Fantasy 411 Q&A: June 2, 2009

Good morning gents,
I drafted Francisco Liriano as my ace, and we know how that turned out. While the worst of his season may be behind him, he may end up being taken out of the rotation altogether. Our team is probably out of it, due to slow starts and problems with BJ, Quentin, ARod.

So I dangled Liriano, and have been offered LaPorta in return. While at AAA, I expect he'll get called up for good at some point in the season and have some keeper value, whereas I fear Lirano is done. I don't see being able to work a deal for anything better.

What do you think? Getting rid of Liriano is already addition by subtraction.

Thanks,
Jeff in Berkeley

Fellas,

I punted the catcher postition during the draft and ended up with John Baker catching full time. Not too bad in a 20 team h2h, but I was thinking of buying real low on Ryan Doumit while hes not playing. What sort of second half do you think he can put up? better than Baker?

Thanks

With Aramis out for another six weeks will Andy Laroche or Adrian Beltre serve as a better replacement? - Jake

Hey guys. Is it time to cut Chris Davis? I'm in a league that counts both hitting K's and hitting BB's. He is absolutely murdering me in those 2 categories, not to mention just about every other offensive category. Does he have any trade value in this league? Or should I just cut him loose? The best available CI guys are Andy LaRoche, Billy Butler, Mike Jacobs and Ryan Garko.

Hey 411,

What can we expect to see out of Brandon Inge and Porcello the rest of the year. I obtained them in a recent trade and couldn't be more excited about Inge's ability to play C, 3B, OF and the promise of things to come with Porcello. Bring me down to Earth with some realistic projections please.

Wanted to get some thoughts on a trade I had proposed to me. 12 team 6x5 w/ the extra stat being total bases. I was offered Josh Hamilton, Scott Kazmir and Chris Young(OF Ari) for Justin Verlander, Michael Cuddyer, and Billy Butler. I would be getting the Hamilton part of the deal. So far my pitching has been been one of the best in the league ,but my Offense has been disappointing. Thanks for the help.

Rich in San Diego

Trading McCann for an outfielder. Who do you prefer for the rest of the year: Carlos Lee or Raul Ibanez?

Really am thankful for the help you guys are giving on a day in day out basis. What do you think of McLouth for the rest of the year I just got him in a league where you need to put an outfielder in CF/RF/LF. I had been using CoCo.

MikeNYC

Once again I'd like to get some thoughts on some marginal players for a deep 12 team NL keeper:

Hairston (3$)
Ishikawa(7$)
Burriss(7$)
Ian Stewart(7$)

obviously hairston is the best deal here. I've gotten a number of bites on willingham (17$ through 2011). I've soured on him quite a bit given his start but am wondering if this is the sell high point or if he is truly turning a corner which would make this contract worthwhile in the next 2 years.
I was offered Ishikawa(7$,2011) and Gerut(10$,2011) for Willingham(17$,2011), and turned it down without any hesitation. I think Willingham is worth a lot more than this even at this price, am I wrong? I'd love to wrestle Alcides Escobar from this guy, but he is not budging there. I'm trying to add Schumaker (5$,2010) to get the most out of any deal. He's got Gamel at 7$ through 2010 but im not convinced of his worth. Are there any combo of these guys that would be worth the risk here?

Larry in Copenhagen.

Hey Guys

Just wondering what your thoughts are on a few guys I have on my team as fillers for some injuries.
- Jerry Hairston
- Casey Blake
- Nolan Reimold
- Gary Sheffield
- Scott Baker
H2H 12 team points league
Have Aramis Ramirez and Quentin on DL and Nolasco in the minors for now
Just filling in guys from the wire and off my bench according to match ups until they return

Cheers guys
Great job
Jordan

Jeff,

It's very unlikely that the Twins will dump Liriano from the rotation and he's still posting nice K numbers. I think he bounces back to a degree, but he'll probably never again be the guy who bursted on to the big league scene back in '06. In a keeper league with no values attached and assuming the keeper number is roughly less than 10, I'd say don't do the LaPorta deal. But if LaPorta could be had for a real cheap price and Liriano's price isn't great, I'd probably do it.
**************************************************************************************
albot,

I'm a huge Baker fan, and he's actually often been compared to Doumit in terms of skill set. It looks like Doumit is still about a month away from returning, but by all means buy low while you can. Just gives you another option should Baker cool off or you need an additional trade chip down the road. I wouldn't be shocked if Baker outproduces Doumit in all of the five hitting categories with the possible exception of AVG.

Zach

Jake,

Beltre might be the better long term option but go with LaRoche for now. He's red hot and Beltre is known as more of a second half player anyway.
*************************************************************
Ben,

I'd pick up LaRoche anyway if you've got the roster space but don't cut Davis. If you're really intent on getting rid of him, at least wait for his stock to go up! It can't possibly get any lower than it is right now.

Zach

In a 13 team 5x5 non-keeper 26 man deep roster. I originally flipped Ortiz for Papelbon in the 2nd week. I was shopping my closers for offense but there were no biters. I got and accepted an offer to get Bruce and Alexei Ram. for Papelbon. I have 2 other closers + I know that Bruce's BABIP is something like 22%. Good deal? Stay hot.
- Brad

Ed,

Porcello's certainly been real impressive of late, having allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last five starts. He's not striking out many but the 16 BB in 51 2/3 IP is a nice ratio. I think he's obviously a POD graduate at this point but I do worry about young pitchers fading down the stretch, so if there's an opportunity to deal him maybe a month from now, I'd look into it.

As for Inge, I like the positional flexibility and as a C he's definitely valuable, but keep in mind that Inge is a career .238 hitter who is in the midst of a 3-for-18 slump. The streakiness bothers me and he's playing above his head right now.

