Travis Metcalf $13.
An unnecessarily high bid, but I guess the assumption is that Metcalf will start at 3B against left-handers to begin with and then possibly move to a larger role once Ramon Vazquez cools off. Metcalf had a brief MLB shot last year, and put up a less-than-inspiring 737 OPS in 162 AB. He had a strong year at High-A Bakersfield way back in 2005, but hasn't done anything in the high minors to inspire confidence that he'll succeed. Even if he does wrest the 3B job away from Vazquez, he's not a great bet to provide a lot of value.
Clete Thomas $2.
Thomas is back up in the majors to provide more depth around the OF than Mike Joyce could. Thomas is a sparkplug of a player who stole 11 bases once he was sent back down to Toledo, but he was also hitting a lousy .242 with little power. He slots in as a 4th or 5th OF, and probably won't play a lot now that Curtis Granderson's healthy.
Grant Balfour $1.
He picked up a save in his first major league game this year, spelling the ineffective Dan Wheeler on Saturday. However, he came in today in the sixth, and middle relief's a more likely destination for Balfour. It's worth noting that his numbers at AAA Durham this year were unreal (0.38 ERA, 15 base runners, and 39 whiffs in 23 2/3 IP). He might get another odd save chance or two while Troy Percival's out, but I expect Percival will be back as soon as he's eligible to come off of the DL. Balfour's value is limited.
Ryan Rowland-Smith $1.
Rowland-Smith has put up some very solid numbers in the M's pen so far, and was picked up by J.J. Putz's owner as insurance in case Putz's bad outing today is a sign that Putz's finger injury is flaring up again. Rowland-Smith's a severe fly ball pitcher who is bound to give up a few more dingers than the one he's surrendered so far, but is a good contingency bet if you own Putz or if you're desperate for saves and want to roll the dice.
Kevin Mench. Claimed by 7th place team.
He's splitting playing time with Shannon Stewart, and hasn't hit a home run yet in 34 AB. With Stewart heating up a little bit, Mench runs of the risk of losing even more playing time, as even Joe Inglett has been getting thrown into the OF mix as of late. Mench is a long shot pick-up for those desperate for power.
Garret Olson. Claimed by 2nd place team.
Olson's control has looked much better than it did in his first major league outing of 2008, and his K/IP makes him a viable pick-up in A.L. only leagues. He has a favorable match-up this week at pitcher-friendly Minnesota, though owners may want to consider reserving or dropping him for his rematch against the Red Sox the following week. Be wary of the HR/IP, though. His rate is favorable right now, but lower than it has typically been in the minors, and Olson is a little more prone to the big fly than he's shown so far.
2 comments:
In my league, Carlos Gonzalez went for $25.
I bought Larish (DET) for $15, though you didn't mention him. He hit a lot of HRs in AAA and is getting the DH ABs while Sheffield is out. He also plays 1B and Leyland has said some nice things about him.
Balfour pitched in middle relief Sunday, but he struck out several guys. He's always had great k/bb rates and could earn a prominent role in the Rays pen.
Im in an AL only $100 FA money, 10 reserve spots filled through a reserve draft after the auction. Also teams can hold prospects so the David Prices, Carlos Gonzalezs, etc, etc are long gone.
Wondering what a good bid for Kyle Davies may be. Without studying the parameters of my league, maybe the better question is, How good is Kyle Davies?
Is he worth bidding on if I can't get him at a keeper price ($8-11)?
Or, will he help me enough this year that $16-20 bid is appropriate?
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