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Match-ups for Thursday 9/24
2009-09-23 09:51:00 Short schedule Thursday , but here's some players that might help: Pitchers Jason Hammel vs. San Diego - Not a great play, but Hammel has been limiting walks and getting groundballs. Also it's the Padres. AVG Freddy Sanchez - 6 for 17 career vs. Ryan Dempster Franklin Gutierrez - 2 for 3 career vs. Ricky Romero and .917 OPS vs. LHP in 2009 with 7 HR in 151 AB's Power Jack Cust - 2 HR in 15 AB's career vs. Scott Feldman Speed Chris Getz - 7 SB in September Josh Anderson - 6 SB in September More About: Match
Plate Discipline Correlations for Pitchers.
2009-09-23 09:37:00 I decided to go back to researching pitcher strikeout correlations today, which has been one of my favorite topics of research lately. Now that I have MINITAB, I can generate this stuff a little easier. The interface is nice as well. So, here are a few graphs and correlations. Again, same rules as before: qualified pitchers from 2008. Today we'll look at some strong correlations and the regression equation I produced for projecting strikeouts. First, here's the graph for actual strikeouts versus the regression equation. It's R-squared is .84. It was generated using Fangraphs.com's plate discipline statistics. There are a few interesting points. The two I liked most were the highest expected strikeouts (C.C. Sabathia: .2659 exp. K percentage, versus .2455 actual K%) and the highest actual strikeouts (Tim Lincecum, .2399 expected K%, .2858 actual K%). Lincecum's outlandish strikeout totals make him an easy pick for an outlier or a player with substantia... More About: Discipline , Pitchers
Player Profile: Clay Buchholz
2009-09-23 09:27:00 Since his no-hitter in 2007, Clay Buchholz has been a mixed bag of inconsistent and occasionally brilliant. Going forward, is he to be trusted, or have his last few weeks been an aberration?Read more great baseball stuff at The Hardball Times. More About: Player , Profile
Belchran
2009-09-23 06:58:00 Carlos Beltran won’t play in day games following night games. He won’t play in too many games in a row. He won’t play in games where the other team’s starting pitcher’s last name ends in an N. Here’s me playing the world’s smallest violin for everyone at Metco. Since Beltran’s return, 1 homer and zero steals. So he’s not running and he’s hitting for an empty average with little power. There’s no crying in baseball and there’s no sentimentality in fantasy baseball. If you’re holding onto your 2nd round pick because you held him this long already, well, you’ve held him too long. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball: Anibal Sanchez – 8 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 7 Ks. If Oliver Perez is the crazy girlfriend that you have hot passionate sex with but is afraid may stab you in the jugular in the middle of the night, then Anibal is her sister. (If you followed that, give yo...
Nolan Ryan and the Hall
2009-09-23 04:37:00 I've apparently lit a fire under the blog by talking about the Hall of Fame. Anonymous wrote:I've got to argue Ryan if you're going to bang on Blyleven for his stats.Nolan Ryan:-.526 winning percentage-No Cy Young-No 20-win season-ERA+ 111One correction I'd offer is that Ryan won 20+ games twice, in 1973 and 1974.I'm not sure how old Anonymous is, but I can remember some of this discussion taking place after Ryan retired in 1993. Critics pointed to his losses and the fact that he didn't win a Cy and didn't have a significant post-season record (his one ring came as a minor contributor to the 1969 Mets) as reasons why Ryan shouldn't get in.I come back to the adjusted ERA.Adjusted ERA 300+ Wins (Post 1900 only)Lefty Grove 148Walter Johnson 147Roger Clemens 143Kid Nichols 140Cy Young 138Randy Johnson 136Grover Cleveland Alexander 135Christy Mathewson 135Greg Maddux 132Tom Seaver 127Eddie Plank 122Warren Spahn 118Tom Glavine 118Gaylord Perry 117Steve Carlton 115Phil Niekro 115No...
