SN Update: 5/21/08

June 12th, 2008 kNuke

Pickups

1. Ryan Doumit: This is a few days late, but better late then never.  His value will increase for a few more days and he should produce as long as he’s healthy.  If you do pick him up, you better make sure to check his injury status on a minute-by-minute basis.
2. Gavin Floyd: His next matchup against the Colorado Rockies isn’t optimal, but his value should increase a little more and he’s only $1.08.
3. Ryan Ludwick: His price should rise for a few more days and he’s batting third now that Albert Pujols is out for 3 weeks.  Some people are worried that without Pujols, Ludwick will slip, but I think otherwise.  He’ll still have Rick Ankiel hitting behind him so he shoul be okay.

Possibility

1. JD Drew: His price is increasing, because the dude’s been en fuego since David Ortiz got injured, but we have to remember, this is JD Drew.
2. Edison Volquez: His price will increase for a few more days, but buyer beware, he’s pitching against the Boston Red Sox in his next start.
3. Ramon Vazquez: The guy is a good value at $1.13, but his price fluctuates like a woman’s mood so be watchful.

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

Injury Alert: Victor Martinez

June 12th, 2008 kNuke

To update my last post, Victor Martinez will be out about 6 weeks with an injured elbow.  Like I said before, good luck finding a replacement on the waiver wire right now.  Your best bet could be Rod Barajas, but be aware that Gregg Zaun is coming back from injury and will take away some of his at-bats. 

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

Injury Alerts

June 11th, 2008 kNuke

Albert Pujols is out for 3 weeks with a strained calf.  Get on the wire and see if Jorge Cantu is still available.  I doubt it, since the guy hit 2 bombs today.  If that’s the case, go ahead and pickup Ryan Garko or Ty Wigginton.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Alfonso Soriano is out for 6 weeks plus with a fractured hand.  I wouldn’t count on Soriano being back to normal for at least 8 weeks.  Luke Scott or Lastings Milledge would be adequate fill-ins for a couple categories.

JJ Putz seemed to have injured himself today.  Pick up Brandon Morrow quickly!

Another day, another injury for Victor Martinez, who left today with an injured elbow.  There’s not much help on the waiver wire catcher wise.  Swapping guys out on a routine basis might be your best bet.

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

2008 All-Asian Fantasy Team

May 31st, 2008 kNuke

Does anyone think they could win with an All-Asian Fantasy team?

• Catcher: Kurt Suzuki, Athletics
• First Base: Johnny Damon, Yankees (He’s played a few games at 1B)
• Second Base: Kazuo Matsui, Rockies
• Third Base: Akinori Iwamura, Rays
• Shortstop: Chin-Lung Hu, Dodgers
• Outfield: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
• Outfield: Hideki Matsui, Yankees
• Outfield: Shane Victorino, Phillies
• Utility: Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs
• Bench: Tadahito Iguchi, Padres
• Starting Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox
• Starting Pitcher: Chien-Ming Wang, Yankees
• Relief Pitcher: Hideki Okajima, Red Sox
• Relief Pitcher: Takashi Saito, Dodgers
• Pitcher: Hong-Chih Kuo, Dodgers
• Pitcher: Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers

Not a bad looking team huh?  If these guys didn’t get injuried, I’d like my chances of finishing in the Top 3 of a 12-team league. 

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

Closer Alert: Troy Percival

May 29th, 2008 kNuke

Troy Percival just went on the 15-day DL.  If you have an open roster spot, go and pickup Dan Wheeler and pray for a few saves.  The Rays have stated that they have a bunch of guys who can close games, which means they have none, but I’d put my money on Wheeler. 

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

Daisuke Matsuzaka getting MRI

May 29th, 2008 kNuke

Daisuke Matsuzaka returned to Boston for additional tests on his “fatigued” shoulder.  You don’t need me to tell you that this is bad news for Boston Red Sox fans and Dice-K fantasy owners. 

For fantasy owners, I’d guess he’ll miss a start then underperform in his next couple games.  You won’t be able to do much with his lingering injury status up in the air so hold on to the guy until he’s cleared.  If you don’t own Dice-K and feel like gambling, throw a trade out there and see if a skiddish owner will bite.

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

Jay Bruce

May 27th, 2008 kNuke

Jay Bruce made his MLB debut today with the Cincinnati Reds.  You couldn’t have written a better debut.  Bruce was 3-3, with 2 BBs, 2 R, 2 RBI, and a SB to boot. 

