Baseball season has arrived -- in Australia, at least.
Aussie fans got to see some of what we're used to Up Above. Included were a rain delay, a wind-blown home run and what passes as a pitching gem in these days.
Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw went all of 6 2/3 innings in a 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks in Sydney early this morning (tonight in Australia). I hate to be an old fart, but Juan Marichal and Don Drysdale and Ferguson Jenkins would have spit on a 6 2/3-inning opening game. I'm pretty sure Nolan Ryan still would. And you can't tell me there's no correlation between pitch counts and inning counts and the rash of pitching injuries we're seeing in the 21st century. But that's a topic for another day.
OF Scott Van Slyke hit the wind-blown homer for LA. RF Yasiel Puig, whose has been on the interstate throughout the exhibition games, went 0-for-5. How silly does all that outrage about not putting him in last year's All-Star Game seem now?
The other topic on my soapbox for today is that it's a shame today's (in the U.S.) two games aren't on a more available television outlet than just the MLB Network and mlb.tv. Especially if you're going to take the games to another continent, you owe it to your domestic fan base to get their baseball juices flowing.
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks have another game Sunday afternoon in Australia (10 p.m. EDT tonight), with LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (he's getting good enough that I know can type his name without having to look up which vowels go where) against Arizona RHP Trevor Cahill. You can probably follow it on Gameday. I'll probably check in to see what the simulated hitters' background at Sydney Cricket Grounds looks like.
In a way it's a good thing that I neither have the MLB Network in our Uverse package, nor have mlb.tv for this year yet. I'm supposed to be getting a discounted package as a sometime official scorer, but I haven't heard back on my request. But by being part of the other half for now, I see that it's an injustice to the universe of baseball fans. Does baseball actually think that we wouldn't buy the mlb.tv package if we could get two games from a foreign land relatively for free. What about the other 2,400 or so games this season?
The beginning of the baseball season, on top of everything else in life, also means there's a whole lot I could be writing about that I haven't written yet.
Life has intruded on baseball a lot the last couple of weeks -- nothing bad, just a whole lot of stuff to do. Thus I haven't had or taken the time to write about Reds LHP Aroldis Chapman's frightening injury and a lot of battles for positions, spots in rotations and bullpens and other baseball concerns.
I hope to do a lot more in the next few days, even with three fantasy drafts in Sunday. Can't do that now, because I have a Stars game this afternoon. But there will be more, and I hope a return to a daily blogging schedule.
* * *
Basketball. Our league is in the playoffs, and my team's late-season slide has continued. Through the first 5 of 14 days in the first round, I'm tied 4-4 with the team that finished fourth during the regular season. The reason that I'm tied and not ahead comes down to one word: Shooting. I trail in field goal and free throw percentage, 3-point field goals and points. All shooting.
Today's active players are three big men and G Victor Oladipo. I'm hoping the big guys get plenty of put-back opportunities to improve my 43% shooting, without sucking at the foul line. Even Carmelo Anthony scored just 21 points Friday, when the high scorer among my 10 active players was Amar'e Stoudemire with 22. Belated props (does anyone say that anymore) to Ricky Rubio on his triple double Wednesday. That certainly helped my team in assists and rebounds. I'm also leading in steals and killing in blocks.
Most of the basketball news these days is about the NCAA tournament. I'm in three pick-'em pools and another that pays off for each game after those phony first four. It's like a traditional Super Bowl pool, based on the final score -- with my square representing the same score (I think winner ending in 7, loser ending in 3) for all 66 opportunities, including halftime of the Final Four games. So it's 66 chances to "win" among 100 contestants -- even if winning means getting half of my money back for a first-round win and I think breaking even with a Round of 32 win. I split up the upsets for my pick-'em pools, so that I've had most of the upsets. I don't know whether it will be good to have those evenly distributed among the three or to have one entry heavy with correctly picked upsets. Hedging my bets, I went mostly with chalk in the most expensive pool, figuring that I might not win as much but at least I wouldn't lose as much by playing it safe.
* * *
Hockey. I'm confused about the game limits in my league. While I've been rationing my playing time, the team directly ahead of me in second place already has exceeded the games limit. The only place I've been able to find for a clarification has been a message board on espy.com. I don't expect an answer, and I don't expect to move up in the standings after being in third place for months.
Showing posts with label Carmelo Anthony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carmelo Anthony. Show all posts
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Of Medlen, Tommy John and Santana
Braves RHP Kris Medlen's progression has been easy to project.
The first news over the weekend was that he had a strained forearm. The next word, that he had ligament damage in his elbow. Next, he visited Dr. James Andrews. Now he might seek a second opinion.
Here's how this is going to end: Tommy John surgery. Mark my words.
Give the Braves credit, and give RHP Ervin Santana a couple of million extra dollars, for Atlanta's fast action. The Braves swooped in and signed the free agent away from other key suitors, the Blue Jays and Orioles, for $14 million.
Santana is the greatest beneficiary among the late-signing free agents. Don't you think OF Nelson Cruz today is wishing Jason Heyward had been injured, so the former Ranger would have received more than the $8 million Baltimore is paying him for 2014?
For openers: It's no surprise that LHP David Price will be the Rays' Opening Day starter.
I hope to be back with more baseball later today. I'm also recording tonight's Giants-Rangers game in case I don't watch it live.
* * *
Hockey. I'm in a rut at 65 points. Still in third place, but the teams above me currently are pulling away and the fourth-place team keeps gaining half a point or a point here and there. The worst was when the team in fourth moved ahead of me in penalty minutes. It's just a 3-minute gap now, but I might have to sign someone like Antoine Roussel to get a couple of extra fights in there.
No. 4 is also three goalie wins and 1 1/2 points ahead of me. I outsmarted myself on a Tuesday matchup by not starting newly acquired Tim Thomas. I didn't think, especially coming off the trauma of Monday night's Rich Peverley collapse, that the Stars could win at St. Louis. They and Thomas did win, allowing just two goals in the overtime game.
* * *
Basketball. After losing for the first time since Week 3, 4-3-1 to the second-place team overall, I've fallen behind 5-3 again this week.
I would like to get 100 wins for our regular season, which ends Sunday. I'd need four wins this week to do that. But more than that, I'd prefer not to lose each of the last two weeks going into the playoffs.
It appears that I'll have four players active Thursday, to just two for my opponent. That could help me make up deficits of one 3-pointer and one steal. I wouldn't be in such dire straits if I hadn't neglected to update my lineup Monday -- leaving three active players, including Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire's big game. Looking back, I think I updated my hockey lineup that day and assumed that I'd also made my basketball changes. Let's not do that again.
The first news over the weekend was that he had a strained forearm. The next word, that he had ligament damage in his elbow. Next, he visited Dr. James Andrews. Now he might seek a second opinion.
Here's how this is going to end: Tommy John surgery. Mark my words.
Give the Braves credit, and give RHP Ervin Santana a couple of million extra dollars, for Atlanta's fast action. The Braves swooped in and signed the free agent away from other key suitors, the Blue Jays and Orioles, for $14 million.
Santana is the greatest beneficiary among the late-signing free agents. Don't you think OF Nelson Cruz today is wishing Jason Heyward had been injured, so the former Ranger would have received more than the $8 million Baltimore is paying him for 2014?
For openers: It's no surprise that LHP David Price will be the Rays' Opening Day starter.
I hope to be back with more baseball later today. I'm also recording tonight's Giants-Rangers game in case I don't watch it live.
* * *
Hockey. I'm in a rut at 65 points. Still in third place, but the teams above me currently are pulling away and the fourth-place team keeps gaining half a point or a point here and there. The worst was when the team in fourth moved ahead of me in penalty minutes. It's just a 3-minute gap now, but I might have to sign someone like Antoine Roussel to get a couple of extra fights in there.
No. 4 is also three goalie wins and 1 1/2 points ahead of me. I outsmarted myself on a Tuesday matchup by not starting newly acquired Tim Thomas. I didn't think, especially coming off the trauma of Monday night's Rich Peverley collapse, that the Stars could win at St. Louis. They and Thomas did win, allowing just two goals in the overtime game.
* * *
Basketball. After losing for the first time since Week 3, 4-3-1 to the second-place team overall, I've fallen behind 5-3 again this week.
I would like to get 100 wins for our regular season, which ends Sunday. I'd need four wins this week to do that. But more than that, I'd prefer not to lose each of the last two weeks going into the playoffs.
It appears that I'll have four players active Thursday, to just two for my opponent. That could help me make up deficits of one 3-pointer and one steal. I wouldn't be in such dire straits if I hadn't neglected to update my lineup Monday -- leaving three active players, including Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire's big game. Looking back, I think I updated my hockey lineup that day and assumed that I'd also made my basketball changes. Let's not do that again.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Oh, my aching back! -- Harrison hurting again
I think I forgot to mention in my previous post about Rangers LHP Matt Harrison.
He's a bit of an enigma. Harrison worked very hard to get himself back into shape -- I remember once referring to him as a "pudgeball" -- and having two very good seasons. Armed with a new contract, he followed those with two starts and two back surgeries in 2013.
Now, Harrison is back in Texas for an MRI exam Monday on his lower back. He also complained of neck pain before the Rangers excused him from a bullpen session in Surprise, Ariz.
Can he come back? Could his problem be something congenital that wasn't picked up in any physical?
Unless Harrison and RHP Neftali Feliz can come back from their succession of injuries, Texas' epic Mark Teixeira trade will lose some of its luster.
Also returning to Texas to see a specialist was C Geovany Soto, who has a sore left Achilles tendon. If he's out for any length of time, that could benefit C J.P. Arencibia, acquired from the Blue Jays.
Harrison could join LHP Derek Holland on the disabled list for an extended period. One pitcher the Rangers could have considered as a stopgap might not be available. LHP Chris Capuano reportedly is in Fort Myers, Fla., for a physical exam preliminary to signing a contract with the Red Sox. He's ticketed for Boston's bullpen. The Chris Capuano Brewers bobble-heads (two different models) above my desk were shaking their head, urging him to hold out for a better deal somewhere.
A former Ranger, OF Nelson Cruz, reportedly is close to signing a contract with the Orioles. Baltimore did lose on waivers a player acquired from the Twins. The Blue Jays claimed RHP Liam Hendriks on waivers.
There's not much real news coming out of spring training yet. Expect more next week when exhbition games begin.
For now, you'll have to be content with "the ball looks good coming out of Soandso's hand," or "Somebodyelse looks good at his new position. He fielded a ground ball."
Here are a couple of actual items that illustrate what you can expect to see for the next few days. In the Cubs' camp, a dude named Javier Baez hit a home run that broke a car window. In the parking lot. During batting practice. Wake me up when he breaks a car window on Waveland Avenue. In an actual game. Also, an mlb.com headline indicated that Astros RHP Lucas Harrell hopes for a "bounce-back" season. Shouldn't that be a "bounce" season? Has he ever really been there as an established major leaguer?
