A note from the author: A conversation I had with Mike last week, along with a comment a week or two ago, led me to just make a short note about my perspective in the FAAB log. I usually write from the perspective of a deep 5x5 NL-only league (the league the FAAB log is based upon), and I try to comment on mixed leagues usually only when the player could have some significant impact. If any more specific comment on mixed league impact is required, please feel free to e-mail or leave a comment. Thanks!
Carlos Villanueva $39: I first wrote about Villanueva here. He appears to be the closer of the moment for the Brewers, though I am still not sure how many saves he will get, as it appears Trevor Hoffman will be back in the role soon. The interior numbers are excellent, and if you are desperate for saves, this is definitely one guy to go get. It should not, however, take $39 to get him in your league.
Laynce Nix $7: The former prospect has put up some decent power numbers for the Reds both last year and this year. I think you can expect a lot of the same this year with Nix as in 2009, though maybe with a little better average. His selectivity will always hold him back. This bid is aggressive, but there are few better options in your deep N.L.-only leagues right now.
John Axford $5: Axford is nothing more than a C prospect with a very good fastball. The problem with that fastball is that he doesn't know where it is going at any given time. With his strikeout rate, however, he is someone to keep an eye on in the short term while Hoffman struggles with his mechanics and Villanueva struggles to hold the closer role.
Stephen Pearce $4: I wrote about Pearce here. So far, so good for Pearce. In an admittedly small sample size, is putting up a 1.40 BB/K rate, which blows away his career rates. Query whether this is a fluke or not at this point, but it might be worth stashing Pearce on your reserve list if you are playing for next year just to take a "look/see."
Chris Denorfia $4: Mostly outfield depth at age 30 and, despite Kyle Blanks' struggles, Denorfia should go back to the minors when Jerry Hairston comes off the DL. $4 is too high, even if he steals a base or two. (Note: we have not written about Denorfia since 2008, which for as much writing we do, tells you something).
Alberto Gonzalez $3: You can read about him here. Thirty-eight empty ABs to date.
Manny Parra $3: Parra has been teasing fantasy owners for a few years now. This year, his K rate is up a bit, his BB rate is down, and he is putting up a decent ERA with a BABIP of .362 and a ground ball rate of 58.6%. I'd like to see what he does as a starter this time around. Based on past performance, however, buyer beware.
P.J. Walters $2: Walters has not been good at the major league level in the past, but was tearing up AAA before his call-up. Perhaps at 25 he has figured something out. He has abandoned his slider for his curve ball, but the LD% (33%) and the BABIP (.244) suggest some regression. I would take a wait and see approach here, particularly if the Cardinals intend to put him in the rotation.
Zach Braddock $2: Braddock is a C+ prospect and only 22 years old. He is death on lefties, has a nice K/9, struggles with his control and has lacked durability in the minors. He sounds like a set-up man in the making, but the strikeouts and possibility of stray saves this year, make him an intriguing guy. This is someone to stash away if you can for next year as well; never hurts to take a look at a guy like Braddock who, if the control comes around, could have a big impact.
Paul Maholm $1: Maholm was waived a couple of weeks ago, and it is hard to blame the owner for impatience. What you see is what you get: an ERA around 4.50, a mediocre or worse WHIP and few wins chances. So long as the control is again an issue for Maholm, you may find safer options elsewhere.
Jonathan Lucroy $1: The Brewers bring another prospect to the big league table with Gregg Zaun on the disabled list. Lucroy passed Angel Salome as the top catching prospect in the organization, and he did not disappoint at AA, though his power dropped off. He struggled in AAA so far, posting a .238 average with a 15/3 K/BB, but he does project out as an on-base guy with decent average in the majors. John Sickels believes the power will come back, but it is hard to say at this stage.
Paul Janish $1: I wrote about Janish here. Not much has changed.
Aaron Heilman $1: If Juan Gutierrez keeps giving up runs, Heilman will pass him as the CIW. Heilman seems to have solved his control issues for the most part, and though his LD% and BABIP seem out of line and suggest he is due to get hit, his G/F rate is also absurdly high. Heilman is a decent $1 reliever at this point.
J.C. Romero $0: Romero has picked up a stray save here and there, and while Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson are out, likely will see a couple more. Jose Contreras has done a good job as the interim closer, but Charlie Manuel will monitor his usage closely. His FIP is nearly 6.00, which is way out of line with his actual ERA, but the strikeout rate and stray save opportunity make him an almost "must have" on your squad.
Jason LaRue $0: LaRue has one home run in 20 AB - there are better replacement catchers who won't kill your average in their limited number of ABs.
Wil Nieves $0: Nieves has driven in some runs in limited playing time over the last two years. If Ivan Rodriguez is on the DL for any extended time, Nieves is not a bad guy to own.
Eric O'Flaherty $0: O'Flaherty has struggled with his control a bit, but hitters have struggled to put a bat on the ball. To the extent your team can benefit from a strikeout-oriented reliever, O'Flaherty seems to be one of those guys...for now.
Edward Mujica $0: I wrote about Mujica briefly here. The strikeout rate is up a little bit, but the FIP suggests a fall-off from current levels. The strikeout rate makes him a good own, but be prepared to cut bait at the first sign of trouble.
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