I doubt many of you fantasy players had Bruce playing today so the big debut won’t help you, but I wouldn’t expect many days like this moving forward.  First off, the Reds may not give him ample enough playing time to make an impact on your fantasy team.  Secondly, he’s basically an average one or two category guy, AVG and R/RBI, depending on where he bats.  You can find an average three category guy in Randy Winn!

If you were “lucky” enough to pickup the rookie, I’d package him quickly with another player to get a star who hasn’t performed well up to this point.  Guys like Carlos Beltran, Vladimir Guerrero, Mark Teixeira, or Miguel Cabrera come to mind.  If you’re hell bent on keeping Bruce, just be wary of the cold streaks that most rookies run into and promptly bench him.  Without AVG, he’s virtually worthless; remember to keep that in mind.

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

Clayton Kershaw

May 24th, 2008 kNuke

The Los Angeles Dodgers called up Clayton Kershaw from Double-A Jacksonville on Saturday and the 20 year old lefty is expected to start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.  With Double-A Jacksonville, Kershaw is 0-3 with a 2.28 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 43.3 innings.

If you don’t know who Kershaw is now, you will on Sunday.  The Sandy Koufax clone will be splattered all over ESPN.  Kershaw features a mid-90s fastball and a 12-6, off the table curveball. 

Fantasy owners:  Make it a point to pickup Kershaw.  He’ll pitch in a pitcher friendly park and post good strikeout numbers.  I’m guessing he’ll get off to a great start like Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds.  I’ll predict 3-0, 30 innings, 28 strikeouts, and a sub 3.00 ERA in his first 5 starts.  At that point, he’ll be at his highest value and a great trade token. 

Posted in MLB | No Comments »

Kosuke Fukudome

May 6th, 2008 kNuke

Everyone is declaring Fukudome the greatest thing to come out of Japan since Pokemon, but let’s hold on a minute.  The guy has one, I’ll give you a minute to jump on Google to check it…  Yes, that’s one homerun and only 13 RBI.  He’s hitting .331 with an OBP of .424, but I’m guessing both will come down once other teams figure him out.  I like the fact that he sees a lot of pitches and has affected the whole team’s approach, but let’s not get carried away with the guy just yet. 

At the beginning of the season I thought Fukudome would be a poor man’s Matsui, but he’s looking more like a poor man’s blend between Matsui and Ichiro.  Either way, I wouldn’t be too estatic about his production for a $12 million guy.  If I had to grade Fukudome out right now, I’d say he’d get a B.

For fantasy players, Fukudome is a big time sell high candidate.  He’ll finish with decent numbers, but you should be able to get another outfielder who’ll be better the rest of the way along with a 2nd tier starter or closer. 

Posted in MLB | 1 Comment »

MLB Injuries

May 1st, 2008 kNuke

What’s the deal with all the MLB injuries lately?  It’s too early for all these injuries!

Troy Tulowitzki is out till the All-Star break with a torn tendon in his left quadriceps.  If he was starting on your fantasy team, you’re probably happy he’ll be taking up a DL spot instead of your SS spot.  Can’t say I didn’t warn you about this guy sucking.  Clint Barmes deserves a pickup if he’s still available in your league.

Alex Rodriguez strained his right quadriceps and is on the 15-day DL.  If you have this guy, sucks to be you because you just have to wait it out.  Jorge Cantu may be available and is definitely worth a look.

Jorge Posada is on the 15-day DL with Arod, but his injury has yet to be determined.  You had to expect this at some point.  The dude is a 36-year old catcher, what’d you expect?  I hope you got a good backup.  If not, Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis, or Jason Kendall can be a short term addition, but it’s probably best to trade for a catcher if Posada will be out for an extended amount of time. 

Phil Hughes went on the DL with a broken rib, but he sucked so I hope he wasn’t on your fantasy team.  If he was, go bang your head on a desk, then come back and read my blog once the stars go away. 

Chad Cordero will be on the DL for about a month.  Go pickup Jon Rauch if he’s available in your league. 

John Smoltz is on the DL and headed back to the closer role.  If you’re a Manny Acosta owner, it’s time to trade him away.  If you’re a Smoltz owner, you should just be happy to get anything from Smoltz. 

On a happier note, Alfonso Soriano and Ty Wigginton came off the DL.  I’d start Soriano immediately.  If you have a roster spot, go pickup Wigginton and start him after about a week.

Posted in MLB | No Comments »