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Check in often as F.I.C.'s Mike Timberlake answers your questions and adds his two cents. No topic is off-limits in the column you help to create.

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1B Problems

05/23/04 Posted: 08:59 AM PST

Question: Hey Mike. You're good, you should be one of them ESPN people, you know alot more than them biased people. Anyways to my question; My team is 40-15-5, but I am having 1B problems. Raul Ibanez isn't cutting it for me. My offense is great, and my pitching is alright. I should be dominating this league if only my 1B could be good. Any suggestions on who to pick up?

Name: Mcdoogle
location: At home with my crutches

Answer: Unbiased? I'm about as unbiased as Fox News when it comes to the Red Sox and Yankees. As far as ESPN, as I've said before, I have a face perfect for radio.

Anyways, on to the question. Without seeing your league's waiver wire, this will be tough. Here's a few names to toss out, though. Lyle Overbay is the 1B leader in ribbies and has had a fine season so far in Milwaukee. Hee Seop Choi in Florida, Erubiel Durazo in Oakland, Craig Wilson in Pittsburgh and Sean Casey in Cincy are a few other guys that may be available. As always, if you are strong in other places, try dealing for a 1B. Like I said, it's tough to really help with the limited info. Hope this was enough.

Good luck and break a leg. Er, sorry.

~M.T.

Comments (1)

KC Closer??

05/19/04 Posted: 06:43 PM PST

Question: I'm desparate for saves and need to go find some. What's the latest you've heard about the closer situation in good ol' KC? By the way, I love reading this!

Name: Randy E.
location: Detriot, Michigan

Answer: Thanks, Randy. How's life in Detroit Rock City?

In order to get a save, your team has to actually win. KC hasn't been the place for that this year. As predicted, Mike MacDougal's screen test as Ricky Vaughn in Major League IV: God, This Team Sucks has cost him not only his closer job, but a spot on the big club.

Right now, the closer's job is wide open. Here's a couple of names for you. First, we have Nate Field. He looks to be the favorite right now and has outstanding numbers so far. Another lesser known guy is lefty Jamie Cerda. His numbers are not nearly as good as Field's, but he's looked pretty decent in his last few outings. The biggest name mentioned in the closer derby has been Jeremy Affeldt. I think the team is hesitant to move him to the closer role and it would take a few guys to fail before this plan is enacted. Another guy to keep an eye on is rookie Justin Huisman. He was closing games in AAA and was called up to replace MacDougal on the roster.

Overall, I'd say go with Field first. This is likely to be pretty messy for the immediate future as the team isn't winning and a closer committee for a losing club isn't a recipe for fantasy success. Good luck.

~M.T.

Comments (0)

Riske-y decision?

05/04/04 Posted: 06:27 PM PST

Question: Mike, you're awesome. But my question is regarding David Riske (he just lost his closer job apparently) and Matt Mantei/Jose Valverde. First, because Riske isn't going to have value outside the closer role, is there any reason to keep him? I also have Mantei, but I just picked up Valverde for a little insurance, and I have Guardado (thankfully). Let's just say that I dropped Riske, picked up Valverde, and I'd like to know if you have any suggestions on closers I should pick up/drop...

Name: Dan the Man
location: NY

Answer: Thanks Dan. Glad you're enjoying the space F.I.C. has let me waste.

I would drop Riske like yesterday. He's just no good. The Indians' bullpen is a big a mess as Anna Nicole. Grabbing Valverde was a smart move, as it looks like the move to insert him as closer is imminent. A guy I really like is Kerry Ligtenberg. I've talked him up earlier in this excuse of a column and so has our own James Meyerriecks in his column "The Hook". Toronto is struggling right now, so the saves have been scarce. Terry Adams is their closer now, but he's proven he can't do the job in the past. Toronto isn't as bad as they've played. Soon, Ligtenberg will be grabbing more saves than Michael Jackson has little boys.

What's the record for saves again?

~M.T.

Comments (0)

No Mesa stats in Fantasy Baseball Heaven

04/29/04 Posted: 06:12 PM PST

Question: I drafted Jose Mesa in Fantasy baseball Heaven(FBH) named "UseTheBat MAN at CROCKETT's BARS" and he doesn't show any stats yet. What gives? There is no way to contact anyone at FBH?

Name: Geo Jeff
location: Fredericton, NB, Can.

Answer: Jeff, try emailing customerservice@fantasybaseballheaven.com. I found it under the "Contact" link at the top of the page. Good luck. You'll need it with Mesa.
~M.T.