* * *
Basketball. Judging by tonight's scores, some NBA teams might still be in All-Star Game mode.
No matter. Four of my players had double doubles, with Carmelo Anthony going off again for 44 points and Victor Oladipo coming oh, so close, to a triple double with 30 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Rookie of the Year, anyone?
Most important, my guys stepped up at the foul line, hitting 29 of 32 (91%). They couldn't do much about my opponent's four-corners stall, which resulted in his two active players going 0 for 0 at the line and still holding a lead of about .034 in free throw percentage. If they keep up that inactivity, Team Fresh Prints might have to go 64 for 64 these last two days of the week to have a chance at an 8-0 week.
Right now, it appears that my lead would be 14 games going into the final three weeks (24 games).
He's a bit of an enigma. Harrison worked very hard to get himself back into shape -- I remember once referring to him as a "pudgeball" -- and having two very good seasons. Armed with a new contract, he followed those with two starts and two back surgeries in 2013.
Now, Harrison is back in Texas for an MRI exam Monday on his lower back. He also complained of neck pain before the Rangers excused him from a bullpen session in Surprise, Ariz.
Can he come back? Could his problem be something congenital that wasn't picked up in any physical?
Unless Harrison and RHP Neftali Feliz can come back from their succession of injuries, Texas' epic Mark Teixeira trade will lose some of its luster.
Also returning to Texas to see a specialist was C Geovany Soto, who has a sore left Achilles tendon. If he's out for any length of time, that could benefit C J.P. Arencibia, acquired from the Blue Jays.
Harrison could join LHP Derek Holland on the disabled list for an extended period. One pitcher the Rangers could have considered as a stopgap might not be available. LHP Chris Capuano reportedly is in Fort Myers, Fla., for a physical exam preliminary to signing a contract with the Red Sox. He's ticketed for Boston's bullpen. The Chris Capuano Brewers bobble-heads (two different models) above my desk were shaking their head, urging him to hold out for a better deal somewhere.
A former Ranger, OF Nelson Cruz, reportedly is close to signing a contract with the Orioles. Baltimore did lose on waivers a player acquired from the Twins. The Blue Jays claimed RHP Liam Hendriks on waivers.
There's not much real news coming out of spring training yet. Expect more next week when exhbition games begin.
For now, you'll have to be content with "the ball looks good coming out of Soandso's hand," or "Somebodyelse looks good at his new position. He fielded a ground ball."
Here are a couple of actual items that illustrate what you can expect to see for the next few days. In the Cubs' camp, a dude named Javier Baez hit a home run that broke a car window. In the parking lot. During batting practice. Wake me up when he breaks a car window on Waveland Avenue. In an actual game. Also, an mlb.com headline indicated that Astros RHP Lucas Harrell hopes for a "bounce-back" season. Shouldn't that be a "bounce" season? Has he ever really been there as an established major leaguer?
* * *
Basketball. Judging by tonight's scores, some NBA teams might still be in All-Star Game mode.
No matter. Four of my players had double doubles, with Carmelo Anthony going off again for 44 points and Victor Oladipo coming oh, so close, to a triple double with 30 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Rookie of the Year, anyone?
Most important, my guys stepped up at the foul line, hitting 29 of 32 (91%). They couldn't do much about my opponent's four-corners stall, which resulted in his two active players going 0 for 0 at the line and still holding a lead of about .034 in free throw percentage. If they keep up that inactivity, Team Fresh Prints might have to go 64 for 64 these last two days of the week to have a chance at an 8-0 week.
Right now, it appears that my lead would be 14 games going into the final three weeks (24 games).
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Can Homer bail out Reds on overpriced deal?
Thursday is the first day when all of the players from every major league have reported to spring training.
Wednesday's biggest signing was RHP Homer Bailey with a 6-year, $105-million contract extension with the Reds. I expect Bailey to have a big year, but I'd kind of want him to have that big year before I started shelling out cash equal to what Mark Zuckerberg makes by the time he wakes up in the morning.
Bailey has pitched in the majors each of the last seven seasons, with a career record of 49-45. His best production so far has been his 13 wins in 2012.
In addition, the Orioles made official RHP Ubaldo Jimenez's 4-year, $50-million contract and the Giants avoided arbitration with 1B Brandon Belt by agreeing on a $2.9-million salary for 2014.
-- Another Opening Day starter: LHP Francisco Liriano for the Pirates. I would expect RHP Gerrit Cole to be Pittsburgh's ace by season's end.
-- I've mentioned position battles at second base, but there also are a number of teams looking for a starting third baseman.
Part of the problem is injuries. Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez, who missed much of last season because of an injured left knee. He underwent surgery in December to remove a non-cancerous polyp from his colon, and he's at least 35 years old. In Toronto, the question is whether 3B Brett Lawrie can avoid injuries such as the strained right oblique muscle that cost him time last year.
There's also 3B/1B Mat Gamel. Once a promising Brewers prospect, he underwent surgery on his right knee in both 2012 and '13. After he injured the knee in the Braves' camp, they have released him.
Rookie 3B Cody Asche is penciled in as the Phillies' starter, with his strongest competition from a more promising but less ready rookie, 3B/1B Maikel Franco. At best, Asche could have average production for his position. This looks like a situation ripe for acquiring a surplus third baseman from another team, or perhaps an overpriced offer to 3B Michael Young to come back out of retirement.
* * *
Basketball. Carmelo Anthony scores 42 points but goes 8 for 12 at the foul line? Or I'd trade a bunch of Ricky Rubio's 17 assists Wednesday and trade them for the four free throws in six attempts. The result is that I'm still trailing in free thrown percentage, but still leading 7-1.
Wednesday's biggest signing was RHP Homer Bailey with a 6-year, $105-million contract extension with the Reds. I expect Bailey to have a big year, but I'd kind of want him to have that big year before I started shelling out cash equal to what Mark Zuckerberg makes by the time he wakes up in the morning.
Bailey has pitched in the majors each of the last seven seasons, with a career record of 49-45. His best production so far has been his 13 wins in 2012.
In addition, the Orioles made official RHP Ubaldo Jimenez's 4-year, $50-million contract and the Giants avoided arbitration with 1B Brandon Belt by agreeing on a $2.9-million salary for 2014.
-- Another Opening Day starter: LHP Francisco Liriano for the Pirates. I would expect RHP Gerrit Cole to be Pittsburgh's ace by season's end.
-- I've mentioned position battles at second base, but there also are a number of teams looking for a starting third baseman.
Part of the problem is injuries. Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez, who missed much of last season because of an injured left knee. He underwent surgery in December to remove a non-cancerous polyp from his colon, and he's at least 35 years old. In Toronto, the question is whether 3B Brett Lawrie can avoid injuries such as the strained right oblique muscle that cost him time last year.
There's also 3B/1B Mat Gamel. Once a promising Brewers prospect, he underwent surgery on his right knee in both 2012 and '13. After he injured the knee in the Braves' camp, they have released him.
Rookie 3B Cody Asche is penciled in as the Phillies' starter, with his strongest competition from a more promising but less ready rookie, 3B/1B Maikel Franco. At best, Asche could have average production for his position. This looks like a situation ripe for acquiring a surplus third baseman from another team, or perhaps an overpriced offer to 3B Michael Young to come back out of retirement.
* * *
Basketball. Carmelo Anthony scores 42 points but goes 8 for 12 at the foul line? Or I'd trade a bunch of Ricky Rubio's 17 assists Wednesday and trade them for the four free throws in six attempts. The result is that I'm still trailing in free thrown percentage, but still leading 7-1.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Orioles making over pitching staff
Who says you can't change your team even as you're going to spring training?
Clearly not the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter.
They announced a 3-year, $5.75-million contract with RHP Suk-min Yoon, and apparently are within a passed physical of adding RHP Ubaldo Jimenez for four years and $50 million.
Yoon most likely would pitch out of the bullpen, where he would be one bad game removed from a "Suck-min" headline. I'm wary of Jimenez because his pitching motion has so many ways to get out of whack and also possibly hurt his arm.
-- With money that might have gone to Jimenez, the Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Justin Masterson by signing him to a contract for this season at $9.7625 million. What? They couldn't afford another measly $237,500 to bring him up to $10 million?
-- The Rangers apparently have gone into camp with a three-way battle among RHPs Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers and Joakim Soria. I was encouraged about Soria last season until a couple of really bad September outings. Texas must not be too excited about Scheppers, because he was the headliner among a group of nine mostly marginal major leaguers signed for a year at or slightly above the $500,000 minimum. Scheppers will receive $515,000. If he does become the Rangers' closer, let's hope he doesn't spend too much of his money in The Flats in Cleveland.
-- Additional second base battles.
In Washington, it's shaping up as 2012 discovery Danny Espinosa and 2013 find Anthony Rendon. If neither matches his breakout season, it could be a long year for the Nationals and their pitchers.
The Yankees' front-runner is Brian "Can't Avoid Injury" Roberts. Other options could be Kelly "Can't Field" Johnson, Brendan "Can't Hit" Ryan and Eduardo "Can't Play Third or Short" Nunez. If a team has four second basemen, it really has no second baseman.
The spaghetti method -- take a bunch of players at one position to spring training, throw them at the all and hope one of them sticks -- really works only with pitchers. Among a group of five or six pitchers, one of them will get lucky enough to get some batters out -- at least through spring training, and even then he could become a liability during the regular season.
-- With New Age manager Brad Ausmus, the Tigers will join the growing trend of major league teams using analytics and probability to align fielders and improve their defense. Ausmus and analytics both begin with A. The new skipper's staff includes a guy named Matt Martin as defensive coordinator. Detroit also will be emphasizing speed more this season, with 2B Ian Kinsler and OF Rajai Davis (on a platoon basis) in their starting lineup. Prediction: Kinsler will steal more bases this season than Prince Fielder will.
-- It will be a surprise if the Tigers don't run away with the AL Central this year. Division rivals are making defensive changes by moving catchers to first base (Twins' Joe Mauer) and third base (Indians' Carlos Santana). Santana might be more agile than catcher-turned-third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
-- Looking ahead six weeks, the Blue Jays named RHP R.A. Dickey as their Opening Day starter.
* * *
Basketball. The NBA started up tonight, and I learned that I didn't win Week 16 by an 8-0 margin. Apparently, Week 16 is continuing from the short last week through the short this week -- even though this is a short week loaded with games. And my lead for the week now is down to 7-1; I've fallen behind in free throw percentage.
There were good performances from my roster tonight. The Suns' Gerald Green poured in 36 points, including six 3s. Carmelo Anthony had another (yawn!) double double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Clearly not the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter.
They announced a 3-year, $5.75-million contract with RHP Suk-min Yoon, and apparently are within a passed physical of adding RHP Ubaldo Jimenez for four years and $50 million.
