Question: I have three open slots on my 10 team NL only keeper league. For those slots I have three players who I could keep at near their value in the open market (i.e. if I threw them back, I'd probably price them about what I can freeze them for.) So the question is: Is it better to have roster flexibility or cost certainity? Assume a league with smart owners who will be prepared. This means there are minimal hopes for "sleeper" candidates going undetected.
MLBFO Answer: In order to fully evaluate the question, I would need to know the specifics, however, on the surface the solution seems fairly simple. If you are sure that you could get these players back for around the price you have them at now or cheaper if you tossed them back, then by all means toss them back and see if you can get a better value in the open market. However, if you feel there is a chance that these players will go for significantly more than you currently hold them at or if you feel that under no circumstance could you improve your team by tossing them back, then hold onto them.
I hope this helps Kirk! If anyone else has a question please feel free to email it to me and I will get back ASAP!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sleeper Alert: Chris Iannetta
The buzz around the Fantasy Community right now is that Javy Lopez has been released and will likely retire unless the Braves want to sign him as a backup. However, thats not the big news. The BIG news is that this opens up a world of opportunity for Chris Iannetta, who will now likely be able to get 450 AB.
In the first couple mock drafts I did, I was found frequently selecting catchers in the mid-range like Michael Barrett, Kenji Johjima, and Ramon Hernandez. However, recently I have found myself waiting longer and longer to select a catcher and counting on players like Paulino and Iannetta to get me just a little positive value from the catcher spot.
It used to be that if you could find a catcher that wouldn't hurt you, you would take him in the earlier rounds. It is now becoming more common to find a catcher that will give you 10 home runs and won't kill your average. Iannetta and Paulino will be bargains in the last 2 or 3 rounds of the draft this year and I suggest waiting until then to grab your catcher.
In the first couple mock drafts I did, I was found frequently selecting catchers in the mid-range like Michael Barrett, Kenji Johjima, and Ramon Hernandez. However, recently I have found myself waiting longer and longer to select a catcher and counting on players like Paulino and Iannetta to get me just a little positive value from the catcher spot.
It used to be that if you could find a catcher that wouldn't hurt you, you would take him in the earlier rounds. It is now becoming more common to find a catcher that will give you 10 home runs and won't kill your average. Iannetta and Paulino will be bargains in the last 2 or 3 rounds of the draft this year and I suggest waiting until then to grab your catcher.
Spring Training Notes: NL Central
A couple of happenings that could impact your fantasy leagues:
- Jason Isringhausen has been pitching well this spring training and looks fully healthy. Do not hesitate to take him as the closers start to dry up, it won't be long before other people realize he is healthy.
- Jeff Samardzija was returned along with about a dozen players to the minor leagues. One player that didn't go back down was Felix Pie. Although he is not expected to make the team out of camp, if the team sees him fit and can unload Jacque Jones, they may do just that.
- Mark Prior will make a minor league start to try and gain more velocity. Piniella thinks it is closely related to his confidence and is not worried.
- Ryan Theriot and Rich Hill officially made spots on the team. Hill will become the #4 starter and Theriot will be a backup at 2b and SS and may even try a couple games in the OF. He is worth a late round pick in NL-Only leagues.
- Rickie Weeks has been struggling and it may be due to a sore wrist that has been bothering him.
- It's not good to be a young Pirates pitcher right about now. Maholm and Gorzelanny both got roughed up in recent starts although it shouldn't effect their status with the team. Both players are worth a look in deeper leagues.
- Jason Isringhausen has been pitching well this spring training and looks fully healthy. Do not hesitate to take him as the closers start to dry up, it won't be long before other people realize he is healthy.
- Jeff Samardzija was returned along with about a dozen players to the minor leagues. One player that didn't go back down was Felix Pie. Although he is not expected to make the team out of camp, if the team sees him fit and can unload Jacque Jones, they may do just that.
- Mark Prior will make a minor league start to try and gain more velocity. Piniella thinks it is closely related to his confidence and is not worried.
- Ryan Theriot and Rich Hill officially made spots on the team. Hill will become the #4 starter and Theriot will be a backup at 2b and SS and may even try a couple games in the OF. He is worth a late round pick in NL-Only leagues.
- Rickie Weeks has been struggling and it may be due to a sore wrist that has been bothering him.
- It's not good to be a young Pirates pitcher right about now. Maholm and Gorzelanny both got roughed up in recent starts although it shouldn't effect their status with the team. Both players are worth a look in deeper leagues.
Sleeper Alert: Dustin Hermanson, RP, CIN
Hermanson, recently signed by the Reds, becomes the immediate front runner for saves this season. During the White Sox incredible 2005 run, Hermanson racked up 34 saves with a 2.04 ERA. If Hermanson wins the closer job, I think it is reasonable to expect 20-25 saves with a 3.80 ERA. Don't buy into Hermanson before guys like Dempster, Torres or Isringhausen but he is worth a last round flier pick.
Top 150 Prospects: 101-150
Today I will begin unveiling my top 150 prospect rankings with rankings 101-150. Please note: that these rankings are for long term success, not immediate impact and only Players with NO major league experience qualified for this list. So players like Delmon Young and Matt Garza who still qualify as rookies will not make an appearance. As always if you have any questions or comments feel free to email me.
