Fantasy 411 Q&A: June 30, 2009 + Beltran Update

Hi guys,
I need a quick hint: I have the terribly slumping Derek Lowe scheduled 4 today, would u advise me to sit out one start?

Greez from Munich, Germany,
Euro-Danny

Euro-Danny,

I'd throw him out there. The Phils aren't exactly swinging the bats great of late and the start is at home. I wouldn't worry too much about two bad starts from Lowe.

Zach

Hi all,
PoD for today shows Zimmermann going today, but the Nationals web site shows Stammen going for the Nats. If Zimmermann does pitch tomorrow it'd be against Josh Johnson. Would you still start him in that matchup?
Thanks,
Jeff

Boys -

Is Verlander & Barmes for HanRam VETO-Worthy???

- BDH

I'm playing in a 10 team head to head points league and my top 3 pitchers are santana,lincecum, and hamels. How many of the following pitchers (correia,wandy,scherzer,baker,jimenez,zimmerman,gavin floyd,kazmir, liriano, or meche) should I pick up for the rest of the year, limit 9 or should I just stream pitchers the rest of the year.

Jeff,

It will be Stammen. The MLB.com scoreboard was updated today.
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BDH,

I'd definitely rather have Han-Ram, but this is absolutely not a veto worthy deal.

Zach

Hey guys,

10-team mixed, H2H league, daily lineups/weekly waivers. I'm streaming 3-4 two-start SPs around Cain and Liriano each week with success. I have 5 OFs for 3 spots plus a Utility: Sizemore, Crawford, Kemp, Justin Upton and Nelson Cruz.

I lead the league in SBs and win that category every week. Thinking of offering Matt Kemp and Tommy Hanson for Tim Lincecum possibly asking for Nyjer Morgan too. I can then start Sizemore, Crawford and Upton/Cruz while the U spot now goes to Votto.

I might be able to get that deal as the guy is in last and desperate to shake his team up. Opinions?

Thanks — OG

Hey guys, I need to replace Adrian Beltre in my utility spot and need some power. Which of these three players would you recommend: Luke Scott, Pat Burrell, or Ian Stewart?
Thanks - Nick

Lastings and Hanrahan in Pittsburgh, N.Morgan in Washington. Does this make Lastings rosterable? Does it mean Capps is next to leave the city of bridges? Other fantasy impacts of this trade?

erichogue,

The three pitchers who I think are definitely worth owning in a 10 teamer are wandy, scherzer, and Kazmir, so I'd pick those guys up if you've got the room. They fall outside the PoD category.
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OG,

I think Kemp and Hanson is a bit much to give up for Lincecum. Cruz has been awful lately so I'd actually sit him for the time being while seeing if you can do better in a trade. Does not doing this trade mean you can't play Votto? That would make a difference in my thinking.
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Nick,

Although he has really cooled off in June, I think Scott is the safest choice for now, but keep an eye on Burrell. He's still struggling in the AVG department but he offers great value and upside. I'd wait another week or so before inserting Pat the Bat into my active lineup, but if there's a way to get him on your roster, definitely look into it.

Zach

What is the over/under on Sean Burnett's first save opportunity for the Nats? He doesn't strike anybody out, but neither does anyone else in Washington. And somewhere Don Cooper is reading a newspaper and chuckling each time he reads the statement "Nationals closer, Mike MacDougal".

tartanfan,

I think there's a legit chance that once back healthy, Milledge becomes the Pirates new left fielder. They're pretty much out of the postseason picture already, so why not take a look at a big time talent like Milledge? NL-only and really deep mixed leagues I say it's worth a shot.

As for Capps, certainly possible that he gets traded now that Hanrahan is with the Pirates but that's a very significant dropoff. I don't see a Capps deal happening before the deadline if it is made at all.

Zach

10 team 6x6 OPS and Holds. Could use some overall value at 3rd with lowell out. Choices are Chris Davis, Ian stewart, felepe lopez, mark teahan, or some diamond in the rough like andy laroche or gordon beckham?
Thanks
Chris in Columbus

csupp,

I don't see it happening anytime soon. MacDougal has been very solid since inheriting the role and while a few blowups are more than likely, when it comes to closers, managers always give the edge to the guy with the better stuff. Also, Burnett has just one career save to his name.

Zach

oops and add my current guy, Kouzmanoff. Thanks

C in C

I'm in a H2H league with limited moves so I can't just stream pitchers in. For the upcoming month or so, how would you rank the following pitchers:
Wainwright, Shields, Lackey, Oswalt, Slowey, Danks, Lowe, Burnett, Nolasco.
Thanks, Mark

Part II: So that I can have more pitchers at my disposal (since I can't stream) I need to jettison some bats off my bench in our very shallow H2H league. Please choose the 1 or 2 that you would recommend dropping (if I can't trade):
Carlos Lee, Ibanez, Manny, BJ Upton {just letting you know who I have, I won't be dropping them], Matt Kemp, or Joey Votto. I'm also keeping Rollins on the bench while Barlett mans SS.
Mark

I'm in a 12 team 6X6 roto league. The sixth pitching category is holds, and I'm stuck in a battle for both Holds, and Saves positioning. I'm definitely starting Mariano Rivera, and I can start 4 of the following 5, and want to maximize my scoring:

Mike Gonzalez, Kevin Gregg, J.P. Howell, Rafael Soriano, Matt Guerrier.

are there any general rules for aquiring elite closers?
I'm going after Broxton and K-rod. My starters are greinke felix santana jer-weaver baker lackey lilly harang scherzer. outfield is a-jones ether j-upton bay and ibanez. ss is bartlett drew and a-ram.
My thought is to use either bartlett, greinke or a-jones--cooupled with harang to aquire the 2.
Am I stupid? Solid in all categories but falling fast in saves.
thanks alot for your help.

Hey Guys,

I'm wondering what the story is with Ben Sheets. I know he had off-season elbow surgery but was expecting him to be signed not too long after the draft. Haven't heard anything though.

I'm in a mixed 18 team league with 40 man rosters and I picked him up late in the reserve round of this year's draft thinking he might be back for the second half. It doesn't look that way though, does it?

Loving the new Friday night show by the way.

--Mark from Maine of Queens

Chris,

I know many might disagree due to the poor lineup and unfavorable ballpark, but I like Kouz. He was red hot in June with six homers and 20 RBIs and already has two strong seasons to his resume. I think he rebounds from his slow start in a big way. Doesn't hit for great AVG, but unlike Davis and Stewart, he won't kill you there. In my mind, Kouz offers the best combination of safety and upside.

Zach

Tom,

Just answered your question on PoD post.

Zach

mark
I haven't heard a thing on sheets. $1 player next year at best with intriguing sleeper value.
-Siano

mr dirt,
tough call since guerrier is having a solid season for holds (26) but what makes him the odd man out for me and this is only because you have both guys in atlanta is he is the only guy who can't get a hold AND a save for you. I would package the bravos and see if you can upgrade to a closer and then find a holds guy on the wire. not an easy situation for sure.
-Siano

mark,
you have too much pitching!!!! make a deal!
All of these guys have value and none are named Johan or CC so they dont really seperate from the pack so it's difficult to rank but I love Wainwright,Lackey, Lowe and Nolasco and like the other guys but you could almost pick out of a hat. Not a huge Burnett fan but he is filthy when on.
-Siano