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Sell Targets: tell Torii goodbye

By Charlie Saponara | July 2, 2009 | Fantasy Baseball 365

Back this week with Mark from Fantasy Baseball Hot Stove. Last week we looked at some players to target in trades. This week we look at some players worth selling high on. Torii Hunter - A lot can come with a name brand. Hunter's charisma and highlight reel catches make him a household name. That makes no difference when it comes to fantasy baseball. What it does do is help to boost his perceived value. Hunter's .306, 17 HR, 12 SB line is very front-loaded. 8 of his homeruns came in April when his flyball rate was over 50%. That rate has fallen back down to his career standards and so too has the AB/HR rate. 9 of his 12 steals came in May and his AVG has gone from .325 in April to .304 in May and .289 in June. His strikeouts also continue to rise per month. It's safe to say that the best part of Hunter's season is behind him. In the second half we'll likely be seeing a good player, but one that will be less valuable for your fantasy team. Recently traded for: David Wright, Alex Rodriguez, Dan Haren, Ichiro Suzuki, Evan Longoria. Ben Zobrist - Yeah, he looked pretty legit coming out of the gates when he moved into a full time role, but let's face it, he's not Chase Utley good. His almost 24% HR/FB rate is sure to regress a little and he strikes out over 22% of his at bats. June was a significantly cooler month for Zobrist. I do think he's capable of 10-12 homers in the second half, but the AVG may not get much over .280 or so. The biggest reason to sell on Zobrist is the proven talent you can get in return. Recently traded for: Lance Berkman, Josh Beckett, Zack Greinke, Jose Reyes, Bobby Abreu, Chad Billingsley. CC Sabathia - The ERA and WHIP look good, but look deeper and you might not like what you see. While everyone is worried about Johan Santana's recent issues, it's Sabathia's strikeouts that have been way down all season long. His 6.44 K/9 is only a little above league average and he is seeing more fly balls off the bat of opposing hitters than he has in his career. Think this will get better in the second half? It could, but there is plenty of risk involved as well. Sabathia is on course to approach 230 innings this season, which would actually be down from a consecutive three year rise in innings pitched. Take into account the way (amount of innings) he pitched late last season and into October. There would seem to be a chance he wears down in August and September of this season. Even if he doesn't wear down, the fact is that we are looking at a pitcher who's value is still largely perceived off of last season's incredible performance. Sabathia is the perfect guy to try and deal for a package of players. In...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Ben Zobrist, CC Sabathia, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Torii Hunter

AAA All-Stars Announced

By Zach Sanders | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

The rosters for the Triple-A All-Star game have been announced. Some names of note:Eric Young Jr. (Rockies)Clay Bucholtz (Red Sox)Andy Marte (Indians)Shelly Duncan (Yankees)Chris Shelton (Mariners)Brandon Wood (Angels)Matt Murton (Rockies)...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Yankees

Home Run Trot's June All-Star Team: Position Players

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

The monthly All-Star team is another feature I'm bringing over from my old blog. For those unfamiliar with my previous work, here are the April and May posts. I'm bringing the All-Star team over to MLB Notebook with a twist. It's going to be divided into two posts. One for the position players and a second for the pitching staff. Now that I'm working with some other great writers, these monthly posts can properly be used to start a discussion.*All stats are compiled as of 7 PM EST on July 1. Catcher: Bengie Molina, San Francisco GiantsMaking this selection was...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, Albert Pujols, Andrew McCutchen, Bengie Molina, Boston Red Sox, Brad Hawpe, Carl Crawford, Chase Utley, Colorado Rockies, Evan Longoria, Florida Marlins, Hanley Ramirez, Home Run Trot, Home Run Trot All-Stars, Jason Bay, Los Angeles Angels, Pablo Sandoval, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Torii Hunter, Toronto Blue Jays

