• I wrote about the currently state of Tommy John surgeries at The Hardball Times on Monday and Tuesday.

The key points for fantasy owners are ..

… no velocity increase after surgery…

Tommy John surgery doesn’t help a pitcher increase velocity. While there was a small increase from Season 1 to Season 3 in our sample, it would not be worth it for a pitcher to miss at a minimum one season to see a 0.1 mph bump that they then will immediately lose. Probably most of the increase is from a decline in production before the injury knocked them out of action, as well as the time spent rehabbing.

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I have enjoyed many of the discussions from the last couple of weeks in response to my invitations into innovation. I’ve expressed my displeasure with one of fantasy baseball’s most notorious categories. Then, because the feedback was so good, I asked what else those who play our game would like to see done differently as far as categories are concerned. The reaction has implored me to collect the ideas and sift through them to see what we can come up with and then take the conversation to another phase. I have also preliminarily developed a couple of suggestions that are intriguing, at least to me.

I realized after I’d posted the second one that I’d left out something, however. I’d wanted to ask what opinionated, creative rotisserie and head-to-head baseball game players thought of saves. Aw hell, let’s include the indifferent and unimaginative ones, too! OK, some of your reactions addressed that topic. And if you really expressed your feelings on saves, then I might have to censor all the curse words.

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The only player more invisible than a middle reliever in fantasy is a middle reliever who did not start the season in the majors. Not only does he lack those shiny saves, but he may not even qualify for the leaderboards you would use to uncover relievers who could help your ratios or possibly inherit a closer role down the line.

This season, there are quite a few relievers who have burst onto the scene with a lot of promise and, in many cases, a lot of strikeouts. What follows are some of those players who have caught my eye. Few are in play for saves, but these players are worth your consideration in holds leagues, deeper formats, and Ottoneu.
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We’re back at it again, checking in on the American League starting pitchers.

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Opposite ends of the fantasy baseball spectrum for folks in search of pickups, once again. One of these cats is basically no-duh, must-own material, but I just wanted to explain why I believe so for those who may be reluctant. The other is a flier, a shot in the dark, a cross-your-fingers type, and he just appeals to me.

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It’s time for another day of deep league wire fun. If you’re in dire need of a catcher or some speed, you have stumbled upon the right place.

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Episode 136

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is now live! Eno Sarris and Nicholas Minnix get hyped for #USMNT today before they discuss Jake Arrieta’s short- and long-term value; Sergio Romo and the Giants’ other options at closer; a bit more on the White Sox’s mess at closer; Neftali Feliz, Joakim Soria and how likely RPs are to be traded in general; Salvador Perez, by request; Domingo Santana; Oscar Taveras; Mookie Betts; and the demoted Jonathan Villar, new SS Marwin Gonzalez and the exciting Carlos Correa.

As usual, don’t hesitate to tweet us or comment with fantasy questions so that we may answer them on our next episode.

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Today is kind of a big day for the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. I’m excited. I haven’t really done the chant thing yet, but that’s mostly because I watched their group-stage matches in my home, where for some reason I’d feel more uncomfortable doing it.

I categorized the catchers for this month by USMNT’s all-time leaders in clean sheets. (That’s “shutouts,” which are registered by goalkeepers, for the uninitiated.) The Yanks could use one of those today versus Belgium. I doubt that they’ll be so fortunate, but I expect them to exhibit considerably more promise in the attacking third than they did against zee Germans.

The more clean sheets, the higher the netminder. No subjective hierarchy here. Just like my catcher tiers. Wink wink. You’re welcome to compare to last month’s.

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You guys are out and about. We guys are out and about. In between, we can help answer your fantasy baseball trade questions. Please tell us the settings in your league in a succinct way, as well as give us some idea of your team strengths. Without writing a novel!

You’ll get a response from me or one of our great RotoGraphs staff members for your trouble.

After perusing the most added list in CBS leagues yesterday, it’s time to jump to the other side and look at who you’re jettisoning from your roster. I typically find that fantasy owners are overreacting to a hitter’s slump or a poor start or two from a pitcher. However, this week it’s rather boring, with guys that did deserve to see a decline in ownership.

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