Fantasy Sports Advice, Analysis and Projections | The Fantasy Fix
 
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Freddy Sanchez
This article should be called Tulowitzki Two for obvious reasons.  For starters, one of the Top 3 Second Baseman just landed on the DL with a broken foot.  Second, this position like Short Stop has very few Elite players on Top, and then a tremendous drop off in talent and statistical production.  It’s important to remember that replacing this kind of player for the long run is a difficult task.   So let’s approach this a little differently than we did with Tulo because it doesn’t sound like Pedroia will be out as long.  

What we want to find here in not so many words is Rent-A-Player to fill the void of Pedroia’s absence.   I’ve done the research as usual, you make the choice and take credit for all the success.  Here is a look at what we lost, what we need to replace, and a base to build from:

Dustin Pedroia (Season):  52 Runs-12 HRs-41 RBIs-8 SBs-.292 BA (295 ABs)

(Month):   19 Runs – 4 HRs - 16RBIs - 6 SBs - .330 BA (103 ABs)

The players below can be found on your Free Agent/Waiver Wire and will be welcome additions to your battered lineup:  

(Statistics for the Past 30 Days Displayed) 

Freddy Sanchez SF:  16 Runs – 1 HR – 15 RBIs – 0 SB - .330 BA = Welcome back to the Bigs Freddy, he may be the spark the Giants needed to take a leap in the West. VERY CONSISTANT.

Jose Lopez SEA:  15 Runs - 3 HR - 11 RBIs - 0 SB - .287 BA = I’ve promoted Lopez a lot this season, but many have waited, and he sits available in over half of Fantasy Leagues. No Guts No Glory.

Neil Walker PIT:  16 Runs - 3 HRs - 11 RBIs - 2 SB - .288 BA = Here is one of those players that you put on your watch list, and wait for him to slow down, but he never does.  Will you be the last to leap?

Mike Aviles KC:  15 Runs - 0 HRs - 7 RBIs - 1 SB - .286 BA = Runs Runs & more Runs.  Mike is an excellent table setter and gets around the bases quickly.  

Carlos Guillen DET:  10 Runs - 4 HRs - 13 RBIs - 0 SB - .264 BA = When he is healthy I’d put Carlos as the #1 replacement.  But he gets banged up a lot, and that type of risk is not what we need from an injury replacement player.

Clint Barmes COL:  8 Runs - 1 HR - 12 RBIs - 2 SBs - .263 BA = Clint has a history of playing very well when given a short term starting role. His continued utility role in Colorado relies on this opportunity.

Pedroia Owners: Who is available on your wire? How do you plan on replacing DP?
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox, Freddy Sanchez, San Francisco Giants,  Mike Aviles, Kansas City Royals, Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners, Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Pirates, Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers, Clint Barmes, Colorado Rockies

 
 
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Angel Pagan
Every week aside from my standard Fantasy Baseball dealings I practice a little exercise to improve my research and team management skills.   On Sunday evenings I comb through who is available on the waiver/free agent wire, regardless of need, to familiarize myself with the current inventory.  Next, I try and create an entire starting team from all available players to compete against my current starting squad.  This helps me on a broad spectrum for watching the trends of potential replacements, upgrades, and the occasional spot starter.  Below are the players I feel have the best chance of competing against my Starters.  FYI: It’s a Yahoo – 12 Team - H2H - 5X5. 

Included are the previous 4 weeks stats (R-HR-RBI-SB-AVG):

Week 12 Hitters

C =
Ronny Paulino FLA  (11-1-15-1-.333):  With John Baker on the 60-day DL until Aug., Ronny has been very productive playing every day, and is worth the start with the hot bat.

1B =
Lyle Overbay TOR (10-3-11-0-.298): Lyle has had 4 mutli-hit games in the past 10 days.  I’ll take that over the inconsistency of rookie Justin Smoak, even though his numbers are better over the month.

