Strange things in the first month of the season.......

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:35 pm

Albert Pujols has as many stolen bases as Jimmy Rollins and Hanley Ramirez COMBINED.

Carlos Pena has as many homeruns combined (11) as David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, David Wright, Josh Hamilton, Carlos Beltran, Bob Abreu and Ryan Howard.

Mark Teixeira hit .200 in April, slow starter yes, but this is his worst BA for a month EVER.

Pedro Feliz has more walks than K's and has a .400 on-base percentage to go along with a .338 BA, good for his 2nd highest BA month ever.

Take out Alexei Ramirez' best game and he's hitting .200-0-5-5 runs in 74 at-bats. He's currently on pace to have the worst year ever.

Rickie Weeks is looking solid. The last time he looked this good in April he ended up hitting .234-16-36.

David Ortiz has the same amount of homers as Matt Wieters.

Adam Dunn hit .310 in April. Only 3rd time in 7 year career he's hit that high in a month.

Howie Kendrick is finally hitting more homers (3) (only had 3 last year) and forgetting how to hit for average (.260)

Erik Bedard is showing us why we shouldn't pay too much attention to spring training.

Josh Johnson has miraculously cut his walk rate in half.

Heath Bell, former Mets castoff is now leading the league in saves.

The most dominant reliever in baseball so far is Jonathan Broxton while some idiot called him overrated.

All this talk about Greinke and 2 earned runs separates him and Johan, peripherals are nearly identical. Greinke is my pick for the CY as well as Johan (preseason) If Greinke keeps this up for another 5 years he'll BE Johan.

Looks like Felix Hernandez might finally justify his draft slot. If he keeps it up we can draft him in the same spot next year. Yippee!

We have already had a 6 stolen base game (Crawford) and a 5 stolen base game (Fowler) totaling 11 stolen bases in 11 plate appearances.

Mark McGwire had 12 stolen bases in a 7,500 plate appearances.

These are just a few things that stood out to me. As we all know, it's just 17% of the season. Any one of these stats I mentioned can do a 180 in a hurry.

I know there's quite a few more interesting things I've seen in the early going, one is John Kruk looking up at Dave Winfield on Baseball Tonight like he's the Statue of Liberty.

Good luck on the season and hopefully we put what's happening early in perspective. No more high fives for Jordan Schafer or Bonifacio pickups please.

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Mon May 04, 2009 12:40 am

Jack Cust stole his very first major league steal. YEAH BOY.

Ortiz is the biggest suprise of April.

Omar Infante taking at bats away from K Johnson.

Alberto Callaspo with 9 run's and 4 rbi's for the week and now a mix league option.

Chris Davis is striking out at a rcord pace,back to the minors soon.

First round bust's in the top 15 pick's so far,

Hamilton

Rollins

Wright

Holiday pick 15 to 20.

Make sure to overpay for your shortstops,

Drew

Tulo

Peralta

Hardy

Rollins

As i said after week 2 Orlando Hudson will have a better fantasy season then Brandon Phillips.

Phillips round 2 in the ultimate

Hudson round 23 in the ultimate

BANG !!!!!!!!!!

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Mon May 04, 2009 12:45 am

The Good

* I.Kinsler will be drafted b4 HRAM next year

* Adam Jones looks to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick next year. He is the player Matt Kemp owners thought they were drafting!

* Blanton has better peripheral numbers than I imagined he would. Now if only they translated to better era and whip, the world will be right again!

The Bad

* B.McCann

* E.Andrus

* 12 team leagues are not my cup of tea. I won’t be back for them next year

The Ugly

* The closer merry-go-round is in full effect. I wonder how many draft day closers have lost their jobs or are out with injury?

* C.Gomez

* L.Milledge

* B.Lyon

* R.Doumit

* J.Motte

Cowboy Joe · Post by **Cowboy Joe** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:24 am

Abreu with 11 SBs

Dexter Fowler this soon

Jarrod Washburn

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:21 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

The Good

* I.Kinsler will be drafted b4 HRAM next year

* Adam Jones looks to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick next year. He is the player Matt Kemp owners thought they were drafting!

* Blanton has better peripheral numbers than I imagined he would. Now if only they translated to better era and whip, the world will be right again!

The Bad

* B.McCann

* E.Andrus

* 12 team leagues are not my cup of tea. I won’t be back for them next year

The Ugly

* The closer merry-go-round is in full effect. I wonder how many draft day closers have lost their jobs or are out with injury?

* C.Gomez

* L.Milledge

* B.Lyon

* R.Doumit

* J.Motte If you thought Blanton would have more than 6 homeruns in 20 innings, why did you draft him? His ERA is exactly what it should be.

