Roto Snips

[DOUGHBOYS]

This really is bad scribesmanship.The only thing that is different between Sunday night and the posting of today's lineup is the reality for this writer that Bogaerts is nowhere near a 'must own in standard leagues'.He was simply wrong. Boston thinks of Bogaerts as a nice option. Probably playing in two or three games a week. Mostly, to give Drew or Middlebrooks a blow.RotoWorld drank too much Kool-Aid and is going from 'must own' to 'only daily leagues' mode in less than 48 hours.Which does their fantasy lookers as much good as touting a double start pitcher, only to tear him a new one after getting drilled in a Monday game.Fantasy folks that put stock in their prose are shaking their heads, asking, 'Where's that farmer?'Or shortened, 'WTF?'

First off, let me say that I am thankfully not responsible for either of those blurbs on Bogaerts. The simple reality of the disjointed messages is the fact that there are many different writers contributing, all of whom have different personal opinions on players.

Furthermore, some of those writers may not always look back at the previous blurbs when updating something new on a player. That's something that I always make a strong effort to do, and even if I don't agree with the previous opinions that were professed, I at least make sure that I don't blatantly disagree or give the opposite opinion.

It doesn't look good to have opposing opinions within 48 hours. It's bad form.
I'm glad you give past views a glimpse before posting your blurb, Dave. It should be something that all writers in your forum should be doing.
Thanks for the note, Dave.
Has there been a thought for signatures for each write-up from RotoWorld writers?



Are you in for the Pre-Mature? I'll be sending out e-mails soon......

[MadCow Sez]

Today's math lesson comes from Rotoworld:

"Alfonso Soriano blasted a three-run homer and a solo shot in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays.
The longballs were Soriano's 399th and 400th of his career. In 30 games for the Yankees this season, Soriano is already tied for the team lead for right-handed batters with 11 dingers. He's now gone deep 30 times this season, giving him a good shot at a second straight 30-homer campaign."

I'd like to think that when you hit your 30th, you've got a good shot at 30....

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Chase Headley left Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks with back stiffness.'

....

Headley suffered the back stiffness tonight.
Fantasy owners have suffered all year from a different 'stiffness'.
The effects of owning a stiff, like Chase Headley.

[Edwards Kings]

'Chase Headley left Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks with back stiffness.'

....

Headley suffered the back stiffness tonight.
Fantasy owners have suffered all year from a different 'stiffness'.
The effects of owning a stiff, like Chase Headley.

Hmmm...sounds like a case of regression to me.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Chase Headley left Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks with back stiffness.'

....

Headley suffered the back stiffness tonight.
Fantasy owners have suffered all year from a different 'stiffness'.
The effects of owning a stiff, like Chase Headley.

Hmmm...sounds like a case of regression to me.

I know this was said in jest, Wayne.....but of course I can't resist.

Last year, Headley was a member of the Progressive Party.
This year, a member of the Regressive Party.
Like a flip-flopping politician, fantasy players do not like players that can't make up their minds. We like consistency.
A Numerish speaking fellow will say that Headley may be regressing to a mean.
I might say, he is just plain being mean.
But, let's follow the Numerish thinking for a moment.
What is Headley's mean?
His career stats show a .268 hitter with below average power statistics.
Except for two months.
Last year, Headley hit 19 homers and had over 60 rbi during August and September.
Progressive Party Lobbyers were proclaiming Headley as a hero. Headley had 'gotten it' and their candidate would surely come through.
Regressive Party Members waited with open arms for the Headley balloon to burst.
It not only burst, but Headley fell to the ground quicker than he takes a left turn after a strike out these days.

Last year, Headley had 12 homers before taking off in August and September. If following this trend, instead of going off those two months, Headley would have finished with 18 homers.
Is that his mean?
If so, has he even regressed below his mean?
This year, he has eight homers, total. Two rbi in August, no homers.
I implore a partner to bench him, but he has more faith than I. And besides, our other choice is Mark Ellis, and if we're comparing Headley to Mark Ellis, that alone should illustrate just how bad Headley has been this year.

In drafting Headley next year, I think of him as a wild card. He has no mean.
Once again, he will jump parties and become a member of the Independent Party.
We can act as if those two months never happened for Headley. But they did.
I can act as if I didn't own Headley this year. But I did.
Next year, he can be a stats drag like this year or be as high as a second or third rounder going into 2015.
We just don't know.
One thing I'll look for during the off season is a trade involving Headley. If anybody needs a new start somewhere it is him.
He could be revitalized in a cozier park, surrounded by hitters who are getting on base.
Something seldom seen in San Diego.

