My bats were mediocre to say the best. For the second time this year, I did not get 10+ HR and I continue to crawfish (i.e. tucking my tail and reversing course at a quick pace) on steals. I was supposed to get Furcal back this weekend and I was hoping to start getting a little help in speed, but later on Friday, they postponed his recall to this week. One of my other SB sources, the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” Shane Victorino is doing more banging than flying. He really had a monster week (.4348, eight runs, seven RBI’s, one each HR and SP), but for the year he has eight homeruns and only five SB. He has thrived in the LO spot, but is not stealing bases at any kind of pace that will get me the 30+ (40+?) I would really like to have from him. I know it is kind of stupid to moan about 32 RBI for the year (fourth in MLB) to go with the eight dingers (tied for 18th) and 25 Runs (tied for 21st). With his BA climbing, Victorino is looking like he will produce like a complete package this year, so I will stop my whining.
Overall, except for BA, I am right at or below by a couple all my counting offensive stats and that is good news. Unlike Ethier, many players on my team are underperforming for the year or hurt. Therefore, when players like Aramis Ramirez start producing and I get Furcal back, and I get Roberts back (cross your fingers), I could be primed to bust a real move. For the time being, I need to hold on and keep my counting stats on target.
Speaking of Ethier, is their a priest, shaman, faith healer, gypsy fortune teller, Ernest Angsley, wicken, elf, phoenix, or anyone else with mystical healing powers available to cure a pinky boo-boo? I really cannot afford to lose him or his production, but I know only rest can heal the break. I sat him down for at least the first four games of this week because I think at least two will be rest anyway.
The following is a simple statement of personal preference. It is no means intended to be negative, represent some cabal of disgruntled ogres or fantasy baseball owners, nor is it the opinion of the or a reflection on the current management.
Speaking of sitting someone down for four days, I now have that option due to the fact we can change our batting line-up on Friday. I do not necessarily dislike this rule but I definitely do not like that rule. It makes this contest easier, which may have some broader appeal. If I was going to risk losing Either’s potential for the weekend IF the Dodgers do not put him on the DL, I would probably leave him in. As it is, I will rack up some few stats (comparatively) and then have the option to use him Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if he remains on the LA active roster. Just my two cents, but I kind of liked it tougher. Just a masochist I guess.
Week Seven Free Agents – There were actually several decent pitching options available in the FA pool this week. I only rented Mitre last week (not bad in two starts with a combined 9.3 IP with 7 K’s, a 3.857 ERA and a 1.2857 WHIP and was in line to get the win until Rivera allowed a grand slam, something he has not done since 2002), so he was dropped. I put in a healthy bid ($121) on John Ely (two starts this week at home versus HOU and DET), but was the bridesmaid to the winning bid of $133. My first contingent was for Derek Holland, TEX (two starts this week at home versus LAA and CHC) at $71 and was not even close to the winning bid of $157. Bergeson, BLT (versus KC and at WAS) and, heaven help me, Bonderman (versus CWS and at LAD) were also very decent options, but I opted for as my second contingency Hansom Homer Bailey, CIN (versus MIL and at CLE). I spent $51 on him and did not overpay (maybe) too much as the second place bid was for $25. Bailey is a DANGEROUS pick and I am not enamored with him because of his shut out of that offensive juggernaught, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Actually Bailey has been on my radar since his good game against St. Louis on May 1st. He threw 121 pitches in that game, then got lit up by the Cubbies. He only threw 94 in that one and only 90 against Pittsburgh, so I am hoping that this is the beginning of a nice little run if he throws to contact and keeps his control up (has had three or less walks in five of his seven games) to keep his pitch count in line. Dusty, take care of my boy, please!
I needed a catcher with do-nothing Baker going on the DL. Thin ain’t in it for catchers, so I nabbed Max Ramirez, TEX. Not expecting much, so I cannot be disappointed here.
I hated to do it, but I cut bait on Alex Gordon, KC. With so much of my bench still in rehab, I simply could not afford the bench spot wasted on a ML player, especially if I am losing Either even for a few days. Corey Hart was available in my league and while he has not been good, he has been better than nothing. My mediocre bid of $31 was well behind the winner ($92). I also had a very limited bid on Corey Patterson ($13 who went for $44) and Blalock ($14 who went for $50), but my first contingency bid was for Eric Hinske, ATL, the pride of Menasha, Wisconsin at $26, and I won. It would be amazing to me, especially with Diaz on the DL, if Hinske did not continue to get full time starts in left field for the Braves. Bobby Cox has always been a defense first manager and Hinske is a cornerman who is at best adequate in LF (had a good chance at a runner this week-end on a play at the plate, but his throw was up the line), but since May 11th (five games), Hinske is 9 for 17 (.5294) with five extra-base hits and eight RBI’s. How can you not go with the hot hand? I have convinced myself that this in not a typical homey bid, so I hope Hinske comes through for me.
Week Seven Plans – Full slate of games for all teams this week, so I will have to do better than the 244 AB I had last week (thanks to Mr. Baker, Mr. Either, Mr. DeWitt/Furcal, and Mr. Jones). Furcal is supposed to be back, which is good for me. Infante has done me well, but with Escobar back from the DL for the Braves, he will not see the regular AB he was getting. I am going to sit Either in favor of Hinske, at least until Friday. Willingham will also be back at full strength as well, so I am hoping for 300+ AB.
On the longer term front, Roberts is starting some baseball activities so I hope to have him back earlier in June than later. Carlos Guillen is a sixth OFer type in our format, but if he truly does get the nod a second base for Detroit, sometime in the middle of June I could have a middle-of-the-pack MI type. I have been able to maintain respectability so far this year and have been FAR from healthy. Would be nice to get everyone back.
Pitching by and large has some favorable matchups this week and I am going with the guys to get me eleven starts this week to see if I can recapture some of the Win magic. Derek Lowe, who has been a disappointment to say the least, “claims” in an AJC article last week-end that he was “too predictable” always throwing the sinker down and away. He credits his good start last week to coming inside more and throwing his change-up more. OK, fine. Sure, whatever you say. I will believe it after a few more starts and two will be this week versus the Mutts and at Pittsburgh. Jared Weaver has two ugly starts (at TEX and at STL), but how can you sit a 2.47 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP? Danks, who has been merely damn good in two of his last three starts and excellent in the other gets one at DET and versus FLA. With Bailey, that is eight starts. Shields has a tough one in New York against the Yanks. Garza gets one at HOU and Cecil (yup, sticking with him) gets one at SEA. Let’s hope I am not sticking my neck out too far, but honestly with so many games this week, if you do not have at least 10 starts, you have a good chance to lose some ground.
What is the over/under on a 4.00 ERA for Cecil, Lowe and Bailey combined this week?
[ May 17, 2010, 08:22 PM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]