FB365's Morning Drive 7/2/09

By Charlie Saponara | July 2, 2009 | Fantasy Baseball 365

Jordan Zimmermann is getting a lot of fantasy love lately. I was on this guy in late April. He out-pitched Josh Johnson yesterday. Cody Ross hit his 14th bomb of the season of newly acquired Sean Burnett. Ross is slugging .633 vs. left handed pitching this season. Josh Johnson left the game after only 3.1 innings. No injury, just a rain delay and 4 walks to go with a rising pitch count. Ricky Romero continues to impress. He's stranding over 85% of runners and his FIP is a run higher than his ERA before his start yesterday. Walks and the AL East are my concerns, but he's definitely a guy worth rostering right now. He's only owned in 33% of Yahoo! leagues. Brad Bergesen impressed against the Red Sox. He's not going to strikeout a ton of guys, but he's keeping the ball on the ground and keeping the walks to a minimum. His next start comes against the Mariners. If you need a spot start, he's worth another go. Yovani Gallardo struck out a career high 12 in 7 IP against the Mets. If Gallardo can reduce his walk rate, he's basically Lincecum light. Gil Meche, coming off a "dead arm" period, threw 121 pitches in only 6 innings. His arm looked fine with a fastball sitting in the mid 90's, but minor injuries have been an issue this season. If I'm A Meche owner (or a Royals fan) I'm not happy about the pitch count at all. Billy Butler, 4-4, continues to outperform James Loney, but it seems no one is paying attention. Jason Hammel has been pitching well for the Rockies lately. He's not quite the ground ball pitcher Aaron Cooks is, but he is getting enough groundballs and limiting walks to be an NL-only add. Troy Tulowitzki got cold just as fast as he got hot two weeks ago. I think he'll finish with an AVG around .270. Jimmy Rollins took another o'fer, but so did most of the Phillies against Jair Jurjjens who only allowed 1 hit. Justin Verlander was touched up last night. That makes two less than spectacular starts in a row. I'm not reading much into it. Jose Contreras has struck out 8 batters in 3 of his last 4 starts. Randy Wells pitched well again and got his third straight win. I'd start him again at home vs the Braves in his next start. Johnny Cueto brought back the strikeout last night against the D-Backs. Of course the D-Backs are second only to the Marlins in team strikeouts. Kevin Millwood and Jered Weaver squared off in a battle of the "sell highs". Neither faired particularly well and neither are likely to repeat their first half numbers in the second half. Nelson Cruz left with a back injury. It didn't sound serious, but I never like to hear about back problems. Keep an eye on the situation. Albert Pujols did not hit a homerun, but he did go 2-2 with a stolen...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Adam Wainwright, Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Baltimore Orioles, Billy Butler, Brad Bergesen, Cincinnati Reds, Cody Ross, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Florida Marlins, Gil Meche, Jason Hammel, Jered Weaver, Jimmy Rollins, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann, Josh Johnson, Justin Verlander, Kansas City Royals, Kevin Millwood, Los Angeles Angels, Matt Cain, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, Nelson Cruz, Philadelphia Phillies, Ricky Romero, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Troy Tulowitzki, Washington Nationals, Yovani Gallardo

Torii Hunter needs more All-Star votes

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 1, 2009 | MLB Notebook

AP Photo (courtesy of The Boston Herald)

As of Tuesday's midday All-Star vote tally, Torii Hunter is 144,981 votes behind Josh Hamilton in American League outfielder All-Star voting. If voting ended Wednesday, Hamilton would be one of the three starting outfielders for the American League. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Torii Hunter should be starting for the AL at the All-Star game. He's more deserving of recognition from fans outside of the Los Angeles-Anaheim area. Don't get me wrong, I like Josh Hamilton. He's an amazing player, when healthy. But Hamilton's played only 35 games this season. Hamilton is expected to play a three-game...

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Wednesday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 1, 2009 | MLB Notebook

July begins with several teams either looking to extend winning streaks or stop losing streaks. San Francisco and St. Louis continue a series that impacts the early Wild Card race. Colorado looks to turn their luck around against the Dodgers. Plenty of pitchers are looking for win number eight, nine, or ten on July 1. Nyjer Morgan joins the Nationals. Adam Jones and Marco Scutaro begin July looking to end recent slumps. Those, and plenty of other good storylines, can be found in Wednesday's Games of the Day. Washington at Florida: The Nyjer Morgan era begins in Washington. He and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Adam Jones, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Brad Bergesen, Brad Hawpe, Chicago Cubs, Clayton Kershaw, Cole Hamels, Colorado Rockies, Dallas Braden, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Games of the Day, Ian Snell, James Loney, James Shields, Jarrod Washburn, Jason Hammel, Jered Weaver, Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander, Kevin Millwood, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Luke Scott, Marco Scutaro, Mike Pelfrey, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Nick Johnson, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Torii Hunter, Toronto Blue Jays, Virgil Vasquez, Washington Nationals, Yovani Gallardo

