Baseball Geeks: MLB News with a Fantasy Baseball spin

PlayerTrack Report for 5/15/07

2007-05-17T21:50:55Z

Well, we are approximately a quarter through the season, and using PlayerTrack.com,I will be providing our faithful listeners/readers with some "under the radar" and "sell high-buy low" picks in hitting and pitching each time I do a PlayerTrack update.

Under the Radar

Torii Hunter: sure, he is no sleeper, but would you be surprised to learn that he currently ranks #2 of ALL players in 5x5, just behind Arod as of 5/15?

Edgar Renteria: continues his excellent fantasy play with a 2 HR game yesterday

B.J. Upton: drops 4 spots from the end of April, but he still looks fantastic, and his value may not be appreciated yet

Adam Dunn: 6 SBs? And a .271 average?

Eric Byrnes: A Gregg Keer favorite, and he is proving why so far this year, rising in the rankings 16 spots since the end of April

Mike Lowell: Surprisingly looking like the guy everybody wanted when he was in Florida a few years ago...

Ted Lilly: rises in the rankings 2 spots as the third best 5x5 pitcher in all of baseball so far

Jason Marquis: what the heck are they feeding the Cubs' pitchers?

Shawn Hill: rises 4 spots in the rankings since the end of April, and sits in the top 20, but unfortunately, he has some injury woes and will likely miss quite a lot of time in the near future

Mark Hendrickson: Top 20 so far... saw him pitch against the Brewers a few weeks ago, and I have to tell you he looked very good out there...

Claudio Vargas: the WHIP is of concern, but he is looking very solid as a top 35 pitcher thus far

Heath Bell: one of those middle relief guys who is proving his mettle so far in San Diego, although he has allowed 3 ERs in his last two appearances

Gary Matthews, Jr.: his numbers are improving as is his status in fantasy this year... a lot of people thought last year was an aberration (and largely due to playing in a band box). Maybe. But, not yet.

Sell High

Tim Hudson: still near the top of the heap (but dropped down to #2 since the end of April, behind Peavy), but I just can't convince myself that this guy is for real

Ted Lilly/Jason Marquis: how can these guys keep it up when notwitshatdning their great pitching, the Cubs are still sitting sub .500

Tom Gorzellany/Braden Looper: just haven't bought these guys (both currently in the top 10)

Mark Hendrickson: can't imagine you would get much for him unless it was an NL only league (and, in this case, I might hold onto him)

Buy Low

Dontrelle Willis

Scott Olsen

Carlos Zambrano: may be too late here because of his game yesterday

Ryan Howard: Prime time right now. I just traded John Lackey and Jermaine Dye for Ryan Howard, Alex Rios, and Justin Duchscherer. I think this is a STEAL (I didn't like giving up Lackey, but I couldn't resist taking advantage of an impatient manager)

Adam Eaton: he is better than his 6.42 ERA... so this means decent pitching the rest of the way

Kip Wells: riskier pick, but the Cards have to start playing better eventually... and his 1-7 record is bound to improve... I see improvement here all the way around, and if I could give up little for the gamble and I was desperate for starting pitching, I might look here

Delmon Young: his fantasy manager in your league may be impatient with him... don't sell too much, though, but I believe his .241 BA is bound to improve

Robinson Cano: look, I didn't expect him to hit .342 this season, but he DID hit there last year, and he is now hitting around .237 -- find that impatient manager

---

You can draw your own conclusions by joining PlayerTrack.com for the remainder of the season for $7.99. If you are a current subscriber, the updates for the season are included in your membership.

BaseballGeeks VodCast#1: PlayerTrack Top 10 Fantasy 1B

2007-03-09T01:15:23Z

Some interesting names here because it includes pro-rated stats of those who had as few as 1 AB in the MLB. PlayerTrack.com allows you to adjust the ABs with a paid subscription.

Comments, suggestions, feel free to email. Gregg and I are starting Season 2 of the BaseballGeeks podcast this weekend.

On par with Kirk Gibson?

2006-09-19T17:48:39Z

Last night's Dodger 11-10 victory over the previously "first place" Padres (shudder... it hurts me to type that!) may go down as one of the top 10 games in Los Angeles Dodger (or the entire franchise, for that matter, back to the Trolley Dodgers) history...

...or, it could just be one of the forgotten. Time will tell.

And, time will tell if it will be remembered if the Dodgers can parlay the momentum from this exciting finish into a playoff entrance.

