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ESPN: SportsNation |
Good morning everyone! Let's get right to your questions...
I know it's only one start, but concerned with Johan Santana? Looks like he is far away from his earlier season success...
A popular question today and facts are facts: Johan has been ordinary at best since his no-hitter, he has a disabled list stint sprinkled in there and then this stinker fresh off. Cutting him -- in standard 10-team ESPN mixed leagues -- is in consideration, I wouldn't call that a bad move if you need the spot and see something clearly more helpful on the wire.I'm also sure to drop him a fair amount in the 60F6I ranks.
Who does your spider sense think will get called up this year? Tyler Skaggs or Dylan Bundy?
Skaggs has a much better chance than Bundy, and if I'm in an NL-only league with the bench space, I'd add him. (I did, in the NL-only league in which he was available.)
Thanks for the twitter reminder! What to make of the Atlanta rotation? Should I drop Beckett to pick Medlen back up? I'm up against a transaction moves limit and don't know if it's worth it for the ROS
Yes.Really can't say it more succinctly, but I am and have been a huge "Medlen-is-a-sleeper" backer all season. It's about time he's getting a chance. One of the most underrated young talents in the league, let alone just on the Braves.
I gotta couple of questionable starting pitching options today and I need your help. You starting Fiers at Coors and/or Dempster at Yankee Stadium or should they ride the pine today?
I don't consider Mike Fiers "questionable." Yes, Coors presents a greater challenge on the matchups scale than most, but he's pitching far, far too well to sit. I'd set my <i>minimum</i> at the quality-start cut-off, and that's still going to mean a good 6-IP, 7-H/BB, 3-BB, 5-K kind of stat line. And I think he can beat those; again, minimum.As for Ryan Dempster, that's a bad matchup, and I'd be more cautious with him than Fiers, but I also think it's a game he could win with, say, 6 IP and 4 ER. If chasing the win matters to you, hey, I'm OK with it.
What is your prediction for Manny Machado, stat line is impressive thus far. Worth dropping Uggla for him if I have Rollins as my shortstop?
Manny Machado hype. Hype, hype, hype, hype hype. He's being asked from every conceivable angle in this chat, so let's tackle it now: I have no differing opinion about him than the one I did on the day he was promoted. That was, batting average is iffy (think .260 as a reasonable expectation), power is underrated, and he does steal bases, contrary to popular belief. Had he played all year? Let's say I'd project .260-20-65-10. Feels like that kind of player the rest of the year. Prepare accordingly.As for whether you start him this week, well, that's your call. You're the one with the known commodity you're chomping at the bit to bench for him. Can't say many of you are nuts; but you can be sure you're only trying to catch the lightning in a bottle you just witnessed in the K.C. series. I'd prepare for that projected stat line scaled to a seven-day week, and make your decision. And for me, that's probably a "no."
Morning, THC. Do you have a sense of how much ground it's normally possible to make up in the "avg" categories (ERA, WHIP, BA, OPS) at this point in the year? Trying to decide whether it's folly to target these cats.
It's harder than you think it is, as the needle moves more slowly the greater the AB/IP already in your team's bank. There are cases where you can move them: Bad-performing team gets ace starter/high-average stud. Good-performing team gets lazy and ignores matchups. A team in the standings has a disproportionate amount of AB/IP, so his/her "needle" moves more quickly than the competition's does. Sorry to say you've got to do the math on your own; are any of these things true? Otherwise, I wouldn't plan on making up much more than 2-3 points apiece per category. You can't move WHIP like you can move, say, saves.
Who do you like more as your last pitcher on the roster - looking for consistency over upside - LeBlanc or Miguel Gonzalez?
Wade LeBlanc, division he's in. Best I got for you. Can't start either one every week going forward, but he is the answer to your question.
Do you trust Lester now? How would you rank the following if the playoffs started today: Lester, Bucholz, Kuroda or Matt Moore?
I do in that his cutter has improved and he's throwing it more. The next-level numbers support it, and I'll find a place to sneak 'em in the next 60F6I. I'm going Moore, Kuroda, Lester, Buchholz.
How many saves do I get this year???
Five? Red Sox's contender status has an impact on this; who cares about getting him some save chances if the playoffs are out of the equation?
I need saves, but should I drop Bobby Parnell at this point?
I have to think there are better saves out there for the taking. Grant Balfour and Jeremy Affeldt are both gone already?
Starting Mike Minor tonight against the surprisingly hot hitting Padres?
Yes.
Another strategy question: 65 GS left and I need as many QS as possible to win. Stream matchups or just run my guys (Verl, Stras, Cliff Lee, Haren) out there and pray?
The greater the amount your pace over the league limit, the choosier you should be with matchups. Remember the Fiers question from earlier? You've found <i>the</i> only spot I'd say "no way": You're already well over pace. I would never, ever, ever risk a Coors start on a team well ahead of pace, and that includes even the game's best (like a Kershaw). Why would you ever use a bad-on-paper matchup when you're up against the limit?I say be choosy. Take all the layups.
