N.L. FAAB Log: May 23, 2011

Matt Guerrier $16.  Other bids: $9, $9, $5, $2.

Well, Vicente Padilla had a chance to close for the Dodgers but finds himself back on the disabled list.  Guerrier has his turn now.  This is a pretty aggressive bid; there are, however, very few other takers for the job.  The situation reminds me of a quote from Starship Troopers, which I will paraphrase here: “Matty…I need a closer.  You’re it, until you’re dead or I find someone better.”

Jason Giambi $3.  Other bids: $3, $2, $1, $1, $1.

Giambi received a dollar for each home run he hit the other night.  Todd Helton does suffer from the occasional bad back, so Giambi will continue to see at-bats.  Until Wednesday night, however, he looked old and slow.  In our league, there were better options.

Tony Campana $2.

Campana is a tremendous story; whenever reaching the major leagues at 5’6” is the second hardest thing you will do in life (surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma being the hardest), well, you’ve lived a heck of a life.  The story got better, as he scored as a pinch-runner in his first major league appearance, then got a hit in his first major league at-bat.  Campana can fly, he can bunt, and he can play defense.  Jeff Baker just got hurt tonight, and there will be room for Campana on the roster for now…this is a good cheap speed candidate that warranted more than one $2 bid.

Ross Gload $1.

Filler.  Gload is one of the better pinch-hitters in the league right now, but pinch-hits are it with Chase Utley back, Domonic Brown back and John Mayberry, Jr. holding his own.

Ruben Tejada $1.  Other bids: $1, $1.

Tejada did not show much in his 2010 campaign, and his AAA statistics so far in 2011 do not inspire confidence for his future performance here.  He has not shown any speed since 2009, and the power is not there either.  Counting stats are important, but Tejada will bring a poor average with very little other contribution.

Jose Veras $1.

Veras has pitched very well for most of the season.  His K/9 is very attractive, and, in 5x5 leagues with strikeouts, he is an acceptable substitute for a poor starter.  If the walk rate continues to stay under control, he should continue to be successful.

Paul Maholm.  Claimed by 8^th, 7^th place teams.

See my Friday piece here.

Jason Motte.  Claimed by 9^th place team.

Motte lost interest from fantasy players because he fell out of the mix for saves in the Cardinals bullpen (impossible you say!).  His strikeout rate is down and his walks are up; he has not, however, pitched poorly.  He does not have any saves in his future, but is still serviceable.

Brett Myers.  Claimed by 10^th, 9^th, 8^th, 7^th, 4^th and 3^rd place teams.

See my Friday piece here.

Steven Pearce.  Claimed by 1^st place team.

Pearce is not slugging much, but is holding his own from an average perspective.  Pedro Alvarez is on the disabled list, so Pearce should see some additional at-bats.  There are very few better options at the corner position in most NL-only leagues, so Pearce is an acceptable place to look for counting stats.

Aaron Rowand.  Claimed by 12^th, 8^th, 5^th, 3^rd place teams.

See my Friday piece here. 

Nate Schierholtz.  Claimed by 5^th, 4^th, 3^rd place teams.

See my Friday piece here.