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Albert Pujols - The Last Hope For Baseball?
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
I am a huge Albert Pujols fan. I’m also glad that he is wrecking the ball because I own him in my fantasy baseball keeper league (seven years running!). Obviously, that last part doesn’t really affect you unless you’re in said keeper league. In any case, the question sometimes arises in fantasy baseball, especially nowadays, whether or not you care if one of your players is taking some kind of performance enhancing drug (PED). The obvious answer is two-fold: 1) not as long as he’s putting up crazy numbers and 2) only if he gets caught.
Which brings us back to Pujols.
He is one of those players under scrutiny as every ballplayer that does well is. It’s just natural in today’s game because of the steroids mess that started with Jose Canseco bringing it to the spotlight to Alex Rodriguez’s use. So, is there any way not to think that Pujols is juicing? I’d like to think so. Sure, I can pull up the consistency of his stats, his command of the strikezone, and the fact that he was never named on any list as being under suspicion. In fact, Pujols was erroneously mentioned as being a user at one point. But because I say what I believe doesn’t mean that you’ll believe it too.
In fact, I’d like to take back my, “I’d like to think so” statement above and say, “I believe so.”
Maybe I’m turning a blind eye or choosing to be ignorant, but with Pujols’ current chase of the NL Triple Crown (lead the league in Batting Average, Home Runs, and Runs Batted In), as well as the almost accepted opinion that all players juice, I’d like to think… no… I believe that Pujols is doing something special. Why? Because I love baseball and have since I was five-years-old and with the presence of steroids in the game, I need something to believe in.
And Albert Pujols is as good a bet to believe in as anything else.
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With the Football season just under two weeks away, The Pocket Guide to Fantasy Football: 10 Strategies To Dominate Your League from Draft Day to the Playoffs, by Dennis Velasco and David Sandora will be an invaluable resource for participants in all types of fantasy leagues.
This pamphlet is a very quick read, its only 67 pages long. But as a wise man once said, “Quality over quantity. Especially when it comes to fantasy football guides.” This pamphlet’s strong suit is the way it looks at all aspects of the game…not just the four quarters of the game. Pages 34 and 35 give reasons why a receiver on your team might be on the decline, such as a move to a team where they are given a different role, or if their NFL team drafted a receiver with a high pick in the NFL draft. Many examples and reasons for a decline or an improvement may seem unorthodox; but they all can play a legitimate role in your upcoming fantasy season.
In just 67 pages, this pamphlet really pulls out all the stops. The beginning goes over what type of fantasy league is right for you, and even goes over how the “Rotisserie,” league was created. The “Head to Head” type of league is also given a summarization for even the most basic football fan; “Can you see why
head-to-head leagues are great amongst friends? Trash talking galore and well-earned bragging rights for a whole football offseason!”
From there, the book delves into other fantasy areas: Draft types, point designations, and what sources to use to construct your fantasy team. The majority of the book revolves around the 10 tips that fantasy football veterans Sandora and Velasco give out for dominating your league. These tips range from knowing when an NFL player goes on the decline to explaning the infamous Madden curse, and why its not just bad luck that the curse seems to be in effect each season. The end of the book contains complete rankings from Scott Sargent of sportsgrumblings.com of the 100 best players in the NFL this season, and the top 20 quarterbacks, runningbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers, and teams.
It would be handy for the easy going, moderate, or hardcore fantasy football fan to keep this pamphlet handy on draft day. Its a very straightforward and easy read, and contains useful information for you to come out on top of your fantasy league this season.
Rex Grossman just completed the collapse of all fantasy collapses throwing 4 interceptions and losing 2 fumbles to the Arizona Cardinals defense… and the Bears still won. He threw for less than 150 yards and no touchdowns in one of the worst QB performances of the season.
ESPN must have jinxed him by saying that he had finally arrived on the NFL scene.
Tonight, many a fantasy owner are not the least bit thrilled about being tricked into trusting this relatively unproven signal caller.
With this being the last week, my column will cover all of the American League today and focus on playing time.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
The Orioles were eliminated from the playoffs long ago and will continue to mix in some younger players with the veterans.
