Closing Time: Cishek struggles, Murphy ablaze, Moreland still raking

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

So Thursday's slate played out pretty much the way we all expected. Aroldis Chapman blew a save against the Marlins, Justin Verlander gave up eight runs and couldn't escape the third, and, of course, Francisco Liriano struck out seven batters in an easy win.

Baseball, you guys. Almost too predictable. Why they even play the games, I don't really know.

We're heading straight to the bullets, because nothing makes sense just now...

• Stay ready, Mike Dunn. Steve Cishek took an extra-inning loss on Thursday (following the Chapman blown save), giving up three hits, two walks and three runs to the Reds. He struck out no one, raising his ERA to 5.40 and his WHIP

Shuffle Up: Manny Machado, ahead of schedule

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Here are your Shuffle Up corners for the month of May. Dig into them, think about them, disagree with them. I'll be back with commentary later tonight.

Normal rules apply, of course. We're trying to project 5x5 value to come; what's happened to this point is an audition, not a mandate. Players at the same price are considered even. Don't worry about the prices in a vacuum - what matters is how the players relate to one another. Your intelligent and respectful disagreement is always welcome.

Please remember the golden rule of shuffling: a player doesn't gain (or lose) 15-20 percent of value simply because he's on your roster.

Courtesy injury ranks are at the bottom. I won't debate those (I'm generally not as

Draft Day Challenge, May 9

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

I’ve partnered with DraftDay.com to give all my wonderful followers, that’s you, the chance to play the game on a daily basis. I’ll be giving you some insight into the mind of The Oracle as I will give you some of my best plays for the day – even if I’m willing to admit that daily games are a

Murphy hitting third, Wright cleanup Friday - Daniel Murphy | NYM

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Daniel Murphy has been moved into the No. 3 spot for Friday's game against the Phillies.

Shuffle Up: Checking in with Josh Rutledge; more words about Didi Gregorius

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Today's Shuffle Up assignment is the middle infielders, everyone who covers the second base or shortstop area for your fake juggernaut. Settle in, settlers, and let's try to figure it all out. (Where's Braun and Miggy? Sorry kids, they're not middle infielders.)

Play to this point matters as an audition, but that's it. The goal is to figure out who will play the best (and collect the juiciest stats) from this point forward, 2013-only. Pretend we're starting from scratch with a fresh draft tonight. Don't worry about the dollar value in a vacuum; they're merely used as tools to compare. And players at the same price tag are considered even.

I'll add extensive comments as the day goes along and I may tweak a

Shuffle Up: Michael Cuddyer gets his groove back

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Today's ranking assignment takes us down on the corner, the first basemen and the third basemen. Settle in, settlers.

What you'll see below are prices for most of the Yahoo-eligible cornermen going forward. There are a few rules here: if you're in the minors or on the DL, you don't make this list. Too variable in worth, league to league. If you're catcher-eligible, you don't make the list – everyone's probably going to use you at catcher anyway. Don't obsess over the actual dollar amounts – what matters is how the players relate to one another. When players are at the same number, they're considered even.

The games to this point are merely an audition. We're trying to figure out who's worth the

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.3

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

It’s tax day. So after you fill out the forms, I know you didn’t get on it early since everyone loves to procrastinate so much, here is my report on the just completed week of free agency for the main fantasy baseball leagues I’m doing this season.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): With Derek

Closing Time: Moving on without Jose Reyes; Justin Masterson teases us again

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Toronto executive Alex Anthopoulos is considered by many to be the brightest young general manager in the game. As Jeff Spicoli would be the first to attest, Anthopoulos is working with an ultimate set of tools.

Unfortunately, there's no reset button to be found in Toronto's headquarters. The Blue Jays don't have the option of nixing the first two weeks of the season and starting over.