THC pick up Melden and drop McDonald? McD's been horrible since the ASB
Yes, and in fact, I think I had them almost identically ranked in the last 60F6I (maybe 60th for Medlen, 45th McDonald, I don't memorize them sorry to say), so the swap today is completely expected. By the way, as a note to owners of Pirates pitchers: They're doing a lot of sneaky stuff juggling that rotation, trying to make it look like they're going "five" when in truth I regard it a "six" man. Less volume coming.
Harper has been plain awful the last month. Is it time to drop him?
Last "Hit Parade" said trade him. If it's too late, well, yes, I think that's either under consideration today or it's not far off.
.265 huh? I'll prove you wrong. Which disappointing pitcher should I cut from my team? Worley, Bedard, or Beckett? Also, I'm wondering why Worley is consistently ranked so highly in 60F6I (though he's been dropping recently).
Hey, I won't be shocked if Machado bats .285, but won't be either if he bats .245. Call it waffling, fine, but that's how batting average works. Fluctuates, and I'm giving you a number that's a reasonable expectation. Skills say he's a guy who bats in that .260-.270 ballpark, at least for now. Plan accordingly. Prime years, I say higher.Also, c'mon, let's see him hit pitching better than that of the Royals. It's the same thing I said for Jesus Montero a few weeks back.I'd drop Beckett of those pitchers, but I've said he was overrated for a very long time now.
Any thoughts on Tyler Greene now that he is in Houston??
Really wanted him in Tout Wars (13-team NL-only), because of combination of position scarcity and sleeper speed in the format, but understand the depth of that. I like the move because it means at-bats, and so far seems high in the order, but the guy isn't much with the bat. Not a mixed-league piece.
Where would you put Josh Rutledge on the keeper list?
Low. If he makes it it'd be around the 250 cutoff, and right now I say no, he misses. He's not unseating Troy Tulowitzki and I need to see more evidence considering scouts weren't glowing about him before this year.
Stream Cobb tonight? Love the matchup but today is the first day of a two week playoff matchup.
I don't follow the second part of that. He's my "Streamer's Delight" for today so I'm game.
Are you concerned about Crawford's wrist?
I've been concerned for months.
So you would definitely take me over Machado then right?...That is until I lose my job back to Tulo.
Redraft league, I'm assuming? I'd take Rutledge this week, if only because of the seven games at Coors. Pick and choose with these two, but I've got a sneaking suspicion Rutledge's week is better.
Thayer or Ryan Cook, ROY?
Cook. I'm not convinced Dale Thayer is even the guy this time.
Can you rank these young whipper snappers for keeper purposes? Rizzo, S.Marte, M.Machado, and J.Montero?
For <i>keepers</i>? Understand this is keeper only: Machado, Montero, Rizzo, Marte.
What happens to Medlen when Hanson comes back?
I've heard whispers of a six-man rotation. Could well be that the coldest hand goes.
You starting David Phelps this week with his two starts?
No, and it's not only the matchups, it's that I think Phelps is going to be on a limited pitch count.
Was I not your streamer's delight (HOU) b/c you assume I'm already owned?
Rules are under-25-percent-owned in ESPN leagues, and Samardzija's at 51.7%. I'm game for the Astros matchup, but Astros and Petco Park matchups are pretty much automatics these days.
Any clue as to the closer situation in Milwaukee. It looked for a minute like Henderson had a leg up, but now...
Frankly, I think (and have thought for a few weeks now) that Kameron Loe deserved at least a look. It's a true committee, I'm nominating Loe from the "best of a bad bunch" angle, but sorry, I wouldn't get my hopes up you're going to like any of the returns otherwise all year.
Tell me why I should keep rolling Wandy out there every start. He is probably the most blah pitcher you can own.
When did I ever say you should? By the way, that six-man Pirates rotation really hurts his value. I find it most bothersome specifically as it pertains to him.
Hey THC! some idiot just traded me for Elvis Andrus because you said so....luckily he got my last start... Is he going to regret it?
No, not necessarily, unless it was just trading him for the trade's sake. I figure you needed speed and/or a shortstop, and if so, well done. Fair trade.
Would you drop Straily to acquire the injured Morrow via trade?
Yes.
Best guess on where Machado would be in your keeper ranks?
Yes to the Straily-Morrow question (thought it submitted but possibly not).
Machado question will be the final Machado question of the chat. Remember that I've snuck him onto my top 250 keepers in each of the past two editions, so I'm a fan. Probably moves a good 50 spots, easily, as a result of the sooner promotion than I expected. Really thought next May/June.
To be fair, you had Wandy ranked #40 in last week's 60F6I. Seems like a guy you would start more often than not...
That is not "every time." Let's not put words in my mouth or misinterpret rankings...
So are you saying in a competitive league where saves are treated as gold, Kameron Lowe should be owned?