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:57 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

If you thought Blanton would have more than 6 homeruns in 20 innings, why did you draft him? His ERA is exactly what it should be. now i know why you've had the finishes you have

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:26 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

quote:Originally posted by bjoak:

If you thought Blanton would have more than 6 homeruns in 20 innings, why did you draft him? His ERA is exactly what it should be. now i know why you've had the finishes you have

[/QUOTE]I've learned two things about you today: 1) You have no idea what my finishes have been. 2) You don't look at park effects, GB/FB rates, and HR rates for pitchers. Keep on truckin'.

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:16 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

I've learned two things about you today: 1) You have no idea what my finishes have been. 2) You don't look at park effects, GB/FB rates, and HR rates for pitchers. Keep on truckin'. i know what your finishes HAVEN'T been and that tells me what i need to know. you wanna come on the boards and give me a shot like i was refering to his hr rate :rolleyes: , you gotta be ready for some return fire.

i certainly look at all the things you mention, but they are SECONDARY to K/9 and BB/9 for me.

vroom vroom...

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:01 am

Well, I'm a Blanton owner as well. I am very frustrated with his peripherals because they include an enormous homerun rate. I'm not sure how you can just leave it out and call them good peripherals but do as you will.

It is unlikely to stay this bad but I don't think it will get better just because he has a strong K/BB split. He's had three of four starts at home so that isn't helping. Good thing yesterday's game got pushed back or he'd have 5 of his first 6 at home (at least). At any rate I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in St. Louis tonight. I am prepared for the possibility that he will become a player solely to be platooned and used in away games.

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:05 am

What a difference a year makes- McCann, Soto, Iannetta, Doumit all non factors in April for different reasons. But Victor Martinez - blistering start!

Starting pitchers:

Sabathia - rough April again

Webb

Hamels

Kazmir

Carlos Z

R Harden

O Perez

S Baker

AJ Burnett

Lester

Beckett

and the list goes on of pitchers having disappointing Aprils

I was all over Greinke last year- had him in all 5 leagues I was in. Couldn't get him in 1 league this year- he edges out Johan for pitcher of the month honors.

For all the Jan-Feb controversy of whether or not Longoria belonged at the end of the first round, what do you think now!?

It's only April but you're top 5 draft picks next

year... Pujols, Kinsler, Longoria, Hanley, Utley??

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:17 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

Well, I'm a Blanton owner as well. I am very frustrated with his peripherals because they include an enormous homerun rate. I'm not sure how you can just leave it out and call them good peripherals but do as you will.

It is unlikely to stay this bad but I don't think it will get better just because he has a strong K/BB split. He's had three of four starts at home so that isn't helping. Good thing yesterday's game got pushed back or he'd have 5 of his first 6 at home (at least). At any rate I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in St. Louis tonight. I am prepared for the possibility that he will become a player solely to be platooned and used in away games. hr rate can change greatly. it does concern me, but if his k/9 and bb/9 were ALSO bad, he wouldn't be starting for me. it's hard enough to find a guy with a good k/9 and bb/9 in a 15 team league that i'm hoping history is a good guide here.

good luck with him brian, and i'm sorry if i came off a bit harsh b4.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:32 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

* The closer merry-go-round is in full effect. I wonder how many draft day closers have lost their jobs or are out with injury?1. Joakim Soria (injured?)

2. Jose Valverde (DL)

3. Jason Motte (DL)

4. B.J. Ryan (DL)

5. Joel Hanrahan (lost job)

6. Joey Devine (DL)

7. Carlos Marmol (lost job)

8. Brandon Lyon (lost job)

9. Mike Gonzalez (split job)

10. Trevor Hoffman (injured?)

11. Matt Lindstrom (injured?)

12. George Sherrill (lost job)

13. Manny Corpas (lost job)

14. Brandon Morrow (DL)

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:35 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

* The closer merry-go-round is in full effect. I wonder how many draft day closers have lost their jobs or are out with injury?1. Joakim Soria (injured?)

2. Jose Valverde (DL)

3. Jason Motte (DL)

4. B.J. Ryan (DL)

5. Joel Hanrahan (lost job)

6. Joey Devine (DL)

7. Carlos Marmol (lost job)

8. Brandon Lyon (lost job)

9. Mike Gonzalez (split job)

10. Trevor Hoffman (injured?)

11. Matt Lindstrom (injured?)

12. George Sherrill (lost job)

13. Manny Corpas (lost job)

14. Brandon Morrow (DL) [/QUOTE]that's almost a 50% destruction rate in the first month of the season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no wonder i don't like using high picks to draft closers!!