Waiver Wire Watch for Week 25
2009-09-23 04:36:00 It is never too late to improve your team! Here are five players available on the waiver wire under certain thresholds, according to the numbers at CBS Sports, who could be assets for your squad for the remainder of the season. Under 40 Percent Owned Miguel Olivo (30%) – With catchers, after you pass the first few tiers basically you want someone to help you in one category or another, most often HR or AVG. Olivo falls into the former, as he has 23 HR for the season. That makes him worth picking up right there. Add in the fact that he has also swiped a couple of bags in September and that makes him a worthwhile add down the stretch. Under 30 Percent Owned Bud Norris (26%) – After experiencing early success in his rookie season, Norris allowed 22 runs in 16.2 innings over four starts and saw his stock drop dramatically. But in his last three outings, Norris is 2-0 with 2.12 ERA with 21 Ks in 17 IP. A fastball/slider pitcher, Norris hit 98.4 in his last start and for the year has ... More About: Watch , Week , Wire
Always Be Closing: A Look to 2010
2009-09-23 04:05:00 by Matt SnyderFiled under: MLB Always Be ClosingIn last week's version of Always Be Closing, we had a reader request: to look ahead at the closing jobs for 2010. "Artsaba" actually only asked for those who aren't currently closing that could land the gig for next season, but we figured we might as well just list every team. So, after the jump, we've done so. If there is someone (like the gentleman pictured here) who doesn't need an introduction due to already definitely being his team's 2010 closer, we'll simply list his name. If an explanation is needed, for teams with undecided roles, we'll give one.Always Be Closing: A Look to 2010 originally appeared on Fantasy Baseball Fanhouse on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Stream Team: Four to Score
2009-09-23 01:20:00 by R.J. WhiteFiled under: MLB Waiver WireLooking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team , where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold. Barry Zito finally turned in an ugly start on Monday, giving up three earned runs in 4.1 innings while walking three guys and allowing six hits. We've still posted great numbers in September, so we shouldn't let the bad spot start get to us. Hiroki Kuroda is on the mound for our purposes today, so be sure to send positive thoughts towards him.Stream Team: Four to Score originally appeared on Fantasy Baseball Fanhouse on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Stock Watch: 9/22
2009-09-22 23:55:00 Stock Up Brett Anderson, Athletics Oakland’s 21 year-old rookie was plenty good during the first half of the 2009 season, but he has ascended into elite territory since the Midsummer Classic: 1st Half: 87.1 IP, 6.6 K/9, 2.78 BB/9 2nd Half: 77.1 IP, 8.7 K/9, 2.21 BB/9 Anderson’s uptick in performance coincided with an increase in velocity: Anderson’s fastball and slider velocity, by month: April: 91 MPH for the fastball, 82.7 MPH for the slider May: 91.4, 82.4 June 92.6, 83.8 July: 93.6, 85 August: 93, 84.2 September: 93.4, 84.2 Anderson’s souped-up fastball hasn’t been dominant (-0.61 runs/100 pitches for the year), but that mid-80’s slider has been deadly (+2.79 runs/100, best in the majors). What makes the pitch so wicked? It may be the unusual depth and bite on the offering. Anderson’s slider drops in the zone 3.4 inches more than a pitch thrown without spin. By comparison, the average lefty slider has +1.7 inches of vertical movement (ri... More About: Watch , Stock
No Future With White Sox For Jermaine Dye?
2009-09-22 23:54:00 The White Sox are unlikely to re-sign outfielder Jermaine Dye for the 2010 season, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Dye faces a $12MM mutual option, which won't merit consideration for the Sox. A new contract at half that amount would be a tough sell, in my opinion. It's been a strange season for the 35-year-old - he was very good in the season's first three months, OK in July, and brutal in August and September. He has no explanation for the prolonged slump, which caused him to drop from Type A to B in the Elias rankings. It would be dangerous to suggest Dye is done based on roughly 175 plate appearances. His bat is worth risking a few million bucks, though his right field defense has been consistently awful. Unfortunately it's a crowded market for designated hitters. More About: Future , White Sox
Top Pacific Coast League Players of 2009
