Fantasy New News

[DOUGHBOYS]

Let's start analyzing the 'new news' here.
Should be fun.

According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, Doug Fister will "probably be penciled in as the Astros' No. 4 starter."
Fister spent part of last year pitching out of the Nationals' bullpen but the Astros didn't pony up $7 million for another relief pitcher. He'll slot in behind Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers with Scott Feldman and Mike Fiers competing for the fifth spot in Houston's starting rotation.

Fister is much more known in fantasy circles for naughty team names.
For instance...
'Fister? I don't even know her!
'Is she a Kisler or Fister type?
'First Rollie Fingers, then Doug Fister'.
All vulger, but most males are to a degree.

On the fantasy side, the good news is that Fister is in a rotation.
The bad? That Fister is in a rotation.
Ok, maybe too harsh.
Fister has lost luster with fantasy drafters.
His strike outs have never been an attribute. His health, questionable.
Fister is the Omar Infante of pitchers. We never really expect much from him.
As exciting to own as a lamp or table. Functionability (yeah, that's a word, I just used it as such!), the same.
As far as the landing spot, Houston can be very harsh for some pitchers.
Their bullpen may help him get some Wins with Gregerson setting up Giles.
The team defense being above average, especially up the middle with Altuve, Correa, and Gomez.
The destination probably won't change drafters minds one way or another about Fister.
If liking him, you'll still draft him.
If not, we won't.
And don't.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Jesus Sucre will miss six months after undergoing surgery to repair a broken fibula.
He sustained the injury while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League. The Mariners were holding out hope that Sucre would only miss about six weeks but now his season is in jeopardy. With Sucre out indefinitely, Seattle will turn to Mike Zunino and Chris Iannetta behind the plate.

We draft 750 names and still, nobody cares crap one about this guy.
I know they're just doing their job.
I know that.
But, this is like a "I'm cooking in my kitchen now" tweet. Nobody gives crap one.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Rays have acquired OF Corey Dickerson from the Rockies.
According to Rosenthal, the Rockies are getting "multiple pitchers" while suggesting another team could be involved. Dickerson has been on the trading block since the Rockies signed Gerardo Parra to a three-year contract last week. He's a .299 lifetime hitter, though his stats are largely skewed from playing half his games at Coors Field. Dickerson will join an outfield that includes Desmond Jennings and Kevin Kiermaier.'

Ok, lets go from the bottom up with this one.
Desmond Jennings will not be in the Rays outfield.There is nobody in baseball better than NOT being in their outfield better than Desmond Jennings.
Just picture Desmond Jennings as you would 'Chester' on 'Gunsmoke'.

The Rays get a hard hitting outfielder. Of course, its easier being a hard hitting outfielder in Colorado than Tampa.
Dickerson goes to a lineup with nobody around him.
Remember when Longoria was a SOMEBODY?
I think he'll do alright.
He wasn't severly punished enough in drafts for being hurt last year.
Still being taken in the fifth round in most DC's.
Now, I believe he'll drop down to the seventh round due to park unniceties (that's not a word, I admit).

So, what are the ramifications?
Dickerson drops a round or two.
Boxberger rises slowly.
Parra jumps a bit.
McGee shoots up in drafts.
Hey, he's an arm in Colorado.
The best arms in Colorado are on chairs.
McGee is a battle tested Closer from the AL East. That alone is enough to hand him the Closer job.
The Rockies have the same plan as other teams.
They now have Qualls, Motte, and McGee at the back of their innings.
Problem being that none of those guys can pitch the first through sixth innings.

Who do I feel sorry for?
Jake McGee.
"Hey Jake, you've been traded to Colorado!"
A policeman busts your door down, puts you in cuffs, and tells you, " You're wanted for murder! '"
Same feeling for McGee.
We and McGee go, willingly even, in order to prove right, knowing that others before have failed and the consequences are dire.

[Fourslot40]

'Jesus Sucre will miss six months after undergoing surgery to repair a broken fibula.
He sustained the injury while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League. The Mariners were holding out hope that Sucre would only miss about six weeks but now his season is in jeopardy. With Sucre out indefinitely, Seattle will turn to Mike Zunino and Chris Iannetta behind the plate.

We draft 750 names and still, nobody cares crap one about this guy.
I know they're just doing their job.
I know that.
But, this is like a "I'm cooking in my kitchen now" tweet. Nobody gives crap one.