Da Bums spend their next six games at home against the lowly Pittsburh Pirates and the respectable Diamondbacks. They then go to Coors Field (which seems to be no big deal anymore, what with the humidifiers), and then end off the season against the hated ones, in what will be the most important series of the season (as the Giants would just love to knock the Dodgers out).

Still, it wil be the Diamondbacks that decide the NL West. They play SIX games against the Padres, three at home. The Pads also see Pittsburgh at San Diego for three. Fortunately for the Dodgers, the Padres bigger hurdle will be the Cardinals at St. Louis for 3; unfortunately for the Dodgers, the Cards aren't likely to play with their best, considering that -- barring some sort of tragedy like an Albert Pujols pulled hammy -- the Cards should have solidifed the Central by that time.

Grady Little was quoted as saying that the Dodgers need to go 9-4 the rest of the way (before last night's game)... one game is out of the way. So, Grady thinks the Dodgers need to play .750 ball the rest of the way. I say: .500 ball for the Dodgers the rest of the way is good enough. Time will tell.

Last night's game deserves to be remembered. It is the type of game that you see in the most classic of World Series win highlight videos.

I know, I know. Wishful thinking. But it HAS been 18 ******* years, believe it or not.

BGeeks Special Edition #1: We interview former Negro Leaguer Johnny "Lefty" Washington and negroleaguelegends.org proprietor Gary Crawford

2006-09-18T16:41:37Z

Gregg and I had the great fortune to be able to interview former Negro Leaguer Johnny "Lefty" Washington in this week's podcast. You can listen to Part I in our podcast #36 this week, or you can listen to the interview in its entirety here.
There, unfortunately, is no baseball pension for a number of former Negro Leaguers, which I believe is an absolute shame. As a means to provide these former Negro leaguers with some baseball related revenue, Mr. Crawford designed NegroLeagueLegends.org.

I just bought an autographed baseball from Mr. Washington for only $25 (includes shipping) from that site.

Topics we discuss in our interview include the major league baseball pension issue, information about the site, racism in baseball then and now, and Mr. Washington's favorite baseball moment (involves one Satchel Paige).

Enjoy...

Interview with Gary Crawford and Johnny "Lefty" Washington

Approximately 30 minutes

BaseballGeeks.com PodCast #36

Approximately 45 minutes... includes Part I of the interview (Part II next week); or just listen to the whole thing, above...

Mailbag: Certified Hand Therapist has some words on Sheffield

2006-08-17T16:09:40Z

My name is Chris. I am a Certified Hand Therapist, baseball fan and fantasy participant. In other words, I have some idea regarding Sheffields injury and potential for return this season. Mark this time and date; He is done for fantasy value this year.I had him stashed on my bench until a few weeks ago; if you need room on your roster, let him go. Even if he does come back, he will not help you in fantasy. The cold fall in NYC is no place for an orthopaedic injury.
I enjoy the podcast and would like to offer my services in helping you in any way; I have the background in sports injuries and baseball to shed some light on many, if not all of the Upper Extremity ailments you hear about i.e. Tommy John surgery, broken thumbs, fingers ect.
P.S. I would also write of Matsui, he will be back but not until later Sept. And again, the cold in NYC in the fall will slow him down from back to back games.

My response:

Hey Chris:

I will mark this date down, :) For now, I'm going to hang on to Sheffield, solely for the last two weeks that he MIGHT play in September. If I did not have Kendry Morales on my farm team, I would have probably dumped Sheffield to get Shin-Soo Choo. But, I must admit that it is hard for me to give up the one player who I spent the most on this year ($35).

I am hanging on to Derrek Lee, not expecting him to come back this season, but I can keep him for $22 for next year.

Thanks for your comments.

We would love to read any writings from you about injuries. You might want to consider starting a free blog at baseballgeeks.com on the subject. We would reference you often, I am sure. If you need help setting a blog up, let me know... but you can find instructions on the site when you sign up (for free).

Thanks again for your comments, and good luck in the rest of the fantasy season,
Rob

---

Your opinions?

My brother, the bandwagonner

2006-08-16T20:05:16Z

I am sure that many of you diehard Dodger fans have been subjected to family members who turned to the Dark Side of Angel baseball after 2002, with chants that the Dodgers are going nowhere, and that the ownership is destroying the team.

