After blowing four saves in five chances, Ryan Franklin lost hold of his closer’s job for the Cardinals over the weekend. In his first crack at redeeming himself yesterday, the veteran right-hander allowed a solo homer (to Laynce Nix!) in two innings of work against the Nationals, coming into the 7th inning of game when St. Louis trailed by two. Clearly, he’s got a long way to go before reclaiming his job. But what about the guy that replaced him?
The Ryan Franklin and Joe Nathan/Matt Capps stuff is old news by now, but let’s get you caught up on some others in danger of losing their jobs…
Four or five years ago, these two guys were high-end fantasy players that you couldn’t dream of grabbing off waivers. Injuries and Father Time have a way of changing things, so here they are now, useful pieces instead of roster stalwarts…
Let’s take a quick look at two middle relievers heading in the opposite fantasy directions…
No, Albert Pujols will not continue to post a .280 wOBA this season and no, Paul Konerko’s .427 wOBA is (probably) unsustainable as well. Those guys have long track records and we know what kind of numbers they’re going to have at season’s end. This edition of Risers & Fallers focuses on some younger players without that kind of track record to fall back on…
Let’s look at two closers who, right now, are headed in the opposite direction…
Two starters and an outfielder as you contemplate whether or not Willie Bloomquist is actually worth a roster spot…
First base is fantasy’s deepest position, but even the surest of sure bets can fall victim to slumps. Albert Pujols has a .242 wOBA. Prince Fielder has a .000 ISO. Dan Johnson has an .067 BABIP. Okay, maybe that last guy doesn’t fit so well, but the point is that this kind of stuff happens. When those slumps happen at the start of the season, they’re even more noticeable. So if you’re dealing with a slow start or say, Adam Dunn‘s appendectomy or Carlos Pena’s sprained thumb, here’s three players that could help you weather the storm until your regulars start producing…
The season is all of a week old, not even when you consider that today’s games haven’t been played yet, but we’ve already had some movement on the closer front. Let’s take inventory of whose stock is on the rise, and whose is slipping…