2B =
Neil Walker PIT (12-2-9-2-.299):  WHO??? That’s right Neil Tops my list at a VERY weak position.  He was the 11th overall pick in 2004, but is still only 25.  Needing Runs from this position, he fits the bill because of his ability to get on base while hitting 2nd in the order.

3B =
Kevin Kouzmanoff  OAK (11-3-14-1-.327):  Finally….Kouz since May 31st has raised his BA 41 points from .244 to .285.  It didn’t hurt that he had 7 multi-hit games in 9 days over the last 2 weeks.

SS =
Cliff Pennington OAK (11-0-3-3-.213):  Anther Athletic making the list here.  Rookies like Cliff have stats that are Volatile and Inconsistent.  I’ll ride the bullish bat in a current 5 game hit streak and 7 of 8.

OF =
Delmon Young MIN (15-4-26-1-.360): 9th HOTTEST hitting Outfielder in ALL of baseball right now.

OF =
Angel Pagan NYM (16-1-13-9-.311):  Pick a Met any Met…I can’t believe I’m saying that. You get a little bit of everything with Pagan.  The SBs are especially nice.

OF =
Jason Kubel MIN (12-6-22-0-.277): The law of baseball averages is never wrong…it was only a matter of time.  Hitters will hit.

Week 12 Pitchers (IP – W – SV – K – ERA – WHIP)

SP =
Jeremy Bonderman DET (40.2 -2 -0-30-3.32-1.20):  Good to see him back to form. 

SP =
Mark Buehrle CWS (32.2-3-0-23-3.86-1.47): Probably the most consistent in baseball. 1 of only a few TRUE Aces.

SP =
Bronson Arroyo CIN (40.2-3-0-16-4.20-1.43): Ground ball pitcher is finally getting run support & Wins.  Can’t rely on him for many or any strikeouts he’s just not overpowering enough.

SP =
Scott Feldman TEX (39.1-4-0-24-4.35-1.53): 17 Wins in 2009, but only 5 in 2010. The good news, 4 have been in the last month, and the Rangers are winning lots of games. May still get to 15 this season.

SP =
Jason Hammel COL (41.1-4-0-32-1.74-1.16):  WOW I can’t believe this guy is not on a roster.

RP =
R.A. DICKEY NYM (32.1-5-0-29-2.78-1.39):  There are NO closers available, so I felt that R.A. deserved the final spot on my roster.  As my reliever (Duel Eligibility SP/RP) he has more wins than any of my starters over the past month with 5.  And oh yeah…. Pick a Met any Met.

Who could you use to beat your starters?  

Post a comment with your thoughts and your Free Agent Roster.  I’ll post the results next Sunday night.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Angel Pagan, New York Mets, Jason Hammel, Colorado Rockies, R.A. Dickey, Scott Feldman, Texas Rangers, Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds, Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox, Delmon Young, Minnesota Twins, Jason Kubel, Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Pirates

 
 
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Mike Aviles
Disaster struck today when the Colorado Rockies placed Troy Tulowitzki on the DL with a broken wrist.  He is expected to miss six to eight weeks or approximately 30-40% of the entire Fantasy Baseball Regular Season.   At an already top heavy position where the drop off is significant after the Elite players, fantasy owners need to make a quick concise decision.  You don’t want to put yourself in a position where you have to pick up a new (SS) every week because of lack of production.  This strategy just wastes moves, and fuels frustration.  Let’s not waste any time and get to business….I’ve done the homework, you make the decision.  

Below is a look at who will be potentially available, and where I believe they should be ranked. 
 (Last 30 days stats:  Runs-HR-RBIs-Avg.-At Bats) 

Alexei Rameri  CWS (18–4–12-.293-99ABs) Prime Age 28, He has a great swing, and starting to heat up, could be in line for a big 2nd half. 

Marco Scutaro BOS (17-2-15-.321-109ABs) Great Team with Lots of Lineup Protection, 35y/o, consistent career producer – mediocre. 

Jason Bartlett  TB (Just off DL  4-1-2-.167-36ABs)  Fresh off DL, may need a week to work on timing. Players who’s game relies on speed need healthy legs...this was the break he needed. 

