Sorry for the lateness, but I just completed a deal to put this column on a fantasy baseball website. Part of the deal was a clause that lets me continue posting to the Wienerboard. I wouldn’t sell out my wieners.
[cheap plug] At Home Plate is a good site. It is free of charge and pop-up free. It has baseball columns, recaps, and a message board. Check it out. [/cheap plug]
The one thing I don’t get is why people think that a column on a website is better than a column on a message board. Just because my column now has a webpage home doesn’t make it any better. It’s still the same as before. Just because I now have an editor also won’t make it better. I think an editor is only good for people who can’t edit their own work. So don’t expect any improvement in quality here.
Feedback: RE: Best Pitcher Ever?
Al from Brooklyn writes;
You are forgetting about Whitey Ford. Check his numbers. He had insane World Series stats. He would’ve had more accumulated wins if it wasn’t for his military service. Casey Stengel also used him in an irregular manor. Casey would save Ford so he’d only pitch against the other teams #1 starter. It wasn’t until ‘61 when he got regular work and had his best season.
In a big World Series games, I’d much rather have Whitey Ford or even Jack Morris over Clemens.
Fantasy Baseball All-Star Teams:
Instead of picking all-stars for baseballs fall classic, I decided it would be more fun to pick fantasy baseball All-Stars. I use my patented SkP point system where I award points based on a weighted average in the five categories of Homeruns, Steals, Runs, RBIs, and Batting Average. I picked 20 position players in each league. My mid-year MVP is Soriano in the AL and Sheffield in the NL. Next week I’ll give my picks for pitchers.
American League
Catcher : Jorge Posada – 1.7 Catcher : Jason Varitek – 1.7 First Base : Carlos Delgado – 2.6 First Base : Jason Giambi – 2.0 Second Base : Alfonzo Soriano – 2.9 Second Base : Bret Boone – 2.5 Shortstop : Nomar Garciaparra – 2.3 Shortstop : Melvin Mora – 2.2 Shortstop : Alex Rodriguez – 2.1 Third Base : Corey Koskie – 1.9 Third Base : Troy Glaus – 1.8 Outfield : Carlos Beltran – 2.6 Outfield : Vernon Wells – 2.3 Outfield : Ichiro Suzuki – 2.2 Outfield : Milton Bradley– 2.2 Outfield : Garret Anderson – 2.2 Outfield : Manny Ramirez – 2.2 Outfield : Eric Byrnes – 2.1 DH : Edgar Martinez – 1.8 DH : Rafael Palmeiro – 1.8
National League
Catcher : Javy Lopez – 2.6 Catcher : Ivan Rodriguez – 1.7 First Base : Todd Helton – 2.0 First Base : Richie Sexson – 1.9 Second Base : Jeff Kent – 2.9 Second Base : Luis Castillo – 2.5 Shortstop : Edgar Renteria– 2.2 Shortstop : Rafael Furcal – 2.0 Third Base : Albert Pujols – 2.7 Third Base : Mike Lowell – 2.2 Third Base : Morgan Ensberg – 2.1 Outfield : Gary Sheffield – 2.9 Outfield : Barry Bonds – 2.6 Outfield : Jim Edmonds – 2.4 Outfield : Corey Patterson – 2.3 Outfield : Juan Pierre – 2.2 Outfield : Preston Wilson – 2.1 Outfield : Luis Gonzalez – 2.1 DH : Jim Thome – 1.9 DH : Geoff Jenkins – 2.1
Eerie Similarities
Geoff Jenkins and Carl Everett have had similar careers. Either they both are really good, or they both suck. This year, they both are really good. Here is a look at the similarites. Jenkins 2002 numbers were adjusted up to give him as many at-bats as Everett. Here are the numbers from each of the last 4 years.
In regular baseball you go with Bonds, but fantasy is different. At first glance this deal just didn’t smell right to me. I’m assuming that Meche and Patterson can continue the same production in the second half. If you think Meche and Patterson are both playing over their heads, you would be more inclined deal them.
Replacing Patterson with Bonds will get you an extra 11 Hrs, 10 Runs, and .010 Average. The average impact you have to split with the other 8 members of your team so dividing by nine only improves your average by .001. You are losing 5 RBIs and 11 Steals. It is a straight up HR for Steals trade, and steals are more valuable.
Looking more in-depth. The average team in our league has 88 HR, 43 SB, 375 Runs, 351 RBIs, and a .276 Average. This gives them 52.5 points in the standings in the middle of 20 teams with 10.5 points in each category. Replacing Patterson with Bonds will give that team numbers of 98 HR, 32 SB, 385 Runs, 346 RBIs, and .277 Average for a total of 51.5 points. In other words you are already losing one point in the standings and I haven’t even looked at pitching yet.
Let’s say the best pitcher on waivers is the guy Meche is replacing. In our league Jeff D’Amico is that best pitcher off waivers so lets replace him with Meche on that same team.
Here our average team goes from up to 43 Wins, 474 Ks, 4.00 ERA, and 1.33 WHIP. The ERA and WHIP improvement had to be divided by 6 to split the impact on the pitching staff. Here we go from 52.5 points in pitching to 64.5 points. The net impact of the trade is a negative 13 points to the guy that got Bonds.
Bottom Line: Unless I’m really desperate for Homeruns and already have lots of pitching and steals, I don’t make that trade for Bonds.
B-B-B-Benny and the Mets:
The Mets need to trade Armando Benitez and they need to get it done by yesterday. Mets fans have an irrational hatred of this guy. They boo him every game. People are calling him WWC (World’s Worst Closer) on talk radio. I haven’t seen all the closers in the world, but his numbers can’t be the worst. They also say he has blown all the “big games” this year. Newsflash: The Mets are 10 games under .500, there haven’t had any big games all year. And how is one game more important than another? They each count for .62% of a season. Someone explain to me how a game against the Yankees (a non-division opponent) is any more important than a game against the Marlins? By talking him down, all the fans are doing is lowering his trade value.
At least the Mets got rid of Alomar. He can’t play any worse for Chicago. The Mets are still in trouble. Reyes has speed, but no defense and won’t hit over .250 this year. Billy Beane wouldn’t put up with a tools guy with no numbers. Cedeno can hit for average, but became slow as shit on the bases. Floyd also can’t run and is always hurt. Wiggington has the best arm at 3rd in the majors, but has no fantasy value.
I like how the Yankees got Karim Garcia. He may turn into another Kevin Maas, but I think he will hit for power.
Bottom of the Barrell Award:
Best Waiver Pick of the Week: Calgary Hitmen
The Panthers signing Phil Nevin was also a great move. I didn’t think he was coming back this year, but if he even gives two months of production, that is a good deal. The Panthers also have room on their DL once Schilling comes back soon. If you have room on the DL you might as well use the free spot. Jerome Williams was also a pretty good pick. The Giants are high on him.
My favorite pick was when the Hitmen took Reed Johnson. He has the highest average out of all the rookies. Toronto has a great offense, so he’s bound to get Runs and RBIs there. He also will take playing time away from Josh Phelps. It’s a great pick.
At least this proves that he saved some of his money... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2003451643_webrainiers28.html The Rainiers are the AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.