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3 Up, 3 Down :: 5/10
by Tenacious D-Store
Published: May 10, 2008, 8:43 pm
3 Up
Hong-Chih Kuo - Now right away many of you are thinking Hong-Chih Kuo? D-Store's been drinking cough syrup again. Those of you who are thinking that are probably pussies who have never done a league with more than 10 teams. The Taiwanese lefty is holding his own so far this season. For the most part he is nothing but a long relief guy, and occasional spot starter. Kuo's four seamer is nothing special but he knows how to work that change-up and has developed a wicked slider. He recently pitched 3.2 hitless innings against the Mets to pick up his second win of the season. Even more impressive is his 33 strikeouts in only 24 innings. Kuo is a decent addition to NL only leagues and leagues of 16 teams or more. With the Dodger's currently having no reliable #5 starter and Hiroki Kuroda blowing chunks, Kuo may find his way in to the rotation on a more permanent basis at some this season if he continues at his current pace.
Felipe Lopez - Felipe Lopez says "Don't call it a come back", maybe because he was never really all that good. He is on a hot streak, but keep in mind that a hot streak for Lopez just means that he's getting on base and flashing some speed. If you think that he's going to hit 20+ homers and bat .280 again, then you are delusional. If Lopez can be taught that everything between the dugouts doesn't necessarily qualify as a strike and that he doesn't need to swing at everything, perhaps he can get on base enough to swipe another 40 bags. For the first time in a long time Lopez is playing every day and is worthy of consideration in deeper roto leagues to help you out with stolen bases, and now he is eligible at 2nd, short stop, and the outfield. Ladies and Gentleman, I bring you the new Ryan Freel alternative. Don't expect anything more.
Matt Joyce - The Tigers have waived bye-bye to Jacques Jones and welcomed a prospect who has breezed through their minor league system, outfielder Matt Joyce. Joyce may not be perfect, he defiantly needs to improve his strikeout to walk ratio, but for a guy who strikes out as much as Joyce he still sports a fairly decent BA. Joyce also likes to think he has decent speed, but he doesn't. In 33 minor league stolen base attempts, he was caught 15 times. He needs to stop the Willie Mays impression because he runs like John Kruk. Joyce will be an exciting prospect to watch and I expect to see a Cory Hart like impact for the Detroit Tigers this season. He may lose a few at bats to Marcus Thames, but for the most part left field is all his from this point out. I recommend adding him to AL only teams immediately, and he may be worth adding in mixed leagues as well.
3 Down
Barry Zito - What are doing?! Just because Barry Zito has gotten his rotation spot back doesn't mean he is worthy of adding to your fantasy team. Have you forgot why he lost that rotation spot in the first place? Xavier Nady wasted no time giving Zito a warm welcome back in the form of a two run blast. Zito went 5 innings in what was his best outing of the season so far, but it was still pathetic and he still lost. Since 2004, Zito has done nothing but damage the ERA and WHIP of fantasy teams, yet the same people keep drafting him because he was really good in 2002. There is no gentle way to break this too you. His 2002 stats were only helpful to your team in 2002, what has he done for you lately? Those who were foolish enough to add him deserve what you got for your efforts... Nothing! Zito is garbage, and if you don't believe me, than go ahead and start him for his upcoming two start week. Maybe after the Astro's and White Sox crush him, you'll learn to be a little more selective with who you chose to add to your fantasy team. And since I'm ranting at all the Zito owners... Stop drafting Mark Prior you Morons! I know you are all the same people.
Brian Fuentes
OK, let's try Manny Corpas again. What is going on in Colorado? Two ex - very successful closers who now can't save a game for the life of them. I'm done, I have cut both Fuentes and Corpas from my teams. Maybe it's time Taylor Buchholz gets a shot. After all he does currently have the lowest ERA and WHIP on the Rockies pitching staff. In the mean time don't waste a roster spot on any so-called Rockies closer.
Billy Butler - Now I acknowledge that even with Billy Butler's recent slump, the fact that his current .285 BA is the lowest we've seen all season is fairly impressive for a rookie. But despite the fact that Butler has been relatively successful at getting on base, he has nothing to show for it. 12 RBI's in 120 at bats? Give me a break, I thought this was the MLB's next big power hitting superstar. Even if he raises his batting average he is worthless in fantasy play if all his going to do is hit singles and fail to bring runners across the plate. Right now, I'd take Eric Hinske over him in a heartbeat. There has to be more effective options available in your free agent pool so don't be afraid to cut him loose.
Not So Fast
Nick Swisher - The bad news, Nick Swisher has yet to do a damned thing this season. The good news is at least he's out of the lead off spot, which didn't make any sense for him anyway. Swisher is not drafted for his batting average, he's drafted for his 30-40 home run potential and 80-90 RBI's. As of late, he is being dropped like a hot potato. It is still very early in the season to be cutting players like Swisher, right now he is the reason your league has bench spots. Give him another month to see what he does when the warmer weather hits. If nothing has changed, then cut him loose. Swisher is someone who should be picked up immediately if he is available in your league, just stash him and wait it out for now. He'll come around.