Yoon most likely would pitch out of the bullpen, where he would be one bad game removed from a "Suck-min" headline. I'm wary of Jimenez because his pitching motion has so many ways to get out of whack and also possibly hurt his arm.
-- With money that might have gone to Jimenez, the Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Justin Masterson by signing him to a contract for this season at $9.7625 million. What? They couldn't afford another measly $237,500 to bring him up to $10 million?
-- The Rangers apparently have gone into camp with a three-way battle among RHPs Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers and Joakim Soria. I was encouraged about Soria last season until a couple of really bad September outings. Texas must not be too excited about Scheppers, because he was the headliner among a group of nine mostly marginal major leaguers signed for a year at or slightly above the $500,000 minimum. Scheppers will receive $515,000. If he does become the Rangers' closer, let's hope he doesn't spend too much of his money in The Flats in Cleveland.
-- Additional second base battles.
In Washington, it's shaping up as 2012 discovery Danny Espinosa and 2013 find Anthony Rendon. If neither matches his breakout season, it could be a long year for the Nationals and their pitchers.
The Yankees' front-runner is Brian "Can't Avoid Injury" Roberts. Other options could be Kelly "Can't Field" Johnson, Brendan "Can't Hit" Ryan and Eduardo "Can't Play Third or Short" Nunez. If a team has four second basemen, it really has no second baseman.
The spaghetti method -- take a bunch of players at one position to spring training, throw them at the all and hope one of them sticks -- really works only with pitchers. Among a group of five or six pitchers, one of them will get lucky enough to get some batters out -- at least through spring training, and even then he could become a liability during the regular season.
-- With New Age manager Brad Ausmus, the Tigers will join the growing trend of major league teams using analytics and probability to align fielders and improve their defense. Ausmus and analytics both begin with A. The new skipper's staff includes a guy named Matt Martin as defensive coordinator. Detroit also will be emphasizing speed more this season, with 2B Ian Kinsler and OF Rajai Davis (on a platoon basis) in their starting lineup. Prediction: Kinsler will steal more bases this season than Prince Fielder will.
-- It will be a surprise if the Tigers don't run away with the AL Central this year. Division rivals are making defensive changes by moving catchers to first base (Twins' Joe Mauer) and third base (Indians' Carlos Santana). Santana might be more agile than catcher-turned-third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
-- Looking ahead six weeks, the Blue Jays named RHP R.A. Dickey as their Opening Day starter.
* * *
Basketball. The NBA started up tonight, and I learned that I didn't win Week 16 by an 8-0 margin. Apparently, Week 16 is continuing from the short last week through the short this week -- even though this is a short week loaded with games. And my lead for the week now is down to 7-1; I've fallen behind in free throw percentage.
There were good performances from my roster tonight. The Suns' Gerald Green poured in 36 points, including six 3s. Carmelo Anthony had another (yawn!) double double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Friday, February 14, 2014
'Retired' Jeter to kick off big week in Houston
Greetings from San Antonio.
It's a beautiful day to walk along the RiverWalk, which I'll do after posting this.
Spring training news is heating up.
The biggest story has been Yankees SS Derek Jeter's announcement that he is retiring after this season. Reminds of how Marv Levy used to say, "If you're thinking about retiring, you must as well retire." But here's a counter-reminder. Mariano Rivera announced a year ago that he would be retiring after the season. He did OK.
Rivera was a once-in-a-generation player at his position. Jeter could be the same. We'll see over then next eight months.
-- Jeter's announcement set up a big opening week for the Astros. His first regular-season game April 1 will be at Houston. On April 5, the Astros will honor retiring 1B/DH Lance Berkman and RHP Roy Oswalt. They stayed around a year or two too long, which could be a danger for Jeter. In addition, Nolan Ryan will be in his first week as an advisor to Houston's management. If his presence can do what it did with the Rangers, especially in terms of toughening up the starting pitchers, the Astros' rebound into contention could be quicker than we'd expect.
-- In injury news, Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma is expected to miss the beginning of this season. He can't throw for 4-6 weeks because of a strained tendon in his middle finger. Seattle signed two other former major league starters, LHP Randy Wolf and RHP Zach Minor, to minor league contracts.
-- The Phillies gained one pitcher, but lost another for the beginning of the season. They signed free-agent RHP A.J. Burnett to a one-year, $16-million contract. He could fill in early for LHP Cole Hamels, who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.
-- Another star pitcher, Tigers RHP Justin Verlander, is expected to be ready to start the season. He underwent surgery in January on both sides of his mid-section. Philadelphia also released RHP Chad Gaudin, who failed his physical exam.
-- The Cubs signed two potential starters, RHPs Jason Hammel and James McDonald, who were low-end free agents. The two pitchers they waived to make room on the 40-man roster both were claimed -- LHP Brooks Raley by the Twins and PHP Brett Marshall by the Reds.
-- In a trade, the Nationals picked up Jose Lobaton, the catcher they had been seeking, from the Rays for RHP Nathan Karns. The 26-year-old was the Double-A Eastern League's ERA leader at 3.26 for Harrisburg, where he was 10-6. Washington also acquired two 22-year-olds, OF Drew Vettleson -- whose 2013 season at high Class A Charlotte of .274, four home runs and 62 RBI was comparable to what he had done in his first two minor league seasons, but with less power -- and LHP Felipe Rivero, who was 9-7 with a 3.40 ERA at Charlotte.
-- Heading the list of those signing contracts were relievers. The Mariners agreed with free-agent RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. The Royals avoided arbitration with RHP Greg Holland with a 1-year, $4.675-million deal. The Dodgers did the same with RHP Kenley Jansen for a year at $4.3 million. They all are likely to begin the season as closers. In addition, the Nationals avoided arbitration with RHP Tyler Clippard with an agreement for a year at $5.875 million.
-- Other major league signings included RHP Carlos Marmol with the Marlins for 2014 at $1.125 million. The Indians signed OF Michael Brantley for four years and $25 million, with an $11-million option for 2018.
-- The Brewers outrighted RHP Donovan Hand, who had been designated for assignment when they signed RHP Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, to Triple-A but also invited him to spring training.
-- Minor league signings -- RHP Jose Valverde with the Mets, RHP Brandon Lyon with the Angels, LHP Eric Bedard with the Rays and LHP Rich Hill back with the Red Sox.
-- In the category of players trying to make a comeback is LHP Johan Santana, who has been throwing in Arizona for teams to observe him. If he's half the pitcher he was with the Twins, he could help a team needed at least a temporary fix in its rotation.
* * *
Basketball. The fantasy week is over, unless your league includes statistics from the NBA All-Star Game, the slam dunk contest and the other junk sports the league will throw out this weekend.
It appears that I'll finish with an 8-0 victory this week and a lead of about 16 games with 24 to play. Magic number 9, for those who are interested.
My team was down 6-2 after Tuesday. That's when Joakim Noah had a triple double, but neglected to get any steals and went just 3-for-6 at the foul line. After that night, steals and free throw percentage were the categories in which I trailed.
On Wednesday, Carmelo Anthony topped the three players on my roster who had double doubles with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Rubio's double double also included seven steals. Those steals and the overall team's 21 for 23 free throw shooting gave me the lead in those categories.
It's a beautiful day to walk along the RiverWalk, which I'll do after posting this.
Spring training news is heating up.
The biggest story has been Yankees SS Derek Jeter's announcement that he is retiring after this season. Reminds of how Marv Levy used to say, "If you're thinking about retiring, you must as well retire." But here's a counter-reminder. Mariano Rivera announced a year ago that he would be retiring after the season. He did OK.
Rivera was a once-in-a-generation player at his position. Jeter could be the same. We'll see over then next eight months.
-- Jeter's announcement set up a big opening week for the Astros. His first regular-season game April 1 will be at Houston. On April 5, the Astros will honor retiring 1B/DH Lance Berkman and RHP Roy Oswalt. They stayed around a year or two too long, which could be a danger for Jeter. In addition, Nolan Ryan will be in his first week as an advisor to Houston's management. If his presence can do what it did with the Rangers, especially in terms of toughening up the starting pitchers, the Astros' rebound into contention could be quicker than we'd expect.
-- In injury news, Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma is expected to miss the beginning of this season. He can't throw for 4-6 weeks because of a strained tendon in his middle finger. Seattle signed two other former major league starters, LHP Randy Wolf and RHP Zach Minor, to minor league contracts.
-- The Phillies gained one pitcher, but lost another for the beginning of the season. They signed free-agent RHP A.J. Burnett to a one-year, $16-million contract. He could fill in early for LHP Cole Hamels, who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.
-- Another star pitcher, Tigers RHP Justin Verlander, is expected to be ready to start the season. He underwent surgery in January on both sides of his mid-section. Philadelphia also released RHP Chad Gaudin, who failed his physical exam.
-- The Cubs signed two potential starters, RHPs Jason Hammel and James McDonald, who were low-end free agents. The two pitchers they waived to make room on the 40-man roster both were claimed -- LHP Brooks Raley by the Twins and PHP Brett Marshall by the Reds.
-- In a trade, the Nationals picked up Jose Lobaton, the catcher they had been seeking, from the Rays for RHP Nathan Karns. The 26-year-old was the Double-A Eastern League's ERA leader at 3.26 for Harrisburg, where he was 10-6. Washington also acquired two 22-year-olds, OF Drew Vettleson -- whose 2013 season at high Class A Charlotte of .274, four home runs and 62 RBI was comparable to what he had done in his first two minor league seasons, but with less power -- and LHP Felipe Rivero, who was 9-7 with a 3.40 ERA at Charlotte.
-- Heading the list of those signing contracts were relievers. The Mariners agreed with free-agent RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. The Royals avoided arbitration with RHP Greg Holland with a 1-year, $4.675-million deal. The Dodgers did the same with RHP Kenley Jansen for a year at $4.3 million. They all are likely to begin the season as closers. In addition, the Nationals avoided arbitration with RHP Tyler Clippard with an agreement for a year at $5.875 million.
-- Other major league signings included RHP Carlos Marmol with the Marlins for 2014 at $1.125 million. The Indians signed OF Michael Brantley for four years and $25 million, with an $11-million option for 2018.
-- The Brewers outrighted RHP Donovan Hand, who had been designated for assignment when they signed RHP Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, to Triple-A but also invited him to spring training.
-- Minor league signings -- RHP Jose Valverde with the Mets, RHP Brandon Lyon with the Angels, LHP Eric Bedard with the Rays and LHP Rich Hill back with the Red Sox.
-- In the category of players trying to make a comeback is LHP Johan Santana, who has been throwing in Arizona for teams to observe him. If he's half the pitcher he was with the Twins, he could help a team needed at least a temporary fix in its rotation.