I've seen Sucre play coming up with Atlanta. He can be one of the best defensive catchers in baseball IMO. He has a strong arm and his mechanics are extremely good. Doesn't hit much, but for those who don't play fantasy it could be newsworthy.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Jesus Sucre will miss six months after undergoing surgery to repair a broken fibula.
He sustained the injury while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League. The Mariners were holding out hope that Sucre would only miss about six weeks but now his season is in jeopardy. With Sucre out indefinitely, Seattle will turn to Mike Zunino and Chris Iannetta behind the plate.

We draft 750 names and still, nobody cares crap one about this guy.
I know they're just doing their job.
I know that.
But, this is like a "I'm cooking in my kitchen now" tweet. Nobody gives crap one.

I've seen Sucre play coming up with Atlanta. He can be one of the best defensive catchers in baseball IMO. He has a strong arm and his mechanics are extremely good. Doesn't hit much, but for those who don't play fantasy it could be newsworthy.

It was implied since this is a fantasy site, and the news is from a fantasy site, that the news would be done with fantasy in mind.
Sorry if you thought different.
'Fantasy' has been added to the Subject

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Avisail Garcia said he wants to steal more bases in 2016.
Garcia told MLB.com's Scott Merkin that he got too big last season and "wants to be a viable base stealing threat" this year, per Merkin. Garcia had seven steals in 14 attempts last season and has just 14 stolen bases in his major league career. '

These kinds of statements and posts are becoming as frequent as 'Best shape of my life' or 'Has lost 20 pounds' posts.
We know these players mean well.
BUT, the fact is, they can't steal bases in January.
If I say I want to start going back to Church in April, it SOUNDS like I want to go back to Church in April.
When April comes around, I probably go back to my old habits and not even remember it was said.
That's what usually happens with players.
Garcia has stolen 14 bases in his career and been caught 13 times.
It would have been just as nice to hear him say, "I'm going to try and avoid getting caught stealing so often."
But players never say that.

It's hard to believe that Garcia is only 24 years old.
He is more noted for being 'Little Miggy' and borrowing Prince Fielder's wife with the help of his 'little Miggy'.
So far, his on field activities have been way less exciting.
But at 24, things could change.
A trade to a team that makes him feel like he is integral part could be best for Garcia.
Both of his years in Chicago have been injury filled and lackluster.
He has become a baseblah player.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Howie Kendrick signs with the Dodgers-

The 'for sure batting champ'.
Kendrick has been a fantasy bust, for the most part.
"He won't hurt your average" is the nicest thing said about him.
The same could be said about the guy who wanted to bed a different girl each day of a week and ends up taking a 2 A.M. ugly girl home. She didn't hurt his average, but...
Kendrick has never had more than 75 rbi, or 20 homers or 15 stolen bases...but 'he won't hurt your average'.

The signing hurts those in DC's who have taken Kiki Hernandez and Chase Utley.
The effect on others, small.

[Bronx Yankees]

While I realize this may have very little to no fantasy impact outside of extremely deep AL Central only leagues, I can't resist passing on that Rotoworld reports that Twins pitcher J.R. Graham accidentally lost 30 pounds this off-season. It seems that by eating breakfast, and cutting out pizza and alcohol, you can lose weight. Who knew?

(This is my favorite Rotoworld blurb in recent memory.)

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

While I realize this may have very little to no fantasy impact outside of extremely deep AL Central only leagues, I can't resist passing on that Rotoworld reports that Twins pitcher J.R. Graham accidentally lost 30 pounds this off-season. It seems that by eating breakfast, and cutting out pizza and alcohol, you can lose weight. Who knew?

(This is my favorite Rotoworld blurb in recent memory.)

Mike

The use of the word 'accidentally' is what makes that blurb

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Twins GM Terry Ryan confirmed Joe Mauer is unlikely to ever catch again.
"If he took the wrong type of foul tip off that mask and all of a sudden he got knocked silly, I couldn’t forgive myself," said Ryan. "There’s no ideas, there’s no thoughts, there’s no medical advice where we should put him back there, so we’re not going to." Ryan lamented that Mauer may have been a Hall-of-Famer had he stayed behind the plate but "it just wasn’t meant to be." Mauer moved to first base full-time in 2014.'