Jeff Fiorentino will play in left field against right-handed pitchers at the expense of David Newhan. It is actually odd that the Orioles would not give all the playing time in left field to a prospect like Fiorentino over a veteran with an empty skill set like Newhan.
In his last start, Hayden Penn finally pitched like the good prospect he is supposed to be by allowing 2 ER in 6.2 innings against Tampa Bay. He could be in-line for two starts this week. Considering that he had allowed 22 ER in his previous 3 starts and one of his starts this week is against the Yankees, who lit him up for 7 ER in 3 innings, he is not worth using in any format.
BOSTON RED SOX
The Red Sox are now officially eliminated.
Coco Crisp will undergo surgery on his left index finger tomorrow and is done for the year. Based on a disappointing 2006, he will probably be undervalued going into next year. The injured finger most likely hampered his swing and he had 22 stolen bases in just 105 games. Gabe Kapler and David Murphy could see some time in center field. Wily Mo Pena could also slide over from right field.
Manny Ramirez has appeared as a pinch-hitter and could return to the line-up on Tuesday. You better have a real good option if you are going to keep him reserved this week.
Devern Hansack figures to get one more start this week. In his first start, he allowed 3 runs in 5 innings against the Blue Jays. He is 28 years old, was pitching at Double-A this year, and just made his major league debut. That should tell you all you need to know, avoid him.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
The Sox hold onto a slim chance of being the wildcard team. Odds are they will be eliminated early in the week.
Jose Contreras is done for the season with a strained right hamstring. Either Brandon McCarthy or Charlie Haeger will get the start. Control issues make both risky plays.
Joe Crede continues to miss an occasional game with back problems. Once the team is officially eliminated look for Josh Fields to get the majority of the starts at third base.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes
SEATTLE MARINERS
Jarrod Washburn is likely done for the year after straining his right calf in last Tuesday’s start. Washburn secured a nice free agent contract after pitching over his head in 2005 with a 3.20 ERA. This year his surface stats of an 8-14 record and a 4.67 ERA better reflect his soft skills of a 4.96 K/9 and a .98 G/F ratio.
Ryan Feierabend figures to get the starts in Washburn’s place. The 21-year-old southpaw spent most of the season in Double-A, where he impressed with a 9.16 K/9. However it is a big jump to the majors and his high Double-A BB/9 of 3.22 and ERA of 4.29 suggest that there is some work to be done. Avoid him in all formats.
After a monster first-half of 20 home runs and 70 RBIs, Raul Ibanez has faded in the second-half to 9 home runs and 44 RBIs. The overall numbers of 29 home runs and 114 RBIs look great, but chances are it is a career-year for the 34-year-old Ibanez that was fueled by an unsustainable first-half.
The Mariners are wisely shutting down 20-year-old Felix Hernandez after his start tomorrow in Chicago. He has pitched 179 innings so far this year.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Josh Fields went deep in his first major league AB. The 23-year-old prospect is a 3B by trade, but will play some OF in the Venezuelan Winter League. The White Sox will decide in the off-season whether to move the arbitration eligible Joe Crede, who will also need off-season back surgery. Fields had a very productive season in Triple-A, batting .305 with 19 home runs and 70 RBIs. The only hole in his game is poor contact skills, which means he probably will not hit for average in the major leagues. He may see some starts if the White Sox are eliminated from playoff contention.
After a great first-half of 30 home runs and 77 RBIs, Jim Thome has slowed down considerably in the second-half with 11 home runs and 25 RBIs. His season of 41 home runs and 102 RBIs still looks good, but the second-half fade is something to consider for the 36-year-old Thome going into 2007.
