Fantasy Baseball Notes 6/8/2009

- Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz just missed a cycle by a single yesterday.  He's currently tied for the AL lead in homers with 17.

(Photo by Getty Images)

- Houston Astros closer Jose Valverde will begin his rehab assignment on Wednesday.  He's been out for a couple weeks with a calf injury.  If all goes well, he should be back with the Stros this weekend.

- I don't know what it is about Texas, but now Rangers closer Frank Francisco may need a second stint on the DL.  So if you're hanging onto CJ Wilson as insurance, you'll need to hang onto him a little longer.

- Like his status in the batting order, Jimmy Rollins' stock is dropping.  Rollins, who started the season in a great spot at the top of the order, is now sixth.  Hopefully this will get him out of his funk, but then again, if he can't hit with guys like Utley, Howard and Ibanez behind him, why would he hit better now?

- Hockeytown's baseball team, the Detroit Tigers are not sure how long they'll be without the services of 3B Miguel Cabrera.  He's less than 100%, but is capable of playing.  This leaves his owners hanging and unsure about when they can expect his bat to make a difference again.

- Red Sox speedster Jacoby Ellsbury injured himself yesterday sliding into second base and then later making a diving catch.  He's considered day to day and owners looking for steals this week from him, may need to look elsewhere.

- If you have Cincinnati Red OF Jay Bruce in your lineup, let me offer you my sympathies.  Bruce is in a nasty 6-52 slump and hasn't homered since May 27th.  That being said, he's probably a good buy low candidate right now.

- D-Back pitching ace Brandon Webb (remember him?) is hoping to throw a bullpen session next week and hopes to be back before the All Star break.

Posted Jun 08 2009, 12:04 PM by Nick Fruscello
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Comments

Buc Fever wrote re: Fantasy Baseball Notes 6/8/2009
on Mon, Jun 8 2009 4:15 PM

Nick,

I need some advice on my woefully underachieving rotisserie team this year. It's a league of great managers, so I guess I'm not doing terrible, but certainly not where I want to end up (9th out of 12). My team has been hurt by major injuries to my power guys (and R.I.P. David Ortiz), so I'm dead last in HR's and RBIs. Rotisserie point totals: R-5, HR-1, RBI-1, SB-12, AVG-9, W-6.5, SV-3, K-4, ERA-7, WHIP-7.

C - Brian McCann

1B - Miguel Cabrera (1B/3B)

2B - Freddy Sanchez

3B - Casey Blake (1B/3B)

SS - Derek Jeter

OF - Tori Hunter

OF - Jacoby Ellsbury

OF - Magglio Ordonez

Util - Nyjer Morgan

Util - David Ortiz

BN - Adam LaRoche

BN - Adrian Beltre

BN - Mike Napoli

DL - Aramis Ramirez

SP - CC Sabathia

SP - Dasiuke Matsuzaka

RP - Chad Qualls

RP - Rafael Soriano

P - BJ Ryan

P - Jered Weaver

P - Kevin Slowey

BN - John Maine

BN - Rich Harden (DL)

What are your thoughts on that team. I know, I know...any team that has 3 Pirates on the roster should expect to find themselves near the bottom of the standings. But those guys seem like my best options at the time. I picked Morgan up because there aren't many good OF's available right now, so I figured I'd build a decent lead in SB's and drop him later in the season (13 up on the 3rd place guy now). LaRoche offers the power for 25 HR's, which I figured I definitely need. I really thought Beltre was going to be a beast in his contract year, but he's been disappointing. With that said, I still think his potential to break out is more valuable than the guys available in FA. Napoli probably isn't needed, but dropping a 71% owned guy for someone owned by about 35% doesn't seem smart. And then don't even get me started on Ortiz...

Any advice on where to improve this team and how do you think it would perform once it gets healthy? I was thinking about picking up Ian Stewart from FA, since he's been on fire lately and I could certainly use the HR's. Is he worth dropping anyone I have for? And I need saves, and there are no closers in FA. Should I drop BJ Ryan and pick up CJ Wilson, hoping he'll get some save opportunities if Frank Francisco goes on the DL?

It's a pretty deep league, so the best available player is ranked 120 (Clint Barmes). Interesting guys would be: Aaron Rowand, Hank Blalock (waivers), Ian Stewart...and honestly, that's about all that's worthwhile.

Nick Fruscello wrote re: Fantasy Baseball Notes 6/8/2009
on Tue, Jun 9 2009 12:29 PM

Hey BucFever,

Considering its a 12 team league, your team really isn't that bad, just under performing due to injury or slump.  Ian Stewart is on a tear, but when he's not on a tear, he's really really awful.  Clint Barmes would be an upgrade over Freddy Sanchez.  He's on a hot streak since being moved to the 2nd spot in the Rockies order.  Plus, don't forget he played really well three years ago and looked like his former self last year during his limited playing time.  Ordonez has just started to come around again, so you'll have to wait for production from him.  Ortiz needs to get back on the juice or something, he's hurting your team especially if you drafted him high.  Check for Jim Thome too.  He's a power guy that will do better than Ortiz, Beltre and LaRoche.  Jack Cust is a pure power guy, he'll hurt you everywhere except HR and RBI, but when he's hot, he's incredible and he's having a nice start, in terms of power, 160 avg though.

I would get rid of Ryan for pretty much anyone.  He's not closing, so his value is pretty much nil at this point.  CJ Wilson is a fine pickup.  Look for David Aardsma too.  He's owned in only half the Y! fantasy leagues and is a pretty good closer for the M's right now.  

I think once guys stop sleep walking and/or get off the bench you'll have a much stronger team.  Remember, we still have the entire summer to go.  I can see why you would be frustrated right now, but I could see a lot of the players you have coming up big in the second half.