Roto Roundup: Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Gonzalez, Mike Trout, and Others

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

Make sure you post any questions you may have in the comments section of the Roundup every day. Rather than wait for a Fantasy Chat, you can post your questions any day that you'd like. I will answer any question you have, whether it concerns a trade offer you made/received, a roster decision, a waiver wire move, or a keeper decision.

Kershaw being Kershaw

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was one out away from his second complete game shutout of the season last night, but still left with his 4th win of the season, as the Dodgers shut out the

CarGo goes off in Rockies' 9-4 win over Cubs - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez had two homers among his five hits as the Rockies beat the Cubs 9-4 on Tuesday.

Shuffle Up: Carlos Gomez, the real deal

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

When it comes to fake baseball, the outfield is where the fun is. The first couple of rounds will always include some of these stat-grabbing giants, and yet the waiver wire in an average mixer consistently offers something for the discerning shopper. Add it all up and there's a lot to digest.

The prices you see in this piece are roughly how I rank the roto-eligible outfielders going forward. What we've seen to this point is merely an audition; if you want a list of the top players to this point, there are plenty of places you can access that.

Don't obsess over the prices in a vacuum: what really matters is how the players relate to one another. Assume a 5x5 scoring format, as always, and players at the same price

Shuffle Up: Carlos Gomez, the read deal

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

When it comes to fake baseball, the outfield is where the fun is. The first couple of rounds will always include some of these stat-grabbing giants, and yet the waiver wire in an average mixer consistently offers something for the discerning shopper. Add it all up and there's a lot to digest.

The prices you see in this piece are roughly how I rank the roto-eligible outfielders going forward. What we've seen to this point is merely an audition; if you want a list of the top players to this point, there are plenty of places you can access that.

Don't obsess over the prices in a vacuum: what really matters is how the players relate to one another. Assume a 5x5 scoring format, as always, and players at the same price

DraftKings – Doubling Down On Yuni B

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Razzball Nation! DraftKings is back with another RAZZBALL EXCLUSIVE Play with Rudy [and Nick] contest going on this Friday.  Just like last week, there's a cap of only 40 entries (2 per person), and with an entry fee of only $5 and a chance to win $20,000 it's got more fantasy upside than Nick on the North Pole with a compass.  Wait what happens on the North Pole with a compass?  Nick, you live like a mile from there right? The winner gets entry into DraftKings huge $100,000 MLB Spring Fling were the top winner gets that large chunk of $20 grand cheddar.  You could cover like a million Packers fans' heads with that.  Spots 2-10 get $5 back so there's a

Back in the Saddle

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

For those of you that missed it, The Oracle spent three days in the hospital with a dastardly case of the flu. He’s still not even close to 100 percent, but he’s going to do his best to get back on it today. Let’s see how he does.

Tony Cingrani has shocked me with his success thus far (1.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP,

Finally Home

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

I’ve spent the last three days in the hospital with the whopper of all illnesses. Try throwing up 20+ times (literally), having cramps to bad that you can’t straighten out your fingers for nearly two hours, yeah, it was great times, and taken your first ambluance ride ever. On the slow road to recovery now though. Thanks for all the well wishes to all of you, I really appreciate it.

Some observations from my hospital bed.

Why couldn’t the Dodgers activate

Carlos Gonzalez: Will Sit Out Sunday

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez will not be in the starting lineup Sunday, the Denver Post reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Mostly MLB Notes: Examining hot starts by Justin Upton, Chris Davis and Jeff Samardzija

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Justin Upton posted an .899 OPS as a 21-year-old, got away from a franchise that he clearly didn’t see eye-to-eye with, and there’s a real chance last year’s disappointing season was a direct result of a since healed thumb injury. On the other hand, Upton had actually disappointed two of the past three seasons, finishing as the 122nd ranked fantasy player in 2010 and 47th last year. Upton also left one of the best hitter’s parks for a generally neutral one that happens to depress power for right-handers (Turner Field’s HR Park Index for RHB is 88 over the past three years). Despite the latter, fantasy owners thought more highly of the former and drafted him aggressively, as he was likely gone within

Shuffle Up: Choose your sophomore, Mike Trout vs. Bryce Harper

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The outfield is the fun place to go shopping in fantasy baseball. Power, sure, you'll find it here. Plenty of guys run. A few players do everything. And the two most exciting young position players in the game happen to reside here, too. Everyone likes picking out their outfield.

The goal today is to rank all the mixed-league worthy outfielders going forward in 5x5 fantasy value, 2013 only. Don't read too much into the dollar values in a vacuum - they're merely used as a tool to compare players. And when commodities share the same price, they're considered even. (Players on the DL and minor-league prospects are not eligible for ranking.)