In my case, the Anakin Skywalker is my brother Chris. Within the last few years, he went from bleeding heart Dodger fan (he left a trail of blue, as if he was a Dodger snail covered in blue ink, wherever he went)... to a guy who names himself DodgerRefugee on the baseballgeeks.com website two years ago.

And, after a record Dodger win streak, he all of the sudden wants back...

So, I created a set of rules, which I am conveying to you baseballgeeks listeners and readers who may be in the same situation.

Here is today's email exchange:

From: Chris Reed
Subject: GO DODGERS!

17 of 18...... Best winning stretch since 1899 when they were the Brooklyn Bridegrooms....

Can this allow me back in? How about the fact that Dyl [nephew, Chris' son] and I are going to our first 51s game Friday night?

My response:

Re: GO DODGERS

I have told you already how you get back into the Dodger fold.

You have consistently refused after my numerous attempts to sway you from the dark side.

So, when you gave inklings of wanting to come back earlier in the year when the Dodgers were winning (no surprise you weren't trying to get back in the fold when they lost 12 of 13 after the allstar break), I gave you this formula:

1) Dodgers have to win a World Series;

2) You cannot watch any Dodger World Series or Playoff games and most certainly cannot attend any (51s are acceptable, or any Dodger farm team that is not named the Dodgers);

3) You cannot wear ANY Dodger paraphenelia (a 51s hat/jersey is acceptable) until a World Series win -- not a game but the SERIES win;

4) The above rules do not apply to any of your progeny until they turn 18 as diehard Angel fans (The D Brothers can wear any Dodger paraphenlia provided they give an oath that the "Angels [suhck]" -- Daniel is exempt until he can speak, although as he is learning to speak, I will accept "Dah-dah [suhcks]");

This could be decades, you realize. Potentially centuries. All rules apply in heaven.

So, I present to you a shorter option (and this is new to the formula):

1) you have to wear a specially made (and obvious) t-shirt (with no coverings or jackets) to a Dodger regular season game that says "I am a Bandwagonner" on the front and "Angels [suhck]" on the back. This one act will give you a free pass back in. This act will need to be performed TWICE if at a 51s game (and photos must be taken with fans around you while in the crowd).

May the Baseball Gods strike you down should you violate any of the above rules!

It has been awhile, so how about a look into the mailbag?

2006-08-15T18:55:29Z

From Mark: What could the Astros get in return for Preston Wilson in a trade? Also isthere any possibility that they might send him to AAA then bring him back up in 2 weeks when rosters expand?

Not a heckuva lot. Quite a few teams would be interested in Wilson, I think, among those in contention... but Wilson is probably only looking at a backup job, most likely and as Wilson would just be a potential remedy in case something bad happens, I don't think any teams will be willing to give up anything substantial in return.

Off the top of my head, I could see Preston going to the White Sox as a better OF backup than Rob Mackowiak. If Podsednik, Dye, or Brian Anderson go down, Wilson is a good option to have.

I am sure Cincy would be interested, as well, for the same reasons. They just picked up Hollandsworth and, as I intimated on the last podcast, this shouldn't make anyone in Cincy comfortable. Wilson would suitably fill the gap left when Krivsky traded Kearns.

San Diego is a strong possibility for the same reasons. Ben Johnson is the backup there, and the older Giles and the perenially injured Dave Roberts add a lot of risk. Preston still has some basepath speed (not like Roberts, of course), so he would be very useful there. In San Diego, though, his power numbers will likely slip.

In the end, in all cases, I suspect Wilson (if he is taken at all) will get a backup job, so as it relates to fantasy, he should not be someone you are looking at unless you are really stacked, sitting high atop in first place, and you're looking to have some fun with a gamble.

I imagine that the Astros would have a chance of shoring up a decent middle infielder for Wilson, but probably nothing more.

-Rob

We still maintain our weekly podcast on purist and fantasy baseball, which is available for free subscription on Itunes (see the link on the left side of this page). We welcome all questions and comments regarding baseball, in general, or fantasy.

Where the heck are the updates?

2006-07-17T21:46:39Z

Yes, exactly. I just noticed that we haven't updated here in over a month.

First, the latest podcast, # 28...

Direct Download

Recent news: We were featured on the front page of the local L.A. newspapers, Studio City Sun, Sherman Oaks Sun, and the Encino Sun.

