Mark Teixeira $100. Other bids $100, $100, $66, $55, $51, $47, $37, $34, $29, $19.
Well, this shouldn't come as a surprise. Teixeira is the guy who you hold on to your FAAB for: the dream player who can make your season if you're otherwise in the right position to make a move in the power categories. Touts seem surprised that he's hitting so well in Atlanta (and are inanely ignoring the small sample size), but as an ex-Teixeira owner in my A.L., I can tell you that he seemed to be pressing and unhappy with his situation in Texas. A Georgia Tech product, Tex seems happy in Atlanta...for the moment. I can tell you that, with Boras as his agent, Tex will eventually be unhappy again at some point in 2008. But I'd expect some big numbers for him down the stretch. Break the bank, folks.
Luis Castillo $48. Other bids $29, $27, $19, $19, $18, $7, $5, $5, $4.
Castillo was this week's ugly consolation prize if you didn't have enough money - or enough nerve - to buy Teixeira. He had a big 4-for-5 night tonight with two runs scored, but he's a much better play in 5x5, where he'll score a lot of runs at the top of a strong Mets lineup, injuries or no. He's been playing on a gimpy leg for the last two years (as far as we know; it could be longer) and, as a result, his SB totals this year are way down. The average is no sure thing either; he was hitting .304 for the Twins, but only .268 in his last 149 AB. The arrow's pointing down on Castillo. This is why it's not a great idea to hoard your money. Despite the fact that the talent clearly shifted to the N.L. from the A.L. this year, you would have been better off with Ty Wigginton than Castillo.
Octavio Dotel $17. Other bids $14, $12, $10, $7, $5.
As I mentioned earlier this week in my post about N.L. bullpens, I think Dotel should get some saves even though he won't be Bobby Cox's primary go-to-guy in the 9th. There were rumors that the Braves tried moving Bob Wickman to the Yankees for Kyle Farnsworth at the 11th hour, and I don't think Cox is all that pleased with Wickman. That doesn't mean Dotel is the closer from here on out, but the situation should be watched carefully. I might bid a little more than this on Dotel, even if he isn't the closer. His ERA/WHIP will be low, and I could see him picking up a few relief wins if the Braves offense ever cools off.
Rob Mackowiak $4. Other bid $1.
He is miscast as a regular, but with Milton Bradley ailing, Terrmel Sledge in the minors, and Jose Cruz Jr. designated for assignment, Mackowiak started in all three games of the Padres/Giants series this weekend. He's one of those players who can put up sneaky little amounts of value because he has a little pop and a little speed, so he's worth starting in N.L.-only leagues as long as Bradley's hurt. From a baseball standpoint, I don't think the Padres should have put together their team for the stretch run on the cheap, though the Morgan Ensberg pick-up could wind up being a steal.
Brian Lawrence $4.
Lawrence won his first start against the Brewers with an 80 MPH "fastball" and pinpoint control. He's purely a wins play as long as he's in the Mets rotation, but I don't think he's a good bet this week against the Braves, assuming the Mets don't just skip his turn in the rotation since they have an off-day on Monday.
Jason Lane $1
He's swinging a very hot bat, with 2 HR and 8 RBI in his last three games, but his overall numbers are putrid, so Lane should lose playing time once he cools off again. Chris Burke should continue to get most of the starts in the OF, and Lane at 30 years of age is not a prospect any more. View Lane as an emergency replacement only.
Jason Hirsh $1
He's a back-end-of-the-rotation option if you really need the wins. He gets the Brewers this week at home. He's a flyball pitcher, but that doesn't matter as much anymore in Colorado.
Mauro Zarate $1
What a cute little pick-up. Zarate was dominant across three levels of minor league ball as a reliever, but he doesn't have a lot of experience. He reminds me of Edwar Ramirez of the Yankees. Zarate might be very, very successful, but he might also shrivel up the first time he faces major league adversity. He shouldn't be counted on for wins or saves, as he looks like a pure middle man.
Cory Sullivan $1
Sullivan's a slap hitter who the Rockies tried to convince themselves for two years was a starter before giving up and realizing that a guy with no power and a propensity to strike out is a poor combination. He's back in a bench role, where his speed gives him limited value. The key word here, though, is "limited".
Chris Coste $1
Coste is worth owning as long as he starts, and he's now started three of the last five games for the Phillies. Charlie Manuel loves him, which is worth knowing, and Coste will probably split time with Carlos Ruiz pretty evenly. He's got some pop in his bat, so Coste is a better option than some of the absolute zero back-up catchers who are floating around out there in your free agent pool, or on your rosters.
Jayson Werth $1
Werth strikes out a lot, which is anathema to old school managers like Manuel, but he walks enough to bring some value to the table for the Phillies. He's on the wrong side of a platoon, but his better than Chris Roberson and has a lot more pop. I wouldn't be surprised to see Werth wind up starting as long as Shane Victorino and Michael Bourn are out. You could do worse than chase a few stray HR here.
Eric Bruntlett $1
For the moment, the Astros have chosen defense over offense, so Bruntlett is the starter du jour while Adam Everett is on the D.L. Like Sullivan, Bruntlett has slight value due to his speed, though Bruntlett could kill your batting average if the Astros overexpose him.
Tony Clark $1
I can't believe Tony Clark is only 35 years old: it seems like he's older than Julio Franco; I've been following his career for at least that long. Clark's been a great situational hitter this year, but he only makes sense in leagues where you can play daily matchups and reserve him when you don't feel like owning him. He doesn't play enough.
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