Fantasy Friday 8/1/2008

I benefitted early on from Ellsbury, Ichiro, Pierre, Damon to a lesser extent.  For whatever reason, very few guys are even trying.  Rollins and Reyes are two more guys that seem to run rather infrequently.  I traded Reyes for pitching thinking that Weeks would fill the SB void, but have been disppointed.  Maybe Lewis is an answer.  Your thoughts? - Sent by Clueless

First, if you need steals make sure Willy Taveras isn't on your waiver wire.  He shouldn't be, but always check.  Second, Lewis is the answer if you're desperate.  He's awful against left handed pitching.  Alex Rios is a great option right now, he's was on a bit of a base stealing tear last month.  I think the reason players are stealing less these days than they were in the Ricky Henderson/Vince Coleman days, is due to the wear and tear on these players bodies and managers don't want someone at the top of their order getting hurt.  In fact, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez told Hanley Ramirez to steal less because they didn't want to risk the injury.

(Photo by Dirk Schadd/St. Petersburg Times)

 
It is interesting watching pitchers whose slumps tend to be tougher to break out of than hitters.  i did not draft well, but was fortunate to both ride up and properly get off early on Contreras, Vasquez, and Laffey.  Now perhaps similar concerns should be out on Volquez, Nolasco (did he merely build his run against bad teams), and maybe even Lackey who was initially really good when he came off the DL?  And then are guys like Baker, Cain, Jimenez, Lowe, Ollie Perez and even Garza for real? - Sent by Clueless

This is why I always tend to think pitchers first in drafts.  There are plenty of good or hot hitters on waivers pretty much all the time.  Last year, I picked up Ryan Braun and BJ Upton off waivers.  Good bats are always available.  Ricky Nolasco did have a couple rough starts this month, but he appears to be back on track after surrendering only 2 runs in 6 innings and striking out eight against the division leading Mets.  He has a bad outing every now and then, but every pitcher does.  As for Volquez, the Reds token All Star hasn't pitched well since the break, but I wouldn't worry too much.  Again a couple bad starts, shouldn't throw up the red flags.  If Edinson is still struggling by August 10th, you may want to start thinking about dropping him or trading him depending on when your leagues trade deadline happens.  Lackey is way too talented to give up on.  He got knocked around a bit last month, but he almost pitched a no-hitter the other night and he is the Angels ace.  I'm sure he'll come around.  I like Cain, but only because of his strikeout numbers.  Scott Baker is probably who you would want if Volquez can't regain form.

Hey Nick, I got Xavier Nady on my team finally.  The guy in my league dropped him as soon as the Pirates traded him to the Yankees and picked him up right away.  I ended up dropping Corey Hart to get him.  Am I blinded by my love of the X-Man or was this a good move?  Also, which ex-Bucco will do better with their new team, Nady or Bay? - XmaNdawg

Corey Hart has the potential to be a 5 tool player and plays like one for the most part, but if faced with a choice to have Hart or Nady, I'd go with Nady as well.  He has a much more powerful lineup around him.  He'll get better pitches to hit and will usually have guys on base when he's up.  If you needed the steals, you should have kept Hart, but if you're looking for good power numbers from here on out, X marks the spot.

I missed on Hamilton but caught Quentin.  Have also grabbed onto Dye who has to be considered a surprise.  Also, I think most realized how awesome the Rangers are, but what about the Brewers against the awful pitching in the Comedy Central.  Weeks, Hardy and Braun at the top of their order are not far behind.  Hardy just may be the Hamilton of the second half.  Most had him pegged as just another mediocre SS. Also, a bit surprised you did not give McLouth an honorable mention.  I jumped off his boat late in May, but he deserves credit for his July turnaround.  And his season taken on the whole is surely a surprise.  Finally, I must take issue with your Nady projection.  He will likely get hurt and he surely will scuffle against previously unseen and tougher AL pitching. - Sent by Clueless

Dye would be a surprise this season if he hadn't hit 44 homers and racked up 120 RBI's in 2006.  Big numbers for Dye are starting to be the norm for him.  The Rangers do have a lot of great hitting but I think some of that is due to their very hitter friendly stadium.  I don't think Hardy will be the Hamilton of the second half, but he will put up some great SS numbers.  It would be hard for him not to, batting in the two spot right ahead of Ryan Braun and the first baseman currently known as Prince Fielder.  You're right about McLouth though.  He does deserve honorable mention.  He is a great 5 tool player and would be, hands down, the biggest surprise in baseball if not for Quentin.  As for Nady, he hit his first jack of the season as a Yankee on Monday and another last night.  I think it'd be tough for him to not do well in their lineup.  I understand your point about the tougher AL pitching, however with all the talent in the Yankees lineup, he'll get better pitches to hit than he did in the Pirates lineup and I think he'll flourish.

Thanks for the questions guys, keep them coming.  Just click the contact link in the upper left hand corner and your question and my response will be posted here next Friday.