Roto Riteup: September 11, 2012
Instead of laughing at my usual quirky remark, please use this time to observe a moment of silence. Thanks.
Archive for September, 2012
Bullpen Report: September 10, 2012
• With Jonathan Papelbon unavailable tonight, the Phillies used Antonio Bastardo for the save tonight against the Marlins. Bastardo isn’t likely to receive many (if any) save opportunities for the rest of the season (or next), but it’s worth noting he’s pitched better than his 4.57 ERA would indicate. Bastardo has elite strikeout ability and with a 3.29 xFIP Bastardo is still one of the highly touted set-up men as we expected early in the season and he could even help out some of your ratios.
Read the rest of this entry »
An Unofficial September DL List
In September, teams are able to bring up any player to the majors that is on the 40 man roster. When a player gets hurt, a team has no incentive to put the player on the DL to open up a spot. Because teams are ignoring the DL, it is hard knowing exactly which players are not going to play and for how long.
The most important aspect that fantasy owners face is that the non-playing, hurt players can’t be moved to a DL slot without the DL designation. Teams in keeper leagues will be forced to keep these players on their active roster therefore denying an extra usable bench player on a fantasy roster.
How Much is Jim Johnson Really Worth in Fantasy
by Eno Sarris
September 10, 2012
Jim Johnson has 42 saves. You own closers for saves. Ipso facto bingo blatto, Jim Johnson is an elite fantasy closer.
— or —
Jim Johnson has 36 strikeouts in 58.1 innings. The average closer would have 65 strikeouts in that amount of innings. Ipso facto dingo datto, Jim Johnson is a poor fantasy closer.
Zach Britton & Jon Jay: Waiver Wire
The regular season is over for most fantasy leagues and the playoffs have begun, meaning all of that long-term planning and patience kinda goes out the window. Here are two players — one pitcher, one hitter — who can help you during the postseason push these next few weeks…
Zach Britton | SP | Orioles | Owned: 30% Yahoo! and 36.9% ESPN
Britton, 24, returned from the DL earlier this season and needed a few weeks to settle in before really taking off. Prior to yesterday’s self-imposed meltdown against the Yankees — five walks in 3.1 innings — he had allowed just three runs in his previous four starts combined. That included seven walks, 29 strikeouts, and a 55%+ ground ball rate in 28.2 innings against the Tigers, White Sox, and Blue Jays (twice).
Hardy & Gordon: HR/FB Decliners
September 10, 2012
On Saturday, I checked in on some surprising HR/FB ratio surgers and attempted to determine what we can expect from these hitters next season. Today I’ll look at the opposite end, those hitters whose HR/FB ratio have experienced a large decline. Will they be bargains in next year’s drafts or money traps?
Roto Riteup: September 10, 2012
You probably won’t be reading today’s Roto Riteup, as you’re probably perusing a football roundup instead.
Bullpen Report: September 9, 2012
by czar
September 9, 2012
• Haven’t said this in a couple months, but, “Heath Bell blew another one.” Ozzie Guillen turned to the big man on Saturday to try and finish off the Nationals; he responded by giving up a solo shot to Jayson Werth. In Bell’s defense, he did strike out the side around the homer. Nothing came across the wire that implied Steve Cishek (12/13 save conversion rate) was unavailable, so this has all the makings of Guillen trying to give his $27 million man another shot at the ninth inning. Bell has actually pitched pretty well since the beginning of June (3.35 xFIP, 3.9 K/BB) but Saturday’s outing still probably left a sour taste in the Marlins’ mouth. Don’t count on him for anything other than the stray save chance from here on out.
Roto Riteup: September 9, 2012
Wiers is out riding his pink lil’ pony, so you all are stuck with me for today’s Roto Riteup. You’re also stuck with a GIF of Bryce Harper.
Headley, Desmond & Butler: HR/FB Surgers
September 8, 2012
Every season there are a handful of hitters who experience power breakouts. As much as a fantasy owner would love to take credit for predicting such a surge, it seems more like a crapshoot to me. Sure, you could use 20/20 hindsight to find clues for some of these hitters, but those same clues likely failed to lead to home run increases for many others. Let’s see if we could figure out what to expect in 2013 from three surprises from this year.