The Giants offense continued to produce runs and Madison Bumgarner put a resounding stop to the horrid SP performances. Key Lines:
Melky Cabrera- 2 for 4, 2B(3), BB. BA= .385. Melky continues to lead the way.
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 4, 2B(3). BA= .261. Crawford has a .522 SLG%. If you go back into spring training games, He's hitting .417 over his last 10 games.
Madison Bumgarner- 7.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K's, GO/AO- 13/1. Bumgarner took a no-hitter into the 6'th inning.
Brian Wilson- 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(1). ERA= 9.00. Exhibit A of why the Save is a ridiculous stat. BWeez isn't right, I think that's pretty obvious.
The Giants now return to SF for their home opener on an up note. 2-4 on a 6 game road trip is not what you hope for, but it's not terrible either. Maybe home cooking can get the Giants starting rotation back humming on all 5 cylinders. Matt Cain takes the mound tomorrow afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates who always seem to give the Giants fits.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Down on the Farm: 4/11/2012
AAA Las Vegas 51's defeated the Fresno Grizzlies 14-4:
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 2 for 3, 3B, HR(2), BB. BA= .517.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 1 for 4, 2B, SB(1). BA= .357.
Nick Noonan(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .412.
Francisco Peguero(RF)- 0 for 4. BA= .125.
Frankie Pegs is off the a tough start. Roger K, Culby and Noonan are all hot. The pitching in this one was as wretched as it was for the Giants today.
AA Bowie Baysox out hit the Richmond Flying Squirrels 11-6:
Chris Dominguez(LF)- 2 for 5, OF Assist(Widlansky at 3B). BA= .481.
Daniel Mayora(3B)- 2 for 5. BA= .364.
Bobby Bundy(RHP, Baysox)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.27.
Good game by Dylan Bundy's big bro. Dominguez continues to impress with the bat and OF arm.
High A San Jose Giants topped the High Desert Mavericks 10-6:
Joe Panik(SS)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .296.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .348.
Jarrett Parker(LF)- 1 for 4, 3B, BB, OF Assist(Proscia at 3B). BA= .357.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 3 for 4, SF. BA= .667.
Taylor Rogers(RHP)- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.53.
Very nice game by Ricky to raise his BA to .348. I could be wrong, but I think the people who have Ricky pegged as all power with a low BA are mistaken. I think he will hit for average and power with good plate discipline. Andrew Susac hurt his pinky finger and had been struggling at the plate. Arnold had a nice game at the plate, but had 2 throwing errors.
Low A Charleston River Dogs pounded the Augusta Greenjackets 11-5:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB. BA= .280.
Elliott Blair(DH)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(1). BA- .222.
Michael Merganthaler(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .167.
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 3.2 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 8/3.
A few struggling hitters got off the beam today. Blackburn didn't pitch great, but it looks like his D failed him too.
Roger Kieschnick(LF)- 2 for 3, 3B, HR(2), BB. BA= .517.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 1 for 4, 2B, SB(1). BA= .357.
Nick Noonan(3B)- 2 for 4. BA= .412.
Francisco Peguero(RF)- 0 for 4. BA= .125.
Frankie Pegs is off the a tough start. Roger K, Culby and Noonan are all hot. The pitching in this one was as wretched as it was for the Giants today.
AA Bowie Baysox out hit the Richmond Flying Squirrels 11-6:
Chris Dominguez(LF)- 2 for 5, OF Assist(Widlansky at 3B). BA= .481.
Daniel Mayora(3B)- 2 for 5. BA= .364.
Bobby Bundy(RHP, Baysox)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 3.27.
Good game by Dylan Bundy's big bro. Dominguez continues to impress with the bat and OF arm.
High A San Jose Giants topped the High Desert Mavericks 10-6:
Joe Panik(SS)- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .296.
Ricky Oropesa(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .348.
Jarrett Parker(LF)- 1 for 4, 3B, BB, OF Assist(Proscia at 3B). BA= .357.
Jeff Arnold(C)- 3 for 4, SF. BA= .667.
Taylor Rogers(RHP)- 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 2.53.
Very nice game by Ricky to raise his BA to .348. I could be wrong, but I think the people who have Ricky pegged as all power with a low BA are mistaken. I think he will hit for average and power with good plate discipline. Andrew Susac hurt his pinky finger and had been struggling at the plate. Arnold had a nice game at the plate, but had 2 throwing errors.