I reserve the right to tweak this list as the day goes along,

Fantasy Baseball: Early Returns

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

The 2013 baseball season is finally underway. The story of the first few days of the season is the success of starting pitchers, highlighted by the near run to perfection from Yu Darvish (more on that below). However, that doesn’t mean it’s only been about pitching, there are still some offensive moments of note, so I’ll

CarGo, Tulo homer again as Rox beat Brewers - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez hit his second home run in as many days as the Rockies beat the Brewers 8-4 on Tuesday.

Mostly MLB Notes: A 2013 Season Preview

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Editor’s note: I wanted to get this posted much earlier, but I had my first kid recently (well, technically my wife had her), so that’s my excuse for the delay.

National League East

1. Washington Nationals
2. Atlanta Braves (WILD CARD)
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. New York Mets
5. Miami Marlins

Comments/Fantasy Predictions: Both Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are top-15 fantasy players, while Dan Haren is a top-25 starting pitcher. Ryan Zimmerman proves to be a better pick than Evan Longoria, while Drew

Fantasy Baseball: Top Outfielders – 1 To 15

Source: Fantasy Baseball Dugout by BeeZee

Whether you play fantasy baseball for free, or participate in a fantasy baseball money league, you need to find great outfielders. Here is our list of the top 15 picks:

1. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

Braun had over 30 HR, 100 RBI and a .300 BA for the fifth time each in six seasons, and also stole over 30 bases for the second straight year.

2. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Trout was one steal short of becoming the third player in MLB history to have 30 homers and 50 steals in a season. He also hit .326 and his 129 runs scored were

Fantasy baseball draft: FSWA IIL roster, 5 thoughts

Source: KFFL.com MLB

Minnix is pretty happy with his squad, led by Carlos Gonzalez and Jose Reyes and followed by plenty of other fantasy forces, in a quirky format. Uh oh.

Fantasy Baseball 2013: The Love List

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The snarky comments will have to wait for another day. The red pens won't come out of the desk drawer today. It's time to get shiny, happy and target-driven on blog, unveiling a handful of players we can't wait to point-and-click on. Make sure you've got these guys queued up.

The 2013 Love List will keep us together. Who wants to ride shotgun?

[Baseball 2013 from Yahoo! Fantasy Sports: Join a league today!]

In the

Player Profile: Jayson Werth

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Jayson Werth is one productive player, and he’s often being overlooked in fantasy baseball in 2013. Should you join the heard and ignore him, or should you buck that trend and target the Nationals’ outfielder in your fantasy baseball draft?

In 2008 Werth, while a member

2013 – Tout Wars

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Tout Wars is one of the two exclusive fantasy baseball events each year (the other is LABR which I participated in earlier in March). Thanks to the powers that be I was invited to New York to put together a squad in Tout Wars for the second straight year. Below, you will see how my team came together, and I’ll give some thoughts about the entire weekend, which by the way, was a total blast (gotta be the greatest group of folks anyone can work with).

15 team mixed league auction.
14 hitters (2 C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, MI, CI, 5 OFs,

Fantasy Baseball 2013: Outfield Primer

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

Last season, the players who ranked first, second, fourth and sixth in terms of overall fantasy value were all outfielders. This spot gave us one player who went 30/40 in home runs and stolen bases (Mike Trout), and another who went 40/30 (Ryan Braun). Seven different outfielders gave us 20/20 seasons. Thirty-seven outfielders finished with at least 35 homers-plus-steals.

Simply put, this position is a smorgasbord of stats. Among the outfielders, you'll find several of our game's most useful multi-category contributors — guys like Trout, Braun, Kemp, McCutchen, Heyward, Harper, both Uptons and both Car-Gos. You'll also find a collection of high-quality category specialists in the outfield — burners like Ben Revere and

Mostly MLB Notes: Debating 1st round decisions, hyping Cliff Lee and defending my LABR team

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

There are a handful of outfielders worthy of being taken in the first round even after Mike Trout and Ryan Braun are off the board, all of whom should be valued similarly. I’m personally taking Matt Kemp first in this tier, as he’s one season removed from a .324-39-115-126-40 campaign and finished April with 12 homers and a .417/.490/.893 line over 23 games last year. But injuries derailed the rest of his season and coming off serious shoulder surgery that repaired a detached labrum and rotator cuff damage, he’s certainly not without risk. Andrew McCutchen is likely off the board next in most leagues, and it’s tough to argue after he posted a

2013 Rankings: Outfielders

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

You can find a bit of everything in the outfield. There are players who contribute across the board, and others who make waves in single categories. There are established veterans with lengthy track records, and young players on the cusp of becoming superstars. Oh, and the position is also home to two players who are going one and two overall in many fantasy drafts.

Rank First Name Last

Spin Doctors: Who’s No. 1, Mike Trout or Miguel Cabrera?