With the position change, Mauer went from super relevant to an afterthought.
He went from being compared to the top catchers to being compared to James Loney.
Mauer was a superstar as a Catcher.
Now, a corner who doesn't really pull his weight.
Mauer and Jacoby Ellsbury had one big season to remember.
Slowly on Draft Day, both are becoming players to forget

[DOUGHBOYS]

'ESPN's Keith Law reports the Diamondbacks have acquired SS Jean Segura and RHP Tyler Wagner from the Brewers for 2B Aaron Hill, RHP Chase Anderson and SS Isan Diaz.'

Many moving parts to this one.
Segura goes to a better situation in a few ways.
That is, he goes to a better team. And that team has allowed free reign for baserunners.
He'll also probably have first dibs on hitting in front of Pollock and Goldschmidt.
He had some personal family problems in Milwaukee.
This could be just what he needed.

Aaron Hill is wet dynamite.
Chances are, he's a dud.
But sometimes wet dynamite explodes.
I don't see it happening, but it could.

Chase Anderson goes from AAA or the bullpen to the Milwaukee rotation.
A good thing for those who have drafted him in DC's.
Well, maybe.
The only thing worse than Anderson pitching at AAA for his owners, may be the stats he gets for Milwaukee.
He goes to a team with a worse ball park and worse defense.
There are a few things to like about Anderson.
But more not to like.

Others effected are Owings, Drury, Ahmed, and Gosselin who had little to fear from Hill taking playing time.
They will with Segura.
They all lose ground in drafts.
Orlando Arcia, no matter what Brewers Brass will say, has just had his MLB clock pushed up.
Certainly, a more viable selection. Even in a 30 round draft.
His ADP is 459.
He'll move up from 31st round to between the 22nd and 27th rounds.

[Gb2715]

Just snagged Arcia in Rd 36 of the Cutline Draft tonight

[DOUGHBOYS]

Just snagged Arcia in Rd 36 of the Cutline Draft tonight

Nice indeed!

[DOUGHBOYS]

Alert! This one is not about fantasy baseball or even real baseball.
Moreso about the personality of a ballplayer and why I was not surprised to read this...

'According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, Rafael Betancourt is only interested in pitching next season if he is able to secure a major league contract.
The 40-year-old hurler had a miserable 2015 season, compiling a 6.18 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 40/12 K/BB ratio over 39 1/3 innings. Finding a guaranteed deal seems like a long shot at this point, so we may have seen the last of Betancourt after 12 big league seasons.'

It was 2014. Grand junction, the rookie team for the Rockies were greeting Rafael Betancourt, who was rehabbing for the first time after a long injury.
We had hosted rehabbing players before.
Todd Helton, easily being the most giving of his time and expertise with the younger players and citizens of our town.
He put on a batting practice clinic.
10 liners to left.
10 Liners to center.
10 liners to right.
5 bombs over the right and center field fence.
All the kids tried to emulate him. None succeeded.
Anyway, we had an overenthusiastic 'Clubbie' who made sure all of our kids got what they needed in the clubhouse.
Betancourt, used to his Major League ways, asked that his uniform be detailed perfectly.
His shoes polished after any/every use.
In rookie ball, shoes and uniforms are cleaned on a 'need' basis usually
Our clubbie started following around Betancourt most of the time, because his needs were equal to the 25 kids that were fixtures.
I could understand this.
Even though guys like Helton or Cuddyer never needed the 'extra' attention.
Some players just feel more entitled. Betancourt liked being treated like a Big Leaguer.

When players leave our town because they are getting moved up to A Ball, it is customary to tip the Clubbie for making their life easier.
For Rookie Ball players, the tip is usually in the neighborhood of a Ben Franklin.
Most didn't sign large contracts.
Betancourt's stay was over a month.
Each day, the Clubbie doing double his normal work to accommodate the Major Leaguer.

Then, Betancourt was deemed ready to pitch in Denver.
He left town quietly.
Not a note or a tip for our Clubbie. Nothing.
A fellow making millions.
I've never thought less of a player than I did for Betancourt.
So it surprises me little to see his entitlement of thinking that he is only worthy of a Major League contract.