Low A Charleston River Dogs pounded the Augusta Greenjackets 11-5:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB. BA= .280.
Elliott Blair(DH)- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(1). BA- .222.
Michael Merganthaler(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .167.
Clayton Blackburn(RHP)- 3.2 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, GO/AO= 8/3.
A few struggling hitters got off the beam today. Blackburn didn't pitch great, but it looks like his D failed him too.
Game Wrap 4/11/2012: Rockies 16 Giants 8
I missed the beginning of this game, but judging from the numbers, Tim Lincecum put on a pitching performance every bit as wretched as anything Barry Zito has produced. The hitters tried valiantly to fight back, but the bullpen was no better than LIncecum and the Giants ended up losing a lopsided slugfest in Coors Field. Key Lines:
Melky Cabrera- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .364. Melky stays hot.
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .381. Pablo stays hot. I have both Melky and Pablo on my Savvy Vets fantasy team.
Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 4, 2 HR(2), SF. BA= .400. Nate gets a chance to play and makes the most of it.
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 4, HR(1). BA= .211. Crawford has made major contributions to the offense despite the low BA.
Emmanuel Burriss- 3 for 4, SB(1). BA= .375. Nice game by Burriss.
Buster Posey- 0 for 1. BA= .308. I was busy at work all day and missed the start of the game. I knew something was up with Buster because there was no reason why he would not be in the starting lineup. Turns out he has Herpes Zoster AKA "shingles". Herpes Zoster is an outbreak of the chicken pox virus, Varicella Zoster, along a nerve root. It is usually a self limited condition, especially in younger patients, but in about 20% of cases can cause an extremely severe pain that lasts longer than 6 months. Hope that's not the case with Buster. I've never had it, but have treated many patients with it. The pain, when it is bad, can be excruciating. I believe I have seen it shorten people's lives. There is some evidence that antiviral therapy, which Buster is taking, can reduce the risk of the severe pain reaction. Get well soon, Buster!
Hector Sanchez- 1 for 5. BA= .300. I didn't see the interaction between Hector and Timmy. It appeared Affeldt showed some frustration with him during Affeldt's disastrous stint on the mound. I hope the pitchers aren't blaming Sanchez. They are veteran big leaguers and need to grow up if that's the case.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound tomorrow afternoon facing Jamie Moyer who gave the Giants fits in spring training.
Melky Cabrera- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .364. Melky stays hot.
Pablo Sandoval- 2 for 5, 2 2B. BA= .381. Pablo stays hot. I have both Melky and Pablo on my Savvy Vets fantasy team.
Nate Schierholtz- 2 for 4, 2 HR(2), SF. BA= .400. Nate gets a chance to play and makes the most of it.
Brandon Crawford- 2 for 4, HR(1). BA= .211. Crawford has made major contributions to the offense despite the low BA.
Emmanuel Burriss- 3 for 4, SB(1). BA= .375. Nice game by Burriss.
Buster Posey- 0 for 1. BA= .308. I was busy at work all day and missed the start of the game. I knew something was up with Buster because there was no reason why he would not be in the starting lineup. Turns out he has Herpes Zoster AKA "shingles". Herpes Zoster is an outbreak of the chicken pox virus, Varicella Zoster, along a nerve root. It is usually a self limited condition, especially in younger patients, but in about 20% of cases can cause an extremely severe pain that lasts longer than 6 months. Hope that's not the case with Buster. I've never had it, but have treated many patients with it. The pain, when it is bad, can be excruciating. I believe I have seen it shorten people's lives. There is some evidence that antiviral therapy, which Buster is taking, can reduce the risk of the severe pain reaction. Get well soon, Buster!
Hector Sanchez- 1 for 5. BA= .300. I didn't see the interaction between Hector and Timmy. It appeared Affeldt showed some frustration with him during Affeldt's disastrous stint on the mound. I hope the pitchers aren't blaming Sanchez. They are veteran big leaguers and need to grow up if that's the case.
Madison Bumgarner takes the mound tomorrow afternoon facing Jamie Moyer who gave the Giants fits in spring training.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Down on the Farm: 4/10/2012
AAA Fresno Grizzlies out hit the Las Vegas 51's 10-5:
Justin Christian(LF)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .500.