2009-09-22 23:31:00 Continuing our series of minor league rankings. Today we hit the Pacific Coast League a hitters league. I love these lists, they help motivate me to do further research on prospects that appear higher or lower than expected. All of the data presented is courtesy of FanGraphs.comTop 25 Pacific Coast League Batters (minimum 50 at-bats) Name Team BB% K% AVG OBP SLG ISO Spd BABIP wOBA Jake Fox Cubs 11.40% 18.90% 0.409 0.495 0.841 0.433 5.6 0.431 0.554 Chris Young Diamondbacks 14.30% 24.10% 0.37 0.46 0.667 0.296 6.9 0.447 0.474 Travis Snider Blue Jays 13.80% 26.90% 0.337 0.431 0.663 0.326 3.3 0.395 0.462 Brandon Allen Diamondbacks 12.10% 17.20% 0.324 0.413 0.641 0.317 5.8 0.324 0.458 Tommy Everidge Athletics 10.30% 16.90% 0.368 0.428 0.632 0.264 2.5 0.4 0.453 John Bowker Giants 16.80% 17.50% 0.342 0.451 0.596 0.254 5.3 0.37 0.447 Carlos Gonzalez Rockies 10.30% 16.70% 0.339 0.418 0.63 0.292 6.8 0.367 0.446 Hector Luna Dodgers 8.20% 16.60% 0.351 0.414 0.61 0.259... More About: Players
Top International League Players of 2009
2009-09-22 23:29:00 I am going to be working my way through the stats of minor leaguers over the next couple of weeks. I figure I'll share some lists ranked by FIP for pitchers and WoBA for hitters.The Top 25 International League Pitchers (50 IP minimum) Name Team K/9 BB/9 HR/9 AVG WHIP BABIP ERA FIP Winston Abreu Rays 13.59 2.82 0.71 0.138 0.76 0.221 1.94 2.14 Tommy Hanson Braves 12.21 2.31 0.68 0.176 0.86 0.265 1.49 2.42 Edwar Ramirez Yankees 10.94 2.82 0.53 0.213 1.08 0.306 3.18 2.47 David Hernandez Orioles 12.4 2.83 0.78 0.206 1.05 0.309 3.3 2.62 Luis Valdez Braves 9.46 2.4 0.5 0.247 1.19 0.33 3.28 2.63 Jeremy Hellickson Rays 10.99 2.35 0.63 0.161 0.8 0.228 2.51 2.66 Chris Tillman Orioles 9.22 2.42 0.47 0.238 1.15 0.315 2.7 2.76 J.D. Martin Nationals 6.44 1.02 0.41 0.232 0.97 0.277 2.66 2.77 Garrett Mock Nationals 8.47 2.29 0.35 0.2 0.96 0.262 2.65 2.77 Nelson Figueroa Mets 7.55 1.93 0.4 0.224 1.03 0.279 2.25 2.77 Charlie Morton - - - 7.79 2.13 0.38 0.217 1.02 0.274... More About: Players
Razzball Update: Cafe in a Fight
2009-09-22 23:03:00 Since I know some of you are readers of the excellent blog Razzball, you may know that I’m representing the Cafe in a Razzball competition against other members of the blogosphere. For those unaware, Razzball is essentially the opposite of normal fantasy baseball, where the object is to start the players that perform the ... More About: Fight , Update
Webb Not Interested In Restructured Deal
2009-09-22 22:49:00 We've seen speculation that the Diamondbacks could decline Brandon Webb 's $8.5MM club option in hopes of negotiating a more favorable deal, as risky as that sounds. Given the $2MM buyout, it's a net of just $6.5MM for the D'Backs in 2010. Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic spoke to Webb today, and the pitcher said he is not interested in a restructured deal. If the Diamondbacks decline the option, Webb will hit the open market. Talking to Scott Bordow of the East Valley Tribune, Webb referenced John Smoltz's $5.5MM guarantee, noting that "he's got a little bit of age on me and my surgery wasn't even close to his." Webb's preference is still for the D'Backs to pick up the 2010 option. Despite what's been written I'd be surprised if they don't. More About: Deal
MLB.com Fantasy 411: 9/22/09 - VIDEO
2009-09-22 22:32:00 Vinny Micucci and Corey Gottlieb talk about the 2010 outlooks for Matt Wieters and Geovany Soto, Ted Lilly's injury status, and the immediate fantasy values of some of the Astros' younger players. More About: Video , Fantasy
Cards Void Wagner Mateo's Contract
2009-09-22 22:28:00 8:28pm: Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told Derrick Goold of the P-D he has no plans to renegotiate with Mateo at this time. Mozeliak is disappointed the deal fell apart. 5:37pm: Badler talked to Mateo's agent Edgar Mercedes, who said his client will be among those in attendance at a tryout in October. By the way, the Cardinals noted that there were no concerns about Mateo's age. 2:43pm: The Cardinals voided the contract of top prospect Wagner Mateo, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The 16-year-old Dominican signed a $3.1MM deal with the Cards in July, but failed to meet the club's physical standards. The team discovered "pre-existing injuries and physical defects" and voided the deal. Mateo's representatives say the outfielder has 20/30 vision in his right eye, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. However, they say Mateo doesn't have a degenerative eye condition or nerve damage. Mateo's representatives say the prospect's vision is the same as it was earlier... More About: Contract
Eddie Guardado Considering Retirement