Those two months Headley had, are making us hold Headley and not letting him go to FAAB.
Lyle Overbay has more homers and rbi this year. Overbay has been a very familiar FAAB member most of the year in most leagues. It's ok to drop Overbay, not Headley.
Headley hits in the middle of a lineup, every day.
Every day he is killing our average. And yet, for the very reason that he is in the in that lineup every day and the thoughts of those two months, we start him.
Headley is worse than a regression player. This is his worst full year.
Nobody ever wants to draft a players worst year.
But we did.
The penalty?
Without the injury at the start of the season, we were wondering who would give us better stats, Headley or Ryan Zimmerman.
Now, we are deciding who can help our stats more, Headley or Mark Ellis.

[Edwards Kings]

Ouch. Headley or Ellis. I have had choices like that (too many) especially among my middle infielders. Unfortunately it is like our national politics now...no matter the choice, the outcome is going to suck.

I had Headley last year. He was the thirteenth pick of the 19th round for me. So I just needed a warm body CM since I was going to ride lightning to the top on the mighty bat of Evan Longoria. Obviously he ended up being my most valuable third baseman (both lucky and sad). I happily took his unexpected power stats (I really drafted him because I thought he would have just enough SB at the position to be valuable), but they looked so Mauer-esque, I knew he would not be on my team this year as he was just going too high for me. I think I got that one right out of so many wrongs.

[Likewhat17]

It doesn't look good to have opposing opinions within 48 hours. It's bad form.I'm glad you give past views a glimpse before posting your blurb, Dave. It should be something that all writers in your forum should be doing.Thanks for the note, Dave.Has there been a thought for signatures for each write-up from RotoWorld writers?

I agree that it looks bad on us, but sometimes the information that we have to post comes in so quickly that there may not always be time to read back through all recent news about that player. As for me, I like to do things a little slower and make sure to re-read everything to avoid those types of issues.

As far as signatues, it's not something that has been debated yet, but I'm sure will come up over the offseason now that rotoinfo and a few other sites are doing so. Personally, I'd me in favor of it because at least my name would be out there so people can see all of the work that I'm doing.

And as far as the Premature league, even though it's been a bit of a disappointment this year, I'm absolutely in again.

Thanks Dan!

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Chris Archer was blasted for five runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Angels on Monday.
He struck out four and walked one. This, folks, is the peril for both contending teams and fantasy squads when depending on a rookie hurler in September: Implosions can sprout from the dirt of any mound, at any time. Over his last three starts, Archer had gone 3-0 while allowing only four runs in 21 innings. He's talented enough to trust and hope for the best in all formats on Sunday in Seattle'

Blah, blah, blah, and blah.

It doesn't have to be confined to a 'rookie hurler'.
Look what has happened to Adam Wainwright over his last two starts.
Pitchers blow up.
It happens.
The sentence that makes the most sense in this snipet is the last sentence. We 'hope for the best' in every pitcher we start for a week.
It doesn't matter whether it's a rookie like Archer or a veteran like Wainwright.

[Edwards Kings]

"Chris Perez pleaded no contest to drug abuse on Tuesday and was found guilty of receiving a small package of marijuana back in June.
Cleveland's 28-year-old closer was sentenced to pay a $250 fine and serve one year of probation. A six-ounce bag of pot sent from Los Angeles and addressed to Brody Baum, Perez' dog, was intercepted by police in June. Perez' wife Melanie also appeared in court on Tuesday and entered a plea to minor drug possession. Mr. Perez said that the drugs and paraphernalia found in his basement kitchen belong to him. "

Good thing they did not find out his porn is mailed to his home via Fluffy Decat or his steriods to his pot bellied pig I.M. Haug. That could have been embarassing....

[Raskol]

This one had me chuckling.



John Lackey yielded seven runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings in Saturday's win against the Yankees.
Much has been made recently about Lackey's (subpar) run support compared to Max Scherzer's (excellent) run support, so perhaps Boston hitters just wanted to be heard. Lackey wasn't sharp -- he struck out six, walked three and coughed up eight hits -- but he didn't have to be while becoming a material witness to the series of crimes the Red Sox committed against David Huff. The Red Sox scored 13 runs, as many as they had in Lackey's last six starts combined. Lackey won his first start since August 17 (also against the Yankees) and improved to 9-12 with a 3.48 ERA.

[Edwards Kings]

Twins prospect Byron Buxton was announced as Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year on Wednesday.
"The best minor leaguer I've ever seen," said a scout quoted in the story. In his professional full-season debut, Buxton absolutely assaulted helpless minor league pitching, slashing .334/.424/.520 with 12 homers, 19 doubles, 18 triples, 77 RBI, 55 stolen bases and 109 runs scored in 125 games between Class-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers. The No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft posted numbers eerily similar to Mike Trout's minor league output. Coincidentally, Trout also player at Cedar Rapids (it was an Angels affiliate prior to this season). "Buxton was by far the best I have seen in a long, long time other than Trout," said Class-A Palm Beach manager Johnny Rodriguez. "Trout has more power, but Buxton probably does more (things). He has a better arm. He is a better defender than Trout, with better range and jumps ... Buxton probably is a better hitter. He has fewer holes than Trout had."