The story does have a happy ending.
The overenthusiastic Clubbie was noticed by a larger organization and moved up the ladder after that season.
In exchanging phone calls or texts since, we joke about Betancourt.
Calling him 'Betanstiff' or 'Tightencourt'
Enough time has gone by to laugh about it.
He doesn't play fantasy baseball, so I sent him this blurb.
It should provide a smile.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Greg Bird will undergo surgery Tuesday for a torn labrum in his right shoulder and miss the entire 2016 season, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.'

Well, this certainly a kick to the jimmys for early Bird owners!
Ha! Get it? Never mind.
Too much pain felt by his drafters. Understood.
Bird has/had an ADP of 327.
Now, that will fly away.
Ok, I'll stop.
Bird becomes the new Lance Lynn on our default list.
Why Lynn is even still there is crazy.
Anybody who gets Lynn or Bird will have egg on their face. sorry.

So, how does this effect us fantasy/wise?
Girardi has said all along that Bird was to start at AAA to get at bats.
At the same time, the Yankees have few on their roster that can play 1B over a long haul when, er excuse me, if, Teixeira gets hurt.
Headley can go across the diamond and third can be filled by a middle infielder.
But, if believing in Gary Sanchez, maybe Brian McCann can take more reps there while Sanchez catches more games.
Even more intriguing would be giving Aaron Judge some reps at first base.
It could speed his way to the Majors.

Gotta love this game we play. An injury to a AAA starting 1B has so many different ramifications for fantasy at bats.
It's ripples, heading towards the Big club, not downward as most injuries in the minors.
In this case, two players in the minor league bushes being much better than Greg Bird in hand.
Oh come on, you saw that one coming!

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Carlos Beltran said Wednesday that he lost around 10 pounds over the winter.
Beltran said that he "might try and steal some bases this year," though the Yankees would probably just be thrilled if he stays healthy while putting up similar numbers to 2015. After getting off to a slow start last year, he batted .276 with 19 homers and an .808 OPS. '

Is it just me or are baseball players replacing "I'm in the best shape of my life" with "I might try to steal some bases this year".
Almost as if they're pandering to fantasy players here.
Just as easily, they could say, "Maybe I'll beat out a few more hits" or "Maybe I'll run down a few more fly balls."
Instead, choosing an optional and opportunist part of the game, the stolen base.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Khris Davis is traded to Oakland.
I believe that this will drive down the price for Davis. Oakland is a big ball park and will hold a few homers that Davis would have had in Milwaukee. Oakland is building a pretty good lineup there. Like usual, they'll probably come from nowhere to contend again.
It's always fun seeing a veteran for prospects trade with Oakland getting the veteran.
Billy Beane treats his major leaguers as prospects. Nobody, stationary in Oakland.
In the meanwhile, Jonathon Lucroy is left to wonder, "What about me?"

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Indians manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that he's considering hitting Carlos Santana leadoff.'

This item made me chuckle. Managers and front office personnel are fighting the battle between tradition and the computer.
Tradition being...
1. Fast guy
2. Good with a bat
3. Best hitter
4. Masher
5. rbi guy
6. Good hitter
7. Better than 8th hitter
8. Worst hitter
9. Pitcher

Now, computers and analysts are telling lineup makers that on base percentage is more important than this tradition.
And I believe that in some cases, OBP players should be moved up in the lineup.
Carlos Santana, Joey Votto, Curtis Granderson and Matt Carpenter should all be leadoff hitters. Granderson, and Carpenter were both tried at other spots in the lineup before settling into the leadoff position. Granderson has speed which made it easier, even for the traditional Manager, to move into the leadoff spot.
With Carpenter's average speed, it took St. Louis brass longer to find the best spot for him.

Santana and Votto are tougher cases for their clubs. Santana has minus speed, but is still a small opportunist on the bases.
Last year, stealing 11 bases.
A signal that the leadoff spot would not be off base for Santana.
The problem being that Santana is perceived as an 'rbi guy'. Of course, this is only perception.
He's large and always hit in the middle of the lineup. That is the description for an 'rbi guy'.
The truth is, Santana is an on base guy.
Like Votto, Sanatana is meticulous in which pitch to hit. The rbi became secondary to Santana behind getting the right pitch.
And if Jose Ramirez or Giovani Urshela or Lonnie Chisenhall were following Santana, pitchers were more than happy to oblige Santana in an rbi situation with those fellas in the on deck circle.