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:07 pm

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

* The closer merry-go-round is in full effect. I wonder how many draft day closers have lost their jobs or are out with injury?1. Joakim Soria (injured?)

2. Jose Valverde (DL)

3. Jason Motte (DL)

4. B.J. Ryan (DL)

5. Joel Hanrahan (lost job)

6. Joey Devine (DL)

7. Carlos Marmol (lost job)

8. Brandon Lyon (lost job)

9. Mike Gonzalez (split job)

10. Trevor Hoffman (injured?)

11. Matt Lindstrom (injured?)

12. George Sherrill (lost job)

13. Manny Corpas (lost job)

14. Brandon Morrow (DL) [/QUOTE]Here's a few more disappointments thus far:

15. Matt Capps 7.56 ERA

16. Kerry Wood 7.20 ERA

17. Brian Fuentes 7.88 ERA

18. Brad Lidge 6.52 ERA

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:14 pm

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

quote:Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

* The closer merry-go-round is in full effect. I wonder how many draft day closers have lost their jobs or are out with injury?1. Joakim Soria (injured?)

2. Jose Valverde (DL)

3. Jason Motte (DL)

4. B.J. Ryan (DL)

5. Joel Hanrahan (lost job)

6. Joey Devine (DL)

7. Carlos Marmol (lost job)

8. Brandon Lyon (lost job)

9. Mike Gonzalez (split job)

10. Trevor Hoffman (injured?)

11. Matt Lindstrom (injured?)

12. George Sherrill (lost job)

13. Manny Corpas (lost job)

14. Brandon Morrow (DL) [/QUOTE]that's almost a 50% destruction rate in the first month of the season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no wonder i don't like using high picks to draft closers!!

[/QUOTE]Good point. As much as I was honing in on having a first rate closer this year it is a risky proposition. I'm not so sure I'll fetch a closer in the first 7 or 8 rounds next year, lesson learned. It's probably one of the least difference makers you can get in the first 6 rounds, the effect on e.r.a./whip/K's are minimal while many saves will be available from pitchers that aren't even drafted.

I went for Joe Nathan in one draft and Soria in another, not so sure I'll do that again.

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:52 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

* The closer merry-go-round is in full effect. I wonder how many draft day closers have lost their jobs or are out with injury?1. Joakim Soria (injured?)

2. Jose Valverde (DL)

3. Jason Motte (DL)

4. B.J. Ryan (DL)

5. Joel Hanrahan (lost job)

6. Joey Devine (DL)

7. Carlos Marmol (lost job)

8. Brandon Lyon (lost job)

9. Mike Gonzalez (split job)

10. Trevor Hoffman (injured?)

11. Matt Lindstrom (injured?)

12. George Sherrill (lost job)

13. Manny Corpas (lost job)

14. Brandon Morrow (DL) [/QUOTE]Here's a few more disappointments thus far:

15. Matt Capps 7.56 ERA

16. Kerry Wood 7.20 ERA

17. Brian Fuentes 7.88 ERA

18. Brad Lidge 6.52 ERA [/QUOTE]Matt Capps will be sidelined until this weekend with what's being called "minor discomfort" in his right elbow.

looks like zero stats for his owners (which is likely a good thing) and no DL till the weekend.

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:54 am

John Grabow and Tyler Yates are expected to share the closer duties while Capps is out.

REVV UP THE FAAB ENGINES!!!!

Dirt Dogs · Post by **Dirt Dogs** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:56 am

are you happy now!!!!

Dirt Dogs · Post by **Dirt Dogs** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:59 am

Capps will be back in a few days, he was still hitting 93-95 and both those guys are bums! Look at what they did last year when he was out. That bullpen is worse than washington!!!

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:59 am

Originally posted by Dirt Dogs:

are you happy now!!!! at least we are even. i lost lyon. you lost capps. capps had the BB problems all spring...much like peavy i think they are/were pitching hurt.

in any event, capps is probably gone for a very long time. i expect the person that wins his replacement this sunday to do so at a stiff premium.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:50 pm

Originally posted by eddiejag:

Jack Cust stole his very first major league steal. YEAH BOY. Number two tonight. BING!

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:20 pm

Crazy,

Where have you been lately? Are you still out there?

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:18 pm

Originally posted by rkulaski:

Crazy,

Where have you been lately? Are you still out there? Thanks for the inquiry.

I've been real busy with work and such. I miss the boards and the back and forth banter. I still check it out from time to time.

I'll be back. Just trying to straighten out my life a bit. Thanks for asking.