The big YYZ concern into Friday's play was a collection of slumping stars, but the stuff really hit the fan in the middle of the series opener at Kansas City. Franchise shortstop Jose Reyes sprained his left ankle while stealing a base in the top of the sixth inning, and

Closing Time: Moving on without Jose Reyes

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Toronto executive Alex Anthopoulos is considered by many to be the brightest young general manager in the game. As Jeff Spicoli would be the first to attest, Anthopoulos is working with an ultimate set of tools.

Unfortunately, there's no reset button to be found in Toronto's headquarters. The Blue Jays don't have the option of nixing the first two weeks of the season and starting over.

The big YYZ concern into Friday's play was a collection of slumping stars, but the stuff really hit the fan in the middle of the series opener at Kansas City. Franchise shortstop Jose Reyes sprained his left ankle while stealing a base in the top of the sixth inning, and

Murphy (intercostal) in Mets' lineup Thursday - Daniel Murphy | NYM

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Daniel Murphy (intercostal) is batting second and playing second base Thursday against the Nationals.

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,

Daniel Murphy cleared for minor league game - Daniel Murphy | NYM

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Daniel Murphy (intercostal) has been cleared to play in a minor league game Sunday.

Daniel Murphy: (Ribs) Scratched Sunday

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Daniel Murphy: Murphy was scratched from Sunday's minor league game after feeling some stiffness on his right side following his playing five innings in Saturday's game, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Daniel Murphy (intercostal strain) swings bat - Daniel Murphy | NYM

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Daniel Murphy (intercostal strain) took swings Friday.

Murphy gets cortisone for intercostal strain - Daniel Murphy | NYM

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Daniel Murphy received a cortisone injection in his right side during an exam with team doctors Tuesday.

Daniel Murphy: Leaves Spring Training With Rib Injury

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Daniel Murphy: Murphy has pain in his right intercostal muscle and is headed back to New York to be examined, the Mets official twitter account reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Mets' Murphy has intercostal muscle injury - Daniel Murphy | NYM

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Daniel Murphy has been diagnosed with an intercostal muscle injury and is headed back to New York.

2013 Rankings: Second Basemen

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

Unlike first base, second base lacks impact bat depth. In mixed leagues without a middle infielder, few players outside the top-15 will be rostered heavily. In larger leagues, sorting through the dregs is a necessity that adds to the appeal and nuance of stepping out of kiddie pool leagues.

Rank First Name Last Name Organization 1 Robinson Cano Yankees 2 Dustin Pedroia Red

Pressing Questions: The New York Mets

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

The Mets actually had a winning record at the All-Star break (46-40) last season but ultimately finished 74-88 and in fourth place in the NL East. The offense, pitching and defense were all middling to poor, and an already strong division got even tougher, as the Nationals and Braves might both be among the best teams in all of baseball in 2013 after adding more pieces during the offseason. New York locked up David Wright long-term, signing him to a new eight-year contract extension, but otherwise this is a franchise in rebuild mode, so patience is going to be required, especially playing in the NL East. Still, there are some really interesting young arms on this roster, so the future could eventually be

Daniel Murphy (2B-NYM)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Murphy believes Mets boast one of best infields. That the Mets remain the only big league team yet to sign a Major League free agent does not bother second baseman Daniel Murphy. Murphy believes the solution centers upon and around him, in what he considers one of the better infields in baseball. Source: http://mlb.mlb.com

2012 Positional Review – Second Base

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 3rd Basemen, 2012 Fantasy Baseball

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

Third base finally showed signs of a glimmer in 2012 fantasy baseball.  There were a good ten 3rd basemen and another handful that could’ve covered your corner infidel slot.  The only shizzy thing was that there were more than a few complete curveballs.  Bautista, A-Rod, Moustakas, Reynolds and Sandoval, to name a few, were hot garbage and Headley, Encarnacion, Chris Davis and Pedro Alvarez came relatively out of nowhere.  Also, a lot of them were first basemen or 2nd basemen or shortstops, so it wasn’t like they were hanging out on waivers looking for room on peoples’ teams.  Then there’s Ryan Zimmerman who made me look smart in opposite world.  Also, to recap, this final ranking is from our

Review: NL LABR

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

The worst team of all-time.