John Smoltz - John Smoltz is out for the better part of the month with a shoulder injury and I have to wonder Johnny is faking the whole thing just because he misses closing out games. By now everyone has heard that Smoltz has made it very clear that he is done as a starter and he either closes or quits. Ok so he probably isn't faking, but lets face it Smoltz is not a young man anymore. His injury appears to be nothing more than a very sore arm. He no longer has what it takes to pitch 7 innings in a row any more. That is no reason to drop him though, he still has a great arm and lets not forget how dominate Smoltz was in the past as a closer. It is absurd that his ownership in 10 team leagues has dropped from 96% to 53%. Closers are hard to come by, and Manny Acosta certainly isn't getting the job done. Smoltz's value remains unchanged, if you have enough relievers than trade him when he returns and manages to save his first couple of games. Someone will have interest.
Juan Pierre - Juan Pierre has gone from being one of the most dropped players this season, to one of the most added in the blink of an eye. At the moment Pierre is a great stop gag option for those of you who are waiting for Michael Bourn to break out of his recent slump, but this is nothing more than a hot streak. When the fire burns itself out Pierre will find himself right back on the bench. I wouldn't get too excited or drop anyone too valuable, but I suppose there is nothing wrong with riding out a hot streak.
Tenacious D-Store's Big Ol' Male Sack
Oh my Lord, Pissed Off Yankees Fan, your vulgarity amazes me and I still can't post that filth in this column. I acknowledge you only because you make an almost valid point. So to sum up your e-mail... Blah blah blah, Phil Hughes has a rib injury, blah blah blah, needs glasses, blah blah blah, my mother never loved me. Blah blah blah is right, Dude. Excuses and more excuses. Tell you what, when Phil Hughes manages to post even double digits in wins (regardless of his other pitching stats) you come talk to me. 10 wins in one season, that's a far cry from your prediction of a future Cy young winner. Until then, don't waste my time.
Hey Tenacious D
I have a team in a 25 team 7x7 Dynasty Rotisserie league (Batter Strikeouts, OPS, Holds and BBI added). My first basemen are Jason Giambi and Chris Shelton who I just added as a free agent. I have attempted to trade some of my pitching for a mid-range 1st baseman but haven't had much luck. I'm thinking I should drop one of my many middle relievers for a 1st base prospect who should show up and make an impact either this season or next. Do you have any suggestions as to whom I should add? - Zach
A 25 team league, you tell your commish I want a piece of that if a spot opens up. First off, Chris Shelton was a great pick up for you especially in a league this deep. It would appear that The Texas Rangers have little faith in Ben Broussard. However, they also seem intent on giving Frank Catalanotto as many at bats as possible, many of those will come at DH and left field though leaving lots of potential playing time for Shelton. Shelton is young enough that he could still break out and have a teriffic season, we know he has power, he just has to learn to use some patience at the plate and consistency will follow. I would even say he has more value than Giambi at this point. If he turns out to be a bust I do have a favorite first base prospect for you, Joe Koshansky. However, there is a problem and his name is Todd Helton. Koshansky has said he's open to moving to a corner outfield position, but with Brad Hawpe having signed an extension, and ongoing talks to sign Matt Holliday for eternity, a switch to the outfield is even less likely than getting past Helton. He might be there for you in 2010, but unless something happens to Helton he won't be playing for a major league team in 2009 unless the Rockies flip him for some pitching like they did with Shealy.
Nationals prospect Christopher Marrero is currently playing the outfield in single A but is considered the future 1st baseman for the Nats. Let's face it Dmitri Young and Nick Johnson are just about finished. Many sources will tell you that Marrero isn't expected to make a splash until 2011, but I'm gonna tell you that the Nationals may not have the luxury of waiting that long. Marrero is a tremendous power hitting prospect who got off to a slow start this season, but is currently finding his grove and should be moved up to AA class in the very near future. There is a lot of risk in grabbing Marrero right now because he is so young and inexperienced. He is someone you'll want to watch closely, I question how consistent he will be at the major league level if called up too soon. Lars Anderson of the Red Sox falls in to a very similar category.
However, you are asking about next year or maybe this year, and in that case the only name that comes to mind is Shelley Duncan. How much longer do you think the Yankees are going to put up with Giambi's $23,428,571 worth of ineffectiveness. This is the final year of Giambi's contract and I see no reason why the Yankees wouldn't just release him. Either they pay him to suck at the plate or they pay him to just go home. Regardless, Duncan is the man by 2009. He's already been called up and getting the odd at bat, so hopefully you didn't wait too long and allow someone else to pick him up since you are the one with Giambi. If you are too late try and swing a trade for him. I hope this helps you out a bit. Thanks for your question.
Keep the questions and comments coming. You can me by e-mail at tenaciousdstore@fantasyplaymakers.com. |
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