2009-09-22 22:22:00 Reliever Eddie Guardado is considering retirement, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Guardado, 39 in October, admitted he's "thinking about hanging it up," but left the possibility of another season open. If he retires, Everyday Eddie will finish with a 4.32 ERA in 942.6 innings for the Twins, Mariners, Reds, and Rangers. He also has 187 saves, 86 in 2002-03. He's earned approximately $29MM in his career. More About: Retirement
Odds & Ends: Greinke, Rangers, A's, Yankees
2009-09-22 18:17:00 Some more links for the afternoon... Zack Greinke told WEEI.com's Alex Speier that he wouldn't have trouble pitching in any city except New York. The Cy Young contender sounds confident that he could thrive in other places, but suggested he might struggle if asked to pitch in the Big Apple on a regular basis. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan provides the names of some possible bidders for the Rangers . George Bush and Nolan Ryan don't appear to be candidates to buy the club. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says the A's could use some big bats next year. As Ken Rosenthal pointed out earlier today, Adam Kennedy's .767 OPS leads all A's with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. Matthew Pouliot of NBC.com's Circling the Bases continues to rank the offseason's top free agents. Carlos Delgado and Hideki Matsui place 40th and 36th, respectively. As Peter Abraham of the Journal News points out, Andy Pettitte will probably earn about $5MM in incentives before the season ends.... More About: Yankees , Odds , Ends
Odds & Ends: Astros, Indians, Werth
2009-09-22 15:06:00 More links for Tuesday... Today's chat starts in an hour. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Astros aren't likely to hire Jeff Bagwell as the club's next manager. Former MLB managers Jim Fregosi, Buck Showalter and Manny Acta could all be considered for the job. As MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports, the Indians continue to discuss manager Eric Wedge's performance. An announcement about the skipper's future with the Indians should come soon after the end of the season, if not earlier. If the Indians decide to fire Wedge, Boston pitching coach John Farrell would be the favorite to replace him, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Jayson Werth explains to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick how Philadelphia fans bring out the best in him. Werth's having a career year, with 34 homers and a .900 OPS. More About: Odds , Ends
Tony Cincotta and Darryl Houston Smith with Fantasy Baseball Live - Jun 19,
2008-06-19 22:00:00 The Fantasy Baseball mafia.com brings to you their latest podcast FantasyBaseballmafia Live . It is two hour of calls, strategies, updates and some laughs. It's Tony and Darryl 's world and we bring you all of the fantasy information you need to dominate your leagues. The show where the experts get there information. More About: Fantasy Baseball
Tony Cincotta and Darryl Houston Smith with Fantasy Baseball Live - Jun 13,
2008-06-13 22:00:00 The Fantasy Baseball mafia.com brings to you their latest podcast FantasyBaseballmafia Live . It is two hour of calls, strategies, updates and some laughs. It's Tony and Darryl 's world and we bring you all of the fantasy information you need to dominate your leagues. The show where the experts get there information. More About: Fantasy Baseball
Viagra use on the rise in all sports including horse racing
2008-06-11 14:23:00 It wasn't so long ago that the only person in sports who wanted to publicly discuss Viagra was Rafael Palmeiro — and Pfizer had to pay the slugger a reported $500,000 to pitch its product. But the little blue thrill pill became the talk of the sports world Tuesday after the New York Daily News reported that Roger Clemens and other athletes have turned Vitamin V into one of the hottest drugs in locker rooms. The World Anti-Doping Agency is trying to determine if Viagra can be used to cheat in the Olympics. Major League Baseball and the National Football League will also try to determine if the erectile-dysfunction drug aids training and improves performance. Bodybuilders, weightlifters and other athletes have turned to Viagra because they believe it helps dilate blood vessels and delivers oxygen, nutrients and steroids to various muscle groups more efficiently. Other athletes use Viagra to treat impotence — a side effect of steroid abuse. Jocks who participate in aerobic... More About: Sports , Racing , Horse Racing , Rise
Giambi believes career is far from over; a return to Oakland?
