Thanks to Ray for covering for me while I was away. Here are your fantasy baseball links for today, September 23:
Moore Mows Down Yankees | Baseball Analytics
Frankly, it's hard to find other lefties with Moore's combination of fastball velocity and movement. But teammate David Price and Texas' Derek Holland are good comps.
Endgame reminders | The Hardball Times
When I've been in this situation I've been known to beat my competitors to the wire and gobble up the most attractive streamer options, only to hoard them on my bench for their starts. You do not have to intend to play a player to pick him up; removing him from the pool of options is a fully valid and ethical motivation. We pick up offensive players with the intent of using them as bench depth all the time. If you can't be the first to the wire for tomorrow, you can look a day or two out.
Follow the jump for more of the latest fantasy baseball news and analysis from around the web.
Checking in on Some Mid-season AL SP Disappointments | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
If [Holland] could maintain this velocity increase, then it does give him an opportunity to improve his strikeout rate, and his minor league track record suggests this is possible. Given the increased GB%, the improved control and velocity spike, he looks like a solid target for next year with some additional upside.
Trolling the Wire: The Finish Line | Baseball By Paul
Working The Wire: Looking at Who’s Hot in the Fantasy Baseball World | Rotoprofessor
If there is one position on your fantasy baseball team that could easily still be interchangeable at this point in the season it’s the catcher spot, and Salvador Perez is the guy you want to be rolling with right now. In his last five games Perez is 11 – 19 with 5 R, 1 HR and 6 RBI. In September overall he is hitting .415 and has scored 11 runs. He doesn’t have a ton of pop, but he does have some and he looks to be good for a few runs scored. It’s hard to argue with that from the catcher position at this point in the season.
Six Guys for Six Days | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
The Sox 3B seemed like he might have fantasy value before the season, in large part due to having SS eligibility in most formats. Then he turned out to be pretty bad for much of the season. But in September? .263/.400/.632 with 6 HR. Miss Tulo? Worried one of your MI (Utley? Cano?) will get some days off? Morel would fill that slot nicely, and if he keeps this up, he’s an a-ok play at 3B, too.
Keeper Considerations: Peralta, Hardy, Asdrubal Cabrera | Roto Hardball
Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like about Asdrubal Cabrera. He's still a young player, and provides solid production in all five fantasy categories. But given his good luck on fly balls this season and his second half slide, he's likely to be overrated in fantasy drafts for 2012.
Early 2012 Outlook: Top 10 3B | Fantasy Baseball 365
Extremely early 2012 ranks. They've already done several other positions, so look around for those as well.
Injury Report: September 23: Nelson Cruz, Lucas Duda & More | Rotoprofessor
Collateral Damage: Playoff Pitch | Baseball Prospectus
Prospect of the Day: Taylor Green, 3B-2B, Milwaukee Brewers | Minor League Ball
Listed at 5-11, 200, Green is 24 years old and hits from the left side. He has a contact-oriented swing. Scouts didn't expect him to hit for a ton of power even before the wrist injury, so his extra-base burst this year is quite interesting. He showed more bat speed this year, and his plate discipline has always been solid. He has a strong platoon split (1.078 OPS against right-handed pitching, but just .741 against lefties this year), and in the majors he will probably fit best as a platoon bat.
Prelude to a save: A closer’s guide to choosing the right entrance song | The A.V. Club
I've always thought the theme to "Kill Bill" would be a good one, but perhaps it's a little too overplayed. Other suggestions?