Roger Kieschnick(DH)- 3 for 5, 3B. BA= .500.
Conor Gillaspie(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .308.
Nick Noonan(3B)- 3 for 5. BA= .385.
Arias(.409) and Whiteside(.400) had 2 hits each.
Ryan Vogelsong(RHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.80.
George Kontos(RHP)- 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
4 players with 3 hits each. It's still very early, but is Nick Noonan resurrecting his prospect status? Vogey looks ready to pitch for the Giants.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Bowie Baysox 5-4:
Gary Brown(CF)- 0 for 5. BA= .261.
Juan Perez(RF)- 2 for 4, HR(1). BA=.348
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .227.
Daniel Mayora(3B)- 2 for 3, SF. BA= .353.
Chris Gloor(LHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Austin Fleet(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 5.40.
Brown is 0 for 10 over his last 2 games. Ouch!
High A San Jose Giants outscored the High Desert Mavericks by a touchdown and 2 point conversion:
Jarrett Parker(LF)- 4 for 6, 3B, HR(3). BA= .375.
Duvall(.308), Lofton(.273) and Jurica(.368) had 4 hits each.
Seth Rosin(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Ricky DNP. I was going to go to this game but got a heads up that Ricky was not in the lineup. Apparently just part of the rotation of players. Giants banged out 25 hits. There was a weather front moving in last evening so I'm guessing it was pretty windy up in Adelanto(Just read it was a 30 MPH wind blowing R-L).
Low A Augusta Greenjackets smothered the Charleston River Dogs 2-0:
Shawn Payne(LF)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .421.
Ben Thomas(1B)- 2 for 4. BA= .304.
Chuckie Jones(CF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .120.
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Paul Davis(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
I was surprised that Payne did not get assigned to SJ. He's tearing up the SAL so far. Escobar has a Zitoesque pitching line. He seems like he's been around forever, but does not turn 20 yo for a few more days.
Justin Christian(LF)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .500.
Roger Kieschnick(DH)- 3 for 5, 3B. BA= .500.
Conor Gillaspie(1B)- 3 for 5, 2B. BA= .308.
Nick Noonan(3B)- 3 for 5. BA= .385.
Arias(.409) and Whiteside(.400) had 2 hits each.
Ryan Vogelsong(RHP)- 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 1.80.
George Kontos(RHP)- 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Heath Hembree(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
4 players with 3 hits each. It's still very early, but is Nick Noonan resurrecting his prospect status? Vogey looks ready to pitch for the Giants.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Bowie Baysox 5-4:
Gary Brown(CF)- 0 for 5. BA= .261.
Juan Perez(RF)- 2 for 4, HR(1). BA=.348
Wes Hodges(1B)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .227.
Daniel Mayora(3B)- 2 for 3, SF. BA= .353.
Chris Gloor(LHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Austin Fleet(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 5.40.
Brown is 0 for 10 over his last 2 games. Ouch!
High A San Jose Giants outscored the High Desert Mavericks by a touchdown and 2 point conversion:
Jarrett Parker(LF)- 4 for 6, 3B, HR(3). BA= .375.
Duvall(.308), Lofton(.273) and Jurica(.368) had 4 hits each.
Seth Rosin(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Ricky DNP. I was going to go to this game but got a heads up that Ricky was not in the lineup. Apparently just part of the rotation of players. Giants banged out 25 hits. There was a weather front moving in last evening so I'm guessing it was pretty windy up in Adelanto(Just read it was a 30 MPH wind blowing R-L).
Low A Augusta Greenjackets smothered the Charleston River Dogs 2-0:
Shawn Payne(LF)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .421.
Ben Thomas(1B)- 2 for 4. BA= .304.
Chuckie Jones(CF)- 1 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .120.
Edwin Escobar(LHP)- 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Paul Davis(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00.
Cody Hall(RHP)- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 0.00.
I was surprised that Payne did not get assigned to SJ. He's tearing up the SAL so far. Escobar has a Zitoesque pitching line. He seems like he's been around forever, but does not turn 20 yo for a few more days.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Down on the Farm: 4/9/2012
AAA Fresno Grizzlies mauled the Las Vegas 51's 9-3:
Justin Christian(LF)- 4 for 5, HR(1). BA= .462.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 3 for 4. BA= .421.