The worst ever drafted.

How could I possibly be considered an expert drafting this team?

I heard some variance of the above in emails, in tweets, on my show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. I heard it from everyone. E V E R Y O N E. I left money on the table (a mistake I owned up to in my review of the draft). I had a

Review: Fanball & Sirius Show League

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Two more leagues to review. And yes, the results of these final two leagues was much better than the majority of my efforts that I’ve been detailing over the past week.

FANBALL LEAGUE

For those of you who haven’t been following my work for years, and shame on you if you haven’t, I used to work at Fanball. When the company was closed I took up my mantle as a Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio employee, something that I will discuss further when

Top 20 2nd Basemen, 2012 Fantasy Baseball

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

We already went over the top 20 catchers and the top 20 1st basemen for 2012 fantasy baseball.  Today, we dip our big toe into the top 20 2nd basemen.  It was a nice bounce back year for the 2nd basemen, in general.  In 2011, Darwin Barney was ranked 20th for 2nd basemen and 19th for shortstops, but this year guys like Mike Aviles ranked 18th for 2nd basemen, but 14th for shortstops, showing more depth at the keystone.  To recap, this final ranking for last year is from our Fantasy Baseball

Review: K-BAD

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

The folks over at KFFL.com have been gracious enough to invite me to participate in KFFL’s Baseball Analysis Draft (K-BAD) the last couple of years. When you see how my team performed no wonder they invited me. I’m apparently an easy mark.

Ryan Doumit was great (.275-18-75). Not so much Kurt

Around the Horn: September 26, 2012

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

(1) Chase Headley now a top-5 3B?

(2) Torii Hunter finds the fountain of youth?

(3) Daniel Murphy finishing strong.

(4) Jeff Keppinger finishing strong.

(5) Pedro Alvarez reaches 30 homers.

(6) Wilin Rosario having remarkable season. Will it continue in 2013?

(7) Paul Goldschmidt and Billy Butler massive weapons facing Tim Lincecum and Justin Verlander.

By Ray Flowers

Votto Tuned

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

Reds announced that Joey Votto is able to return.  Crickets, pin dropping, echo…echo…echo… “God?  It’s me, Dusty Baker.  If I need him, is Votto ready to pitch?”  ”I’m afraid not, Dusty.  He’s not a pitcher.”  ”In the traditional sense?”  ”In every sense.”  ”How about as a reliever?”  ”No, Dusty.”  ”As a LOOGY?”  ”Fine, Dusty.”  ”Thanks!  Oh, and good job on creating toothpicks.”  ”I didn’t.”  ”Sure, and I didn’t ruin Kerry Wood and Mark Prior’s careers.”  The Reds said Votto could return today, but because they don’t need him and want to make sure he’s okay for the playoffs, they’re going to ease him back into the lineup.  It could

Daniel Murphy: Leaves Sunday's Game

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Daniel Murphy: Murphy left Sunday's game with a right shoulder injury, according to ESPN New York. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Fighting The Semi, Colon? Pregnant Pause; Found With Excessive Testosterone

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

Bay Area sports teams may want to throw out the mother dough.  It’s tainted.   Bartolo Colon was suspended for 50 days after being caught with elevated levels of testosterone.  This much testosterone hasn’t been found in one man since they pumped Rod Stewart’s stomach in the late-70′s.  Sorry, Snopes, it’s a fact.  I see a lot of people on the interwebs saying steroids and Bartolo’s body shape don’t add up.  It says right on the side of the steroids bottle — take these and don’t exercise and you will get Meat Loaf breasts.  (I’m paraphrasing.)  Like Melky, Bartolo Colon started a fake website to try and cover his tracks.  The Go Daddy Website Starter Kit said open a new Safari window so

