Author Archive for Nick

Seattle Mariners Trade Cliff Lee to Texas Rangers for Justin Smoak: Fantasy Impact

After weeks of anticipation, Seattle Mariners’ pitcher Cliff Lee finally has a new home.
Just hours after it was reported that the New York Yankees were close to acquiring Lee’s services, the Mariners dealt the 31-year-old southpaw to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Justin Smoak and minor leaguers Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Matt Lawson.
Mariners’ [...]

Brandon Phillips: Why You Should Sell High on The Cincinnati Reds’ Second Baseman

In four and a half seasons with the Reds, Phillips has never finished with a batting average higher than .288, and his career mark is an uninspiring .269. Yet somehow, the recently-turned 29-year-old is batting .309 this season…

San Francisco Giants Trade Catcher Bengie Molina to Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact

While the MLB trade deadline is more than four weeks away, the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers swapped catcher Bengie Molina for reliever Chris Ray and a player to be named later on Thursday.
Although this deal may appear insignificant on the surface, it’s important to understand how this trade effects not only the fantasy values [...]

Why a Low BABIP Doesn’t Necessarily Signal a Good Buy-Low Candidate

The term Batting Average on Balls In Play (BABIP) has become one of the most popular stats among fantasy managers in recent years. To put it simply, BABIP measures the number of batted balls that fall safely for a hit (excluding home runs).
According to The Hardball Times Glossary, the exact formula for BABIP is: (H-HR)/(AB-K-HR+SF).
The major league average for BABIP is usually [...]

Closer’s Corner, June 21: Brian Fuentes, Huston Street, Alfredo Simon & More

If you read this article posted back in March, you know why it’s important to keep an eye on your league’s waiver wire as save opportunities get shuffled around major league bullpens.
• Just last week, Diamondbacks’ closer Chad Qualls (who saved 24 games in 2009) was relieved of his duties after converting just 12 of his 16 save opportunities [...]

2010 MLB Draft: When Will Nationals’ Bryce Harper Become Fantasy-Relevant?

The first round of Major League Baseball’s 2010 first-year player draft featured many unexpected surprises, including the position at which Bryce Harper was drafted.
As expected, the Washington Nationals made the 17-year-old Junior College standout the No. 1 overall pick last Monday night. Unexpectedly, they selected the switch hitter as an outfielder instead of a catcher, the position at [...]

Fantasy Baseball Insiders Buy Or Sell: Troy Glaus

After nine weeks of play, Braves’ first basemen Troy Glaus is tied with Albert Pujols and Evan Longoria for fifth on the major’s RBI leader board with 44.  
Given his age and supposed injury propensity, most fantasy managers are looking to turn a profit on Glaus’ hot start. Instead, they should be seeking his services, [...]

Fantasy Baseball Insiders: Buy Or Sell? Pitchers Edition

Image by John McNab via Flickr

Nearly seven weeks have passed since the 2010 fantasy baseball season began, and now is the time to start making crucial decisions about your team.
With young guns such as David Price and Francisco Liriano living up to recent hype, it’s not always easy to tell which of these hurlers has enough staying power, [...]

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ Inbox: Week 7 Spot-Starters: Mike Leake, Ben Sheets, Derek Holland or Jhoulys Chacin?

Continuing our mailbox segment properly titled Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ Inbox, our Insider will answer a question posed by one of our loyal readers.

This week’s question: Looking ahead to week seven, who is the best option among the following starting pitchers? Mike Leake, (who I currently own) Ben Sheets, Derek Holland or Jhoulys Chacin?

What’s Wrong With Josh Beckett?

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett got rocked—again—Friday night, allowing nine earned runs in 5 1/3 innings to the Yankees, marking the third time he’s given up seven earned runs or more in a start this season.

2010 Projections: Why You Should Buy Low on Phillies’ Pitcher Cole Hamels

After Tuesday night’s gem against St. Louis, Phillies’ starter Cole Hamels lowered his season ERA to a less than desirable 4.42. His stellar 44/12 K/BB ratio and 2.79 BB/9, however, suggests more success is on the horizon…

Prospect Report: Does Texas Rangers’ Justin Smoak Have Fantasy Value in 2010?

In one of the most anticipated roster moves of 2010, the Texas Rangers promoted highly-touted prospect Justin Smoak last Friday. In 10 games since being called up, the switch-hitting first baseman is 5-for-30 with five runs, one HR and four RBI. He does, however, have eight walks…

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ Inbox: Trade Astros’ Carlos Lee for Blue Jays’ Vernon Wells?

In a new segment on Fantasy Baseball Insiders, our Insider will answer a fantasy baseball-related question sent from one of our readers.
Whether you have a trade proposal you’d like a second opinion on, or you’re unsure who to add, drop, or keep, we’ve got you covered in something appropriately titled: the Insiders’ Inbox.
I’ve been offered Vernon Wells for Carlos Lee. As [...]

2010 Projections: Can Twins’ Delmon Young Live Up to His 25-30 HR Potential?

One of the most hyped prospects in recent memory, Delmon Young has yet to fulfill his lofty expectations.
From a bat-tossing incident which lead to a 50-game minor league suspension in 2006, to criticizing the Rays’ upper management and refusing to take coach’s instructions, Young’s character has always been in question.
Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire attributes Young quick start [...]