Comments (0)

My sexyness....

04/26/04 Posted: 05:59 PM PST

Question: I am just ultra sexy. Please forgive me for my sexyness, but I do have 2 questions.

Question One: What the [expletive] has Ben Affleck been doing?
Question One with an extra part: Do you think I am sexy?

Question Two: Why did you kiss Sofia Coppola's A**???!!! This enrages me!
Question Two with an extra part: Who would you rather have, me or the Boston Red Sox? :)

Name: Jennifer Lopez
location: Grammar School

Answer: Ah, my readers. You gotta love them.

Well, Ms. Lopez, Ben Affleck has been a horse's ass and apparently made himself the unofficial spokesperson for Red Sox Nation. Don't ask, I have no idea. Oh, and yes, J-Lo, I would not kick you out of bed. My wife might, though. As far as Sofia Coppola, all I have to say is Gigli, OK? Come back when you've made a decent movie, honey. Finally, I would have to choose the Red Sox. I guess Ben made the same choice.
~M.T.

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The Player That Does Everything

04/21/04 Posted: 05:52 PM PST

Question: Carlos Beltran, the guy does everything you can imagine. This guy is well-known but doesn't receive as much credit for his skills. Do you think he has the potential to become the next A-Rod or even a Pujols because of his speed/glove/power?

Name: Dylan B.
location: Long Island

Answer: I think seeing what he's done this season, he's definitely taking the leap to super-stardom. He'll be a free agent at the end of the year and I expect him to test the waters. Depending on where he ends up, he should be a megastar. You know we're all fooling ourselves because there's no way he doesn't end up in New York pinstripes. Bastards!

Comparing him to A-Rod or Pujols is a bit unfair, though. A-Rod is the best player in baseball and plays the infield. Pujols is actually younger than Beltran and he's already above what Beltran has done. Beltran holds his own in his own way. He'll be a legitimate 40/40 threat for years to come. I wonder if there's any takers for Johnny Damon? Beltran would look nice in Fenway.
~M.T.

Comments (0)

To Trade or Not to Trade

04/18/04 Posted: 04:47 PM PST

Question: I've been offered Preston Wilson in a trade and I've heard he's going to be out 4-6 weeks. I could potentially deal Larry Walker or Trot Nixon for Wilson. Who do you think I should deal or should I not deal at all? I'm worried about Trot's back injury and Walker is always gimpy. Thanks...

Name: Punch Drunk
location: Coors

Answer: If I were you, I wouldn't make any deal for Wilson. The prognosis from the Rockies is that Wilson could be back within 4-6 weeks. That sounds to me like a best case scenario. Walker and Nixon will both be back for you by May. Bad knees and outfielders are not good combinations. I wouldn't worry too much about Walker or Nixon's injuries as we already know the worst and they're well underway with their rehab. Wilson's injury is still developing and he has yet to undergo surgery. I think you should hold 'em here.
~M.T.

Comments (0)

How Am I Doing?

04/15/04 Posted: 04:36 PM PST

Question: How have I been doing in golf lately?

Name: John Daly
location: In Court with my wife

Answer: John, glad to hear from you. Last time we hung out was that coke party out at Doral. Glad to see you made it through that. Sorry to hear about your marital problems, but if you weren't drunk half the time and high the rest of the time, you may have saved your marriage. That must also be why you're asking me how your golf career is going, because you're so incoherent you must not know where you are.

Well, you sucked so bad at The Masters that you didn't even make the cut. You finished tied for 10th at the Bay Hill Invitational and you actually finished fourth at the Nissan Open. Oh yeah, you also won the Buick Invitational. You must have been sober for that one, right? Keep up the good work, pal. The golf, not the addictions.
~M.T.

Comments (0)

Rock 'N Belle

04/15/04 Posted: 04:25 PM PST

Question: Whatever happened to John Rocker and Albert Belle?

Name: $I Need Money$
location: U.S. Cellular Field

Answer: They formed a hip hop group and are currently coming to a casino near you. I also heard they were going to step in to the vacant role left by Siegfried and Roy in Las Vegas; that being the gayest couple on The Strip. There's another rumor floating around that they went to prison and this time it's Rocker on the recieving end of Belle's high, hard one.

Thanks folks, I'll be here all week. Please try the Prime Rib!
~M.T.

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Back In The Saddle

04/14/04 Posted: 04:21 PM PST

Sorry for the brief hiatus. It seems there were some updates to the website as well as our mail accounts. Your trusty answer man fell asleep at the keyboard. All the questions I got were neglected while I sat here thinking you all didn't love me anymore. Well, everything is straightened out and the answers to your questions will be coming shortly. Thanks for your paitence through my stupidity.
~M.T.

