Fantasy 411 Q&A: June 17, 2009

I have Danks and Dempster pitching against each other today. Since Danks has been having trouble getting run support, should I bench him against Dempster? Or should I hope for two complete game shutouts with only one unearned run for the White Sox?

-Jeff

Who takes over as the closer in Toronto if Downs has to miss some time?
KC in DC

Guys,
12 team, 5x5, mixed, non-keeper.
Few guys on the wire, your thoughts.
jason werth, cody ross, jason kubel & juan rivera on wire. in need of hr's, runs, rbi. could always use steals but not to worried about it. should I drop luke scott, michael bourn or andre ethier to pick up one or more of these guys? also is it time to dump matsuzaka, got smoltz on my dl.
Thanks Z
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Hi Guys, Just a question about Justin Upton's value.
I have a guy interested in him. Are any of these three trades equitable? He offered me Markakis for him straight up but I have sent him upton thome and blake for braun jd drew and blalock as well as upton blake and aramis for youk and markakis.... Is he worth doing any of these three deals or do I hold on to him and expect him to continue on his current pace.

Thanks

Mike

Hey guys,

Casey Janssen to the DL and Brad Mills called up to start on Thursday against the Phils (Blanton). How do you like Mills's prospects for 2009 as compared to Aaron Poreda who is currently in the White Sox bullpen but could see rotation time at some point?

Thanks for the knowledge,

Scotty Mac
scottymac.mlblogs.com

What to do about Howie Kendrick?
It's a 14 team mixed head to head 6x6(OPS and holds) keeper. There are slim pickings at 2B on the FA market (Matsui, Castillo, Aybar, Ryan). I'm doing very well so far, so I could take a couple weeks without any production from his spot if I am counting on him a) returning quickly and b) being productive once he does return. Is it worth holding on to him? If I want to fill his spot I'd have to drop a guy like LaPorta, who is doing nothing for me obviously but somehow I feel some obligation to hold on to him in a keeper league. I am doing well so far in this league and that is with Manny unavailable, and Reyes and Delgado on the DL.
Chris Davis is also causing me fits, but that's another story.
Other possible drops would be Josh Willingham, I-rod(Martin is my catcher despite his struggles). Now that I think of it, I do have Hawkins, who is no longer as valuable except for holds, and I do have a good problem there with Madson now I am very weak on holds, but am dominating saves each week). I had been keeping a spot open for pitch or ditch, but recent DL and suspensions has made that difficult, and now impossible with Kendrick's demotion.

Help!
Larry in Copenhagen

Hey guys. In my 12 team mixed H2H league I picked up J. Pierre once I heard about Manny's suspension (I do not own Manny). I am thrilled with the production so far, however it is approaching the time where I need to plan for life after Pierre. At this point, he is basically "untradeable." My original plan was to ride him out until July 3 and drop him for whatever I may need at that time. However, Chris Davis has just been dropped and I have been looking to acquire a 1b/3B type guy to fill in when necessary. I can fill in for Pierre with guys like C. Hart, C. Young, and/or L. Scott. The way my league and my team is designed, I do not care how low Davis avg is as long as it does not keep him out of the Rangers lineup, but I would love the power potential. I was just wondering if it is worth the risk of dropping Pierre a couple of weeks prematurely.

Guys. I hate Chris Davis. His lack of any kind of offense whatsoever is absolutely crushing me, not to mention every one of his K's destroys me, as we count K's in this league. I can't trade him. I can bench him and lose that position. What do I do with him? He is DTM, yet somehow still on my team. I mean when Pedro Feliz, Kendry Morales, and Willy Aybar are looking absolutely amazing compared to this guy, isn't it time to cut him?

Guys, Need help with my pitching. Standard 5x5. Mixed League. I have Carpenter and Lilly throwing well and would think they are locks. But I can only keep three of the following: Smoltz, Lackey, Buerhle, Hanson, Wandy. I also have Webb, who has been sitting in my DL slot forever.
B in C-Town

Jeff,

Danks has pitched slightly better of late and I always like the idea of playing both pitchers if my two guys are facing each other. I know you should never chase wins but in this situation it's too tempting.

