Roto Riteup — Presented By DraftKings: June 7, 2014

Today is the 29th anniversary of “The Goonies” being released. Here is a clip of Chunk’s confession because I can’t help but laugh every time.

On today’s agenda:
1. Solid outing for Drew Smyly
2. Jedd Gyorko to the disabled list
3. Thoughts on Asdrubal Cabrera
4. Marcus Stroman’s strong start
5. The daily five

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Solid outing for Drew Smyly
In yesterday’s outing against the Boston Red Sox, Smyly lasted six inning and struck out four. He gathered 10 swinging strikes along the way while surrendering a walk and five hits. It was his best outing in his past five starts and he has now lowered his rates to 3.81 ERA/4.28 FIP/4.01 xFIP. The Sox don’t hit left-handed pitchers particularly well — 98 wRC+ — but the start is encouraging nonetheless. I like Smyly as stream candidate but I wouldn’t roster him in 12-team mixed leagues just yet. Smyly is available in 50% of both CBS and ESPN formats as well as 75% of Yahoo! leagues.

Jedd Gyorko to the disabled list
After battling plantar fasciitis since at least Wednesday, the San Diego Padres placed Gyorko on the 15-day DL. There hasn’t been a timetable set for his return, but manager Bud Black did say he expects Gyorko to go through a minor league rehab stint. Gyorko has struggled this season — a .192 BABIP hasn’t done him any favors — and owns just a .162/.213/.270 thus far. Perhaps a few days off plus maybe even a few extra plate appearances against some minor league pitching can help get him back on track. Upon his return I still believe Gyorko can be a useful 14-team league player and even a 12-team mixed league relevant player. Given his eligibility at both second and third base he can slot into several different lineup spots. Gyorko is owned in over 50% of Yahoo! and CBS leagues though he is free to grab in 75% of ESPN leagues.

Thoughts on Asdrubal Cabrera
If we throw out Cabrera’s brutal April where he hit for a 79 wRC+ he has since compiled an impressive 122 wRC+ mark in May and June. In yesterday’s game Cabrera cracked his sixth home run and 13th double of the season. He’s been hitting second in the lineup for the past nine straight games as well as 13 of his past 14 starts. It seems as though Cabrera has found a comfortable place to hit and hopefully he can continue his strong May and good start to June. Some fantasy owners must have given up on him in April as he is available in over 35% of each of the three major fantasy sites. The brilliant and handsome Blake Murphy ranked Cabrera at 16 in his June shortstop rankings and I feel as though that is about right. He is a solid option at shortstop who can be found in over a third of the major fantasy leagues.

Marcus Stroman’s strong start
For the second time in a row Stroman has posted a quality start while fanning at least six batters. Yesterday he sat down seven St. Louis batters on strikes — and induced 11 whiffs — while allowing a pair of walks and seven hits. The Cardinals have fared decently against right-handed pitchers so it isn’t like Stroman blasted through the Chicago Cubs lineup. He generated a 58.8% ground ball rate yesterday and owns a nearly 60% rate for the season. Grounders, strikeouts and few walks is a recipe for success and I’m buying on Stroman. He is free to grab in just 50% of CBS leagues but Stroman is available in over 85% of both ESPN and Yahoo! formats.

The daily five
Starting pitcher: Alex Cobb — $9,000
Cobb faces the Seattle Mariners and their struggles against right-handed pitchers.

Starting pitcher: Jeff Samardzija — $8,800
I really like the shark even against a surprisingly good offensive club, Miami.

Infielder: Jonathan Singleton — $3,900
Singleton holds the platoon advantage over Kyle Gibson.

Outfielder: Yasiel Puig (again) — $5,600
The Los Angeles Dodgers take on a righty in Jhoulys Chacin in Coors Field. The Dodgers have the third highest wRC+ against right-handed pitchers thus far and Chacin is prone to allowing walks and home runs.

Other hitter: Scooter Gennett — $3,600
The Milwaukee Brewers and Gennett are up against the wild Edinson Volquez today. Gennett hasn’t been everything I had hoped, but he does hit righties quite well.

Remaining budget: 22,400

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You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.

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KilleBrews
9 years ago

David
Thoughts on Starling Marte ROS? I’ve been offered him for Kaz in my 12 team mixed. I’m not loaded with SP (Iwakuma & Minor probably my other top SP options if that’s any indication), but I always have a hard time turning down a hitter for pitcher swap. Thanks!

jim S.
9 years ago
Reply to  KilleBrews

Keep Kaz.

FeslenR
9 years ago
Reply to  KilleBrews

I’d probably turn it down too, though Marte has struggled in general. Try asking for a little more.