* * *
Basketball. The fantasy week is over, unless your league includes statistics from the NBA All-Star Game, the slam dunk contest and the other junk sports the league will throw out this weekend.
It appears that I'll finish with an 8-0 victory this week and a lead of about 16 games with 24 to play. Magic number 9, for those who are interested.
My team was down 6-2 after Tuesday. That's when Joakim Noah had a triple double, but neglected to get any steals and went just 3-for-6 at the foul line. After that night, steals and free throw percentage were the categories in which I trailed.
On Wednesday, Carmelo Anthony topped the three players on my roster who had double doubles with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Rubio's double double also included seven steals. Those steals and the overall team's 21 for 23 free throw shooting gave me the lead in those categories.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Perth one game away from Australian title
Here's how I started this blog, before news came down that the Diamondbacks had signed free-agent RHP Bronson Arroyo:
Some fairly small moves could make a larger difference for their teams this year and into the near future.
The Orioles and C Matt Wieters reached agreement on a $7.7-million contract for this season, thus avoiding arbitration. The greater significance is that he can have a better feeling about the team, which could lead to a longer-term contract down the road.
The Athletics signed CF Coco Crisp to a two-year contract extension through 2016 with a vesting option for 2017. He's a keystone in center field and at the top of the lineup -- when he isn't injured. That's why the team took the precaution of a vesting option instead of a guaranteed third year. If it vests, no one would be happier than Oakland's management.
The White Sox agreed to a 1-year, $1.1-million contract with RHP Mitchell Boggs. He was briefly a closer for the Cardinals, and could take over that role with Chicago. Currently penciled in for the job is RHP Nate Jones, but RHP Matt Lindstrom and LHP Scott Downs also have experience locking up games.
Now, on to Arroyo.
Arizona reportedly signed him to a 2-year, $23.5-million contract with an option for 2016 that could bring the total value to $29 million. Could the D-backs be overpaying? Well, he'll be 37 years old this season -- and he's Bronson Arroyo, not Tim Hudson.
Also, though I haven't seen an official acknowledgment from the Mariners, they reportedly signed RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. That signing would impact every team that unsuccessfully sought Rodney. For example, I read a report that said the Orioles now would go with RHP Tommy Hunter as their closer.
Speaking of closers or ex-closers, the Brewers are bringing back RHP Francisco Rodriguez on a 1-year contract believed to be for $3.25 million with another $550,000 in incentives. Which reminds me. In a few days, I hope to post another residual fantasybaseballscout.com article about closers for 2014. To make room for K-Rod on the 40-man roster, Milwaukee designated RHP Donovan Hand for assignment.
I have been working on this post off and on for most of the day. It has been interrupted by visitors to the house, taking a battery for one of our cars to be recharged and going to the Jazz-Mavericks game. Some of this I wrote at the American Airlines Center before the game.
As I was about to go courtside, I saw this -- well, probably not bombshell, because in the end he really didn't have a choice, but revelatory item that caught most of us by surprise.
3B Alex Rodriguez has dropped his suit against Major League Baseball, the players association, the commissioner and probably even the batboys. He won't follow through on his threat to show up for spring training. And he won't play this season.
So now I'm writing about that back home.
I wrote the headline for this post several hours ago here. I suspect by the time I get up Saturday morning, we'll already know whether there will be a decisive Game 3 in the Australian Baseball League Championship Series or whether the Perth Heat swept the Canberra Cavalry in two games.
That's because Saturday's Game 2 at 7 p.m. Australia Western Time would begin at 6 a.m. EST.
The Heat overcame a 3-0 deficit in what must have been one of the classic games ever Down Under. Perth then prevailed 4-3 in 14 innings. Joey Wong's double drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 14th. He batted .240 with two homers and 19 RBI at Double-A Tulsa last (Northern Hemisphere) summer, so he's a marginal prospect for the Rockies. I saw him play, and he didn't make a big impression positively or negatively.
If the Heat win, it would be the third championship in the last four years.
By the way, you can watch the ABL Championship Series on ESPN -- if you live in Australia or New Zealand.
* * *
Basketball. Similarly, I started out by seeing that on Thursday my three active players made only one 3-point field goal, so I was still behind by one in that category against an opponent who had no one active. My lead was 7-1, and the second-place team was ahead 8-0, so I stood to lose some of my lead.
Now, literally at the end of the day -- no, early Saturday morning (late afternoon in Perth), I'm looking better. Two of my players -- Jose Calderon, whom I saw in person, and Carmelo Anthony -- threw in four 3s each, helping me to take the lead in that category. Three of my players scored 30-plus points, two had double doubles and my best draft pick, Serge Ibaka, blocked five shots while he wasn't putting in 26 points at the other end. My lead is now 8-0, and the second-place team dropped to 6-2, so I could actually extend my lead. Two days left this week, so I don't want to look ahead too much.
* * *
Hockey. My starting goalies, Steve Mason and Ben Scrivens, both won Thursday, giving up only one goal in 60 minutes, and had a combined .973 save percentage. That improved my stats in all three categories, but not enough to gain any points.
Important key: Don't make the same mistake I did of leaving a problem area unresolved too late into the season. You've heard of small sample sizes. Well, the large sample size of nearly three-quarters of the season means that one or two days of performances won't make a major difference in the standings.
I still hold out hope of being able to overtake the second-place team in my league, but I know it won't be easy.
Hey! There were games Friday night too. Let's see how the Puckin Penguins did. The only active players, Joe Pavelski and Matt Niskanen (one of my best draft picks or early season pickups, I don't remember which), were plus-1 each. That restored some order, but it appears that the team still is eight points behind the second-place team.
Some fairly small moves could make a larger difference for their teams this year and into the near future.
The Orioles and C Matt Wieters reached agreement on a $7.7-million contract for this season, thus avoiding arbitration. The greater significance is that he can have a better feeling about the team, which could lead to a longer-term contract down the road.
The Athletics signed CF Coco Crisp to a two-year contract extension through 2016 with a vesting option for 2017. He's a keystone in center field and at the top of the lineup -- when he isn't injured. That's why the team took the precaution of a vesting option instead of a guaranteed third year. If it vests, no one would be happier than Oakland's management.
The White Sox agreed to a 1-year, $1.1-million contract with RHP Mitchell Boggs. He was briefly a closer for the Cardinals, and could take over that role with Chicago. Currently penciled in for the job is RHP Nate Jones, but RHP Matt Lindstrom and LHP Scott Downs also have experience locking up games.
Now, on to Arroyo.
Arizona reportedly signed him to a 2-year, $23.5-million contract with an option for 2016 that could bring the total value to $29 million. Could the D-backs be overpaying? Well, he'll be 37 years old this season -- and he's Bronson Arroyo, not Tim Hudson.
Also, though I haven't seen an official acknowledgment from the Mariners, they reportedly signed RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. That signing would impact every team that unsuccessfully sought Rodney. For example, I read a report that said the Orioles now would go with RHP Tommy Hunter as their closer.
Speaking of closers or ex-closers, the Brewers are bringing back RHP Francisco Rodriguez on a 1-year contract believed to be for $3.25 million with another $550,000 in incentives. Which reminds me. In a few days, I hope to post another residual fantasybaseballscout.com article about closers for 2014. To make room for K-Rod on the 40-man roster, Milwaukee designated RHP Donovan Hand for assignment.
I have been working on this post off and on for most of the day. It has been interrupted by visitors to the house, taking a battery for one of our cars to be recharged and going to the Jazz-Mavericks game. Some of this I wrote at the American Airlines Center before the game.
As I was about to go courtside, I saw this -- well, probably not bombshell, because in the end he really didn't have a choice, but revelatory item that caught most of us by surprise.
3B Alex Rodriguez has dropped his suit against Major League Baseball, the players association, the commissioner and probably even the batboys. He won't follow through on his threat to show up for spring training. And he won't play this season.
So now I'm writing about that back home.
I wrote the headline for this post several hours ago here. I suspect by the time I get up Saturday morning, we'll already know whether there will be a decisive Game 3 in the Australian Baseball League Championship Series or whether the Perth Heat swept the Canberra Cavalry in two games.
That's because Saturday's Game 2 at 7 p.m. Australia Western Time would begin at 6 a.m. EST.
The Heat overcame a 3-0 deficit in what must have been one of the classic games ever Down Under. Perth then prevailed 4-3 in 14 innings. Joey Wong's double drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 14th. He batted .240 with two homers and 19 RBI at Double-A Tulsa last (Northern Hemisphere) summer, so he's a marginal prospect for the Rockies. I saw him play, and he didn't make a big impression positively or negatively.
If the Heat win, it would be the third championship in the last four years.
By the way, you can watch the ABL Championship Series on ESPN -- if you live in Australia or New Zealand.
* * *
Basketball. Similarly, I started out by seeing that on Thursday my three active players made only one 3-point field goal, so I was still behind by one in that category against an opponent who had no one active. My lead was 7-1, and the second-place team was ahead 8-0, so I stood to lose some of my lead.
Now, literally at the end of the day -- no, early Saturday morning (late afternoon in Perth), I'm looking better. Two of my players -- Jose Calderon, whom I saw in person, and Carmelo Anthony -- threw in four 3s each, helping me to take the lead in that category. Three of my players scored 30-plus points, two had double doubles and my best draft pick, Serge Ibaka, blocked five shots while he wasn't putting in 26 points at the other end. My lead is now 8-0, and the second-place team dropped to 6-2, so I could actually extend my lead. Two days left this week, so I don't want to look ahead too much.
* * *
Hockey. My starting goalies, Steve Mason and Ben Scrivens, both won Thursday, giving up only one goal in 60 minutes, and had a combined .973 save percentage. That improved my stats in all three categories, but not enough to gain any points.
Important key: Don't make the same mistake I did of leaving a problem area unresolved too late into the season. You've heard of small sample sizes. Well, the large sample size of nearly three-quarters of the season means that one or two days of performances won't make a major difference in the standings.
I still hold out hope of being able to overtake the second-place team in my league, but I know it won't be easy.
Hey! There were games Friday night too. Let's see how the Puckin Penguins did. The only active players, Joe Pavelski and Matt Niskanen (one of my best draft picks or early season pickups, I don't remember which), were plus-1 each. That restored some order, but it appears that the team still is eight points behind the second-place team.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
First base in Milwaukee still looks like a mess
There are metrics indicating that the 2013 Brewers had the worst offensive first basemen in major league history.
They have made two moves purported to improve that situation by signing 1B Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds. They certainly wouldn't help the batting average dragged down by players such as Yuniesky Betancourt and Juan Francisco last season. Overbay at least can catch the ball. But he apparently has run out of teams that would allow him to suck in their batting order.
This week's big news, whenever it happens, will be the announcement of the team that will sign RHP Masahiro Tanaka.
Not far over the horizon are the days when pitchers and catchers will report, less than four weeks from now.
