On-Deck: April: The Dust Settles

Posts: 4543 · Posted: May 04, 2005 9:59 pm

On Deck: April: The Dust Settles

by Chris Wang Opening Day blew by and then so did the month of April. Now you're left wondering what...

Posts: 3903 · Posted: May 04, 2005 10:17 pm

Nice article.

I have been trying to sell Burnitz high but I can not even get equal value for what he is truly worth! Hopefully he can keep his power numbers up so I don't have to worry bout this...

Posts: 2963 · Posted: May 04, 2005 10:36 pm

CubsR4real21 wrote:

I have been trying to sell Burnitz high but I can not even get equal value for what he is truly worth! Hopefully he can keep his power numbers up so I don't have to worry bout this...

You don't have to worry about Burnitz's power as he was hitting 30+ homers before he went to Coors last year. Just don't expect much more than a .250 average

Posts: 33 · FIC Rookie Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 33

Through an act of incredible stupidity, I accidentally waived Brian Roberts instead of Dave Roberts. (The moral of this story is do not get on your computer until you've had your morning coffee.) Anyway, all the owners except one actually honored my request to let me reclaim him. It only took one jerk to make me second baseman-less. BTW, this is not a sad sack team. I'm in first place by 14 points in a Yahoo league, but I owe a lot of that to Mr. Roberts who no longer graces my roster. My "enemy" is now in second and gaining fast. I really want to beat him, so I submit my request for your assistance, Chris.

Now that I am lacking a 2B, the best choices on the waiver wire sadly are Utley, Counsell, Matsui, Belliard, Miles, Orlando Hudson, Kennedy, Mike Lamb. I actually drafted Brian Roberts for speed and now need some SB's at this position. What do you think? Who will have the most steals among this group the rest of the season. Who is the best overall? Thanks.

I also have some problems at 3b. I was using Pedro Feliz there until Nomar went down. I've slid Pedro to short, and the choices at 3b are C. Tracy, G. Atkins, and B. Inge? I picked up Inge right when he went into his slump. I now like the idea of platooning Tracy and Atkins, playing them only when they're home, however doing so would mean I would have to waive either Rowand, B. Giles, or Jason Lane to make room on the roster.

Posts: 7864 · AiNoKeA Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Location: All Ova Posts: 7864

The best 2B that you've mentioned IMO, would be Utley. Platooning 3B's is not a good idea IMO. I would just leave Inge playing at 3B.

Posts: 4801 · Posted: May 09, 2005 12:40 am

Until Utley plays daily I would still stay away from him.

You are looking for steals then of those guys listed I'd say Counsell.

Posts: 2963 · Posted: May 09, 2005 6:55 am

waters96 wrote:

Now that I am lacking a 2B, the best choices on the waiver wire sadly are Utley, Counsell, Matsui, Belliard, Miles, Orlando Hudson, Kennedy, Mike Lamb. I actually drafted Brian Roberts for speed and now need some SB's at this position. What do you think? Who will have the most steals among this group the rest of the season. Who is the best overall? Thanks.

Sadly if you need speed, Counsell is the best choice out of that group. Don't expect his steal total to continue to pile up this fast though as his career high in steals is 17 last year. The key to Counsell will be for him to continue to get on base. He has a career .348 OBP, but this season he's been walking more than a man without a drivers license as he's drawn 24 walks in 29 games and has a .413 OBP - if he can keep that number around .400, he'll have plenty of chances to steal more bases.

waters96 wrote:

I also have some problems at 3b. I was using Pedro Feliz there until Nomar went down. I've slid Pedro to short, and the choices at 3b are C. Tracy, G. Atkins, and B. Inge? I picked up Inge right when he went into his slump. I now like the idea of platooning Tracy and Atkins, playing them only when they're home, however doing so would mean I would have to waive either Rowand, B. Giles, or Jason Lane to make room on the roster.

Inge has a lot more value at catcher than third base. Because of that fact, you should consider dealing Inge or your other catcher to upgrade at another position. I would also recommend going after Atkins for the hot corner. People have given up on this kid way too fast. He's hitting just .242 in 10 games but he's played just one game at Coors so far. The balls start to really fly as the weather gets warmer and Atkins is going to hit with more power than Inge.

Posts: 4222 · FIC Hall-of-Famer Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 4222

yea go with atkins.. and I like the idea of dealing Inge... atkins should finish with AT LEAST a .300 BA and a .850 OPS... he'd be a solid hitter anywhere but at coors he'll be pretty good... theres no way counsell keeps up the obp or the steals.. he's done absolutely nothing in his career to suggest that he will...

Posts: 33 · FIC Rookie Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 33

So, assuming I punt steals, he would you recommend at second among those I've noted are still available..

BTW, my starting catcher is I Rod. I'm offering him around the league for 2B and 3B, I can't even get anyone to reject my offers. It's tough to play in a non-trading league.

Posts: 2963 · Posted: May 10, 2005 12:59 pm

If you punt steals, then you should go with Utley.

Posts: 33 · FIC Rookie Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 33

Chris Wang wrote:

If you punt steals, then you should go with Utley.

Now that Mike Lamb takes over for Bagwell at 1B, but has 2B eligibility, is Mike the better option at 2B over Utley.

Posts: 7864 · AiNoKeA Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Location: All Ova Posts: 7864

waters96 wrote:

Now that Mike Lamb takes over for Bagwell at 1B, but has 2B eligibility, is Mike the better option at 2B over Utley.

It's hard to go with any Astro at this time because they don't score runs. I would still go with Utley.

Posts: 2963 · Posted: May 10, 2005 7:56 pm

waters96 wrote:

Chris Wang wrote:

If you punt steals, then you should go with Utley.

Now that Mike Lamb takes over for Bagwell at 1B, but has 2B eligibility, is Mike the better option at 2B over Utley.

Lamb has some pop but doesn't have the talent that Utley has.

Posts: 33 · FIC Rookie Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 33

Just a question of who is going to put up the bigger stats from this point on.

Posts: 7864 · AiNoKeA Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Location: All Ova Posts: 7864

waters96 wrote:

Just a question of who is going to put up the bigger stats from this point on.

I'd have to say Chase Utley.