Joaquin Arias(SS)- 3 for 4, 2 HR(2). BA= .412.
Yusmeiro Petit(RHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.00.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels staved off the Bowie Baysox 5-4:
Chris Dominguez(LF)- 4 for 4, 2B, HR(1), SB(1). BA= .556.
Juan Perez(RF)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .316.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 3, 2B, SB(1). BA= .333.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Daryl Maday(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(2). ERA= 0.00.
Dominguez is red hot. Is Monell going to force someone to notice him this year? Kickham had a Durtyesque start. Looks like Maday is the closer in Richmond.
High A High Desert Mavericks held off the San Jose Giants 6-5:
Adam Duvall(DH)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .200.
Jack Snodgrass(LHP)- 4.1 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 6/0.
Josh Osich- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. ERA= 0.00.
Duvall's bat has been quiet. Hopefully this game gets it going.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets defeated the Charleston River Dogs:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 3 for 4, 3B, BB, SB(2). BA= .238.
Chuckie Jones(CF)- 1 for 4, HR(1). BA= .091.
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .250.
Joseph Biagini(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.50.
Demondre Arnold(RHP)- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.60.
Chuckie Jones got just his 2'nd hit of the season, but it was a longball. He is playing CF in Augusta in preference to Shawn Payne. Biagini is a local kid from the Bay Area who went to college at UC Davis. Obviously a bit on the raw side. Love the K's, hate the walks for Arnold.
Justin Christian(LF)- 4 for 5, HR(1). BA= .462.
Charlie Culberson(2B)- 3 for 4. BA= .421.
Joaquin Arias(SS)- 3 for 4, 2 HR(2). BA= .412.
Yusmeiro Petit(RHP)- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.00.
AA Richmond Flying Squirrels staved off the Bowie Baysox 5-4:
Chris Dominguez(LF)- 4 for 4, 2B, HR(1), SB(1). BA= .556.
Juan Perez(RF)- 2 for 4, SB(1). BA= .316.
Johnny Monell(C)- 2 for 3, 2B, SB(1). BA= .333.
Mike Kickham(LHP)- 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 0.00.
Daryl Maday(RHP)- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(2). ERA= 0.00.
Dominguez is red hot. Is Monell going to force someone to notice him this year? Kickham had a Durtyesque start. Looks like Maday is the closer in Richmond.
High A High Desert Mavericks held off the San Jose Giants 6-5:
Adam Duvall(DH)- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .200.
Jack Snodgrass(LHP)- 4.1 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 6/0.
Josh Osich- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. ERA= 0.00.
Duvall's bat has been quiet. Hopefully this game gets it going.
Low A Augusta Greenjackets defeated the Charleston River Dogs:
Kelby Tomlinson(SS)- 3 for 4, 3B, BB, SB(2). BA= .238.
Chuckie Jones(CF)- 1 for 4, HR(1). BA= .091.
Brett Krill(RF)- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .250.
Joseph Biagini(RHP)- 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 2 K's. ERA= 4.50.
Demondre Arnold(RHP)- 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.60.
Chuckie Jones got just his 2'nd hit of the season, but it was a longball. He is playing CF in Augusta in preference to Shawn Payne. Biagini is a local kid from the Bay Area who went to college at UC Davis. Obviously a bit on the raw side. Love the K's, hate the walks for Arnold.
Game Wrap 4/9/2012: Giants 7 Rockies 0
Statistics are an integral part of baseball. There are things you can understand about the game from studying statistics that you would never guess from just watching the game. On the other hand, there is a reason why they play the games! Barry Zito has been maligned about as much as any ballplayer who has played the game. His performances have truly been wretched at times. There is something about his demeaner that makes you wonder how much he really cares or really even wants to be a ballplayer. On the other hand, Barry Zito has never publicly complained about some humiliating decisions made by Giants management that many, if not most, other players making his kind of jack would have never tolerated. When he stayed back in Arizona to "work on some things", it was easy to write it off as yet another futile way for the Giants to just forget about him for a few days. Gotta hand it to the guy. Whether this resurgence is good for just one game or a few or for the rest of his Giants career, dude stepped up and stepped up big today. I don't think I've ever seen an emotional turnaround quite like this in a long time, if ever. Key Lines:
Melky Cabrera- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .333. Melky stays hot.