Hamilton’s Speed Is Something To Treasurer

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

You know that cracked out guy at the 7-11 at 3 AM who’s just trying to get a cylindrical hamburger for free?  ”Yo, man, can I get me a cylindrical hamburger?”  Grabs said hot doggey-looking burger and jets for the exit.  ”Peace, Apu!”  Then the cashier emergency locks the door from behind the counter and the cracked-out guy smashes through the glass door.  Well, for that first 14 feet from the counter to the door, that’s the fastest man on the planet.  Number 2 is Usain Bolt.  Number 3 is the cracked-out guy after he smashes through the glass door, and now he’s screaming, “King Kong ain’t got shizz on me!”  Number 4 is a father in Toys R Us at exactly 12:01 AM on Black Friday.  Number 5 is Billy

Like Bond’s Martini, Jon More Shaken, Lestered

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

It’s not easy to give up 11 runs in 4 innings.  You have to have the faith of your manager, first of all.  Second of all, why does Jon Lester have the faith of his manager?  Or anyone, for that matter.  After today, his ERA is at 5.46 and WHIP is 1.46.  Symmetry is about all he has going for him.  You don’t get near August with a WHIP and ERA that bad with one or two shaky outings.  He’s been terrible all season.  People were saying he’s throwing to more contact this year, hence the drop in K-rate.  Yeah, a pitch-to-contact approach is great for the hitters he’s facing.  You know who else pitches to contact?  A batting practice pitcher.  Also, who’s bright idea was it for him to pitch to contact

Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues: You Hurt Me Soul

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

The players listed below more than likely give you many of the feelings Dez Bryant’s mother experiences when thinking on his pending arrival to her home. She must think to herself “Oooooooh, maybe Dezzy will surprise me today with a new bracelet.  A watch maybe?  A new Benzo even?”  These thoughts fill her pretty little head time and time again….. Does she ever receive these prizes that come with having a star NFL player as a son? More than likely, every now and again, she will receive a present. But the other visits will most likely result in black eyes, broken wrists, or swollen kidneys. This is almost precisely how the players below have been making me feel all season. I hope and pray and every day that the big game is

Shuffle Up: Ian Desmond puts it all together

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The middle infield is the focus for this week's shuffle up, your 2B and SS options. Settle in for the usual rule disclaimers, and then we'll discuss some prices.

This blog contains how I'd rank the players if I were headed into a new start-from-scratch league today. What's happened already in 2012 is an audition, but what we're trying to figure out is what the players will do going forward. Don't obsess over the dollar amount in a vacuum; what matters is how the players relate to one another. Commodities at the same tag are considered even.

Your respectful disagreement is always welcome, and it will help me iron out this list. But you need to have a reason for your unrest; further the conversation,

Shuffle Up: Justin Morneau, part-time power

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

You should know the rules by now, but we'll offer a quick review. Today's assignment is to rank all the corner-eligible players going forward, 5x5 value for rotisserie leagues. What's happened to this point is an audition, not a stat mandate. Anyone in the minors or on the DL is not eligible for a rank; too much variance with the Optimism Parade.

I welcome your intelligent disagreement at all times, but you need to back your angle up with facts. No brief rants, amigos. You're better than that. Further the conversation. And remember the golden rule of roto: a player doens't get a 10-20 percent spike in value simply because he's on your roster. They produce in spite of you, not because of you.

The 1.0 phase is the

Today Is Our Independence Day From Tim Lincecum

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

Tim Lincecum has a 6.07 ERA.  Seriously, we’re in July and Lincecum’s ERA is six point oh seven.  There’s ugly.  There’s brutal.  There’s murderous.  There’s the guy with the goiter down the street from you that you talked to at a red light once and now he wants to hang out.  There’s what your mother did to your baseball card collection.  There’s you walking in on your girlfriend with another man and her screaming, “Why don’t you ever knock?!”  There’s Jell-o with floating pieces of turds.  Then… THEN!  There’s Lincecum.  May Bochy’s watermelon head fall on Lincecum and knock him to the Disgraceful List.  He’s unownable in most mixed leagues.  He’s headed for middle