* * *
Basketball. The first day of the first place vs. second place showdown went well for my team. I lead 7-1, with my opponent ahead in field goal percentage by .0048. If I were making an Oscar-acceptance speech for last night's competition, the first person I would thank would be Joakim Noah, whose double double included more than 20 rebounds. I believe he also led Team Fresh Prints in assists. Anderson Varejao also had a double double and 20-plus rebounds. My hat's off to the two big guys. Carmelo Anthony had a double double with a modest 12 boards.
* * *
Football. I was told yesterday that I have a chance to win an NFL playoffs pick-'em pool in Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure I picked Seattle to win big game 48.
The point spread for that game varied between Seahawks minus-2 and Broncos minus-2 1/2 during the day after the matchup was finalized. The official line for the Winston-Salem pool where I'm entered will be set Tuesday, Jan. 28. All I'll say for now is that my calculated line is within yesterday's range. Depending on where the final line falls, it could be a difficult decision. I'm figuring I have a 50-50 chance to win some money in that pool. More likely tens of dollars than hundreds.
* * *
Hockey. Neither of my goalies whose team played was in the net Monday. That can't be good. I can't get any wins that way, though my GAA and save percentage can't be hurt much.
Glad to see Alexander Steen back, picking up two assists and filling several categories.
Bottom line: Still stuck in third place with 65 points.
They have made two moves purported to improve that situation by signing 1B Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds. They certainly wouldn't help the batting average dragged down by players such as Yuniesky Betancourt and Juan Francisco last season. Overbay at least can catch the ball. But he apparently has run out of teams that would allow him to suck in their batting order.
This week's big news, whenever it happens, will be the announcement of the team that will sign RHP Masahiro Tanaka.
Not far over the horizon are the days when pitchers and catchers will report, less than four weeks from now.
* * *
Basketball. The first day of the first place vs. second place showdown went well for my team. I lead 7-1, with my opponent ahead in field goal percentage by .0048. If I were making an Oscar-acceptance speech for last night's competition, the first person I would thank would be Joakim Noah, whose double double included more than 20 rebounds. I believe he also led Team Fresh Prints in assists. Anderson Varejao also had a double double and 20-plus rebounds. My hat's off to the two big guys. Carmelo Anthony had a double double with a modest 12 boards.
* * *
Football. I was told yesterday that I have a chance to win an NFL playoffs pick-'em pool in Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure I picked Seattle to win big game 48.
The point spread for that game varied between Seahawks minus-2 and Broncos minus-2 1/2 during the day after the matchup was finalized. The official line for the Winston-Salem pool where I'm entered will be set Tuesday, Jan. 28. All I'll say for now is that my calculated line is within yesterday's range. Depending on where the final line falls, it could be a difficult decision. I'm figuring I have a 50-50 chance to win some money in that pool. More likely tens of dollars than hundreds.
* * *
Hockey. Neither of my goalies whose team played was in the net Monday. That can't be good. I can't get any wins that way, though my GAA and save percentage can't be hurt much.
Glad to see Alexander Steen back, picking up two assists and filling several categories.
Bottom line: Still stuck in third place with 65 points.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Could more replay make Yankees-Red Sox games even longer?
The news in baseball is that instant replay.
I would be in favor of that development if
1) We're not just substituting possibly wrong umpires' decisions for possibly wrong replay rulings.
2) Umpires don't use replay as a crutch by making a safe ruling they know could be overturned.
Both of those problems have occurred to some degree with football replays.
But the really big one, which has slowed NFL games and made some college football games interminable:
3) The average game time for all major league games doesn't move to more than 3 hours, and the average game time of Yankees-Red Sox games still allow them to play the whole game in one day.
Other than that, no real movement in baseball
* * *
Hockey. Got to see Zdeno Chara and Jarome Inginla play Thursday night for the Bruins. Chara made his presence felt on defense and in a fight with Dallas' Vernon Fiddler. They received penalties just for roughing. My team could have used the three extra minutes for a fighting major. As it was, Chara had the only two penalty minutes from my roster.
Speaking of Chara, he's going to be leaving early for the Olympics because he has been chosen to carry Slovakia's flag in the opening ceremonies. He's likely to miss Boston's games Feb. 6 and 8.
Inginla, one of my favorite players, is not -- or at least hasn't been lately -- the same player he was just a couple of years ago. I barely noticed him on the ice.
My team had plenty of shots on goal (34), but just three goals.
I did regain the point I'd lost in save percentage. Neither Steve Mason, who lost in a shootout, nor Tim Thomas, won, but they each had save percentages above .900 and goals against averages under 3.00. I sent Vancouver's Eddie Lack packing and replaced him with Chicagos' Antti Raanta. He won't play a lot, but his team should help him do well. Like a few NHL teams Thursday, I may be making another change to my goalie configuration.
Well, maybe not. I just noticed that new Nashville Predator Devan Dubnyk already was owned in our league before Edmonton traded him.
* * *
Basketball. I'm leading 7-1 this week, and trail only by one 3-pointer. Both my opponent and I have full 10-man active rosters Friday. To try to overcome the lead in 3-pointers, I have four players listed as shooting guards in my lineup, plus 3-point-shooting forward Carmelo Anthony. Unfortunately, Joe Johnson's Brooklyn Nets are not playing so he'll be on my bench.
I would be in favor of that development if
1) We're not just substituting possibly wrong umpires' decisions for possibly wrong replay rulings.
2) Umpires don't use replay as a crutch by making a safe ruling they know could be overturned.
Both of those problems have occurred to some degree with football replays.
But the really big one, which has slowed NFL games and made some college football games interminable:
3) The average game time for all major league games doesn't move to more than 3 hours, and the average game time of Yankees-Red Sox games still allow them to play the whole game in one day.
Other than that, no real movement in baseball
* * *
Hockey. Got to see Zdeno Chara and Jarome Inginla play Thursday night for the Bruins. Chara made his presence felt on defense and in a fight with Dallas' Vernon Fiddler. They received penalties just for roughing. My team could have used the three extra minutes for a fighting major. As it was, Chara had the only two penalty minutes from my roster.
Speaking of Chara, he's going to be leaving early for the Olympics because he has been chosen to carry Slovakia's flag in the opening ceremonies. He's likely to miss Boston's games Feb. 6 and 8.
Inginla, one of my favorite players, is not -- or at least hasn't been lately -- the same player he was just a couple of years ago. I barely noticed him on the ice.
My team had plenty of shots on goal (34), but just three goals.
I did regain the point I'd lost in save percentage. Neither Steve Mason, who lost in a shootout, nor Tim Thomas, won, but they each had save percentages above .900 and goals against averages under 3.00. I sent Vancouver's Eddie Lack packing and replaced him with Chicagos' Antti Raanta. He won't play a lot, but his team should help him do well. Like a few NHL teams Thursday, I may be making another change to my goalie configuration.
Well, maybe not. I just noticed that new Nashville Predator Devan Dubnyk already was owned in our league before Edmonton traded him.
* * *
Basketball. I'm leading 7-1 this week, and trail only by one 3-pointer. Both my opponent and I have full 10-man active rosters Friday. To try to overcome the lead in 3-pointers, I have four players listed as shooting guards in my lineup, plus 3-point-shooting forward Carmelo Anthony. Unfortunately, Joe Johnson's Brooklyn Nets are not playing so he'll be on my bench.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Let's see the NBA at Yankee Stadium in April 2015
Still not much going on in off-season baseball. Unless you count the guys who are retiring but you thought they were already retired. Yes, I mean you, RHP Jeff Suppan and 1B/OF Aubrey Huff. Both had their days in the sun without really catching fire or gaining widespread acclaim. Suppan seemed to have the potential to be very good when I saw him in the minors. That potential became the ability to win 10-12 games a year seemingly forever. Huff was instrumental in bringing the first World Series championship to San Francisco, as well as being part of the Rays' growth into a contending team.
The other big baseball news seems to be that Rangers -- New York Rangers, that is -- goalie Henrik Lundqvist will be wearing a mask featuring the likenesses of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio for the Stadium Series hockey at Yankee Stadium.
The NHL will be coming out of its shutdown for next month's Olympics with a series of outdoor games, like the one that drew 105,000 people to Michigan Stadium on New Year's Day. The most exotic locale will be Dodger Stadium, which last saw ice in a cocktail glass inside a luxury suite.
Yankee Stadium just had the Pinstripe Bowl football game. Hockey is next.
Let's get with it, NBA! Schedule at game at the new House That Ruth Built. Try to make it The House That Carmelo Brought Down. A Saturday or Sunday afternoon game in April (while the Yanks are out of town) should due. That's April 2015, and not a day later.
* * *
Basketball. I'm ahead 5-3 going into the last day of this week's competition. That would keep me in fourth place. But I'm down by just two assists, so I could pick up another game and possibly move into third.
With Ricky Rubio not playing today, I decided to pick up free-agent PG Mario Chalmers. I contemplated dropping up-and-down SG Joe Johnson, but I might need him to boost my 3-point total, so I waived Taj Gibson for the second time this season. I may try to pick him up again.
Eight of my 10 roster spots are filled tonight. I figure Chalmers at least has plenty of options of people to pass to who are likely to shoot and even make some shots. If I'm really lucky, he'll be getting assists for Chris Bosh.
* * *
Hockey. Still at 66 points, and sliding slowly farther behind the second-place team, currently at 73.
The biggest chances for me to gain ground are in assists, where I'm just 8 behind the team in second; power-play points, 4 behind both teams ahead of me in the standings, and save percentage, .027 behind No. 2.
Last night's game before my very eyes was a mixed blessing. Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals and was plus-2, but Brenden Dillon was minus-2. The goals weren't terribly important, because I already lead the league. Last night's plus/minus was up and down, but finished plus-1, boosting my season total to plus-19. That's still 21 points away from catching the next higher team.
My lineup for Sunday will have six skaters and possibly goalie Eddie Lack (Roberto Luongo was in goal for Vancouver Saturday).
* * *
Football. It seemed weird Saturday when I got up thinking I needed to make an 11th-hour check of my fantasy roster, then realized that I didn't have a team playing. Then as I listened to the first half of Kansas City-Indianapolis on the way to the Red Wings-Stars game, I was wondering whether I could retain RB Jamaal Charles on my playoff roster even if he wouldn't be able to play in the Divisional round.
I don't think it was just because I had the Colts in both of my playoff pools, but I found the KC radio crew very annoying. I just looked up the name of the Chiefs' play-by-play guy. He's Mitch Holthus, and he must have some following in Kansas and Missouri because he's been on the job for 20 years. The annoying part was when the Chiefs were tearing it up, he kept repeating a mantra that the Chiefs would be doing it "all day," which apparently included saying "all day" all day. He also seemed very impressed with himself for knowing the small town in Kansas where the head linesman lived, and the location of Mary Hardin Baylor University in Texas.
