Fantasy 411 Q&A: June 23, 2009

I am in a 12 team h2h mixed league and want to know if I should drop Soria. Hes having problems this season. I have Aardsma and Broxton starting my RP slots while Soria is on the bench.

Is Vin Mazzaro the real deal? Can you give a comp for him or project out how he'll be?
Also, does Omir Santos have any fantasy value?

-Dan in LA

I'm in a daily 12 team 7 x 6 mixed league (H,R,HR,RBI,BB,SB,Avg - W,L,KS,ERA,WHIP) and we start 8 pos players,1 Util, 4 SP 2 RP). I'm looking for some help in determining who to drop once Sizemore comes off the DL.
These are my players:
C - Inge
1B - Prince
2B - Roberts
3B - Longoria
SS - Stephen Drew/ Alexi Ramirez
OF - Nate McLouth
OF - Nelson Cruz
OF - Brad Hawp
UTL - Choo

SP - Grenkie, Wainwright, Garza, Lowe, Carpenter, Harang, Smoltz

RP - Franklin, Qualls, J.P. Howell

Looking for help thanks.

Could you rank these pitchers and who will have the best (possible) value the rest of the year ?

Are 2 of these pitchers worth dropping Madson or Torrossco for?

Aaron Cook
Jordan Zimmerman
Doug Davis
Homer Bailey
Ben Sheets
Josh Outman

Hey Guys,
One of the managers in my league is actively pursuing Joey Votto and I keep on rejecting the offers because I can keep Joey Votto for $13 next year. However, using the Hits, ground outs and air outs statistics on MLB.com, I calculated his hit% as being over 40%. Should I still hold onto Votto or try to buy an upgrade?
Thanks, Davis in Mass

Now I have a follow-up question for my featured one. I have 5 excellent outfielders to fill 4 slots (3OF + Util) in my 10team h2h 5x5. Choo, Ellsbury, Torii, McLouth, & Sizemore. In batting I am first in steals, above average in HR-RBI-R, below average in AVG. My pitching is terrific but I am suffering in the saves category, my closers are Papelbon, Gregg, and Wood, and I recently dropped Madson. As you can imagine, last week my closers tortured me, so which OF should I sell to try and scoop up a nice #2 closer?
-Another Mike

Hey guys. Adam Jones was dropped in my 12 team, 5x5 non-keeper league. I'm in 1st place but wouldn't mind having this fantasy champ the rest of the way. My current outfielders: Alex Rios, Carl Crawford, Nick Markakis, Corey Hart and Luke Scott. Two questions:

(1) Is it worth using a #2 waiver pick to get Jones at this point in the season?

(2) Who to drop from this crowded outfield if Jones is an upgrade over any of them? I'm thinking Scott.

I could use more HRs and AVG to (hopefully) crush the league. Booya.

Thanks for your help!
- Chris

killahz,

Problems? A 1.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 16 Ks in 14 2/3 innings are pretty nice problems to have. Absolutely do not drop him. I don't really understand why you have him benched either assuming you're allowed to play more than two RPs. He's shown to be a top tier closer when healthy, and his low Saves total can be attributed mainly to his DL stint.

Zach

Dan,

Haven't seen Mazzaro pitch live yet but the results and the minor league track record are certainly there. However, I don't view him as a POD graduate just yet. Keep in mind that his last two outings (at LAD and at SF) were very favorable matchups. I need to see a bit more.
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evilempire,

I really don't think that any of those hitters can be dropped. There are no bench candidates to drop? Among your starting lineup, Howell's the guy with the least value as he's basically in a saves platoon. I'd drop him and look to deal one or two of your hitters for an upgrade somewhere else. Those bats are simply too good to drop.
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maysways,

I'll say Outman, Cook, Zimmermann, Davis, Bailey, Sheets.

As for your second question, it really depends on how the rest of your starting rotation is constructed, but I'd consider picking up Outman for Troncoso. Madson could be a candidate to drop soon but I'm holding onto him until I see Lidge throw a few innings without incident.
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Davis,

Always be open to trading someone if you feel you can get good value for him but in Votto's case I don't think now is the time to unload him. It's a little risky to expect him to pick up right where he left off, but even if it takes some time, you're better off holding onto him, especially in a keeper.

Zach

12 team roto mixed keeper. There are a few teams looking for keepers. I've got Arod and Tex as top keepers, but have a legit chance to three-peat this year. Would you make either of these deals or would you hold out for more? I need HRs and SBs the most to move up.

Tex for Cruz and Youk
Arod for Adam Jones and Manny (or Granderson)

Thanks, Rob in GR

maysways,

Now looks like Outman will miss his next start due to injury, so I'd consider adding Cook instead.

Zach

Another Mike,

Forget #2 closer, I actually think you may be able to get a #1 closer for any of those OFs with the exception of Choo. I like Choo but he's in my mind the odd man out in that group. Rather than trying to deal a certain OF, I think what you should do is target an elite closer, say a Nathan, and see what it would take to get him. Decide on the closer before deciding on the OF and then make your pitch. Let the market give you an answer.

Zach

Chris,

You're thinking the way I'm thinking. Jones for Scott...done deal.

Zach

Any fantasy take on Omir Santos and his 4 for 4 day?
-Dan in LA

Hey guys,
Would you pick up C.Young ("Pitcher) or Big Erv at this time? I have D.L. spots but I'm just wondering who i should drop once they come off.
My team:
Wieters
Pena
Kinsler
Longo
Alexei
Braun
Rios
Cruz
UT :Hart
B:
Hardy
Soto
Theriot
N. Johnson

P:
Oswalt
Liriano
Wandy
Nolasco
Slowey
Garza
Price
Hanson
"D.L." Francisco (Frank)
I am trying to work out a deal to get Crawford and it could go either like this:
1. Hart, Theriot, Jurrjens for Crawford
or like this:
2. Hart, Hardy for Crawford
Either way I think I'm winning but I'm trying to persuade the other owner for 2.
Here is my team in case you couldn't understand my typing:
http://games.espn.go.com/flb/clubhouse?leagueId=6353&teamId=6
Thanks,
The Manoman

Dan,

Santos has certainly been a pleasant surprise, especially for NL-only leaguers. Schneider's return hurts his at-bats but with the Mets desperate for offense right now, he'll get more than enough playing time to serve as a quality #2 mixed league catcher.
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manoman,

I think Nick Johnson is really the only droppable player on your roster, and I would definitely be open to dropping him for Erv, who is eligible to come off the DL this Saturday. It doesn't sound like his injury is too serious, and while he hasn't shown us much this year, the upside is enough to warrant a DL spot.

Zach