2008-06-11 14:19:00 Jason Giambi is 37 now, in the final year of his New York Yankees contract. He has been through a steroids scandal and struggled through injuries and illness. Yet he arrived here as among the most productive Yankees in the lineup, with an on-base-plus-slugging percentage of .945, second on the team to Alex Rodriguez. Giambi is making $21 million this season, and the Yankees hold a $22 million option on his contract for 2009, with a $5 million buyout. It seems highly unlikely he will return, especially if the Yankees pursue a younger first baseman, Mark Teixeira, on the free-agent market. Giambi's recent surge has made it clear his career is not finished. But no matter how his season had been going, Giambi said, he would have wanted to keep playing. He loves the game and lives for the lifestyle."No doubt," Giambi said. "I'd like to play until I'm 40. My body feels great, and I'm taking care of it. I'd love to play that long."Giambi's hitting style defined the A's teams of the ... More About: Oakland , Career , Return
Mets believe they are a playoff team, just don't play like one
2008-06-11 14:16:00 Few grand plans have gotten off to a worse start than the New York Mets ' new one did Tuesday night. They haven't played like a playoff team, but the Mets still believe they are one. And Tuesday, before facing the Diamondbacks, the Mets players emerged from a brief players-only, closed-door meeting, each carrying a piece of paper with a blueprint for a future that includes the postseason. No part of it included blowing a four-run lead and falling, 9-5, at Shea. Reliever Joe Smith surrendered a a go-ahead solo homer to Chris Snyder in the eighth and Duaner Sanchez coughed up three more runs in the ninth to complete the Mets' undoing. One player allowed the Daily News a quick glance at the sheet, which looked a lot like a flow chart with a series of arrows. At the top was the team's record entering Tuesday night's game, 30-32. Near the bottom was a circled final regular-season record of 92-70. Below that was an arrow pointing to a single word: "Play offs." The sheet also had severa... More About: Team
Who caught Griffey's 600th? Police go to the video tape
2008-06-11 13:36:00 Although Major League Baseball remains undecided about using instant replay for home runs, that did not stop the police from watching video to determine who caught the 600th home run hit by Ken Griffey Jr. on Monday night in Miami. Justin Kimball, a 25-year-old Miami man, said he caught Griffey's milestone home run at Dolphin Stadium and placed the ball in a wool cap. The cap was pulled from his hands, and someone ran away with the ball, Kimball said, according to news reports. It was not clear whether Kimball claimed that the fugitive was a one-armed man. Or why anybody would be wearing a wool cap in the sweltering heat of Miami.This was yet another in a series of home run disputes in baseball this season. Only this time, it involved the person who caught the ball, not the umpire who ruled on it. Not requiring a protracted field study or a change in the collective bargaining agreement, the Miami-Dade police quickly went to the replay to see if Kimball's claims were true. Apparent... More About: Video , Police , Caught
Harrison agrees to write introduction to Tyree's book
2008-06-11 13:26:00 When asked recently what he'd say to someone seeking his autograph on a picture of him attempting to defend David Tyree's remarkable on-the-helmet catch that set up the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII, Rodney Harrison didn't hesitate. "You have to pay me," the Patriots safety said with a laugh.But Harrison is actually putting his name on something directly related to the catch, free of charge. Tyree has penned a book titled "More Than Just a Catch," due out in September, and it includes an introduction by Harrison. Speaking Monday at the Patriots' charity golf tournament in Bolton, Harrison explained why he was willing to contribute to such a painful memory for New England fans. Part of it had to do with Tyree's spiritual journey.Tyree, a special teams standout, took leave from the Giants for a mid-December game when his mother died of a heart attack at age 59. In 2004, Tyree had been arrested for possession of marijuana, and he also had struggles with alcohol before turni... More About: Write , Book , Introduction
Schilling blasts Kobe's motivational techniques in blog
2008-06-11 13:09:00 Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson doesn't have a problem with the way Kobe Bryant tries to motivate his teammates, even if Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling does. Never shy about sharing his opinions, Schilling threw a brushback pitch at Bryant on his 38pitches.com blog Monday, the day after the Boston Celtics took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals with a 108-102 victory at TD Banknorth Garden, saying he was stunned by how Bryant interacted with his teammates. Schilling had a front-row seat, right next to the Lakers bench, for Game 2, and he turned it into a pulpit, detailing how Bryant sulked and stalked through the loss. "I don't really have an opinion one way or the other on or about him other than to know that people feel he might be one of the 4-5 greatest players to ever lace it up," wrote Schilling. "What I do know is what I got to see up close and hear, was unexpected. From the first tip until about 4 minutes left in the game I saw and heard this guy [complain] at his teammate... More About: Blog , Motivational
Snake Bitten: Hitters
2008-06-11 13:00:00 The Arizona Diamondbacks came out of the gates quickly in 2008, punishing their opponents in April and looking like the early team to beat. Their offense was scoring runs in bunches and their pitching was stellar, leading to a lot of lopsided wins. On April 28th, they stood 19-7. Even after yesterday’s ... More About: Snake
Peavy & Goliath
More articles from this author:2008-06-11 09:28:00 Jake Peavy is scheduled to start on Thursday. Despite the fact that Peavy’s been on the DL for much of the year and the whole offense blows except for A-Gonz and Brian Giles’ OBP, San Diego is only 7 games back of Arizona. But just in case Jake was feeling nervous, we thought ... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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