101. MARK PAWELEK, P, Cubs
102. TRAVIS WOOD, P, Reds
103. BRETT SINKBEIL, rhp, Marlins
104. MITCH TALBOT, P, Devil Rays
105. ANGEL VILLALONA, 3B, Giants
106. JOAQUIN ARIAS, SS, Rangers
107. EDDY MARTINEZ-ESTEVE, OF, Giants
108. RYAN TUCKER, P, Marlins
109. BLAKE DeWitt, 3B, Dodgers
110. NATE SCHIERHOLTZ, OF, Giants
111. CHRIS LUBANSKI, OF, Royals
112. SCOTT MATHIESON, P, Phillies
113. TYLER COLVIN, OF, Cubs
114. JEFF SAMARDZIJA, rhp, Cubs
115. PEDRO BEATO, rhp, Orioles
116. MATT MOSES, 3B, Twins
117. UBALDO JIMENEZ, rhp, Rockies
118. J.R. TOWLES, C, Astros
119. MATT ALBERS, rhp, Astros
120. RADHAMES LIZ, P, Orioles
121. BRIAN BARTON, of, Indians
122. LANCE BROADWAY, P, White Sox
123. ERIC PATTERSON, 2B, Cubs
124. ALEXI CASILLA, 2B/SS, Twins
125. CEDRIC HUNTER, OF, Padres
126. DELLIN BETANCES, rhp, Yankees
127. JASON HAMMEL, P, Devil Rays
128. DALLAS TRAHERN, P, Tigers
129. ERIC DUNCAN, 1B/3B, Yankees
130. COLLIN BALESTER, rhp, Nationals
131. RICKY ROMERO, P, Blue Jays
132. LORENZO CAIN, Brewers
133. TONY BUTLER, P, Mariners
134. EMILIO BONIFACIO, 2B, Diamondbacks
135. MATT MALONEY, P, Phillies
136. NEFTALI FELIZ, P, Braves
137. JAIR JURRGENS, P, Tigers
138. KYLE DRABEK, P, Phillies
139. BRANDON JONES, OF, Braves
140. ANDREW SONNANSTINE, P, Devil Rays
141. CHRIS CARTER, 1B, Diamondbacks
142. LARS ANDERSON, 1B, Red Sox
143. JOHNNY CUETO, P, Reds
144. BRIAN ANDERSON, P, Giants
145. JAKE FOX, C, Cubs
146. JOE KOSHANSKY, 1B, Rockies
147. JEREMY HELLICKSON, P, Devil Rays
148. MATT WALKER, P, Devil Rays
149. CHRIS NOWAK, 3B, Devil Rays
150. DUSTIN EVANS, P, Braves
101. MARK PAWELEK, P, Cubs
102. TRAVIS WOOD, P, Reds
103. BRETT SINKBEIL, rhp, Marlins
104. MITCH TALBOT, P, Devil Rays
105. ANGEL VILLALONA, 3B, Giants
106. JOAQUIN ARIAS, SS, Rangers
107. EDDY MARTINEZ-ESTEVE, OF, Giants
108. RYAN TUCKER, P, Marlins
109. BLAKE DeWitt, 3B, Dodgers
110. NATE SCHIERHOLTZ, OF, Giants
111. CHRIS LUBANSKI, OF, Royals
112. SCOTT MATHIESON, P, Phillies
113. TYLER COLVIN, OF, Cubs
114. JEFF SAMARDZIJA, rhp, Cubs
115. PEDRO BEATO, rhp, Orioles
116. MATT MOSES, 3B, Twins
117. UBALDO JIMENEZ, rhp, Rockies
118. J.R. TOWLES, C, Astros
119. MATT ALBERS, rhp, Astros
120. RADHAMES LIZ, P, Orioles
121. BRIAN BARTON, of, Indians
122. LANCE BROADWAY, P, White Sox
123. ERIC PATTERSON, 2B, Cubs
124. ALEXI CASILLA, 2B/SS, Twins
125. CEDRIC HUNTER, OF, Padres
126. DELLIN BETANCES, rhp, Yankees
127. JASON HAMMEL, P, Devil Rays
128. DALLAS TRAHERN, P, Tigers
129. ERIC DUNCAN, 1B/3B, Yankees
130. COLLIN BALESTER, rhp, Nationals
131. RICKY ROMERO, P, Blue Jays
132. LORENZO CAIN, Brewers
133. TONY BUTLER, P, Mariners
134. EMILIO BONIFACIO, 2B, Diamondbacks
135. MATT MALONEY, P, Phillies
136. NEFTALI FELIZ, P, Braves
137. JAIR JURRGENS, P, Tigers
138. KYLE DRABEK, P, Phillies
139. BRANDON JONES, OF, Braves
140. ANDREW SONNANSTINE, P, Devil Rays
141. CHRIS CARTER, 1B, Diamondbacks
142. LARS ANDERSON, 1B, Red Sox
143. JOHNNY CUETO, P, Reds
144. BRIAN ANDERSON, P, Giants
145. JAKE FOX, C, Cubs
146. JOE KOSHANSKY, 1B, Rockies
147. JEREMY HELLICKSON, P, Devil Rays
148. MATT WALKER, P, Devil Rays
149. CHRIS NOWAK, 3B, Devil Rays
150. DUSTIN EVANS, P, Braves
Sleeper Alert: Brad Thompson, RP, STL
With Adam Wainwright's move to the rotation. It appears Brad Thompson has fallen into the 8th inning role. He is not going to overpower anyboy but if he can continue to make people ground out, he is going to be useful in leagues that count holds and could be worth a late round flier in NL only leagues because the Cardinals, at this point, can't afford to pull Wainwright or Looper out of the rotation. If a trade changes that scenerio, toss him back into the FA pool. But for now, he is worth a late round gamble.
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