Zach

hey guys,

I am looking for some NL pitchers who will make a splash in the NL sometime soon. I would love to know who you are looking at coming up soon. What ar your thoghts on Bud Norris in Houston, or even a guy like Mat Latos who has put up sick numbers first n high A ball and now in AA. God knows the Padres staff is in shambles. Any help is greatly appreciated

KC,

I'd think it would be Frasor. Jays will probably avoid giving it to Ryan at this time. Doesn't sound like the Downs injury is that serious though.
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Z,

I think Werth and Kubel absolutely deserve roster spots but I wouldn't drop any of your guys to pick them up. Ethier's value should go up when Manny returns so I'd hold onto him.

As for Dice-K, I'd like to see 1-2 more starts before considering dropping him.

Zach

I currently have an OF of Bay, Jones and Cruz that are producing. My reserve OF's are Carlos Lee, Ellsbury, McLouth and Carlos Gonzalez. This is a Keeper League.

I was offered a trade of Alfonso Soriano for Carlos Lee. I know that Soriano has underperformed but wouldn't mind having him before he breaks out.

Do you think he will breakout and is it worth giving up Lee for him. I would use either Lee of Soriano as a Utility and to fill in when Bay is not playing. OF is by position so Both Lee and Soriano can only be used as LF's of in a Utility Spot.

Also I have Haren, Blackburn, Duke, Hanson, Porcello and Zimmermann available to start tomorrow. Could start 4 but not sure if I should only start Haren, Blackburn and one other. HTH league.

Thanks for the help.

Mike,

Upton for Markakis is tempting but I'd hold onto Upton there as he has higher upside in both power and speed. Markakis is safer but I'll take the risk. Both of those other trades I'd do, especially the one where you're getting Youk and Markakis. Upton's obviously a great talent, but if you can get these kinds of returns in a non-keeper, I'd take advantage. Inconsistency can be expected from any 21 year-old.
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Larry,

I think you have to hold onto Kendrick in a keeper, but I would definitely pick up a sub immediately so you don't lose out on any counting stats. I say cut Willingham. He just hasn't been doing that much outside of the nine homers and has been in and out of the lineup all year due to injuries etc. I don't really see him as a mixed leaguer, even in a 14 teamer. Hawkins will help in holds so I thing you should hang onto him especially until we are 100 percent certain that Valverde is healthy.

Zach

zenman,

I'd normally try to hold onto Pierre as it's possible he gets increased playing time even after Manny returns, but if you have guys like Hart and Scott on your bench to fill in and if you feel comfortable in SBs, I say make the move. You probably don't want to start Davis now, but he's still worth owning.
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Ben,

Keep Davis benched. Let's give him a little more time, just a little.
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B,

I'd go with Lackey, Buehrle, and Wandy. Tough choice but I'll gamble on the thought that Hanson will be inconsistent and Smoltz may break down again.

Zach

wallyhalo,

First, I think I'd go with Lee over Soriano, who's just too streaky for my taste. Will he go on a tear? Maybe, but I'd rather have Lee's consistency. Lee will almost definitely drive in more runs than Soriano and hit for a higher average. Soriano isn't even running that much.

More importantly, you've got way too many OFs here who should be starting. Ellsbury and McLouth are both must-starts and it looks like they are sitting on your bench. Make a trade to free up some OF slots and address other position needs. The fact that you can never play Ellsbury, Jones and McLouth together is crazy.

As for the pitchers, I'd start Haren, Blackburn, Duke and Porcello. Why not start both Blackburn and Duke? They're facing each other...chase that Win!

Zach

Guys, Ibanez on DL. Best OF options for me on the wire are: Rivera, Cuddyer, Ross, Rasmus, Drew. First choice? Second choice?
B

Hey Scottymac,

I wouldn't count on too much from Mills. He struggled mightily this year in his first action at the Minors' highest level, posting a 4.48 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP in 13 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas. To his credit, he posted a 7.7 K/9 rate, but even that was the lowest of his five different stops in the Minors. Best to lower expectations and let Mills make a couple starts before thinking about picking him up.
Kyle