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MLB 2005

04/13/04 Posted: 06:36 PM PST

Question: Why is Barry Bonds not in MLB 2005 for Playstation 2?

Name: $I Need Money$
location: U.S. Cellular Field

Answer: Geez, your parents must have hated you. What kind of name is that? Though it must be pretty chill to live in a ballpark. Do the White Sox know you're living there?

As for Barry "Balco" Bonds, he is not in MLB 2005 because he is no longer part of the Major League Baseball Players Association. That's the Player's Union. If you are not affiliated with that body, then you are not eligible to be included in any video games. I think the same holds for Brian Daubach and Ron Mahay, who were barred from joining the union as they were "scab" players from the baseball strike in 1994.

Presumably, Barry exited the union because he didn't want to share his endorsement money. My personal feeling is that he doesn't want to be tested for any banned substances. Once the Player's Union makes the inevitable move to push for mandatory steroid testing with public results, the players have no choice but to comply. But, since Barry is no longer in the Union, he is untouchable. Too bad there's still one of his samples from last year's test laying around. The investigation continues......
~M.T.

Comments (1)

Sleeper Closer

04/09/04 Posted: 06:25 PM PST

Question: I have a team that is stacked with the exception for saves, which little known closer would you reccommend, or which closer will be moving into a closer's role this season.

Name: Jeremiah K
location: Pittsburgh, PA

Answer: The guy I'm really high on is Kerry Ligtenberg in Toronto. The job is wide open and he has had past success as Atlanta's closer in 1998. He was injured for all of 1999 and effectively lost the job due to that reason only. He has always put up great stats and it's just a matter of time before he distinguishes himself from his competition. With Toronto's great lineup and improved pitching, he could get 20 or so saves this year.

Another guy is Curtis Leskanic in Kansas City. Mike MacDougal is currently on the DL and is just too wild to be a consistent closer. Leskanic is currently the closer due to MacDougal's owie, so if he's out there, you'll get saves out of him right now.
~M.T.

Comments (0)

The Sky Is Falling

04/09/04 Posted: 06:16 PM PST

Question: The Tigers are 4-0! What's next... the Red Sox-Cubs World Series?

Name: Chris
location: Jersey

Answer: God, I hope so, Chris. You're from Jersey? I hope you're not a Yankee fan. They're in league with Satan, you know.

As for the Tabbies, they've gone 1-2 since this question. They do look like they'll be winning tonight's game. It's too soon to tell, but they have to be better than last year. Even if it's by accident.
~M.T.

Comments (0)

Angels Offense

04/08/04 Posted: 04:46 PM PST

Question: After two drubbings in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field at the hands of the vaunted Angels offense (yes, I'm a Pineiro owner), what do you think about the strategy of simply benching starters slated to face this fearsome group?

Name: Jer S.
location: Westchester, NY

Answer: It entirely depends on who you have starting and where they're playing. Pineiro was a good bet to start at Safeco, but sometimes things happen you can't predict. The Halos sure are a scary bunch, but Jose Molina had a lot to do with those two wins. That's kind of fluky and I don't expect him to become the next Johnny Bench. They also have Adam Kennedy and David Eckstein playing over their heads right now, so expect them to cool off. I wouldn't start Dan Wright against them, but if he's on your team, you have bigger problems. As always, look at their historical matchups and do your homework. Pineiro has always struggled against the Angels (2-3, 5.79 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 12 games), so it may just be history repeating itself.
~M.T.

Comments (0)

The Other J-Lo

04/05/04 Posted: 04:35 PM PST

Question: What kind of season can I expect from Javy Lopez? Even if last year was a fluke, his numbers should improve this year playing at Camden Yards, right?

Name: Ben A.
location: Seattle

Answer: Man, I saw J-Lo in the question title and I got excited. I figured it was a chance to comment on some thick booty or rip on Ben Affleck. But no, it has to be a baseball question. Fine.

Javy Lopez had a monster season last year. It looks like he's picking up where he left off. As of now, he's hitting over .500 with a pair of jacks, seven ribbies and has five walks to only one strikeout. That strikeout-to-walk ratio, while it may not hold, is completely opposite of what his career numbers reveal. The move to the American League should help, as you alluded to. He can get a day off behind the plate and still DH. I expect good numbers from him. He won't duplicate last season, but .280 with 25 homers and 70 RBI isn't a stretch to imagine.

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