Fantasy Links of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | June 30, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Tonight's Links have plenty of good, useful fantasy information for you. Charlie Saponara takes a look at the fantasy impact of Tuesday's Nyjer Morgan trade. A trusted fantasy writer thinks Scott Podsednik can't be trusted. Christopher Harris thinks Edwin Jackson is the most positive pitching surprise this season. He also thinks a certain Twins pitcher (like that doesn't give it away) is the biggest disappointment. Plus, there's an interesting Fantasy Baseball Roundtable question after the jump. Closer Links:Brian Fuentes leads the league with 22 saves. You can find that and other closer notes about Andrew Bailey and the Tampa Bay...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Andrew Bailey, Brian Fuentes, Cole Hamels, Daily Notes, Edwin Jackson, Eriq Gardner, Fantasy, Fantasy 411, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Links of the Day, Francisco Liriano, Juan Rivera, KFFL, Lastings Milledge, Los Angeles Angels, MLB.com, Nyjer Morgan, Scott Podsednik, Tampa Bay Rays

Tim Lincecum Channels Greg Maddux--The Rest of Baseball Watches Nervously

By Nuschler | June 30, 2009 | SF Giants Pride

"Oh, the places you'll go...there are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all."--Dr. SeussUh oh.Don't look now, but a bad situation for Major League Baseball just got, potentially, a lot worse. Particularly if you earn your paycheck hitting in the National League. And if you suffer the ultimate indignity, if you have the misfortune of operating in the NL West?My sincerest condolences. Truly.Because Tim Lincecum seems to have found a new toy.I'm not really taking about the sinister slider he's featuring more heavily in his growing repertoire. Although the Freak's newest out pitch was in full effect during Monday night's masterpiece against the St. Louis Cardinals, it must play second fiddle on this night.The real star of the show was a different culprit--Lincecum's stumbled across the Greg Maddux Pitch and he seems to like it. ...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Greg Maddux, MLB, National League, NL West, San Francisco Giants, Tim Lincecum

MLB Top 10: Halos Grab AL West Lead

By Jaymes Langrehr | June 29, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Sometimes when I think about this list during the weekend before Mondays roll around, things end up looking a bit differently than I pictured. This was one of those weeks. Over the weekend, multiple winning streaks were snapped, teams unexpectedly played poorly, and my top ten list underwent some major reconstruction. The result? A drastically different list compared to what we would've seen on Friday. 1. Los Angeles Angels (41-32)The Halos have won five straight, including a series win over the red-hot Rockies last week. They followed up the impressive series win by sweeping the woeful Diamondbacks over the weekend, and they now hold a 1.5 game lead in the AL West over Texas. They get the chance to widen the gap this week when they continue their road trip in Texas, in what some are calling the biggest series for the Angels this year.2. Tampa Bay Rays (42-35)Don't look...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Minnesota Twins, MLB, MLB Outsider, MLB Top 10, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays

MLB Great Debates: Which Playoff Contender Needs a Trade to Stay in the Race?

By Staff Report | June 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which contending team most needs to make a deal before the July 31 trade deadline in order to stay in the race? Jaymes Langrehr argues that the Brewers desperately need starting pitching:As we get closer to the trade deadline, a good number of teams are developing clear needs that need to be addressed if they're going to stay in playoff contention. Some teams will be able to cope with their weaknesses and still make the playoffs due to their other strengths. Other clubs will need to make a move if they have any chance at contending in the second half.The Milwaukee Brewers are a prime example. Heading into this season, they knew that their pitching wouldn't be as good as it was down the stretch last season. Given the strength of their offense, however, they figured to be in okay...Read more

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MLB Top 10: Will the Rockies Ever Lose?

