Q:
Of the two super-rookies who just became available this
past week - Jon Lester and Chad Billingsley - who will have more
value this season?
- Jim
A: Both are good options and luckily for fantasy owners, both go to good teams in the Red Sox and Dodgers who will give each rookie an opportunity to win early in their careers. While both of these guys have been built up to be the saviors of each pitching staff, Billingsley is probably going to be the better option of the two for the time being.
Coming into this season, the Dodgers top pitching prospect was second only to Francisco Liriano as the minors best pitcher. Considering his company, you can imagine big things are expected of the former first rounder from 2003. Billingsley has pitched well this year in Triple-A Las Vegas, compiling a 6-3 record with a 3.95 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 70 innings.
Meanwhile, Lester has also been impressive, going 3-4 with a 2.70 ERA and 43 Ks in 46 innings. He’s been brought up to Boston because of injuries to David Wells and Matt Clement and because of their longevity, he’ll stick with the big league club until they come back or other options become available.
That being said, Billingsley has been brought up because of poor pitching performances from Jae Seo and Odalis Perez and will stay in the rotation as long as needed. If he pitches well, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t stick in Los Angeles. The same goes for Lester, although he may have a larger timeframe because of the injuries to his teammates.
Overall, both of these guys will be great for your team for the next 10 years. For now, however, I’d put my money on Billingsley is only for the fact that he won’t walk as many batters and he’s pitching in the National League. Those factors will help both his strikeouts and ERA more so than the fact that Lester will have to pitch against some of the best lineups in baseball. Both are excellent keeper picks, so if you’re in a league like that, take both if you can.
Q: Of these players who are
likely to get traded, who will be the best option to go out and
get?
Luis Gonzalez
Aubrey Huff
Reggie Sanders
- Kevin
A: While it’s hard to gauge just how much these players’ values will be come the trade deadline their fantasy value will depend on where they go.
Of the three, Huff is the guy who stands out to me if only because he’s been such an extreme second half player. For his career, Huff has had a line of .266/.330/.427 before the All-Star break and .303/.351/.515 after. We all know he’s going to put up numbers wherever he goes, but if he goes to a place like New York, his numbers will be much better than with the Padres.
There has been plenty of speculation about Reggie Sanders donning pinstripes, which makes sense. He’s a veteran and fills a huge need in the outfield. New York will likely go out and get an outfielder so they don’t have to play Bernie Williams as much in the field, leaving Johnny Damon and Melky Cabrera as the other regulars. Sanders would be a solid pick-up if he played for New York, where his speed might be used a little more.
As for Gonzalez, he’s not worth owning pretty much anywhere he plays at this point. So don’t worry there.
Q: Will Jeff Weaver be worth owning if he’s
traded to the Red Sox?
- John
A: There’s no question that Weaver’s worth will jump pitching for one of the East’s powerhouses. He’s pitched on a big stage before in New York, but had some trouble handling the pressure. Something tells me he’d be more at home in Boston, where the constant scrutiny isn’t AS bad and he could have a little more fun in the clubhouse.
A lot of Weaver’s troubles this season have come from the fact he’s just no good at pitching to clubs in the AL West:
Vs. Oakland: 3-3, 5.61 ERA in 9 starts
Vs. Seattle: 1-5, 6.18 ERA in 8 starts
Vs. Texas: 2-5, 5.25 ERA in 9 starts
With Boston he’d have a great catcher in Varitek calling the shots and not a rookie in Mike Napoli either. There’s a lot going for him if he ends up with the Red Sox, so if he’s traded, give him a shot.
Q: I really need a LF and I’ve been offered
this trade:
Adam Dunn, Brad Hawpe and Jamie Moyer for Vlad Guerrero, Joe Crede and Randy Johnson
Should I pull the trigger?
- Phil
A: Yes, yes and yes. If you’re desperate for a guy in left field, Dunn is one of the best, considering he’s probably going to give you about 25 more home runs the rest of the way. If you can eat his horrible batting average, you would definitely come out on top here.
While it’s hard to see Vlad go, you’re still getting a decent replacement in Hawpe, who plays in the friendly confines of Coors Field and has actually hit better on the road this season. Hawpe should continue to hover around .300 and won’t kill you in right field, although pretty much anyone is a drop from Guerrero.
I look at it like this:
Dunn for Vlad
Hawpe for Johnson
Moyer for Crede
If you’re in a real need of a LF, then it looks like you’re breaking out even, at least, while filling a need. It’s always hard parting ways with the big guys of fantasy baseball, but sometimes it’s what you have to do to move up in the standings.
Q: How much value will Roger Clemens have once
he steps on the mound this week?
- Jesse
A: In case you missed it last week, here’s what I had to say about Clemens comparing him to Curt Schilling:
“We all know that Clemens wouldn’t be coming back unless he absolutely knew he could pitch at or very near the level he was at last year. Monday on “Around the Horn” Jackie MacMullan was talking about how detailed Clemens is when scheduling workouts and how he treats his body, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t believe he’s planned this all long. ESPN’s Jeff Brantley even said last week he’s never seen Clemens in as good of shape as he is right now.”
I still stand by that. Clemens will be a
top-10 pitcher the rest of the way.
