N.L. FAAB Log: 4/21/08

Manny Acosta $14. Other bids $12, $11, $10, $1.
Rotoworld speculates that Rafael Soriano will be back shortly, but that Acosta is still "not a bad choice in N.L. only leagues." I look at his walk totals in the minors and last year for the Braves and I'm not so sure. On the other hand, Soriano hasn't exactly been the picture of health and Peter Moylan is done for the year, so Acosta might get a handful of saves here and there throughout the year. Beware the WHIP risk, though. Acosta isn't one of those pitchers who walks a bunch of guys but is unhittable. He'll give up his hit per inning, too.

Doug Brocail $3. Other bids $3, $1, $1.
Brocail will celebrate his 41st birthday next month, but he just keeps chugging along, and now there's some talk that he could fill in for Jose Valverde in the short-term if Valverde's struggles continue. If it does happen, it probably would just be a temporary switcharoo, and not a permanent decision. But a $3 bid on Brocail does seem sensible, especially if you own Valverde.

Duaner Sanchez $2.
Sanchez has looked OK so far since his April 15 return off the DL for the Mets. It's not clear when he'll be available to pitch on back-to-back days, so his Roto ROI might be low at the moment. If he does return to his pre-injury form, he'll be a solid middle relief option on a team that should put him in position to vulture a few wins.

Manny Burriss $1. Other bid $1.
Burriss doesn't belong in the majors yet. He was incredibly overmatched in High A ball last year, hitting a paltry .165 in 139 AB. Scouts think Burriss was probably an overdraft by the Giants as a supplemental first rounder in 2006; at this point, the question might simply be how much of an overdraft. Burriss' best case scenario is probably going to be a mediocre starting SS with plenty of speed. His worst case is that his bat won't even allow him to be a utility MI. The speed and the opportunity are the rub here, though. Burriss is fast, Omar Vizquel is hurt, and Brian Bocock isn't exactly a bonafide prospect. Right now, it looks like Bocock will still get the PT, but keep an eye out for Burriss. He'll run if he plays, and he could get you a few cheap steals.

Andrew Miller $1.
Miller's owner didn't have a lot of patience, so Miller was available as a FAAB play this week. His numbers in four starts with the Marlins have been horrendous. You can argue that the K/IP and the HR/IP suggest that Miller's having incredibly bad luck with his BABIP, but you can only take that argument so far. The 22-year-old belongs in AAA, but it's possible the Marlins will keep running him out there no matter the results. He might get better, but you can't own him right now unless you can reserve him and wait for happier times.

Justin Huber $1.
A.L. Roto players with moderately deep farm systems know all about this guy, but N.L. owners probably don't. Huber was a once somewhat-highly thought of Royals prospect who couldn't get a chance in Kansas City, despite the fact that they were running Ross Gload out there day in and day out at 1B. Huber was traded to the Padres this winter. He made the team, but it looks like he's a bench player who at best might work himself into a quasi-platoon. He's got good power, but not enough to justify using a roster spot if he's only going to get 150-200 AB this year.

Eric Bruntlett $1. Other bid $1.
Bruntlett is a 30-year-old utility middle infielder who will see regular duty for the Phillies the next two weeks with Jimmy Rollins on the shelf. He can't hit, but he's got some speed and might steal some bases while Rollins is out. He's a poor man's Adam Everett, which should give you some idea of what owning Bruntlett will be like if you buy him.

Buddy Carlyle $1.
There was some speculation that Carlyle would spell Tom Glavine last week, but Carlyle's appeared thrice in relief since his call-up from Richmond. He's not much of a Roto option, and I don't expect him to seriously compete with Acosta for save opportunities.

Jeff Salazar $1.
Back-up outfielder for the Diamondbacks. Salazar is a nice power/speed combination off of the bench for Arizona, but won't have a lot of Roto value unless one of the D-backs primary options gets hurt.

Gregor Blanco $1.
The Braves are toying handing Blanco a platoon role in the OF. While that might not be a good move for the Braves, this makes Blanco at $1 a nifty FAAB play. He's got some speed, and could pick up 15-20 SB on the good side of a platoon. He won't offer much else, and be aware that he could disappear if he goes through a mini-slump. Again, though, nothing wrong with squeezing Blanco in at $1.

Scott Podsednik $1.
Fifth OF behind one of the strongest starting outfields in the majors. Pods might still be good for a few steals, but his value is limited even in N.L.-only Roto at this point.

Craig Counsell $1.
He's off to a fast start, but Counsell stopped running last year, which deflates what little air of excitement there was surrounding him last year. A marginal BA play at best.

Gabe Gross $1.
With Mike Cameron and now Tony Gwynn Jr. out, Gross is getting most of the AB in center field for the Brewers. His numbers, though, have been awful, and even the small sample size might not save him from losing time to Gabe Kapler. If he does put things together, Gross is an intriguing short-term option, but right now he looks like a poor bet.

Robby Hammock $1.
Backing up Chris Snyder since Miguel Montero is on the shelf. Virtually no Roto value.