Fantasy 411 Q&A: June 18, 2009

Howdy Gents. I drafted Khalil Greene as my shortstop so the position has been an issue for me all season.

Greene is coming back from his bout with SADness (Social Anxiety Disorder) and appears to still have a seat at the table in StL at 3B. When Greene went down I picked up Brendan Ryan who has played very well for me. I only have space for one of them on my roster (no bench spots in this 4x4 no runs NL only keeper league).

Do I drop Ryan to put Greene back in my lineup or do I just stick with Ryan and kick Greene to the curb?

I'm afraid if I drop Greene and Ryan loses a lot of playing time I'll be back at square one with no SS.

Do you think we have seen the best part of Luke Scott's season or is he someone I should hang on to? (10 team H2H mixed)

hey boys, i am in a 10 team very deep mixed league. Im in need of Runs and SB and RBI. I have E Dukes and there are players like C.Rasmus and D.Fowler and S.Hairston on the waiver wire. Do you think i should drop Dukes cause hes not coming close to the HR power or SB he was projected to do? Matt from Staten Island

Hey Guys,

In a 15 tm mixed non-keeper would you drop David Murphy for Scott Hairston as a 5th OF? Any news on S. Hairston's return?

Thanks,
Neighbor Steve

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 are your thoughts on Bud Norris in Houston, or even a guy like Mat Latos who has put up sick numbers first in high A ball and now in AA. God knows the Padres staff is in shambles. Any help is greatly appreciated. Also what are your thoughts on Delwyn Young and Travis Ishikawa

Hello I am in a ten team H2H league and my current thrid baseman is Russell Branyan and everything I read about this guy is that he is not the real deal and as of late his average has been slower dropping. Any ideas as to who I should pick up or if I should move on yet? currently the top five ranked available 3B is Clint Barmes, Scott Rolen, Hank Blalock, Ian Stewart, and Adrian Beltre.
In addition to this, I wanted to know what you thought of Matt Weiters, I went through a lot of trouble to own him and aside from last night, he hasn't done much since he got brought up?

Hey Perminator,
I'd rather take a chance on Greene. You're right that Ryan has been great (.352 AVG in 19 games from May 27 - June 16), but he's hitting way over his head. He has a .355 BABIP, which is unlike anything he's done in the Majors or Minors. Plus, he offers zilch for power. At least Greene has the pop and could feel refreshed after an extended stay on the DL.
Kyle

Hi Killah,
I don't see Scott topping six homers in four games, as he did from May 27-30. His bat won't quite live up your name in that way again. He's a useful fantasy player in larger formats, but you should have better outfield options given your league's size.
Kyle

Hey Steve,
Got you on a Murphy question earlier, didn't I? Earlier, I recommended keeping DeJesus over both these guys; in this case, I'd go with Murphy. I'm always wary of Padres hitters not named Adrian Gonzalez, since PETCO Park saps their power. Believe it or not, Murphy is hitting .295 on the road vs. just .210 at his hitter-friendly home park -- Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. He hit .294 there last year, so that home average should increase. Which means Murphy is less hindered by his surroundings than Hairston.
Kyle

Hey Romeo,
You can add Rasmus for the time being. Dukes' talent is such that he shouldn't be ruled out -- especially since more than half the season remains. Yet Rasmus is batting .396 with seven runs and seven RBIs in June. We haven't seen the speed from him, but that should come along.
Kyle

Hey Zoo,
Love Branyan's power, but Stewart and Beltre are unquestionably better picks moving forward. Stewart's second base eligibility makes him quite handy for owners who value versatility. Yet, at this point in the year, I value under-the-radar players who have a history of turning it on in the second half. That description has Adrian Beltre written all over it. The guy has hit .389 since May 29 to increase his batting average from .216 to .261. His career second half batting average is 20 points higher and his slugging percentage 64 points better for his career after the All-Star break.
Kyle

I'm in a deep 8 man HTH keeper league. I have a lot of quality OF's. I was just offered a trade: Carlos Lee(give) for Hawpe and either Slowey or James Shields(get). My starting outfield is Bay, Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz. Using Ellsbury and Lee as Utility and still have McLouth on the bench.

First would you make this deal and if you did which pitcher would you take Slowey or Shields?

Also Would you start Zimmermann against Toronto tomorrow?

Thanks
Wally

Wally,

I have no problem with that deal. You're taking the small (the way Hawpe is playing it really is a small) downgrade from Lee to Hawpe and in exchange getting one of those SPs. I'll go with Shields over Slowey...better team and a little more experience.

On another note, I really suggest that you clear out one of those OF spots. McLouth shouldn't be on anyone's bench so perhaps deal one of your OFs for an upgrade somewhere else.

As for Zimmermann, why not? He's been a little inconsistent but 60 Ks to 16 BB in 57 IP is nice.

Zach

Thanks for the answer.

Who do you suggest I trade? I've tried to trade McLouth but can't get any value in return. Being a keeper league, I'd like to hold onto Jones and Cruz, as I think they are both for real and I drafted them in the later rounds. In this league we can keep 9 players but give up the draft slot they were drafted in for next years draft. I got Jones in the 19th round and Cruz in the 20th. So it comes down to trading Ellsbury or Bay. I got Bay in the 5th round and Ellsbury in the 9th.

Line is: C-Wieters, 1B Morneau, 2B Kinsler, SS Reyes DL/Tulo for now, 3B Zimmerman.

SP's: Haren, Gallardo, Josh Johnson, Duke, Hanson, Porcello, Blackburn, Beckett and Zimmermann.

RP's: Nathan, Hoffman and Jenks.

Funny thing is That with this line up, I'm in 4th place 12 games out.

wally,

Wow, tough to sayt where you can actually improve in hitting. Bay seems like the guy who has the least keeper value and this also depends on how much you need Ellsbury's steals. I like Bay's power too and feel you might be hurting there a bit if you deal him. I'd normally say maybe try to upgrade at third or SP but it's not like Wright, A-Rod or even Johan have been that impressive and Zimmerman has been great.

On second thought, I think you may have to sit tight for now but always be ready to make a deal. Maybe you'll eventually get a taker for McLouth.

Zach