Sorry for so few posts over the last couple weeks. I was out of town and unavailiable. I did however witness Ryan Howard’s 200th career homer at Land Shark Stadium with 459 other people. On to business…
The MLB trade deadline is vastly approaching. That also means your fantasy league’s trade deadline is on the horizon. Here are some thoughts I have bouncing around in my head.
Randy Wolf -despite a paltry 4-4 record, Wolf has been superb playing for Mannywood. He sports a 3.51 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and has a strong 3:1 K:BB ratio. However, his best ERA and WHIP since 2004 is 4.30 and 1.33. I’m a big believer in course correction and believe that he will get to about 10 wins, but his ratios will balloon.
J.J. Hardy -has averaged 25 homers and a .280 average in the last two seasons. He currently sits at 11 bombs and .226. Pitch a low ball offer to a frustrated owner. J.J. will make you hardy.
Dan Haren -I know Haren perennially struggles in the 2nd half. I’ve read about it. I’ve known it. However, he is a much better pitcher now than he has ever been. He K’s 7.6 batters for every one walk. His WHIP sits at 0.80. Yeah he pitches in a launching pad and maybe his ratios get to 2.80 and 1.00 by the end of the year. Even so, I am not dealing him unless I am blown away. And by blown away I mean a player in the Mark Teixeira fold.
Johnathan Broxton -Broxton has pitched three days in a row, recorded saves in all three, and has been dominant in doing so. These outings have given fantasy baller’s false hope that the toe will no longer be an issue. The Dodgers are cruising in the West and Broxton will hit the DL in the coming weeks. Trade him now at peak value and pick up Ramon Troncoso in the meantime.
Adrian Gonzalez- Gonzo mashed 20 homers the first two months and has done diddly since. If you have stuck it out with him up to this point, ride the wave home. He will get hot again and finish with 40 homers. He is a definite hold.
Derek Lowe- Lowe’s ERAs over the past 4 seasons: 3.61, 3.63, 3.89 and a pristine 3.24 last year. His WHIPs: 1.25, 1.27, 1.27, and a sparkling 1.13 last year. He has been an underrated awful in 2009 and I see no reason why he will turn it around. He’s on pace to strikeout just over 100 hitters after averaging over 140 in the past 4. He may be worth a $1 bid next year, but I’m avoiding like the plague for the rest of 2009.
Jon Lester -Lester has turned into Steve Carlton over the last two months and I see no reason why it won’t continue. He is the best left handed pitcher in the AL and has made a huge spike in the K numbers this year. He has an outside shot at 250 K’s after sitting down a solid 152 in 210 innings last season. The post-season innings from last year have not hurt him and feel more than comfortable trotting him out there as your ace for now and beyond.
Adam Wainwright -Like Lester, Waino has turned into more of a punch-out pitcher in 2009. At his current rate he will rip thru the magical 200 mark while dragging the ERA and WHIP south. He is the picture perfect #2 pitcher for any fantasy or major league pitching staff.
George Sherrill -with the deadline approaching, he will inevitably be on the move. Jim Johnson is the handcuff to have here. Other closers that have a chance of being dealt are Chad Qualls and Matt Capps. And to a lesser extent Francisco Cordero and Huston Street. Plan accordingly.
Shane Victorino- I have really felt like Victorino has had a piss-poor year. His on pace for less than 30 steals and about 10 homers. He has eclipsed both those numbers in 2007 and 2008. His average has been great but he hasn’t done much else. I’m rooting for a blah second half so I can snag him cheap next year.
Brandon Wood- I’m starting to really hate the Angels. This guy has nothing left to prove at Salt Lake as he has been a man among boys there for a few years. He can play multiple positions and is currently being blocked by slaps like Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis. Vlad Guerrero and Torii Hunter are currently on the shelf and he still can’t crack the lineup. Either play this guy every day or trade him for Roy Halladay. Its not a no brainer on which to do, but how could you do neither????
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