By Jaymes Langrehr | June 15, 2009 | MVN Outsider

For most teams, the MLB season includes multiple peaks and valleys. Ultimately, you're never as good as you are when you're playing at a peak, and you're never as bad as when you're playing in a valley. Right now, the Colorado Rockies are riding a peak that's a mile high (har har), winning eleven games in a row. Whenever the "L10" column in the standings reads "10-0", you know you're playing really good baseball. It's no surprise that the Rockies take the top spot in this week's top ten list, but who else has been putting together hot streaks while the Rockies steal the headlines?1. Colorado Rockies (31-32)At this point, there's really no one else you can put at the top of this list. I always thought that their run in September two years ago was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and would never be repeated, but it looks like the 2009...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, MLB Outsider, MLB Top 10, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays

MLB Outsider Mock Draft: Los Angeles Angels Select OF Everett Williams

By Staff Report | May 28, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider is hosting a 2009 MLB mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 9. Baseball Draft Report's Rob Ozga picks for the Los Angeles Angels at No. 25. OF Everett Williams is the second prep prospect to be plucked by the Angels. Follow the mock draft here.Before getting into which player fits the Angels draft blueprint best, I think it's wise to make note of the franchise's willingness to bust slot and draft players with signability red flags in recent years. If a player drops due to signability concerns, then you can be sure scouting director Eddie Bane has confidence that owner Arte Moreno will pony up the big bucks to take advantage. The Angels track record of snagging risky signs in late rounds (Jordan Walden in the 12th, the late Nick Adenhart in...Read more

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MLB Outsider Mock Draft: Los Angeles Angels Select Tyler Skaggs

By Staff Report | May 28, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider is hosting a 2009 MLB mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 9. Baseball Draft Report's Rob Ozga picks for the Los Angeles Angels at No. 24. LHP Tyler Skaggs restocks the farm system with what the Angels covet most: pitching. Follow the mock draft here.The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are in prime position to completely restock a rapidly declining farm system with five selections in the draft's first 48 overall picks. Relatively weak draft or not, scouting director Eddie Bane and his staff are no doubt as geared up for June 9th as Vlad Guerrero sitting on a 3-0 meatball. As much fun as it must be for the Angels front office to actually, you know, have early round picks at their disposal (they haven't had a first rounder in two...Read more

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MLB Great Debates: The Ballpark Experience

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which experience is better, going to a Major League Baseball game or going to a minor-league one?Jaymes Langrehr says MLB's quality is top-notch:Where I grew up, I was about a three-hour drive east away from Milwaukee County Stadium, and a three-hour drive west away from the Metrodome. I was literally stuck in the middle of nowhere when it came to the MLB map, and looking back, I was definitely jealous of the kids who were able to spend their summers buying cheap Brewers tickets and move their way up to field level (because it's not like anyone was sitting in those seats, anyway). Still, the few major-league games that I was able to attend were incredible -- even though the home team almost always got crushed. Even when your team stinks, there's something special about a Major League game that...Read more

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MLB Great Debates: Steroids and the Hall of Fame

By Staff Report | May 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Should the BBWAA look past the use of performance-enhancing drugs and vote known "steroids guys" into the National Baseball Hall of Fame?Jaymes Langrehr says the writers will eventually have no choice but to vote in tainted players:Once again, the game of baseball has been rocked by a star testing positive for a banned substance. Every time this happens, everyone ends up trying to decide if that player is going to be allowed to enter the Hall of Fame. And every time this happens, all the old time-tested baseball writers voting for the Hall say that the player will get in over their dead bodies.It's getting to the point now, though, that eventually they're going to have to lighten up, or risk enshrining some undeserving players. If they stick to their word, we won't be getting Alex Rodriguez and Manny...Read more

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MLB Great Debates: Which Unlikely Leader Can Keep Pace All Season Long?

By Staff Report | May 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Of the teams who raced out to hot starts in 2009, which is most likely to stay relevant and maintain a lead in the division deep into the season? Jaymes Langrehr picks the Florida Marlins:Sure, the St. Louis Carinals may be the easy choice. They've jumped out to a lead in a division that seems to be filled with fairly average teams. They have the best player in the game. They've got one of the better managers in the game. They seem like the best bet, right?I'm not taking the Cards -- put me down for the Marlins being the best bet to keep up with their hot start.Like the Cards, the Marlins are playing in a division that's pretty wide open. Like the Cards, they were able to jump out to a huge lead early in the season.They've been...Read more

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