BaseballGeeks PodCast # Two Dozen

2006-06-19T19:25:42Z

This Week in Geek includes the Angels and the Weaver Bros, comebacks and latest injuries, latest ballplayer shenanigans, Week 11 summary, fantasy forecast for Week 12, False Rumors

Time: Just over 48 minutes

Direct Download

Skype Us

(818) 574-6912 is our voicemail...

BaseballGeeks Podcast #23 aka Podcast number Michael Jordan

2006-06-11T01:05:49Z

This Week in Geek features the grim situation with Grimsley, Bonds on Bonds goes kaput, injuries galore, and more; hot and cold hitters and pitchers from Week 10; fantasy forecast for Week 11, Interleague Play Mach II, including hitter/pitcher ballpark analysis and recommended two start pitchers; False Rumors
Time: 1 hour, 17 mins

Direct Download

Skype Us

(818) 574-6912 is our voicemail...

Help us Advertise the podcast, and get a tank of gas!

2006-06-08T15:34:35Z

Alright, let's face it... $50 can't buy you much anymore... but Gregg and I make no money in this venture of love, but we are looking to gain new listeners. So, as we make no money on this and as we are cheapskates, we are announcing a "DESIGN YOUR OWN BASEBALLGEEKS PODCAST T-SHIRT" contest.
Design your own t-shirt, wear it at a Major League Baseball game, and email us a photograph of you wearing that shirt AT a game, and you are entered into the contest (and could potentially win the $50 prize).

Winner will be decided by Gregg, BaseballGeeks moderator Jaydawg, and myself...

Deadline: July 1, 2006.

Email photos to: podcast[at]baseballgeeks[dot]com

If you haven't, check out our podcast... we appreciate all comments and criticisms. How can we improve? What would you like to see included? What bored the heck out of you?

Thanks for reading!

BaseballGeeks PodCast #22: Clemens' return, Bonds 715, and more

2006-06-03T17:41:16Z

This Week in Geek features Clemens' return, Bonds 715, the Dodgers troubles and youth, a GM change, noteworthy moves and injuries, and players returning; Week 9 in review; fantasy forecast for Week 10; False Rumors

Time: 1 hour, 8 mins

Direct Download

Skype Us!

Voicemail: 818-574-6912 (toll charges apply if out of the 818 area code)

BaseballGeeks PodCast #21: It's Alive... ALIVE!

2006-05-28T00:44:20Z

This Week in Geek features Week 8 trades, suspensions, and injuries; we also look at key players coming back in the coming week; Gregg looks at star players who hit in the #2 spot and the fantasy implications; we analyze the week that was in baseball, and do a fantasy forecast for Week 9; False Rumors

Time: 1 hour, 3 mins.

On Bonds and Race...

2006-05-10T19:19:22Z

This is my comment on MC Hammer's blog regarding Bonds and race... figured I would repost here. Comments?

Appreciate your acknowledgment of how far we have come as a country with regards to race.

I know you don't agree with my next statement, though: the trouble Bonds is having has nothing to do with race.

Danny Glover said it did last night on the Bonds on Bonds reality show. I believe you said it did in one of your last blgo entries. I know Barry Bonds says it has a lot to do with his color.

Do you think any network on the East Coast would have given Hank Aaron his own reality show in 1974?

Please.

Not a chance.

Then, there is the issue: when did Hammerin' Hank become white?

Bottom line: you p'o the press, and they'll get you back.

You pose with Victor Conte in some supplement ads, and you're going to get accused of doing 'roids. And, you're going to face a lot of backlash by opposing team's fans.

Still, I am a proud Dodger fan AND a Barry Bonds fan (believe it or not).

I have often pointed out that Jeremy Giambi (a confessed steroid user) could never hit 50 HRs in a season, let alone 73... no matter if he takes enough steroid to kill an elephant.

And, I am rooting for Bonds to get to 756.

But, I also recognize that Barry has made his bed. So, like anyone else (black, white, whatever) he has to sleep in it.

BaseballGeeks PodCast 18: If we were a kid, we could vote

2006-05-09T03:16:53Z

This Week in Geek: Damon goes to Boston, Angels slumping, collective bargaining agreement boredom; the hot and cold hitters and pitchers of Week 5; fantasy forecast for Week 6, featuring the "usual suspects" with two starts and players playing in hitter's and pitcher's parks; False rumors

Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

You can subscribe to our podcast via Yahoo or Itunes (links to the left)

We can be skyped at baseballgeeks, emailed at podcast[-at-]baseballgeeks.com, or voicemailed (toll applies if outside the 818 area code at (818) 574-6912