In Lieu of “The Sleeper and the Bust”

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” will not go live in this post. Jason Collette and I experienced some technical difficulties. Our sincere apologies. The good news is that this is an isolated incident, so expect us to avoid it in the future.

We did talk about fantasy baseball stuff, however. Here, I run down the topics we discussed and our main thoughts on them. As usual, don’t hesitate to tweet us or comment with fantasy questions so that we may answer them in our next episode. If you have a specific question you’d like answered heading into your week, then ask in the comments and we’ll get to it ASAP.

First, Jason wanted to mention a cause near and dear to him: Evan’s Young Warrior Fund. Some close colleagues of his, Evan’s parents, put this on as part of their efforts to combat a very rare disease known as AT/RT. They aren’t the type of people who ask for help, he says, so support from others is crucial to their fight. We ask only that, if you feel we’ve been of some help to you in your march to a roto or head-to-head title, you consider giving a tiny portion of your winnings to the fund. It’d be highly appreciated.

On to the baseball:

• An international scout reportedly believes that Yasmani Tomas could receive a contract worth as much $100 million. Fantasy owners may not want to be so quick to move, the way major league teams have moved, from cautiously to enthusiastically investing in Cuban exports, though, even in light of the relative success of Yoenis Cespedes, Yasiel Puig and Jose Abreu. Rusney Castillo, 27, is at his peak physically and may not have as much upside as those already mentioned. Tomas, 24 in November, has room to develop, but his approach is considered more flawed than the others’.
• Castillo will be up on Tuesday. Jason wouldn’t bid more than $10 on Castillo in an AL keeper league in which the salary is derived from the winning FAAB bid. I agree. I couldn’t see myself spending much more than that on him next year, right now.
• Castillo probably won’t present a PT headache for John Farrell. The Red Sox have moved Mookie Betts to second now that Dustin Pedroia (wrist surgery) is out. Brock Holt (concussion) is out indefinitely. A short-term absence from David Ortiz (family emergency) opens up a few at-bats, too. Next year’s outfield in Beantown, however, has the makings of a crowded one, depending on what happens this winter.
• Austin Jackson has struggled since the Mariners acquired him. The swing-and-miss has been rearing its ugly head in his game again. Jason isn’t confident enough to stick with him for the final couple of weeks unless he’s desperate for stolen bases. It depends on your potential replacement, of course. I still have hope that Jackson will contribute in the final two weeks.
• If you didn’t pick up Chris Young when the Yankees called him up, then you’ve already missed out his best week with them, easily.
• Matthew Clark has homered in three straight games for the Brewers. Don’t expect the 27-year-old, who whiffs too often, to keep it up. Those in deep leagues (NL, basically) desperate for power may want to give him a shot because he’s Milwaukee’s hottest option at first.
• The Rays will recall Nick Franklin. Jason believes that the club should find him about 25 to 30 plate appearances before the season ends, given that they hope Franklin is a big part of their 2015 picture.
• B.J. Upton sat out two of three games in a visit to an AL stadium. The Braves must no use for him. Ouch.
• The Cardinals say that they pushed back Michael Wacha because he was dealing with mechanical problems, and they believe that the issues are sorted out. We tend to believe them and aren’t worried that he’s still injured.
• Teams can counter developments like Wacha’s easily thanks to the luxuries of roster expansion. In general, don’t be tempted to chase stats from spot starters, who often come from the bullpen, have questionable skills, or both. Marco Gonzales, Daniel Corcino, Lisalverto Bonilla, and Bryan Mitchell don’t interest us, even next year. Definitely not Ubaldo Jimenez or Anthony Swarzak! Same goes for Alex Colome, who’s quite talented but whose problems with command have convinced Jason and me that the righty belongs in the bullpen.
• Nate Karns, who debuted for the Rays on Friday, is the exception to that rule.
• Rafael Soriano is back from a break from action but not yet back in the closer’s role. Drew Storen has recorded five saves in eight days and looks like the favorite to register the most for the Nationals in the final two weeks. Matt Williams hasn’t named Storen closer and hasn’t ruled out Soriano’s return to the job, though. That doesn’t concern Jason, but it does me, a little.
• Jason is worried that Greg Holland (triceps soreness) has returned to pitch while still injured. His velocity wasn’t quite up to snuff in his Friday appearance. It’s something to monitor. It could also be that he hadn’t pitched for nine days, I think. Just be cautious.
• Koji Uehara is finally back, but in low-leverage situations. Boston has stated its hope to get him back in the ninth by season’s end, but it has no incentive to put him back in the closer’s role in the final two weeks. You can drop him, especially if you have a greater need for that roster spot.
• Jason thinks that the teammates of Chris Davis (suspension) should be pissed at him. Davis had to have tested positive twice this season to be suspended, so without the therapeutic use exemption, why was he still taking it? The good news, perhaps, is that the suspension opens up PT for Steve Pearce and a bit of Kelly Johnson (mild power) or Jimmy Paredes (plus speed).
• We, of course, can’t expect to see Giancarlo Stanton (facial fractures, dental damage) again this season.
• Miles Mikolas (shoulder soreness) is unlikely to pitch again this season, but he interests me a little, for next year.
• Jason and I wouldn’t trust Anthony Rizzo (back discomfort) in our lineups this week. Even if he returns in the middle of it, he’d probably get a day off, maybe two, given that it’s back issue and he hasn’t played since 8/26.
• Jason’s rule of thumb for players with minor injuries at this time of year: If the team is in contention, then the player is likelier to be back in there. He wouldn’t trust Justin Morneau (intercostal/lat soreness), either. I think that the Diamondbacks would like to get David Peralta (back discomfort) back in the lineup if possible, though. Jason’s rule leaves him more optimistic about Chase Headley (facial injuries) and even Carlos Beltran (bone spur in elbow).

Again, our sincere apologies on the podcast. You’re welcome to ask questions in the comments through Monday and expect answers.