NFBC Message Boards

Carlos Zambrano was thought to have appendicitis and was taken to the hospital. In the end, it was just karma. This time Zambrano had the turned stomach instead of his owners and Cub fans.



The word 'Beltran' translated from spanish to english means 6-8 more weeks.



Barring injury, speed has been the only constant from drafts. While the power hitting first rounders are, for the most part, not seen around league leaders in rbi and especially home runs, guys like Rajai Davis, Juan Pierre, and Jose Reyes are still near the top in stolen bases despite all having mediocre batting stats.



Ken Macha is a smart man. No, really he is. He is just anal about risk on the base paths. Rickey Weeks has a red light because Macha wants him on for Braun and Fielder, Alcides Escobar has a red light because he does not want him thrown out with the pitcher up. Speed is a lot of Weeks game and most of Escobar's game. Macha would rather be Earl Weaver and wait for the three run bomb than utilize a resource that other managers would love to have. Unfortunately for Macha, he has none of the pitchers Weaver had. Sometimes even smart men can be dumb. Weeks and Escobar's stolen base numbers will climb once Brewers management realizes that they've got the wrong man for their team.



Fantasy baseball has always had the 'Leave him in, take him out' argument over drafting closers highly.

Next year the battlefield could shift to catchers. Mauer, McCann, and Martinez were all chosen highly in most drafts. These drafters would do just as well or maybe better for their money with Olivo, Barajas, and Buck.



'On pace' is out of vogue once we're out of April.

Here's one though, Charlie Morton is on pace for 30 losses. You go, Charlie!



Aaron Cook is a mediocre sinkerballer with a horrible k/9 rate. His k/9 rate is bad again this year at 4.35. As bad as that is, it is spectacular next to Brad Bergeson. Nearly doubling Bergeson's 2.42 per nine innings rate. Bergeson pitched seven innings last night and didn't have a k.



My favorite name in baseball is Antonio Bastardo. The name just screams to be a villain in a spaghetti western. I've never seen him, but I would grow a fu manchu and practice menacing looks in the mirror if I were him. In name alone, he could become a closer.



Roto news concerning the following, bullpen sessions, long toss, flat ground, simulated games, "I feel great's", pain free, 10 pitches, 20 pitches, 30 pitches.... all equal Rat's Ass to me.



Aaron Hill has an 8.2 line drive percentage. Easily, the lowest in the Major Leagues. Being an owner, I'm surprised he is hitting the ball hard every 12 times up. Hill is 6-61 during the last couple of weeks. He needs to face Brad Bergeson.



[ May 28, 2010, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Good stuff, Dan.



The difference in Aaron Hills from last year and this year is amazing, especially on a Blue Jay team where everybody else seems to be hitting.



I've got to run, I hear Antonio Bastardo is on his way into town and his 6 guns are a-blazin!

Charlie Morton is an interesting case. He is also on pace for a 9.35 ERA, but meanwhile his K/BB is a decent 35/16 in 41.1 innings. The problem is that he has allowed an unlucky 13.71 H/9, which in and of itself is partly fueled by a whopping 12 homers in the 41.1 innings. Considering he has a 1.41 GB/FB and a 7.27 K/9, both above average numbers that his homerun rate is built upon, you would expect the taters to taper off and ultimately for Morton to pitch somewhat acceptably if not well.

Good stuff again...



I would add....



Unless my eyes deceive me Todd Helton is still hitting in the 3rd spot for the Rockies. Now, I know Uncle Todd can still hit a little, but he has no power anymore and his 1 HR and 9 RBIs translates to 4 and 36 in a fullseason. Ouch, baby, ouch. For the love of Lyle Overbay what is going on with the justification of Helton in that spot of the lineup? Hell, perhaps the Rockies should just trot out Melvin Mora, Helton and Jason Giambi in the "Murders Row" 2, 3 and 4 spots of the lineup and party like it's 1997. Perhaps they could do it against the likes of the Phillies with Grampa Moyer on the mound. Yikes...don't be surprised if Seattle announces Ken Griffey and his .170 average with zero homeruns is available "for the right price" and Colorado comes calling for the "perfect fit" for their 5 hole. With all the problems they have had with PT for youngsters Fowler, Young and Smith you have my pick for the poorest managed team thus far folks. Iannetta came up recently after raking it in AAA and hung the bagel in his 4 Abs yesterday. Knowing this teams front office I wouldn't unpack just yet Chris...



Trevor Hoffman might be ready to reclaim his closers role after pitching a couple "clean" innings, Ken Macha said recently. Can you define clean, Ken? Well....having Ryan Doumit taking you deep for a granny with a 3-run lead is not clean. Also, having Cincy alternate hits and walks to score 4 straight runs in the 9th is not clean either. Pretty much everything OTHER then that is clean, however. Ummm.....thanks Ken.



Just to add onto the lament of Milwaukee not swiping any bags, as a Carlos Gomez owner I swear I have seen Macha sneaking out of the dugout with cowboy boots, a lasso and a tall Stetson on his head to stand behind Gomez whenever Carlos does get to first base safely. For the love of everything holy let the man run. Macha did say when asked about Gomez and the lack of steals that he would like to thank everyone that bought into the 12 steals in spring training that Gomez had rung up. Yes, the Beermakers are neck in neck with the Rockies with my vote for the poorest managed team out there.



The Orioles are holding open-tryouts for their closers role tomorrow afternoon. Word is that they aren't too concerned with whoever wins it because they don't expect to have too many leads in the upcoming months going into the 9th.



I think Sportscenter should start out their 6 p.m. show with Ozzie Guillen sitting their in his office with the biggest damn bar of soap ever made in his fat mouth. As an Andruw Jones owner I might even pay to see it. There, I feel better just for saying it. Have a nice day...

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

My favorite name in baseball is Antonio Bastardo. The name just screams to be a villain in a spaghetti western. I've never seen him, but I would grow a fu manchu and practice menacing looks in the mirror if I were him. In name alone, he could become a closer.Funny...Bastardo doesn't look Hungarian?

Great stuff Dan!! - I always look forward to your blog.



For all the gripping over the handling of Ianetta and his raking in AAA- have the grippers stopped and looked at Oliva's Major League numbers?



The better question is how can Tracy even consider giving Ianetta 50% of the ABs?



Helton batting third is baffling If you wanted to pay homage to his great career- move him up to 2nd at the very least.

"Stiff neck" - Is this really just a stiff neck Joey?