Sunday, July 18, 2010

N.L. FAAB Log: July 19, 2010

Alex Gonzalez $31. Other bids: $28, $21, $18, $17, $14, $10, $8.
The Alex Gonzalez/Yunel Escobar trade baffles me from a baseball perspective. Gonzalez is a cheap keep next year with his $2.5 million option, and it is not like the Blue Jays do not already have a lineup full of .230 hitters. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays’ loss is your gain.

Gonzalez is having a banner year. His isolated power is .234, which for Gonzalez is a little absurd. Despite the poor K/BB, he is also hitting .260. I expect a little regression, from Gonzalez, but he is a must-own at shortstop in all formats. I think you will need to pay $28-$30 to get his services in any league; shortstop/middle does not see too many quality imports, and this is one of them.

Lorenzo Cain $5.
Cain came into the year as a C+ prospect (John Sickels) after his stock dropped a bit in 2009. He did have a bit of the injury bug last year. Cain strikes out a ton and can run like the wind. This is always a fascinating combination; Cain sounds like Carlos Gomez, the guy he will likely replace. He’s worth a speed flier in your deep N.L.-only formats.

Dave Bush $5. Other bids: $1
Bush has managed to put up a 4.07 ERA despite a low K rate and a high BB rate. His xFIP is over 5.00, however, so this is a risky play for a pitcher on a team going in the wrong direction.

Paul Maholm $3. Other bids: $1
I wrote about Maholm here. He is still the same pitcher.

J.C. Romero $2.
Romero is having a nice season. He won’t close any time soon, so he is of value only in formats that reward relievers.

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