I am saying that the Brewers bullpen is one of the filthiest in the game, but if you <i>must</i> have a value analysis of it, yes, I think Loe needs to be considered. He got the save yesterday, last time "some guy" did that he got two more chances to close (Henderson), and I think it's a ride-the-hot-hand team approach.To be clear: Brewers bullpen stinks. But if you absolutely must grab every save out there, sure, take a look.
Then what would you say is approximately the cutoff for the guys you throw out there no matter what (sorry to keep hounding you on this)?
It's not hounding, it's a fair question. I just don't think it's a good idea to make blind assumptions on my rankings. (For one thing, what about differing league depths?) Standard ESPN league, I'd say once you get past 30, I'm putting matchups under the microscope. After 50-60 or so, I'm pretty much streaming.
Getting a little tired of the Machado questions? Chase Headley will be a top_ 3b next year.
It's not a matter of getting tired of them, it's that I couldn't cover every possible question about him, and it's clear he's the "megahype" player of the day. (Not that I'm surprised, he should be.)Chase Headley will be top 10 next year, no doubt. Based on likelihood he's with another team, in fact, a run at top-seven status seems probable.
Is Lynnsanity dead? Concerns of increasing workloads makes me want to drop him and start streaming. I've also got the "end of Strasburg" looming which could be devastating come playoff time in h2h league.
I think every shred of concern about Stephen Strasburg's workload needs be applied to Lance Lynn's. Have said that for weeks.
Should I be added over Anibal Sanchez or James Mcdonald???
Setbacks have really put Pettitte in the "anything he does this regular season is a bonus" class. I'm sincerely thinking 2-3 weeks' action, most of that, since the Yankees might already have locked up the playoffs, just tune-up work for a playoff rotation spot. Don't count on much.It's Sanchez for me; keep your fingers crossed he gets over the league adjustment quickly. Not one is a truly trustworthy guy though.
Zero.
I thought Jeremy Affeldt was the lefty closer for SF, he hasnt pitched since I added him last week....what gives?!?!?!
He's only been off five days and he's got half the share of the role. Perhaps your expectations too great? Need to be realistic. You can't count on a save every day...
For this year, who should I be starting at catcher: Doumit or Jesus?
Doumit.
Doumit.
Tristan, I've got Capps and Burton holding down two spots on my roster and would love to know what's going to happen in the closer spot when the playoffs start in September.
I think it'll still be Glen Perkins' job, at least the majority of the time. Maybe an occasional save for Burton, but in Capps' case, I'm not counting on anything.
Should I be worried about Denard Span's injury this week? Pick up a replacement?
He's day to day and he tweeted he was fine. I could see 1-2 days' lost action so plan accordingly, but doesn't sound like a "he'll-miss-the-week" injury.
Chris Sale will be drafted in round___in 2013 because all of these ip limit rumors will finally be behind him.
I think Sale is going to be overdrafted -- 6th-7th? -- in 2013. That he's throwing the volume of innings he has this year and has been pitch-perfect all season is probably going to work against him entering next year. Not to say I don't like the kid; perception of his value is going to be too great.
Is Neil Walker really this good?
Neil Walker's year-to-date pace statistics, readily found on his ESPN player card, are perfectly adequate rest-of-season expectations. Yes, this is the kind of player he is.
Eric Stults ROS now that he is in rotation?
Pick-and-choose NL-only streamer because of the ballpark, and that's as far as I'll go. I'll admit that I'd be more apt to go for some of his matchups than I would for Jason Marquis or Ross Ohlendorf...
cliff lee is rapidly approaching dead to me status... i wasted my one keeper pick on him last year? What gives? injury, mental, the fact the Phillies arent very good? is he droppable yet for someone who will get wins (and more points)
Lee is going to be one of those guys who serves as the rally cry against wins as a Rotisserie category. Not much else I can say. He's underperforming comparative to preseason expectations in ERA, sure, but some unlucky breaks, a hint of health issues earlier in the year, but otherwise he hasn't been bad. I don't have much of an issue with him from a going-forward angle.
is this a skills bump or a lucky streak from maholm? another great start against SD coming up, guy as been lights out last 2 months, regression going to bite me int he playoffs?
Improvement against right-handed hitters, which was a previous weakness of his, has tilted the balance to "skills bump." He's not <i>this</i> good, but I also think regression still keeps him in the start-most-of-the-time class. I'm fine with him being on all rosters.
cespedes taking another step next year to become 30-20 man or do you expect more of same or regression from him? thanks and enjoy the chicken parm!
From a keeper-league angle, I like Yoenis Cespedes' long-term prospects. Great talent if you can be patient through the ups and downs. But I'll say that his 2013 worries me; I think a winter's worth of scouts analyzing possible weaknesses has the competition coming back challenging him more as a sophomore. He's not without flaws, and I'd say he regresses a bit next year.
OK, time to wrap things up for today. Thanks for all your questions, and sorry if I couldn't get to yours. Take care everyone, and best of luck in your matchups this week!