All Questions Answered Thread

Me being a homer here, but I like Aromashadu in the first week. The Bears are playing against the Lions, and I think his upside is higher than the rest of the players based on current depth charts.

Out of that group of free agents you mentioned, I probably like Crayton best because of him being traded to San Diego, but I’m not sure I’d drop Bush to pick him up.

I like Romashadu as your flex for week 1. Chicago’s at home, taking on Detroit. Cutler and Martz will probably want to come out flying. With what’s available, I like your backup WR.

It seems the FA list is really slim. I would stick with Bush. He might still play in Week 1. I think he’ll even have a better season than Maroney.

Morrow
Hudson
Bumgarner
Chacin
Matusz

I’ve prided myself on being an expert of drafting pitching (and admittedly, not as much so on hitting). In an AL-Only league, I fielded Fransisco Liriano, Gavin Floyd, Brett Anderson, and nabbed Colby Lewis very early. The one I really missed on this year was Matusz.

Just a note here though: As HORRENDOUS as he was early on, and I can’t emphasize what a destroyer of ERA worlds he was, here’s a stat: 4.12 ERA and 1.28 WHIP since June 1st. If he can put together another solid month, his ERA probably ends around 4.50 for the year, and you’ve got a beneath the numbers sleeper for 2011.

Man I wish I could predict that. I’d say that something to watch for would have to be HR/FB% rate or HR/AB rate for players who are now getting regular playing time.

For me, it’s probably Posey, Kemp, Bruce, Morales, and maybe Liriano. But a lot of those players are really going to be in for a huge jump in ranking for next season for Yahoo I would think.

Honestly, I’ve got nothing since his contract was voided by the Rangers. Hopefully he’ll be able to make it back someday.

Pitchers: Anderson, Morrow, Cecil
Hitters: McGehee, Hill, and whichever catcher you prefer of Montero or Soto. Although out of that group I’d probably keep McGehee if you don’t have to keep the others.

both of you guys don’t like Morrow? Do you think he’ll never be an ace or that he might get injured? Because he has been pretty damn dominant. I had going for that 17 strikeout game and he single handedly won me that week. But he is inconsistent and I do like Cecil and Zimmermann. I’ll think about it

Well, I’ll include just called up since most of them aren’t getting a lot of playing time:

Yonder Alonso – I think they find somewhere for him to play (probably corner outfield) since Joey Votto has cemented himself quite well at 1B.

Desmond Jennings – I don’t think the Rays resign Crawford, although they’ll try. Jennings is a capable replacement to be sure.

Freddie Freeman – Braves 1B of the future who should get every shot to be the starter in Spring Training

Mike Moustakas – I think he’s going to force his way up with the power he’s shown. I’d be shocked if he wasn’t up to start 2011.

Michael Pineda – I think he’s very likely to be up for the start of the season after blowing away everybody in AA and AAA.

I think Mesoraco, Belt and Lawrie are reasonably likely to be in the Majors in 2011, and it comes down to Robinson and Jackson for me. Honestly, I’d probably keep Jackson because he seems a lot more likely to have a spot to play sooner than Robinson. Nice problem to have here I’d say.

I’d compare Nunez to what the other closers are kept for, but in a vacuum and knowing he’s cheap, probably.

I think Stanton has the better season next year, but I think Alvarez catches up to him before too long. Alvarez isn’t going to give as much power in my opinion, but is more likely to have a higher batting average and be the more well rounded player.

On the high side, Colby has progressed nicely in year 2 of facing MLB pitching. He has handled LHP much better than in the past and pretty much equaled last years stats in 100 fewer at bats. He also did not get off to the anticipated slow start that has haunted him throughout his career. He’s a left handed hitter who can be penciled in the #5 spot on down against LHP or RHP without much issue. The biggest asset CR has as of now is that he is cheap and will remain so for a while.

On the negative side, Colby still has holes in his swing that makes him susceptible to quality LHP. He has a high and inside weakness very similar to Rick Ankiel’s. Colby has a ways to go before he could regularly be penciled into the #1-4 holes against LHP but could probably fit the bill against RHP in the #2 or 3 holes. He has speed and runs the bases ok. He stole bases in the minors pretty well- nothing spectacular. At the MLB level he has had much less success. His defense is about average for a center fielder but his accuracy throwing is well below average. His arm strength seems average at best. He’ll never win a GG but is a serviceable CF as of now. Colby is also not the most eloquent of speakers- he even comes off as a hick. But I’m not sure how much of that translates to actual intelligence.

On the high side he has a value similar to a healthy Jacob Elsberry, Adam Jones, possibly Andrew McCutchen with the trade off of less defense and speed for more power. I would not be surprised to see Colby traded for a very highly rated pitching prospect or a highly rated middle infielder or 3b which are the Cards’ needs as of now. He has 35 double/35 homer potential and his progress this season verses last put his value pretty high.

I’d rank them like this: Aromashodu, Breaston, McCluster, Hester.

I honestly have no idea what to make of Breaston with Derek Anderson now as his quarterback, and while it’s an improvement, I’m not sure how much of one.

I would take a different approach.

I see Hester and Aromashodu as the ones to start but give the edge to Hester versus Detroit. I can see him scoring on a reverse or return.

My rankings would be: Hester, Aromashodu, Breaston, McCluster

Breaston is more of a question mark with the Arizona offense in flux and McCluster is being raved about but I think I’d go with the safe bet in week one.