So...first round next year or 2015?

[DOUGHBOYS]

We haven't done these in a long time. Let's check in on a bored media...


'According to Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio, the Royals could be in the mix for free agent Kendrys Morales.

Duquette also mentions that signing Morales could give them the flexibility needed to deal Billy Butler for pitching help. The market has been very slow to develop for the 30-year-old slugger, impacted by the fact that he's tied to draft pick compensation, and that he's a butcher in the field and best served as a designated hitter.'

Jim Duquette says something stupid on air, so it gets printed. Got to love America.
Not even Dayton Moore is stupid enough to put the cart before the horse and sign Morales without Butler being long gone.
It also deprives Moore of the only thing he has shown expertise in and that is developing draft picks.
This is a total disregard and lessens Duquette's credibility.

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'The Diamondbacks "cannot be ruled out as major players" for Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

I love this kind of verbiage. By saying "cannot be ruled out", Rosenthal is free to muse about anything on the planet.
It's a Fox News way of relating news.
'Terrorists getting a nucleur weapon and destroying the world 'CANNOT BE RULED OUT'
'Dan Kenyon 'CANNOT BE RULED OUT' as eventual Overall Champion'.
It simply gives one a license to spout anything.

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'Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that "up to 21 teams" could be in attendance at Todd Coffey's showcase for MLB teams on January 17 in Arizona.'

This 'story' might be correct. If only for the fact that each MLB team already have personnel in Arizona.
If Coffee were to throw in Wisconsin, it is doubtful one team would pay to go see him.
This blurb is a service to Coffee.
And more about 'Location, location, location.

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'Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com reports that "at least a half-dozen" teams have asked the Padres about Chris Denorfia.'

Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com reports that "at least a half-dozen teams" -- including the Tigers and Phillies -- have "taken a run" at Brett Gardner.'

Apparently, Gammons does not like to count past six. Or doesn't like to do thorough homework. Or likes to use the phrase "at least a half-dozen".
Did you know that....
Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com reports that he keeps "at least a half-dozen" beers should be in the refrigerator at all times.
That sounds a lot more impressive than a mere 6-pack.

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'The Angels are still "very interested" in Masahiro Tanaka, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times'

This is just stupid.
It is like saying, <insert one of a million names here> is very interested in Jennifer Aniston's beauty.

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These RotoSnips are a poke at them for publishing ANYTHING said by a media member. Not any media member. They lend more credence to beat reporters or National reporters than those in the fantasy business themselves.
Which is curious since they are called 'RotoWorld'.
As a RotoWorld reader. I would be far more interested to see this...

'Shawn Childs expressed that Matt Wieters 'Provides difference maker talent at the Catcher position'...

Over this.....
'The Angels are still "very interested" in Masahiro Tanaka, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times'

But, maybe that's just me....

[Deadheadz]

'Dan Kenyon 'CANNOT BE RULED OUT' as eventual Overall Champion'.

Cut to Dan Kenyon:

"So you're saying there's a chance!"

dumb.jpg

[DOUGHBOYS]

Thanks for the response.
But mostly, thanks for re-enforcing the fact that a little 'Yahoo Kid', or a lot in some cases, resides in all of us.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey "wouldn't be surprised" if Fernando Rodney returned to the team, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

Of course, Hickey isn't general manager Andrew Friedman, so what would and wouldn't surprise him doesn't carry a ton of weight. But it does speak to Rodney's situation, as the right-hander is one of the few closers who hasn't found a landing spot as of yet. The Rays are also one of the few teams still in search of a closer, so a reunion between the two sides isn't a far-fetched scenario'

This one floored me.
RotoWorld poo poo's their own source. A pitching coach is trumped by a reporter from Timbuktu. We get it.
Then, in the same blurb, decides they wouldn't be surprised if Rodney re-signed with Tampa too.

[King of Queens]

Another doozy from Rotoworld:

========================================================

MLB.com's Jordan Bastian says Carlos Santana "looked comfortable" during a third base drill Monday.

Santana played third base in winter ball and will be tried there throughout the spring to see if he can handle the position. Gaining eligibility at the hot corner would be a huge boost to the 27-year-old's already-lofty fantasy value. He hit .268/.377/.455 with 20 home runs and 74 RBI in 154 games last season for the Indians.

========================================================

I'm sure that Santana owners will be jumping for joy when he gets that 10th game at 3B. No doubt that he'll be moved right out of the catcher slot come the following transaction deadline.

