last three starts, he’s posted a 3.38 ERA, but no wins to show for it. So consider him a decent pickup if you're in a deep league.
Have a question? E-mail Erin at erskelley@yahoo.com.
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