2010 Projections: Why Reds’ Outfielder Drew Stubbs Will Steal 40 Bases

Opening Day 2010 is now upon us, which means most fantasy drafts have been completed. Judging by Average Draft Positions on Mock Draft Central, fantasy owners are allowing certain sleeper candidates to go un-drafted. One of those guys is Drew Stubbs, who has a current ADP of 311.40.
Last year, Baseball America claimed Stubbs “has excellent bat speed, above-average raw [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Top Spot Starters For Week 26

 The final week of the fantasy baseball season is upon us. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got a lot to gain (or lose) in the next seven days.
It’s important to note that all Yahoo leagues use ERA as it’s first tiebreaker. If you finish the week tied five-to-five, the championship goes to the [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Top Spot Starters for Week 25

In last week’s Fantasy Focus, I suggested three players to add in your quest for a championship game berth.
If you’ve reached the finals, you’re just one win away from every manager’s dream: a fantasy baseball title. 
It’s important to note, however, that in a one (or two) week matchup, anything can happen. You can no longer [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Advancing to Your League Championship Game

For most fantasy baseball leagues, today marks the beginning of the semifinal playoff round.
If you’ve made it this far, it’s important to know that this is the most critical time of the year. Everything that’s happened up until this point is irrelevant; because in a one-week matchup, anything can happen.
Forget about the fact that you [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: The All-August Free Agent Team

Joe Mauer, Ryan Howard, and Mark Reynolds. Everyone knows their names, and most people know they’ve played exceptionally well in August.
What most people don’t know, however, is that Will Venable has batted .311 with six HR and 17 RBI in August.
Being able to scour players like Venable from the waiver wire is a vital component [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: The All-Overappreciated Team

In last week’s Fantasy Focus, I announced the 2009 All-Underappreciated Team. This week we shift gears, as I present to you the All-Overappreciated Team:
 
Catcher – Russell Martin 
 
Martin was the No. 1 drafted catcher in most leagues this year, but has failed to live up to those expectations.
The 26-year-old is currently on pace to set career [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: The All-Underappreciated Team

America loves the underdog; it’s a fact. More importantly, fantasy owners love the underdog. Not only are they fun to root for, but they often come much cheaper than what they should.
If there’s one thing you’ve learned from me this season, it better be the importance of value. Lucky for you, this week’s Fantasy Focus is a perfect example [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: The Art of Spot Starting

If there’s one thing that separates good fantasy baseball managers from the greats ones, it’s the ability to spot start.
Having at least one or two open roster spots, (especially in leagues with 12 teams or less) gives you an incredible advantage over the competition. This allows you to strategically spot start players who have favorable match [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: The Impact of Deadline Deals

Major League Baseball has seen 18 trades go down in the past week. While the contenders struggled to find the final missing piece, the cellar dwellers took on prospects with an eye towards the future.
So what does this have to do with fantasy baseball? Well, I’m glad [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Second Half Studs Part Two

In last week’s fantasy focus, I outlined eight batters who have historically performed at a higher level in the second half of the season.
 
This week, I’m suggesting eight starting pitchers who meet the same criteria.
 
Johan Santana
 
Santana’s first half totals are incredible, but his second half splits are phenomenal.
 
Despite similar strikeout and walk ratios, Santana historically [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Second Half Studs

The All-Star Break has come and gone, and the dog days of summer are upon us.

In some leagues, only six weeks of regular season play remain, meaning now is the time to make your playoff push. Every piece of information is important, and if history is any indicator, these eight batters are likely to dominate [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Three Prospects to Keep an Eye on

Last week’s Fantasy Focus centered around three prime sell-high targets.
This week, we’ll turn our attention to the minor leagues to find out which prospects are most likely to make a fantasy impact this season.
Jhoulys Chacin
Chacin’s value has skyrocketed since the beginning of the 2008 season, when Baseball America ranked him as the No. 18 prospect [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Three Players To Sell High On

In my last Fantasy Focus, I outlined three pitchers whose slow starts made them prime buy-low candidates.

This week I’m going to nominate three players whose hot starts make them excellent sell-high targets.

Keep in mind that obvious choices, such as Kevin Millwood, will be left off the list. I would like to think that my readers [...]

Nick Kappel’s Fantasy Focus: Three Pitchers To Buy Low On

Many starting pitchers who are usually reliable such as Brandon Webb, Jake Peavy, John Lackey and Roy Oswalt have been wildly unpredictable and/or injured through the first ten weeks of the season. If you are one of the unlucky ones who have been become frustrated with your staff’s inconsistency, you might want to look into [...]

What’s Wrong With Josh Hamilton?

The Texas Rangers are 30-19 after 49 contests, leading the Angels in the AL West by 5.5 games after play on Saturday. The Rangers’ quick start can be attributed to their potent offense, which ranks fifth in the majors, scoring 5.44 runs per game.
Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz have led the way for [...]

Will Joe Mauer Continue The Power?

Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

The fantasy baseball community is buzzing over Joe Mauer’s newfound power stroke since returning from the DL on May 1. After his grand slam against the White Sox on Thursday, Mauer is batting .417 with 8 HR in just 72 at-bats. That’s 1 long ball every 9th at-bat.
The question is: [...]