It wasn't until after the hockey game that I learned the Chiefs had blown their big lead and lost. All day apparently had a second half.
It didn't help the broadcast that color man Len -- turned out to be the one-time great Len Dawson -- was one of the type who pretty much agree with and parrot what the play-by-play guy says. Dawson has seen better days, and I think those are in the past. (All day.)
Anyway, in my pick-'em pool, both the Colts and Saints advanced, as I predicted, but by the skin of their teeth.
Fortunately, in my $1,000-bankroll, pick-with-the-spread pool, I "wagered" $200 on the Saints and just $100 on the Colts, who didn't cover as 2.5-point favorites. So my hypothetical bankroll is up to $1,100.
In my college pools, I don't expect I'll win anything despite picking up 28 points from Vanderbilt in the pick-winners confidence pool. I have 1 point on Ball State tonight and 5 on Florida State Monday. I'm not even sure Vanderbilt covered the spread, but going into that game I was just 11-16 in my point-spread pool.
The other big baseball news seems to be that Rangers -- New York Rangers, that is -- goalie Henrik Lundqvist will be wearing a mask featuring the likenesses of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio for the Stadium Series hockey at Yankee Stadium.
The NHL will be coming out of its shutdown for next month's Olympics with a series of outdoor games, like the one that drew 105,000 people to Michigan Stadium on New Year's Day. The most exotic locale will be Dodger Stadium, which last saw ice in a cocktail glass inside a luxury suite.
Yankee Stadium just had the Pinstripe Bowl football game. Hockey is next.
Let's get with it, NBA! Schedule at game at the new House That Ruth Built. Try to make it The House That Carmelo Brought Down. A Saturday or Sunday afternoon game in April (while the Yanks are out of town) should due. That's April 2015, and not a day later.
* * *
Basketball. I'm ahead 5-3 going into the last day of this week's competition. That would keep me in fourth place. But I'm down by just two assists, so I could pick up another game and possibly move into third.
With Ricky Rubio not playing today, I decided to pick up free-agent PG Mario Chalmers. I contemplated dropping up-and-down SG Joe Johnson, but I might need him to boost my 3-point total, so I waived Taj Gibson for the second time this season. I may try to pick him up again.
Eight of my 10 roster spots are filled tonight. I figure Chalmers at least has plenty of options of people to pass to who are likely to shoot and even make some shots. If I'm really lucky, he'll be getting assists for Chris Bosh.
* * *
Hockey. Still at 66 points, and sliding slowly farther behind the second-place team, currently at 73.
The biggest chances for me to gain ground are in assists, where I'm just 8 behind the team in second; power-play points, 4 behind both teams ahead of me in the standings, and save percentage, .027 behind No. 2.
Last night's game before my very eyes was a mixed blessing. Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals and was plus-2, but Brenden Dillon was minus-2. The goals weren't terribly important, because I already lead the league. Last night's plus/minus was up and down, but finished plus-1, boosting my season total to plus-19. That's still 21 points away from catching the next higher team.
My lineup for Sunday will have six skaters and possibly goalie Eddie Lack (Roberto Luongo was in goal for Vancouver Saturday).
* * *
Football. It seemed weird Saturday when I got up thinking I needed to make an 11th-hour check of my fantasy roster, then realized that I didn't have a team playing. Then as I listened to the first half of Kansas City-Indianapolis on the way to the Red Wings-Stars game, I was wondering whether I could retain RB Jamaal Charles on my playoff roster even if he wouldn't be able to play in the Divisional round.
I don't think it was just because I had the Colts in both of my playoff pools, but I found the KC radio crew very annoying. I just looked up the name of the Chiefs' play-by-play guy. He's Mitch Holthus, and he must have some following in Kansas and Missouri because he's been on the job for 20 years. The annoying part was when the Chiefs were tearing it up, he kept repeating a mantra that the Chiefs would be doing it "all day," which apparently included saying "all day" all day. He also seemed very impressed with himself for knowing the small town in Kansas where the head linesman lived, and the location of Mary Hardin Baylor University in Texas.
It wasn't until after the hockey game that I learned the Chiefs had blown their big lead and lost. All day apparently had a second half.
It didn't help the broadcast that color man Len -- turned out to be the one-time great Len Dawson -- was one of the type who pretty much agree with and parrot what the play-by-play guy says. Dawson has seen better days, and I think those are in the past. (All day.)
Anyway, in my pick-'em pool, both the Colts and Saints advanced, as I predicted, but by the skin of their teeth.
Fortunately, in my $1,000-bankroll, pick-with-the-spread pool, I "wagered" $200 on the Saints and just $100 on the Colts, who didn't cover as 2.5-point favorites. So my hypothetical bankroll is up to $1,100.
In my college pools, I don't expect I'll win anything despite picking up 28 points from Vanderbilt in the pick-winners confidence pool. I have 1 point on Ball State tonight and 5 on Florida State Monday. I'm not even sure Vanderbilt covered the spread, but going into that game I was just 11-16 in my point-spread pool.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
No big deals -- Ibanez and Veras
There's not much new that's concrete in baseball right now.
The Angels finalized a 1-year contract with former ancient Mariner Raul Ibanez, who could DH and play a little bit of outfield.
The Cubs agreed to a 1-year contract with RHP Jose Veras, who would be their 2014 closer. Now there's not a lot to close on the North Side, and Veras seems likely to blow a number of the opportunities he gets. Expect him to join RHP Carlos Marmol and the ranks of other failed closers for the Cubs.
I'm working on some projects to produce some quantitative fantasy baseball information. I hope you can see at least one piece before the year ends.
* * *
Basketball. Carmelo Anthony didn't play Friday night, and isn't going to play Saturday. I still can fill all 10 spots in my lineup.
I had set up my lineup for Thursday, and neglected to change it for Friday. Thus, I left on my bench Victor Oladipo and his 16 points and 11 assists.
Through Thursday, I had been tied in blocked shots as part of a 5-2-1 lead. I figured Serge Ibaka would help me in that area, and sure enough, he blocked three Friday and helped me take the lead in that category. However, my lead is down to 5-3, partly because Anthony didn't play. But my 16-point deficit coincides exactly with Oladipo's 16 points that didn't count for me. We'll see what happens Saturday.
* * *
Hockey. I was buried under an Avalanche tonight. Colorado lost 7-2 to the Blackhawks. Jan Hejda and Erik Johnson were both -4, and Nathan MacKinnon was -3. That was 11 of my minus-15 for the night. That dropped me down to sixth in plus/minus at plus-19. Somehow, the Avalanche's and my, Paul Stastny broke even. Now I have four individuals on my team with season plus/minuses of 19 or more, but I haven't had those players in my lineup at the right time. Mikko Koivu also has been killing me; he was -3 tonight. In addition, Jean-Sebastien Giguere gave up seven goals in two periods. That's a 10.50 goals against average. And the only thing I can say about his save percentage is that at least it isn't less than 0.
My plan is to divest myself of some Colorado players, and Koivu if I can. I'm a little light in forwards. Despite the debacle with Hejda and Johnson, my defense is pretty good. I'm even using a defenseman as a utility player. But I had Dallas' Brenden Dillon on my bench. He was plus-2 Friday, and he took a minor penalty. Another problem with my lineup was that my lineup totaled 0 penalty minutes. How is that even possible? I probably need a fighter.
Somehow I escaped the night losing a mere two points in the standings.
It's too late to make coherent moves tonight. I got home from the Predators-Stars game at about 1.
The Angels finalized a 1-year contract with former ancient Mariner Raul Ibanez, who could DH and play a little bit of outfield.
The Cubs agreed to a 1-year contract with RHP Jose Veras, who would be their 2014 closer. Now there's not a lot to close on the North Side, and Veras seems likely to blow a number of the opportunities he gets. Expect him to join RHP Carlos Marmol and the ranks of other failed closers for the Cubs.
I'm working on some projects to produce some quantitative fantasy baseball information. I hope you can see at least one piece before the year ends.
* * *
Basketball. Carmelo Anthony didn't play Friday night, and isn't going to play Saturday. I still can fill all 10 spots in my lineup.
I had set up my lineup for Thursday, and neglected to change it for Friday. Thus, I left on my bench Victor Oladipo and his 16 points and 11 assists.
Through Thursday, I had been tied in blocked shots as part of a 5-2-1 lead. I figured Serge Ibaka would help me in that area, and sure enough, he blocked three Friday and helped me take the lead in that category. However, my lead is down to 5-3, partly because Anthony didn't play. But my 16-point deficit coincides exactly with Oladipo's 16 points that didn't count for me. We'll see what happens Saturday.
* * *
Hockey. I was buried under an Avalanche tonight. Colorado lost 7-2 to the Blackhawks. Jan Hejda and Erik Johnson were both -4, and Nathan MacKinnon was -3. That was 11 of my minus-15 for the night. That dropped me down to sixth in plus/minus at plus-19. Somehow, the Avalanche's and my, Paul Stastny broke even. Now I have four individuals on my team with season plus/minuses of 19 or more, but I haven't had those players in my lineup at the right time. Mikko Koivu also has been killing me; he was -3 tonight. In addition, Jean-Sebastien Giguere gave up seven goals in two periods. That's a 10.50 goals against average. And the only thing I can say about his save percentage is that at least it isn't less than 0.
My plan is to divest myself of some Colorado players, and Koivu if I can. I'm a little light in forwards. Despite the debacle with Hejda and Johnson, my defense is pretty good. I'm even using a defenseman as a utility player. But I had Dallas' Brenden Dillon on my bench. He was plus-2 Friday, and he took a minor penalty. Another problem with my lineup was that my lineup totaled 0 penalty minutes. How is that even possible? I probably need a fighter.
Somehow I escaped the night losing a mere two points in the standings.
It's too late to make coherent moves tonight. I got home from the Predators-Stars game at about 1.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Cleaning up, but not cleanup batters
Part of the cleaning up is sweeping up the crumbs from the winter meetings.
The latest contract agreement and near agreement are hardly crumby, though.
The Rays ponied up some cash to keep 1B James Loney on a reported 3-year contract. The Royals are close to a 4-year deal for more than $30 million with 2B Omar Infante, according to his agent.
These aren't big deals for big hitters such as Giancarlo Stanton or Nelson Cruz, but they are important to teams who want to be in the playoff picture for 2014 and not standing outside the frame like Broadway Danny Rose.
* * *
Hockey. With only one player -- Matt Niskanen, who helped with minutes and a plus-1 rating -- active Friday, I still managed to gain 1 1/2 points on the second-place team. By not playing, my goalies picked up a point in goals against average. I'll have a full complement of skaters and possibly a goalie or two going tonight. I don't want my players scoring on my goalie, the way my remaining Senators did last week.
* * *
Basketball. Picking up Gerald Green did get me two 3-pointers, and the rest of my lineup came up with enough to take the lead by four in that category. And that put me ahead for the week 8-0. If that holds, and the other contests in my league go as they have been, I would pass only one team but would move into a tie with two or three other teams as close as three games to first place. I should have a good lineup going tonight to help me hold at least most of my lead. Five players are active, including Chris Bosh and the recently hot Carmelo Anthony.
The latest contract agreement and near agreement are hardly crumby, though.
The Rays ponied up some cash to keep 1B James Loney on a reported 3-year contract. The Royals are close to a 4-year deal for more than $30 million with 2B Omar Infante, according to his agent.
These aren't big deals for big hitters such as Giancarlo Stanton or Nelson Cruz, but they are important to teams who want to be in the playoff picture for 2014 and not standing outside the frame like Broadway Danny Rose.
* * *
Hockey. With only one player -- Matt Niskanen, who helped with minutes and a plus-1 rating -- active Friday, I still managed to gain 1 1/2 points on the second-place team. By not playing, my goalies picked up a point in goals against average. I'll have a full complement of skaters and possibly a goalie or two going tonight. I don't want my players scoring on my goalie, the way my remaining Senators did last week.
* * *
Basketball. Picking up Gerald Green did get me two 3-pointers, and the rest of my lineup came up with enough to take the lead by four in that category. And that put me ahead for the week 8-0. If that holds, and the other contests in my league go as they have been, I would pass only one team but would move into a tie with two or three other teams as close as three games to first place. I should have a good lineup going tonight to help me hold at least most of my lead. Five players are active, including Chris Bosh and the recently hot Carmelo Anthony.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Hughes to join Nolasco in improved Twins rotation
The Twins apparently are making another move to shore up their rotation.
The latest report is that Minnesota and RHP Phil Hughes have agreed to a 3-year, $24-million contract. That may sound like a lot. But even though Hughes probably isn't as good as the 18-game winner in 2012 (especially pitching for the Twins) but he's way better than the stiff who showed up every 5 or 6 days for the 2013 Yankees. That's assuming he doesn't have fundamental or irreversible arm problems.
It seems almost 100 per cent likely that RHP Ricky Nolasco and Hughes are a big improvement over the bottom-of-the-rotation starters they'll displace in Minnesota. The Twins will go into many series with a good chance to win two of three because they have that pair.
Much of the talk heading into next week's winter meetings is over which potential free agents will be tendered contract offers. In many cases teams are gambling that players they don't really want would decline their offer so that their 2013 team 1) wouldn't have to pay somewhat inflated guaranteed offers and 2) would receive draft-pick compensation for players who don't accept the tender. A third possibility is that teams could re-sign players who aren't tendered for a smaller dollar figure than they'd have to pay tendered players.
It's kind of confusing. Be prepared for many tendered and non-tendered players to sign elsewhere. And be prepared to hear 3 or 4 years from now about young 2014 draft picks who were "steals" because their team picked them as compensation for not signing (insert name of 2017-18 stiff here).
* * *
Good week in my fantasy football leagues. I'm guaranteed a win in both.
I'll go into the playoffs in my 10-team scoring-plus-yardage league with a 6-7 record and in sixth place. That would put me in the middle-division playoffs. I think given breaks I could have contended for the top-division playoff title, but I didn't make that level. I'll be disappointed if I don't win the second-division playoffs to finish fifth.
In my scoring-only league, I'm still third but now only one game behind the teams tied for first lace with four weeks remaining. I hope to be a contender.
* * *
Will just two players starting today, my hockey team appears to have dropped 1 1/2 points today but stayed in third place. I'm about 10 points out of second, but also about 15 ahead of the fourth-place team. The bottom seven teams are separated by about 5 points. Turns out I put the wrong Senator in Sunday's lineup. Clarke MacArthur was minus-1, dropping me down another point in that category. Jason Spezza, whom I didn't start, was plus-1.
Saw the Stars lose their second shootout in three nights, to the lowly Oilers. Edmonton gave starting G Devan Dubnyk the night off, until G Ilya Bryzgalov suffered what might have been a concussion in the second period. Dallas' Ryan Garbutt had his first NHL two-goal game, but I wouldn't expect a whole lot more of those from him.
* * *
With Carmelo Anthony and David West provided 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, my fantasy basketball team finished the week 4-4. Thus, I didn't catch the seventh-place team that split with me, but I did gain ground on two or three teams immediately ahead of that one.
The latest report is that Minnesota and RHP Phil Hughes have agreed to a 3-year, $24-million contract. That may sound like a lot. But even though Hughes probably isn't as good as the 18-game winner in 2012 (especially pitching for the Twins) but he's way better than the stiff who showed up every 5 or 6 days for the 2013 Yankees. That's assuming he doesn't have fundamental or irreversible arm problems.
It seems almost 100 per cent likely that RHP Ricky Nolasco and Hughes are a big improvement over the bottom-of-the-rotation starters they'll displace in Minnesota. The Twins will go into many series with a good chance to win two of three because they have that pair.
Much of the talk heading into next week's winter meetings is over which potential free agents will be tendered contract offers. In many cases teams are gambling that players they don't really want would decline their offer so that their 2013 team 1) wouldn't have to pay somewhat inflated guaranteed offers and 2) would receive draft-pick compensation for players who don't accept the tender. A third possibility is that teams could re-sign players who aren't tendered for a smaller dollar figure than they'd have to pay tendered players.
It's kind of confusing. Be prepared for many tendered and non-tendered players to sign elsewhere. And be prepared to hear 3 or 4 years from now about young 2014 draft picks who were "steals" because their team picked them as compensation for not signing (insert name of 2017-18 stiff here).
* * *
Good week in my fantasy football leagues. I'm guaranteed a win in both.
I'll go into the playoffs in my 10-team scoring-plus-yardage league with a 6-7 record and in sixth place. That would put me in the middle-division playoffs. I think given breaks I could have contended for the top-division playoff title, but I didn't make that level. I'll be disappointed if I don't win the second-division playoffs to finish fifth.
In my scoring-only league, I'm still third but now only one game behind the teams tied for first lace with four weeks remaining. I hope to be a contender.
* * *
Will just two players starting today, my hockey team appears to have dropped 1 1/2 points today but stayed in third place. I'm about 10 points out of second, but also about 15 ahead of the fourth-place team. The bottom seven teams are separated by about 5 points. Turns out I put the wrong Senator in Sunday's lineup. Clarke MacArthur was minus-1, dropping me down another point in that category. Jason Spezza, whom I didn't start, was plus-1.
Saw the Stars lose their second shootout in three nights, to the lowly Oilers. Edmonton gave starting G Devan Dubnyk the night off, until G Ilya Bryzgalov suffered what might have been a concussion in the second period. Dallas' Ryan Garbutt had his first NHL two-goal game, but I wouldn't expect a whole lot more of those from him.
* * *
With Carmelo Anthony and David West provided 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, my fantasy basketball team finished the week 4-4. Thus, I didn't catch the seventh-place team that split with me, but I did gain ground on two or three teams immediately ahead of that one.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Minor moves, but at least it's moving
As baseball leads up to the winter meetings Dec. 9-12 in Orlando, teams have begun to make some trades and other moves.
The latest free-agent signings were RHP Dan Haren to a 1-year contract with the Dodgers and the Cardinals' confirmation that their signing of SS Jhonny Peralta is official.
The Padres made two trades that might not amount to more than rearranging the furniture.
They sent RHP Brad Brach from the middle of their bullpen to the Orioles for RHP Devin Jones, who was 5-7 with a 5.64 ERA mostly in Double-A this year. Brach has appeared in 109 major league games over the last three seasons.
San Diego also traded OF Jaff Decker and RHP Miles Mikolas to the Pirates for Double-A OF Alex Dickerson. I've seen Decker and Mikolas play in Double-A. A former first-round draft pick, Decker has totaled just 71 home runs and a .268 average in the minors. Mikolas, who appears to throw fairly hard, spent some time in the majors in 2012 and recorded 26 saves for Triple-A Tucson this season. Dickerson was the Double-A Eastern League's rookie of the year with a .288 average, 17 homers and 68 RBI at Altoona.
As part of adding two players to its 40-man roster, Pittsburgh designated 1B/OF Garrett Jones for assignment. Another player battling Decker for playing time will be OF Andrew Lambo, who slammed 32 homers between Double-A and Triple-A and also will be tried at first base in 2014.
The Nationals traded LHP Fernando Abad to the Athletics for OF John Wooten. Abad has a 1-14 major league career record, with a 4.56 ERA. Wooten batted .257 with 20 homers at low Class A Beloit.
* * *
Both of my fantasy football teams won by more than doubling my opponents' score. In the scoring plus yardage league, I'm just 5-7 and in a three-way tie for sixth lace two games out of fourth. That league's regular season ends after next week, so I can only move down. In the scoring-only league, I'm 7-5 and tied for third, two games out of first with five to play. Our playoffs coincide with the final three weeks of NFL playoffs.
In the Pittsburgh office pool, I was 7-8, still 16 games off the lead and seven games out of the money. I might need two unbelievable weeks to qualify for one of the top three spots in a year when my performance has been very believable.
* * *
My fantasy hockey team gave up most of the goaltending points I'd picked up over the weekend. I had two goalies playing Monday, but not especially well. Neither James Reimer nor Steve Mason won. My skaters came out plus-1 but didn't do much except for playing enough to build up my ATOI to take over second place in the category. I'm still about 10 points out of second in the 10-team league.
Oh, I also turned down a trade that would have sent Corey Perry from my team to the one in second place for an inferior forward and a goalie not as good as the ones on my current roster.
* * *
In basketball, I did sweep all eight categories last week, which ended Sunday, to move up to eighth in another 10-team league. If I win this week by at least a 5-3 margin, I would improve to seventh. That's where I stand after the first day. Carmelo Anthony had a big scoring day, and George Hill was good in just about everything. One of my centers, Dallas' Samuel Dalembert, is nursing bruised ribs. He didn't start, played just 18 minutes and manged 2 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. I had to watch him and the Mavericks lose to Denver.
The latest free-agent signings were RHP Dan Haren to a 1-year contract with the Dodgers and the Cardinals' confirmation that their signing of SS Jhonny Peralta is official.
The Padres made two trades that might not amount to more than rearranging the furniture.
They sent RHP Brad Brach from the middle of their bullpen to the Orioles for RHP Devin Jones, who was 5-7 with a 5.64 ERA mostly in Double-A this year. Brach has appeared in 109 major league games over the last three seasons.
San Diego also traded OF Jaff Decker and RHP Miles Mikolas to the Pirates for Double-A OF Alex Dickerson. I've seen Decker and Mikolas play in Double-A. A former first-round draft pick, Decker has totaled just 71 home runs and a .268 average in the minors. Mikolas, who appears to throw fairly hard, spent some time in the majors in 2012 and recorded 26 saves for Triple-A Tucson this season. Dickerson was the Double-A Eastern League's rookie of the year with a .288 average, 17 homers and 68 RBI at Altoona.