Miguel Tejada BALT (11-0-4-.270-111ABs) Consistent Veteran, True Professional Hitter, Very Friendly Hitters Park, Decent Protection at Top of Lineup by Nick Markakis. 

Mike Aviles  KC (16-0-9-.284-88ABs)  Good Source of Runs combined with OK Average.  Mike has been troubled by injuries the past 2 seasons after a monster 2nd half in 2008.  Sleeper Potential. 

Replacing Troy Tulowitzki is truly impossible.  (19 Runs-8HRs-19RBIs-.323-93ABs – 4SBs) These numbers rank him 9th Overall over the past month under Yahoo Rankings.  This does not mean your season is over though.  Making the correct decision now can and will keep you right in the playoff/championship hunt.  

Tulo Owners: Who is available on your wire? How do you plan on replacing Troy?
Leave a comment at the top of this article, or hit us up on Twitter!
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies, Mike Aviles, Kansas City Royals, Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles, Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay Rays, Marco Scutaro, Boston Red Sex, Alexi Ramirez, Chicago White Sox

 
 
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Carlos Santana
Sure ThINgDIAN

Word on the street is (via
Cleveland Plain Dealer) that the Indians may call up ELITE Catching prospect Carlos Santana before the All Star break.   He has spent the entire 2010 season playing for the AAA Columbus Clippers of the International League.  Last season, he played at the AA level in the Eastern League for the Akron Aeros, and started in the AA - All Star Game.  Here’s what you need to know about how good he is:



(AA) Akron (2009) :  130 Gms – 428 ABs – 91 Runs – 23 HRs(30-2B/2-3B) – 97 RBIs  - 90 Walks - .290 AVG
 (3A) Columbus (2010): 56 Gms – 192 ABs – 36 Runs - 12 HRs(12-2B/1-3B) - 48 RBIs – 44 Walks - .307 AVG

This is important to know on so many levels.  He will immediately be an impact hitter at an offensively scarce position.  In keeper leagues you will be able to lock him up at a very low price, or just steal him off of the free agent/waiver wire.  Remember about 3 weeks ago when all of the hype was about Buster Posey Catcher for the SF Giants.  Everyone jumped on him because it is so difficult to get such talented youth at the Catcher position.  Let’s put this into perspective how good Santana is:

Buster Posey (skipped AA level)

(A) San Jose  (2009) :  80 Gms – 291 ABs – 63 Runs – 13 HRs(23-2B/0-3B) – 58 RBIs  - 45 Walks - .326 AVG
 (3A) Fresno (2009) :  35 Gms – 121 ABs – 21 Runs – 5 HRs(8-2B/1-3B) – 22 RBIs  - 17 Walks - .321 AVG
 (3A) Fresno  (2010) :  47 Gms – 172 ABs – 31 Runs – 6 HRs(13-2B/2-3B) – 32 RBIs  - 28 Walks - .349 AVG

From a production standpoint Carlos Santana looks like he should produce across more categories than Posey because he has considerably more power.  Posey has not disappointed since his call up, batting .444 in 45 ABs, but only has 1 HR & 4 2Bs.  Look for Carlos to eclipse Posey’s statistics by year’s end.  Keep your eyes peeled for the news of the impending call up and grab him IMMEDIATELY!!!!! 


Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Sports Blog, The Fantasy Fix, Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians, Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

 
 
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Corey Hart
It’s a strange feeling losing Grady Sizemore for the year because for all intense and purposes he never really showed up.  His name alone had him owned in upwards of 90% of leagues entering Week 9.  Yet in 128 at bats Grady was hitting .211 with only 15 Runs 0 Homers  13 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases.  To put things into perspective Kyle Blanks in 103 at bats had 14 Runs 3 Homers 15 RBIs, and 1 Stolen base (he also hasn’t played in 2 weeks, and is currently in the minors).  Being the optimist that I am I ask myself what it the upside to this loss?  This was a blessing in disguise, and literally picking up ANY other starting Outfielder will give you an immediate boost.  That’s not good enough though, you want the best available player on the wire to fill your void.  