Votto had, what I consider, the best season Votto could have last year, given his batting approach.
And still had just 80 rbi.
Who has 63 more bb than rbi?
Answer- NOT an rbi guy.
The problem for Cincinnati is that they are in flux. They've traded Todd Frazier and want to push Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips out of town. Moving Votto, now, would only create ill feelings and chaos for Votto and his fans.
Phillips, no known as an rbi guy had 103 rbi just two years ago and in a 'down year' last year only had 10 less rbi than Votto.

Fantasy/wise, Santana is being taken in the 13/14th round of most drafts. Next to guys like Glenn Perkins, Starlin Castro, and Jay Bruce.
Santana used to keep better company when he had Catcher and/or 3B eligibility.
Now, he has become filler.
His drafters expecting pretty good power stats, a few bags, and an average that will sting their team's category.
If leading off, his adp could actually drop.
Most fantasy players think that ANY player canscore a run. Driving in a run, tougher.
Plus, because an OBP is at the top of the lineup does not automatically supports more runs scored.
As a leadoff hitter last year, Joc Pederson reached base over 100 times from the leadoff spot.
He scored 16 times by his own homers. 18 times by way of his teammates.
By the middle of the season, he was hitting in the eighth spot and semi-platooned.

I believe it is worth a try to leadoff Santana. The Indians do not have a proto-type leadoff hitter and Kipnis owners would probably like the thought of getting more rbi without sacrificing less runs scored.
With Michael Brantley to miss the first part of the season, I'd rather see Santana leading off over Rajai Davis.
Davis only qualification to lead off is his speed.
So. old school.

[Fast Eddie]

I believe it is worth a try to leadoff Santana. The Indians do not have a proto-type leadoff hitter and Kipnis owners would probably like the thought of getting more rbi without sacrificing less runs scored.
With Michael Brantley to miss the first part of the season, I'd rather see Santana leading off over Rajai Davis.
Davis only qualification to lead off is his speed.
So. old school.

Unless, of course, Willie Mays Hayes can improve his GB/FB ratio and get his ass to camp!

[DOUGHBOYS]

I believe it is worth a try to leadoff Santana. The Indians do not have a proto-type leadoff hitter and Kipnis owners would probably like the thought of getting more rbi without sacrificing less runs scored.
With Michael Brantley to miss the first part of the season, I'd rather see Santana leading off over Rajai Davis.
Davis only qualification to lead off is his speed.
So. old school.

Unless, of course, Willie Mays Hayes can improve his GB/FB ratio and get his ass to camp!

Ha!
The Indians and Baseball could really use a Willie Mays Hayes comeback!

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Cubs re-signed OF Dexter Fowler to a one-year, $13 million contract with a $9 million mutual option for 2017.'

After all the blah blah in roto about Fowler signing with BAL, this is a surprise.
One quick question, are BAL physicals so tough or over the line that players are now avoiding going to the Orioles?

Fowler gives the Cubs there definitive lead off hitter. A mixture of OBP, speed, and power. Until the signing, it looked like Ben Zobrist or Justin Heyward would lead off.
So, how does this effect fantasy?

Fowler moves up in drafts with a familiar home and great lineup.

Soler drops, until knowing if he's packing his bags or the fourth outfielder. The signing of Fowler relieves Heyward from playing center field. Heyward, at his size, was an injury waiting to happen in center field.
Soler has never really proven himself as yet. I think Cubs fans will be disappointed at what they get in return for Soler.
It would be only right if Soler ended up in BAL, right?

Schwarber drops a bit in my eyes too. The signing of Fowler now solidifies center and right field on the Cubs. If Soler is not traded, he'll take time away from Schwarber. It probably wouldn't be a full platoon, but close. And also, Schwarber will be leaving games in the seventh and eighth innings because of his butchery at the position.

It helps Rizzo and Bryant. Without Fowler, Rizzo or Bryant may have hit second. Now, Zobrist will hit there, with Rizzo and Bryant following. They should see many, many rbi ops.

It hurts Orioles hitters a lot. They have a three headed monster in Machado, Davis, and Jones. Fowler is adept at getting on base. It would have helped their rbi chances.
If those three hitters bat 3 4, 5 in their lineup, the Orioles do not have a tested on base player to bat in front of them.
It also hurts back of the lineup players like Wieters or Schoop who could have been driven in by Fowler.
Tough loss for the Orioles.