Zach

********UPDATE********
RHP Edinson Volquez today went on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow. He left last night’s game at St. Louis after the first inning with numbness in the pinky and ring fingers of his right hand. He was examined in Cincinnati today by Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek.

Prior to last night’s game, Volquez was reinstated from the DL (back spasms) and made his first start since May 16.

Volquez will be examined again in 7-10 days. He will not throw during that time.

The Reds are expected to recall RHP Jared Burton from Class AAA Louisville. Burton was optioned to Louisville yesterday, when Volquez came off the DL.

Hey guys! I'm trading away Tim Lincecum for Josh Johnson and Victor Martinez, trying to get a better catcher then Kurt Suzuki...smart move? Thanks!

Steve

RANGERS PLACE OUTFIELDER JOSH HAMILTON ON 15-DAY DISABLED LIST;
REINSTATE RHP VICENTE PADILLA FROM 15-DAY DISABLED LIST
OF Brandon Boggs Recalled; RHP Guillermo Moscoso Optioned

New York – The Texas Rangers announced the following four roster moves prior to tonight’s series opener in New York:

• Placed outfielder Josh Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to yesterday, with a right abdominal strain
• Reinstated right-handed pitcher Vicente Padilla from the 15-day disabled list
• Recalled outfielder Brandon Boggs (#41) from Triple-A Oklahoma City
• Optioned right-handed pitcher Guillermo Moscoso to Triple-A Oklahoma City

Hamilton had an MRI exam yesterday that was read by Dr. John Preskitt in Dallas today. He has appeared in 10 straight games for Texas, but has batted .237 (9-38) with one homer and 5 RBI his last 11 contests since being injured while making a catch against the wall on May 17 vs. LA of Anaheim. The first day he will be eligible to return from the disabled list is June 16, when the club opens a series against Houston.

This is the second disabled list stint for Hamilton this season. He was also on the disabled list with a strained intercostal muscle from April 27-May 11. That injury also stemmed from a collision with the outfield wall while making a catch. Hamilton is batting .240 with 6 home runs and 24 RBI in 35 games this season. He led the club with 156 games played in 2008.

Padilla is the scheduled starter for tonight’s series opener in New York. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 22 (retroactive to May 17) with right shoulder bursitis. He threw bullpen sessions in Arlington on Friday and Sunday. Padilla has gone 3-2 with a 4.71 ERA (26 ER/49.2 IP) in 8 games/starts for Texas this season. He has a 2.17 ERA (7 ER/29.0 IP) over his last 4 starts, a stretch which included consecutive starts in which he allowed only one hit in each outing.

Boggs, 26, will be in uniform and available for tonight’s game in New York, seeking to make his season debut with the Rangers. He has spent the entire season with Oklahoma City, batting .278 with 2 homers and 25 RBI in 46 games with the RedHawks. The switch-hitter has batted .268 against lefties and .283 vs. right-handers. He hit .294 (30-102) in May, going 1-for-4 with an RBI as starting leftfielder in yesterday’s game vs. Albuquerque. Boggs has played primarily left field in the Pacific Coast League, but has also seen action in center and right.

Boggs made his major league debut last season, spending the final five months of the campaign with Texas. He batted .226 with 8 home runs and 41 RBI in 101 games with the Rangers in 2008, leading the team with 59 starts in left field. His 44 walks last season were T8th-most ever by a Texas rookie.

Moscoso made one appearance with the Rangers after being recalled between games of a doubleheader on Friday. He made his major league debut on Saturday vs. Oakland, tossing a scoreless 9th inning to finish the club’s 14-1 win. Moscoso has spent the rest of the seas

I stashed Kelvim Escobar on my DL at the start of the season, hoping that some of the "he's coming back early and strong" hype would pay off. It didn't but he's still there on my DL, and the update says that the Angles are going to activate and start him this weekend.

What should I expect? Once he's activated, i have about a day or two to either cut him or cut someone else to make room-- would you cut a Gamel, Danks, Maholom or Blackburn for him?

Peter in DC

One small amendment to my previous post-- would you drop Maholom, Danks, or Blackburn for Escobar coming off the DL or just cut Escobar himself? The other guy I could drop would be my extra bat, Spilborgs.
I had to cut Gamel to make room for Soria who also came of the DL suddenly yesterday.

Rich,

Considering the latest news on Hamilton, you obviously don't want to do that deal now!
***************************************************************************
Keith,

We're putting your question on today's podcast, so keep an eye out for that.

Zach

Mike NYC,
McLouth over Coco is a good idea right now.
-Siano

Larry,
Willingham at $17 in 2011 is a maybe, then again not the hugest investment so might be worth the risk.
the rest
Hairston (3$) *likey
Ishikawa(7$) *he's tesing my patience. Not sure he is an everyday player, tough to figure out.
Burriss(7$) * anytime a guy can steal 30-40 any you pay less the double digits you are happy.
Ian Stewart(7$) *very good price.
-Siano

Jordan,
- Jerry Hairston *ive been riding him for weeks
- Casey Blake *solid fill in player
- Nolan Reimold *as long he stays up he will have value
- Gary Sheffield *not sold he can stay on field and perform but a good waiver guy for you now.
- Scott Baker * he is as close to DTM as you can be but if he turns it around can be a steal.
-Siano

Brad,
Like don't love but this could turn out to be a very good deal for you. Would like to know wheo they are replacing.
-Siano

peter
If escobar survives the start then I'd hang on to him and cut whoever has the worst matchup next week between maholm and balckburn since neither strikes anyone out.
-Siano