Pablo Sandoval- 1 for 4, HR(2), BB. BA= .375. Pablo has come out smokin' at the plate this year. 40 HR's anyone?
Aubrey Huff- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .214. Maybe the way back for Aubrey Huff is a game like this. He does better when he's more selective and drawing BB's.
Hector Sanchez- 2 for 5. BA= .400. Gotta find more ways of getting Sanchez into games, even if they have to bring back a 3'rd catcher.
Brandon Crawford- 1 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .133. Crawford's second big double in as many days.
Barry Zito- 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00. I didn't see the game. I didn't want to see the game. I have no idea what kind of slop he was throwing up there today. I have no confidence in Zito being able to sustain this, but for one day, I take back everything I've said about him being done. Man, what a psychological lift this has to be for the whole Giants team, including management, maybe especially management!
The Giants have the day off tomorrow then Tim LIncecum tries to get back on track on Wednesday evening against Jeremy Guthrie.
Melky Cabrera- 2 for 4, BB. BA= .333. Melky stays hot.
Pablo Sandoval- 1 for 4, HR(2), BB. BA= .375. Pablo has come out smokin' at the plate this year. 40 HR's anyone?
Aubrey Huff- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB. BA= .214. Maybe the way back for Aubrey Huff is a game like this. He does better when he's more selective and drawing BB's.
Hector Sanchez- 2 for 5. BA= .400. Gotta find more ways of getting Sanchez into games, even if they have to bring back a 3'rd catcher.
Brandon Crawford- 1 for 4, 2B, BB. BA= .133. Crawford's second big double in as many days.
Barry Zito- 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 0.00. I didn't see the game. I didn't want to see the game. I have no idea what kind of slop he was throwing up there today. I have no confidence in Zito being able to sustain this, but for one day, I take back everything I've said about him being done. Man, what a psychological lift this has to be for the whole Giants team, including management, maybe especially management!
The Giants have the day off tomorrow then Tim LIncecum tries to get back on track on Wednesday evening against Jeremy Guthrie.
Fantasy Focus: Savvy Vets Makes First Trade
My Savvy Vets fantasy baseball team won its first H2H contest 7-1-2. We won all 5 offensive categories quite handily as well as K's and WHIP on the pitching side of the ledger. Lost only ERA and tied in W's and Saves. In all honesty, I'm not sure the other manager is actively managing his team as he has 2 players on the DL in his starting lineup with very good players sitting on the bench.
There is usually not a lot of trading done in my league. Last year, I think there were only about 3 all year. Another manager is very active in the FA market for closers. He just picked up Santiago from the White Sox and Fernando Rodney from the Rays. He put out a message saying he wanted to trade a RP for a SP. He's a Cardinal fan and said he wouldn't trade Jason Motte, but all other RP's were on the block. As you know, I stockpiled pitchers at the end of my draft and have a stable of 11 SP's. The only two I feel are untouchable are Grienke and MadBum. I ended up offering Ricky Romero for Jordan Walden and he accepted.
Now, before you go all ballistic on me, let me give my explanation:
My league carries 3 RP slots plus 2 P slots and does not count Holds. This alignment almost demands carrying a minimum of 3 closers and the possibility of 5. WIth 10 teams in the league and at least 10 of the closer situations very unstable at any given time, you can see there simply are not enough stable closers to go around, if any such animal even exists. I like to carry at least 4 closers if I can. 3 plus a spare, plus having 4 gives you a leg up on the average team in that H2H category each weak. If I can get 5 without spending too much, all the better. I then use my bench as an extended starting rotation.
Yes, the closer position is inherently unstable, and you can pick up good closers during the season, but you have to be thinking at least 2 steps ahead or you will be left hungry when the flock of vultures descend on the carcasses of another imploded closer situation. You can burn up a tremendous number of your alloted 40 in-season FA pickups chasing Saves. The one year I won the league championship, I grabbed a couple of closers early in the draft. My worst season was when I punted the category altogether.