[Deadheadz]

Another doozy from Rotoworld:

========================================================

MLB.com's Jordan Bastian says Carlos Santana "looked comfortable" during a third base drill Monday.

Santana played third base in winter ball and will be tried there throughout the spring to see if he can handle the position. Gaining eligibility at the hot corner would be a huge boost to the 27-year-old's already-lofty fantasy value. He hit .268/.377/.455 with 20 home runs and 74 RBI in 154 games last season for the Indians.

========================================================

I'm sure that Santana owners will be jumping for joy when he gets that 10th game at 3B. No doubt that he'll be moved right out of the catcher slot come the following transaction deadline.

Only some idiot who drafted Posey, Santana and Mauer in the same league.

[Edwards Kings]

"Yoenis Cespedes added 15 pounds of muscle over the offseason in hopes it will better help him prevent injuries.
Cespedes was nagged by shoulder and hamstring issues in 2013, and he's also been plagued by hand troubles over the course of his first two years in the majors. The 28-year-old worked with a personal trainer to focus on those areas this offseason. He also worked on shortening his swing in an attempt to make more consistent contact, which could help him avoid another .240 batting average this year. Cespedes is a good bet for a bounceback season in 2014. "

So adding weight will help his shoulders? Hamstring? HANDS?

[Edwards Kings]

"The agents for free agents Ervin Santana, Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales said Sunday that their clients could wait until after Junes' amateur draft to sign if they don't receive acceptable offers.
Waiting until after the draft would remove the draft pick compensation that interested teams would have to forfeit in order to sign any of the trio, which should increase the number of interested teams. It could simply be posturing on the part of Scott Boras and Bean Stringfellow, but the overall concept does make sense from the player's perspective."

Nothing funny hear, but what a name! Bean Stringfellow....actually was a minor league pitcher in the Braves system before turning agent. Thornton Bayne "Bean" Stringfellow. Kind of a throwback name.

Not to be mistaken with...



David "Stringbean" Akeman

[Edwards Kings]

"Mike Carp will work at third base this spring in an effort to improve his versatility.
It's a wise move on Carp's part, as the Red Sox are lacking overall depth at the position and it could lead to additional at-bats for him. He had brief exposure to the position in the low minors nearly 10 years ago, but fully believes he'll be able to handle the hot corner defensively."

He had better place his order for his new equipment in a hurry...cast iron gloves do not grow on trees....

[Edwards Kings]

"Mike Minor has battled some shoulder soreness this spring and is behind the Braves' other starters.
Minor underwent a painful-sounding procedure on his urethra December 31 and was unable to throw throughout January, so he was a bit off schedule when he arrived at Braves camp. Atlanta's medical staff is optimistic that the left-hander won't have to miss a regular season start. Minor is now throwing without pain from 120 feet and should soon step on a mound."

"...was unable to throw throughout January..." Or pee. Or sneeze without screaming. Basically all he could do was roll around holding his package (gently) and mutter to himself "...why..why...why.."!

[MadCow Sez]

"Mike Minor has battled some shoulder soreness this spring and is behind the Braves' other starters.
Minor underwent a painful-sounding procedure on his urethra December 31 and was unable to throw throughout January, so he was a bit off schedule when he arrived at Braves camp. Atlanta's medical staff is optimistic that the left-hander won't have to miss a regular season start. Minor is now throwing without pain from 120 feet and should soon step on a mound."

"...was unable to throw throughout January..." Or pee. Or sneeze without screaming. Basically all he could do was roll around holding his package (gently) and mutter to himself "...why..why...why.."!

Good God Wayne, I'm glad I wasn't drinking something when I read this. Classic!

[Edwards Kings]

Glad you liked it, Champ!

[Edwards Kings]

"C.J. Wilson says he's "fine" after taking a comebacker off his head during live batting practice Tuesday.
Wilson had to be carted off the field, but he sent out a lighthearted message on his Twitter account Tuesday afternoon and apparently passed all of the Angels' medical tests. "He was very cognizant; he was aware of what was going on, what was happening, and never lost consciousness," Angels GM Jerry Dipoto told reporters."

"He was very cognizant; he was aware of what was going on, and he was screaming "OH SHIT...I JUST GOT HIT IN THE HEAD WITH A BASEBALL!!!!"

[Edwards Kings]

"Randall Delgado held the Dodgers to one run on four hits over 3 2/3 innings Thursday.
He struck out a pair and didn't walk anyone. Delgado was removed after retiring the first two batters in the fourth and then watched RJ Hively serve up a home run to the first batter he faced to tie the game. The Bronson Arroyo signing pushed Delgado to the bullpen, but he's a nice insurance policy to have around."

3 2/3 IP this early in spring? Man, he must have been efficient with his pitches. Is Arizona SURE Arroyo is a better option than this guy?