David Hernandez $12. Other bid $4.
John Sickels had a nice write-up about Hernandez earlier this week, and when the master speaks I just shut up and listen. Sickels' point at the bottom of the column is probably the most important one when it comes to Hernandez. He's underrated as a prospect and could do well in the majors, but a mediocre run could move him behind Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, and Jake Arrieta if or when this trio arrives (I guess after Texas' "DVD" never panned out in Texas, the media's reluctant to call them "ATM"). In his major league debut, his fastball was as good as advertised, but control issues led to Hernandez throwing 108 pitches in less than six innings. I'd buy Hernandez if I needed the pitching, but $12 is about twice what I'd pay for him right now. He does have a favorable match-up at Seattle this week.
Jamey Carroll $9. Other bids $1, $1.
Luis Valbuena $8. Other bid $1.
These are two very high bids on two borderline Rotisserie players, but both teams had suffered significant losses at middle infield (Mike Aviles and Akinori Iwamura) and probably guessed wrong on which Indians second baseman the other team might bid on. With Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner both on the DL, Mark DeRosa's been playing 1B/LF, and Carroll and Valbuena have been in a virtually straight platoon at 2B. That's good news for Valbuena's buyer, as the Tribe has six games against righties and only one against a lefty this coming week. Valbuena is probably the better play: Carroll is ancient and slots in more as a utility player, while the Indians will want to see what they have long-term in Valbuena, particularly if they decide to swap out DeRosa, either for pitching or in a fire sale. Valbuena has a little pop and 10-15 SB potential, while Carroll offers little more than a little speed. If I had to choose between these two, I'd take Valbuena.
Casey Janssen $3.
Janssen's back with the Blue Jays and in their rotation after missing all of 2008 due to surgery to repair a torn labrum. He's pitched fairly well (though his WHIP took a pounding in his last start against the Red Sox), but two whiffs in 13 IP means that he could definitely get pounded, regardless of how many grounders he induces. I'd hold off on adding him if you have to stick him on your active roster and see if his peripherals improve this week against the Angels.
Jim Johnson $2.
The results haven't been as good this year, but Johnson looks a little better on the hill for the Orioles, as he looks like he's throwing 1-2 MPH harder and is mixing in the change more to make his heater look even more devastating to hitters. With Chris Ray optioned this week, Johnson's probably next in line should something happen to George Sherrill (ineffectiveness, trade, anvil, etc.). He's worth adding in deep 4x4 leagues.
Francisco Cervelli $2.
With Jorge Posada off the DL, Cervelli goes to the #2 slot in the Bronx, and could be optioned soon given Jose Molina's status. Cervelli is young, but was a borderline prospect at best and mostly because of his defense. He's the kind of catcher who could stick around in the majors for 10-15 years due to his defense, land on Roto rosters every year as a FAAB buy, and still provide next to no value.
Ramiro Pena $1.
Pena is another Yankee whose strength is his defense. He was buried at the bottom of the Yankees depth chart the moment A-Rod came back and would need an injury to A-Rod, Jeter, or Cano to even whiff Roto relevance. Even then, Ramiro's 3 HR in 1,258 minor league AB and 635 minor league OPS make that highly unlikely.
Jack Hannahan $1. Other bid $1.
Back spasms seem to be contagious in Oakland. First Hannahan picked up some extra starts (Bobby Crosby had been playing at third) due to Jack Cust' spasms, then Hannahan sat out Saturday in favor of Gregorio Petit due to spasms of his own. Hannahan is under the Mendoza line with no power and is unlikely to provide much value even if he does play every day.
Rob Johnson $1.
Kenji Johjima's broken toe leaves him out until mid- to late-July, so Johnson probably gets first crack at the starting job for the M's. His numbers have been awful, though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Guillermo Quiroz steal some starts if Johnson can't crack a 600 OPS soon. Another thing to consider is that Jeff Clement is hurt right now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him up with the Mariners if Johnson/Quiroz don't cut it. Johnson's worth a bid if he's starting, but I have to imagine that he's on thin ice based on his numbers to date.
Gabe Kapler $1. Other bid $1.
The Rays are decimated by injuries right now, but Kapler's terrible numbers mean that he's failed to capitalize and that he could get pushed aside by recent call-up Matt Joyce if Joyce continues to rake (Joyce had two HR this week).
Luis Hernandez $1.
Good field, no hit starting SS for Baltimore last year is now starting for the Royals due to Aviles' injury. Hernandez was hitting an empty .292 at AAA this year - which may have earned him the promotion - but he's a terrible hitter who shouldn't be in a Roto line-up ever.
Brian Buscher $1.
Buscher's numbers are terrible to date (with the exception of a solid BB/AB ratio), but Joe Crede's injury this week could land Buscher some more AB if Crede has to go on the DL. I'm not a Buscher fan. He's not a prospect at the age of 28, and his "breakout" year would still be considered poor by most standards. He's still worth a bid if Crede hits the DL, though.
Tug Hulett $1. Other bid $1.
Tug was formerly known as Tim like his father before him. Hulett has an intriguing power/speed combination that is even more intriguing if you can slot him in at middle infield (in some leagues Hulett's a DH-only due to the fact that he played more games at DH than at any other position). He's buried on the Royals bench right now, though, and would need an incredibly streaky run to gain any kind of playing time with the Royals.
Ramon Castro $1.
I didn't need a catcher, but I love this bid, and don't understand why 3-4 other teams didn't even say $1 for Castro. I do think that Rotoworld's gushing about him is overstated. A.J. Pierzynski is one of those iron men who gets 500+ AB behind the plate, so Castro might wind up on the bench 5-6 days a week. However, his bat is decent enough that he could sneak in some time at DH (or move A.J. there) a little more than the forgettable Corky Miller did. If you're desperate for power, Castro is worth the stab.
Lance Cormier $1.
Randy Choate $1.
Cormier has pitched extremely well at the back of the Rays bullpen...albeit with a very low K/IP rate and a BABIP that screams "regression". Despite all of the struggles in TB's bullpen recently, I don't think that Cormier has a chance for saves right now. Choate's a guy who a less experienced league might have bid $11-13 for, but both of Choate's saves were situational and I doubt that he's an answer for the pen's woes...or a cheap CIW that you should snatch up and think you're stealing 10-20 saves from the FAAB wires.
Scott Linebrink. Claimed by 10th, 5th (tie), and 8th (owner who waived him) place teams.
Despite the so-so WHIP, Linebrink has pitched very well for the White Sox in a high leverage role and is probably next in line if something happened to Bobby Jenks. Even in 5x5, Linebrink's better than one whiff per nine ratio makes him a decent back end of the staff guy who you hope for 5-10 saves from if everything breaks right.
C.J. Wilson. Claimed by 5th (tie), 4th, 1st, and 8th (owner who waived him) place teams.
Unlike Linebrink, Wilson' peripherals aren't all that impressive. However, Wilson has a better chance for saves than Linebrink does, and if you own Frank Francisco at this point you should take a shot on Wilson, even if his numbers once again don't scream "closer" in 2009 just like they didn't in 2008.
No comments:
Post a Comment