I think I've mentioned that I am not all that enamored by Ricky Romero. He had a great ERA last year, but it came with a low K rate and some of his other peripherals were quite mundane. Plus, he pitches in the AL East which is a beast for pitchers. He's the type of pitcher that a lot of fantasy owners find attractive for W's and ERA but in the long run there are other options that are better. I have never had trouble finding SP on the FA market that are as good or better than Ricky Romero, so I considered him expendable for the right player or players coming back. It was worth it to me to use him to solidify my RP situation so I don't have to burn up 25 moves chasing Saves.
Here is Savvy Vets current roster after the trade:
C Matt Wieters
1B Prince Fielder
2B Dustin Ackley
3B Jose Bautista
SS Dee Gordon
IF Pablo Sandoval
OF Andrew McCutchen
OF Melky Cabrera
OF Alejandro De Aza
UT Freddie Freeman
UT David Ortiz
SP Zach Grienke
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Cory Luebke
SP Brandon Beachy
SP Jordan Zimmerman
RP Jordan Walden
RP Brian Wilson
RP Joe Nathan
P Grant Balfour
P Vinnie Pestano
BN Brandon Morrow'
BN Ervin Santana
BN Chris Capuano
BN Matt Harrison
BN Bartolo Colon
DL Kyle Farnsworth
Right now, I'm watching De Aza and Colon closely and I'm a bit nervous about Luebke. I'm confident I can find good alternatives on the FA market for all of them if the need arises.
There is usually not a lot of trading done in my league. Last year, I think there were only about 3 all year. Another manager is very active in the FA market for closers. He just picked up Santiago from the White Sox and Fernando Rodney from the Rays. He put out a message saying he wanted to trade a RP for a SP. He's a Cardinal fan and said he wouldn't trade Jason Motte, but all other RP's were on the block. As you know, I stockpiled pitchers at the end of my draft and have a stable of 11 SP's. The only two I feel are untouchable are Grienke and MadBum. I ended up offering Ricky Romero for Jordan Walden and he accepted.
Now, before you go all ballistic on me, let me give my explanation:
My league carries 3 RP slots plus 2 P slots and does not count Holds. This alignment almost demands carrying a minimum of 3 closers and the possibility of 5. WIth 10 teams in the league and at least 10 of the closer situations very unstable at any given time, you can see there simply are not enough stable closers to go around, if any such animal even exists. I like to carry at least 4 closers if I can. 3 plus a spare, plus having 4 gives you a leg up on the average team in that H2H category each weak. If I can get 5 without spending too much, all the better. I then use my bench as an extended starting rotation.
Yes, the closer position is inherently unstable, and you can pick up good closers during the season, but you have to be thinking at least 2 steps ahead or you will be left hungry when the flock of vultures descend on the carcasses of another imploded closer situation. You can burn up a tremendous number of your alloted 40 in-season FA pickups chasing Saves. The one year I won the league championship, I grabbed a couple of closers early in the draft. My worst season was when I punted the category altogether.
I think I've mentioned that I am not all that enamored by Ricky Romero. He had a great ERA last year, but it came with a low K rate and some of his other peripherals were quite mundane. Plus, he pitches in the AL East which is a beast for pitchers. He's the type of pitcher that a lot of fantasy owners find attractive for W's and ERA but in the long run there are other options that are better. I have never had trouble finding SP on the FA market that are as good or better than Ricky Romero, so I considered him expendable for the right player or players coming back. It was worth it to me to use him to solidify my RP situation so I don't have to burn up 25 moves chasing Saves.
Here is Savvy Vets current roster after the trade:
C Matt Wieters
1B Prince Fielder
2B Dustin Ackley
3B Jose Bautista
SS Dee Gordon
IF Pablo Sandoval
OF Andrew McCutchen
OF Melky Cabrera
OF Alejandro De Aza
UT Freddie Freeman
UT David Ortiz
SP Zach Grienke
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Cory Luebke
SP Brandon Beachy
SP Jordan Zimmerman
RP Jordan Walden
RP Brian Wilson
RP Joe Nathan
P Grant Balfour
P Vinnie Pestano
BN Brandon Morrow'
BN Ervin Santana
BN Chris Capuano
BN Matt Harrison
BN Bartolo Colon
DL Kyle Farnsworth
Right now, I'm watching De Aza and Colon closely and I'm a bit nervous about Luebke. I'm confident I can find good alternatives on the FA market for all of them if the need arises.
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