Freddy Garcia continued his hot pitching with an 8 inning, 1 hit, shutout performance against the Tigers on Tuesday. Over his last 16 innings he has allowed just 2 hits.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
NEW YORK YANKEES
With back-to-back doubleheaders against Boston over the weekend and Corey Lidle going to the bullpen due to tendonitis in his right index finger, Jeff Karstens and Darrell Rasner will get starts this week against the Blue Jays. In 28.2 innings this year, Karstens has a 4.08 ERA, 3.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and a .77 G/F ratio. Fly ball pitchers with low K/9s are a risky proposition. It seems like a disaster start is right around the corner for Karstens. Rasner has put up good numbers in Triple-A this year, a 2.76 ERA, 7.2 K/9, and a 1.7 BB/9. He has continued the good work since being called up to the Yankees, with 8 K’s and no walks in 11.2 innings. If you are chasing wins, Rasner could be a good pickup for the week.
Gary Sheffield should also be back by the end of the week. Mixed leaguers should keep him reserved until there is a good read on how the playing time will shake out.
Mariano Rivera’s next bullpen test will be tomorrow. If all goes well he could return on Friday. For those that have both Rivera and Kyle Farnsworth on their teams, reserving Rivera is the better bet. Even if he returns on Friday, Farnsworth could still see save chances over the weekend, as it is doubtful that Rivera will pitch more than an inning or in back-to-back games.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Kendry Morales is back with the team. He had a fine season in Triple-A with 12 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .320 batting average in 256 AB. The same cannot be said for the time spent in the major leagues this year. In 186 AB, he is hitting a low .237, while not displaying much power. He remains a prospect, but with the Angels still in the playoff hunt, he will not see much playing time.
Jered Weaver continues his outstanding rookie campaign with a record of 11-2 and a 2.30 ERA. With a .62 G/F ratio, the right-hander is an extreme fly ball pitcher. Pitching in Angel Stadium is a good fit for that skill set, as it reduces left-handed batting power by 7%. His home/road ERA split of 1.38/3.05 plays this out. There are three American League stadiums that significantly increase left-handed batting power. They are Ameriquest Field (37%), U.S. Cellular Field (31%), and Safeco Field (19%). Of the three, Weaver has only pitched in Safeco Field. In his first outing there, he allowed 1 ER and no home runs in 7 innings. His second Safeco Field outing is a different story. In that game, he surrendered 4 home runs in 4.2 innings. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the other two left-handed batting, homer-happy parks.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Following a disaster start at home against Minnesota on August 26th, Jose Contreras has put together 3 consecutive quality starts. In his last 21 innings, he has allowed 4 ER and just 4 BB’s, while striking out 23. A decline in his K/9 plagued him as he struggled in July and August. A sore back has bothered him for most of the year and perhaps this is a sign that he is feeling better.
Bobby Jenks is pitching with a sore hip and it really seems to be affecting his performance. In his last 4 appearances he has blown two saves, lost a game in extra innings, and allowed 6 ER. Fantasy owners of Jenks need to monitor this situation closely. With the team in a battle for the wildcard, they cannot afford to be using an injured and ineffective closer. If manager Ozzie Guillen decides to make a change, Mike MacDougal should be the one to takeover. After missing the entire first-half of the season with a shoulder injury, MacDougal has been fantastic since returning. Pitching in the set-up role for the Sox, he has a microscopic 1.01 ERA in 26.2 innings. Throughout his career, he has been a high strikeout, high groundball pitcher with control problems. This year he is maintaining the high G/F ratio and striking out less hitters, but he has really reined in the control with a very low 1.0 BB/9. The new approach seems to agree with him.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Rodrigo Lopez has been moved to the bullpen for the rest of the season. After a brutal first-half of the season, he has actually pitched rather well since the All-Star break, with a 4.52 ERA, 7.51 K/9 and a 2.2 BB/9. Lopez is a free agent at the conclusion of this season and almost certainly will not be back with the Orioles in 2007. If he moves to the National League, he could be a sleeper for next year.
The second-half of the season is a better read on a rookie’s skills. After hitting .285 in the first-half of the season, pitchers have caught up with Brandon Fahey, as evidenced by his post-All-Star break batting average of .175. His future is as a utility infielder.
You know things are bad when you allow 7 ER in 3 innings and actually lower your ERA from 108.00 to 36.82. Avoid Hayden Penn in all formats for the rest of this season.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
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