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Now that the Super Bowl result is in the books (no one left to beat, Joe Flacco), the roto public turns an eye to pitchers, catchers, and the rest of the fantasy baseball carnival. The top of the ranking board is always a hot-button topic, and today, in this forum, Brandon Funston and Scott Pianowski have a difference of opinion on how they'd kick off a draft. Share your thoughts (and Ryan Braun sympathizing) in the comments.

B-Fun leads off: Last season, Miguel Cabrera became the first player in 45 years to win a Triple Crown. That's a first place finish in the AL in three of the five categories in our roto racket. But despite his rare trifecta, and the fact that Mike

Pressing Questions: The Colorado Rockies

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Traditional concerns cropped up for the Rockies last season, issues which quickly turned the season sour. Despite finishing well inside the top-10 in several offensive categories, including team BA, slugging and runs scored, Colorado’s dreadful pitching staff restricted its ability to win. Frankly, it was a laughing stock, generously serving up hitters grapefruit-sized pitches on a silver platter. Purple-clad hurlers combined for an awful 5.22 ERA and 1.55 WHIP (5.97, 1.60 at home). Management could’ve injected Coors Field’s dampened balls with led and it wouldn’t have mattered.

Largely devoid of pitching talent equipped to compete in such a harsh environment, the Rockies were doomed from the start. Jorge

Player Profile: Michael Brantley

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Why am I reviewing a guy who didn’t hit .300, who didn’t steal 15 bases, who didn’t hit 10 home runs, and who didn’t record 65 runs or steals? Why “waste” an article on Michael Brantley. Let’s see if I can explain why.

Let’s start with his lack of elite production shall we. It is true that Brantley didn’t hit .300 (he batted .288). It is true he didn’t steal 15 bases (he stole 12). He didn’t drive in or score 65 (he had 60 RBIs and 63

Carlos Gonzalez: Have We Seen The Best from Him?

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

I was trading tweets with USA Today fantasy writer Steve Gardner on Sunday morning about a 5 year keeper league draft he was participating in at the Baseball HQ Seminar out in Arizona. The idea behind the league is to draft a team of players, but you have to keep the players for the next five years. Here is how the conversation started:

Fantasy baseball question: Which players would you target if you had to keep them for the next 5 years? #FirstPitchAZ panel is drafting now.

— Steve Gardner (@SteveAGardner) November 4,

Player Profile: Brett Lawrie

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

As I noted in my recent review of the third base position, expectations for Brett Lawrie coming into the season were astronomically high (one expert who I greatly respect had him inside his top-30 overall if I’m not mistaken). I told everyone to keep pumping the breaks with Lawrie, I had him at 12th at the third base position, which allowed me to appreciate what he was able to accomplish

2012 Positional Review – Outfield

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Now that the 2012 season is over, it’s time to review how my predictions went for each position in fantasy baseball. To that end, I will review my top-10 at each position and give a brief rundown on how each of the ten performed. I’ll also list which player was a “Hit” (someone who lived up to expectations) as well as a “Miss” (the player who simply failed to impress).

Note: All of these rankings are taken from the

Top 20 Outfielders, 2012 Fantasy Baseball

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Went over the catchers, 1st basemen, 2nd basemen and shortstops and top 20 3rd basemen for 2012 fantasy baseball. Guess what’s next!  No, not pitchers. Read the title, man.  In 2010, there were only 5 outfielders that hit 30 homers, in 2011 there were 9, this year there were

The Juice Is McLouth

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

For our last Buy/Sell of the season, I’m reminded of all that the past Buys have given this year.   I got introspective, y’all.  I thought about how a 2-for-4 on Monday put a Buy on my radar, then by Thursday he was either back to waivers or 10 for his last 14 and I wanted him on all my teams.  I thought about how you were better off not falling in love with so many of these Buys.  Because a lot of people out here say “I love my Aybar” or “I love my Plouffe” or “I’m just in love with that Norichika over there” so for all the people out there that fall in love with Buys, love’s gonna getcha.  Just when you thought the Buy was your new girl, you realize you want your old girl back and she wasn’t the one that

Greatness, Injuries & Hotness

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Some players are hitting, some are slumping, as the season wears down. Other players are being shut down due to injury, and some of us, a rare few, are already deep into our plans for Halloween. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I do need a girlfriend.

Adrian Beltre seems to think that it’s his mission to prove that he has been overlooked all these years. His overall numbers are first rate, he’s hitting .316 with 35 homers, 98 RBIs and 92 runs scored, not to mention a

It Was The Worst Of Times, It Was The Best Of Times

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

That title is lifted from Jimmy Dickens’ A Tale of Three Cities, the younger brother’s blatant ripoff of the classic novel.  For what Jimmy Dickens lacked in originality, he made up with his ability to avoid cholera and scurvy.  His brother, Charles, used to say it was because Jimmy was the rat spreading the dreaded disease.  Then Jimmy would say “dreaded disease,” are you saying it’s from Jamaica?  Then Charles would stop talking to Jimmy for a few years and Jimmy would say, “I’m just re-imagining your stuff, you don’t have to get all pissy.”  As you see Jimmy was a trailblazer for Hollywood producers.  So what does this have to do with Ike Davis?  Good question!  The title lifted from Jimmy

CarGo (hamstring) could be shut down - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez (hamstring) could be shut down for the rest of the season.