There are 2 things you can look at:
  1. Best Available Outfielder covering the 5 major offensive statistical  areas (R-HR-RBI-SB-AVG)
  2. Your team has 1 pressing need and consistently loses 1 of the 5 categories above, so you grab the best player excelling at that category.
Let’s take a look at who makes the most sense to pick up covering both these perspectives.Option I (Well Rounded Starters)

            
                 H/AB-Runs-HR-RBI-SB-Avg
  1. Drew Stubbs     42/178-31-6-26-12-.236  Cincinnati Reds
  2. Corey Hart        43/167-23-14-35-3-.257  Milwaukee Brewers
  3. Jason Kubel      37/163-15-6-31-0-.227    Minnesota Twins
  4. JD Drew           53/193-33-6-33-1-.275    Boston Redsox
  5. Cody Ross        61/205-27-5-30-3-.298    Florida Marlins
  6. Jose Guillen      51/209-33-12-34-1-.244  Kansas City Royals
Option II (Single Stat Upgrades)


Runs

Seth Smith = Scored 19 times in the last month, huge beneficiary of Dexter Fowler’s demotion.
Fred Lewis = Scored 18 times in the last month, Leading off for a team full RBI machines.

Home Runs

Corey Hart = has 11 HRs in the last 30 days.  Enough said.

RBIs

Delmon Young = He may not have the pop we would like, but he still drove in 18 over the last month.
Hideki Matsui = More like a Gecko than Godzilla, but still hits 5th on a very good team driving in 18 over the last month.

Stolen Bases 
Juan Pierre =  22 Swipes this year
Nyjer Morgan = 12 SBs in 2010 so far, and heating up

Average

David DeJesus  = 33 for his last 94 (.351)
Chris Coghlan = 36 for his last 113 (.319)


Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Sports Blog, Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians, Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers, Drew Stubbs, Cincinnati Reds, JD Drew, Boston Red Sox, Nyjer Morgan, Washington Nationals

 
 
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Troy Glaus
The dust has settled, the pain feels fresh.   When I wake up in the morning to check my lineups I must tell myself to get past the loss of Kendry Morales.  Staring at the First base position he left empty for the foreseeable future reminds me of one thing , that replacements are very readily available. There is truly no time to mourn it being 2 full months into the season. To fill the gap left behind 100% may be an unreasonable request.  The good news, quality hot bats at first base are plentiful.  Let’s take a look who you should pick up to take a little bit of the sting away. 


Reminder:

Kendry Morales: 

2009:   86 Runs - 34 HRs – 108 Rbis - .306 AVG  (566 Abs)

2010:   29 Runs – 11 HRs – 39 Rbis - .290 AVG (193 Abs)

Replacements (All First Basemen/2010)

(Runs-HR-RBIs-AVG)  (At Bats)

Troy Glaus  ATL

27- 9-40-.277 (177ABs)

Aubrey Huff   SF

26 -6-23-.297 (175ABs)

Luke Scott  BAL

22-9-20-.271 (144ABs)

Ike Davis  NYM

23-6-17-.265 (136ABs)

Daric Barton  OAK

25-4-22-.280 (186Abs) (15th in MLB for Hits, & 25th in Runs, by a 1st Basemen)

If they are ALL gone don’t be afraid to pick up Jose Lopez SEA.  Contrary to some feedback I’ve received he is a good hitter for his position versatility (1st, 2nd, & 3rd).  At the prime age of 26 with 7 seasons of MLB experience, the next 3 years should be very productive for the young now 3rd basemen.  Plus if you look at his last week he is really heating up.  (10 for 23 with 7 Runs  - 2 HR -  4RBI – batting .435).


If you were a Morales owner, who did you pick up?
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Blog, Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Troy Glaus, Atlanta Braves, Aubrey Huff, San Francisco Giants, Luke Scott, Baltimore Orioles, Ike Davis, New York Mets, Daric Barton, Oakland Athletics, Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners