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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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May 23, 2004

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)

May 19, 2004

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)

May 04, 2004

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.

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