Carlos Gonzalez: (Hamstring) Undergoes MRI

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez will receive an MRI on his hamstring before Monday's game, the Denver Post reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

CarGo to undergo MRI on hamstring - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez will undergo an MRI on his left hamstring Monday.

Carlos Gonzalez: Still Favoring Hamstring

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez (hamstring) was noticeably favoring his left leg while trying to avoid a double play in a pinch-hit appearance Sunday, the team's official website reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

CarGo (hamstring) not in Friday's lineup - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez (hamstring) is not expected to be in the Rockies' lineup Friday.

Carlos Gonzalez: Aggravates Sore Hammy

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez indeed left Thursday's game because of the tight right hammy that bothered him earlier in the week, the Rockies' official site reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Sandoval Would Prefer If You Called Them Pleasantly-Plump Trippers

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Yesterday, Pablo Sandoval hit two homers, and his third in two days to bring his season total to 11.  The other day when Alberto Callaspo hit his 10th homer, I went into our Fantasy Baseball Player Rater to see who had been more valuable this year, Alberto Callaspo or Pablo Sandoval.  First rule of Fantasy Baseball Player Rater Checking, if you’re looking to see how a player compares to Alberto Callaspo, there’s a problem with said player.  There’s no second rule.  That’s the only rule you need.  Eric Hosmer or Alberto Callaspo?  Oh, man, Hosmer you done messed up.  Alberto Callaspo or Michael Young?  Damn, Michael Young, you smell like a

Carlos Gonzalez: (Hamstring) Scratched Tuesday

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez has been scratched from Tuesday's lineup versus the Giants, CSN Bay Area reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

CarGo (hamstring) scratched from lineup - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez was a late scratch from the Rockies' lineup Tuesday after his left hamstring still felt sore during a pre-game run.

Carlos Gonzalez returns to Rockies' lineup - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez is back in the Rockies' lineup Tuesday.

Cliff Gets Cheers Bar The Wins

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Yesterday, Cliff Lee gave the line 8 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 10 Ks to move his record to 6-7 in 190 innings.  That’s to go with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.  If you had 7 wins as his over/under for the year with a full season of starts and without him being traded midseason to the Astros, you might win yourself a lot of money.  If you doubled down with the bet, Roy Halladay’s ERA would be above 4.  You’re buying drinks for him and Norm.  This year, Lee’s Ks are a little off, but still well above 8 per nine and his xFIP is near 3.  The only thing he’s missing this year is just the slightest bit of luck with wins and his ratios.  For next year, he’s probably going to be drafted lower because of the

Carlos Gonzalez: Sore Hamstring

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez is not in the lineup Monday against the Giants, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

CarGo (hamstring) not in Monday's lineup - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Carlos Gonzalez is not in the Rockies' lineup Monday due to a sore left hamstring.

Daily Joust – Wk 22: Did We Learn Anything?

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

On Monday each week I take a look at the fantasy baseball game breaking down players who have produced noteworthy performances of late – not just positive outings mind you, but I’ll also delve into some of the players that have been sucking wind of late. Can you use this information to your benefit over at DailyJoust?

GAINERS OF THE WEEK

Pedro Alvarez (+13, $108,000 in DailyJoust

Carlos Gonzalez: Back In Lineup

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez is back in the lineup Wednesday, the Denver Post reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Cargo Time: Carlos Gomez shocks the world

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

You can say almost anything you want with a cut-up statistical sample (this is a recording). Let's have some fun with arbitrary endpoints, anyway.

Over the last seven weeks (the second half, essentially), this outfielder has hit for a .285 average, with nine homers and 16 stolen bases. He's scored 29 runs and driven in 20. Only five fantasy hitters have been more valuable — Trout, Headley, Miggy, Pujols and Posey. Impressive company.

And still, 67 percent of Yahoo! owners want no part of Carlos Gomez. Come on, amigos. Let's not go into the football bunker just yet. We've got fake trophies to secure.

I've tried to push as much Gomez Propaganda as possible. He was the Closing Time

CarGo back in Rockies' lineup on Wednesday - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Rockies activated OF Carlos Gonzalez from the bereavement list.

Carlos Gonzalez: Placed On Bereavement List

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez was placed on the bereavement list Saturday due to a death in the family, the Rockies' Official Twitter reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Rockies place Gonzalez on bereavement list - Carlos Gonzalez | COL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Rockies placed OF Carlos Gonzalez on the bereavement list.