As part of adding two players to its 40-man roster, Pittsburgh designated 1B/OF Garrett Jones for assignment. Another player battling Decker for playing time will be OF Andrew Lambo, who slammed 32 homers between Double-A and Triple-A and also will be tried at first base in 2014.
The Nationals traded LHP Fernando Abad to the Athletics for OF John Wooten. Abad has a 1-14 major league career record, with a 4.56 ERA. Wooten batted .257 with 20 homers at low Class A Beloit.
* * *
Both of my fantasy football teams won by more than doubling my opponents' score. In the scoring plus yardage league, I'm just 5-7 and in a three-way tie for sixth lace two games out of fourth. That league's regular season ends after next week, so I can only move down. In the scoring-only league, I'm 7-5 and tied for third, two games out of first with five to play. Our playoffs coincide with the final three weeks of NFL playoffs.
In the Pittsburgh office pool, I was 7-8, still 16 games off the lead and seven games out of the money. I might need two unbelievable weeks to qualify for one of the top three spots in a year when my performance has been very believable.
* * *
My fantasy hockey team gave up most of the goaltending points I'd picked up over the weekend. I had two goalies playing Monday, but not especially well. Neither James Reimer nor Steve Mason won. My skaters came out plus-1 but didn't do much except for playing enough to build up my ATOI to take over second place in the category. I'm still about 10 points out of second in the 10-team league.
Oh, I also turned down a trade that would have sent Corey Perry from my team to the one in second place for an inferior forward and a goalie not as good as the ones on my current roster.
* * *
In basketball, I did sweep all eight categories last week, which ended Sunday, to move up to eighth in another 10-team league. If I win this week by at least a 5-3 margin, I would improve to seventh. That's where I stand after the first day. Carmelo Anthony had a big scoring day, and George Hill was good in just about everything. One of my centers, Dallas' Samuel Dalembert, is nursing bruised ribs. He didn't start, played just 18 minutes and manged 2 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. I had to watch him and the Mavericks lose to Denver.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Simple plus/minus system for fantasy basketball
When I was inspired -- pretty much impulsively -- to join a fantasy basketball league, I wondered whether the plus/minus system I use as a rough guideline who's playing well would work to evaluate players for fantasy basketball.
The thinking was that we know who are the scorers, but when we're trying to accumulate a mashup of statistics for a Rotisserie (R)-style scoring system, the choices aren't so obvious.
By looking at a typical expanded box score for a game -- or a season to date -- we can come up with numerical plus/minus figures for any player.
That number shows whether players do more good or bad things for their team. Take the positive -- shots made, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks -- and deduct the negative -- missed shots, turnovers and fouls.
For this study, I took the top group of five or six players in the positive stats -- scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. That provides somewhat of a cross section of player types -- shooters, point guards, rebounders, defenders.
In all, I compared the totals for 25 of those category leaders, some in more than one category, and one mistake (Mason Plumlee, whose numbers through Nov. 19 I looked up instead of Miles Plumlee's).
I think this plus-minus assessment is a reasonable guideline. It includes just 26 of the 450 players on NBA rosters (6%), but if you consider that maybe nine players from each team could even be considered for fantasy purposes, that's more like 10%.
The players in the study that we'd expect to be early fantasy draft picks are on top of this list. Keep in mind that these aren't the top 25 or 26 players in the league. Some acknowledged stars, such as Chris Bosh and Dirk Nowitzki, weren's included in the study.
Here's the list:
Kevin Love, Minnesota 220
Chris Paul, LA Clippers 199
Anthony Davis, New Orleans 181
LeBron James, Miami 164
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City 162
Dwight Howard, Houston 152
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, LA Clippers 147
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando 140
Andre Drummond, Detroit 133
Ty Lawson, Denver 125
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota 122
Roy Hibbert, Indiana 114
James Harden, Houston 112
John Wall, Washington 104
Jeff Teague, Atlanta 101
Evan Turner, Philadelphia 95
Stephen Curry, Golden State, and Brook Lopez, Brooklyn 91
Carmelo Anthony, New York 83
Dwyane Wade, Miami, and Miles Plumlee, Phoenix 72
Eric Gordon, New Orleans 59
Trevor Ariza, Washington 41
Deron Williams, Brooklyn 30
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn 19
A couple of notes here.
Unless you have a specific need in a category, it's best to avoid players whose value is mostly in one area, such as assists of blocks. That would be like having Juan Pierre on your fantasy baseball team and expecting him to hit for power.
Subtracting missed field goals and missed free throws can point out where a scorer or some other specialist can help you in the shooting percentage categories. Examples: Anthony is -33 and point guards Wall -44 and Rubio -30 on field goals; big man Drummond is -11 at the foul line. Of Durant's +162 total, 98 are from his free throw margin. That also shows that he gets to the line a lot. James is +39 from the field, which tells me that he could be a little less selective and still score more points.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Hate to say it, but it's time for Konerko to go
The White Sox haven't heard from 1B Paul Konerko about whether he'll retire.
On the occasions last season when I saw him in person or on TV, Konerko really looked a step slower in the field and a tick slower with the bat.
He has had a remarkably consistent career as one of baseball's solid citizens.
As we age, most of us have to move away from an occupation or a situation we love. My experience has been that such times are just a transition to something better.
Let's hope that Konerko and the Sox appreciate what he has done sufficiently to enable him to retire without tarnishing his hard-earned reputation by hanging on too long. He has not made enemies in the game, so it's quite likely there's a coaching, front-office or broadcasting job that he could excel at and enjoy. Or perhaps his life would become retiring to spend time with children or grandchildren and to play golf or hunt or whatever he enjoys doing.
Bottom line: Konerko should retire as a player. The Sox probably gave him a hint by signing Cuban 1B Jose Abreu.
* * *
Update on my currently playing fantasy teams.
Hockey -- My team took a serious dive, falling 4 1/2 points behind the third-place team. Even Tuesday's highlight came with a price. Flyers G Steve Mason won 5-2 over Ottawa. The win left me still a point behind the teams tied for seventh, and though my goalies moved closer to ninth place in GAA and save percentage, I still have only 1 point in those categories. Furthermore, it came at the expense of the three Senators skaters in my lineup, who combined for minus-6 of my team's -8 total. With my 12 skaters putting 32 shots on goal, they scored only one goal, and I lost a point there. And, as Harry Doyle might have said, they had just 2 G.D. penalty minutes.
Basketball -- This was better. Led by Chris Bosh's 8-for-9, my five players in action shot .540 from the field. They even made five 3-pointers, and scored 74 points -- 25 by Carmelo Anthony. I'm ahead this week in three categories, trailing in three and tied in two. The ties are in 3-pointers and blocks, and I'm only one steal behind. If I win this week's competition, I'd move up at least to ninth place and possibly to eighth.
My plan is to get up Wednesday morning early enough to set my lineups and to look for some free agents. If I see good ones that might be helpful to a lot of people, I'll share those suggestions.
Veteran pitchers in some demand
There is news in the Hot Stove League.
Foremost was the Giants' signing of 38-year-old RHP Tim Hudson to a two-year contract for a reported $23 million. He still can pitch, as long as he recovers from this season's ankle injury.
Monday's other definite signing was C Carlos Ruiz, who will remain with the Phillies for three years, with an option for 2017. His contract is worth a reported $26 million.
Pending physicals, 40-year-old RHP LaTroy Hawkins would join the Rockies on a one-year, $2.25-million deal and OF/2B Skip Schumaker would become a Cincinnati Red for two years at an undisclosed salary.
I'll have more coming up on Hawkins, who pitched for Colorado's 2007 National League champions and could compete for next season's job as closer with LHP Rex Brothers. Which makes sense, because Hawkins has hung around as long as almost any journeyman southpaw reliever.
Speaking of lefties, the Orioles signed one, 25-year-old LHP Kelvin De La Cruz. He has had some success against left-handed batters in the high minors for the Dodgers' organization. There's no guarantee that that success would carry over into the majors.
* * *
While I was at tonight's 76ers-Mavericks game, I had some thoughts about fantasy basketball. Namely, that I'd never played it, didn't really know what categories were used and didn't know how valuable my plus/minus system would be in evaluating players for fantasy basketball.
I'll give you results of a preliminary plus/minus study soon. No, it's not the same as the plus-minus you might see in NBA box scores
When I arrived home, I looked around espn.com, where my football and hockey fantasy teams reside, and noted that a fantasy basketball draft was scheduled to begin that very minute. Just 8 of the 10 positions were filled, 9 once I signed up. So the draft was delayed another 5 minutes. During that time, a 10th team joined.
The draft breezed by in about half an hour. I was in the ninth position in a snake draft, but it seemed pretty clear that I didn't make good use of the six sets of two picks close together. Of course, a modicum of preparation might have helped.
When the draft ended, I looked at our league page and found out that the categories at ESPN are pretty standard -- points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, 3-point field goals made and the percentage categories of field goal and free throw percentage.
I also found out that the league apparently back-dated our league to play three weeks of head-to-head competition, one "game" for each category -- and I was already in last place at 5-18-1 and trailing in this week's competition 3-4-1.
The only players on my new team who were in action tonight were big men Joakim Noah, Serge Ibaka and Samuel Dalembert (who played very well for Dallas). So I did well in rebounds and blocks, but didn't have any 3-pointers, so I lost that category.
Just set my lineup for Tuesday. I moved Gerald Wallace on to my active roster, replacing Victor Oladipo as one of my utility players. Wallace's team, the Celtics, is playing Tuesday; Oladipo's Orlando Magic isn't. There should be a few 3s Tuesday. Also playing for me will be Ricky Rubio, J.R. Smith, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh.
The lessons already learned here are simply 1) Prepare for your draft and 2) Know the rules and all the set up/settings for your league.
My fantasy hockey team started slowly too. I'll be out of last place, maybe within a week. Getting to first place could be a tall order.
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Speaking of hockey, my team suffered Monday from not having any of my goalies playing. Not only did I lose half a point because the team tied with me had a goalie who won a game, but I also dropped 2 additional points behind the third-place team because he overtook me in ATOI. I'm still confident that I can move up in the goalie categories as well as in three skaters' categories in which I'm also fourth in a 10-team league.
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There was no action on my fantasy football leagues Monday. RB D'Angelo Williams did not score for my scoring-only league team, which already had clinched a 33-28 victory.
But Carolina's rally gave me a loss and an 8-8 record for the week in the Pittsburgh office pool that includes me. I remained 14 games out of first place, but inched up to six games out of the money with six weeks to play. I can only hope for a huge week to fuel a rally like the one I had last year.
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