Enormous & Andy Bamboozled By Injuries

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

Yankee pitchers haven’t been hit this hard since Ed Whitson ran into a Billy Martin drinking jag.  You know, Yogi’s always the one quoted from the Yankee archives, but Billy had some good ones too.  Here’s my favorite, “I’d like to mouth f*** that bottle of whiskey.”  Before the Yankees game, CC Sabathia hit the DL with an abductor strain in his groin.  Someone’s got clams!  CC is supposed to be fine to go right after the All-Star break, as long as no one else tries to shuck his groin.  Then, once the game got going, Andy Pettitte was hit in the ankle with a comebacker.  Pettitte is supposed to be out for 6-8 weeks.  At least he didn’t pull a Zumaya during his retirement and hurt himself playing

RCL Roundup: June 25

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

The game of musical chairs at the top of the Master standings continued as captainpyper (RCL 3) moved up a spot and MattTruss223 (Rube Waddell’s Shiny Objects — Magnificent Mustachioed Men) jumped from 10th to share the throne with 108 points. The captain had the first pick in the RCL 3 draft and started his team with Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre, and Hunter Pence. Starlin Castro (4th round) and Melky Cabrera (15th) have been key offensive contributors. His drafted starters, Matt Cain (Round 7), James

Closing Time: Last call on Will Middlebrooks

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The Red Sox have plenty of reasons to shop Kevin Youkilis aggressively. He's a hobbled 33-year-old vet in the midst of a horrible season (.225/.311/.359), he's a likely free agent over the winter (assuming the club declines its option), and he's considered a divisive, irascible personalty in the clubhouse.

And then there's Will Middlebrooks, the up-and-coming cornerman for Boston. The way he's hitting in The Show, no wonder the Red Sox are desperately trying to shove Youkilis out of town.

Middlebrooks was the star of Boston's sweep over the Marlins, going on a 6-for-8 binge with two homers and seven RBIs. He's carrying a nifty .316/.353/.551 slash for the Sox, with eight homers and

Shuffle Up: The Ryan Zimmerman Problem

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Today's assignment is to Shuffle Up all the corners, the first basemen and third basemen. The goal is to figure out how we'd draft in a fresh league starting right now. What's already happened counts as an audition, sure, but that's it.

The normal rules apply. I won't bother ranking anyone on the DL or currently in the minors; the worth on those players will widely fluctuate from format to format, and it's just about pointless to discuss them here. Plus we've established one common theme with injured players: their personal roto owners tend to expect miracles that no one else does.

I didn't bother with any of the catchers who also have corner tags; they'll stick in the catcher pool. Assume a 5x5

Fantasy Baseball 2B Rankings (As of 5/19/12): Kipnis Rising & More

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Unlike some other positions around the league, second base has not been ravaged by injuries.  Sure, you have two well-known options on the DL, but at this point in their careers can they really be counted on? That means, despite some struggles, we have the full slate of stars to chose from.  Let’s take a look at how things currently rank:

Robinson Cano – New York Yankees Dustin Pedroia – Boston Red Sox Ian Kinsler – Texas Rangers Dan Uggla – Atlanta Braves Ben Zobrist – Tampa Bay Rays Jason Kipnis – Cleveland Indians Brandon Phillips – Cincinnati Reds Rickie Weeks – Milwaukee Brewers Kelly Johnson – Toronto Blue Jays Howie Kendrick – Los Angeles Angels Jemile Weeks – Oakland Athletics Jose Altuve –

Shuffle Up: A bad month for the Brothers Weeks

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Today's assignment: ranking the middle infielders in the Yahoo! game. If you have second base or shortstop eligibility, good health and a whit of fantasy value, you're on this list.

A few rules and disclaimers apply, of course. Assume rotisserie scoring and 5x5 categories. Players at the same dollar amount are considered even. Don't worry about the prices in a vacuum; what really matters is how the players relate to one another.

Anyone on the DL is held off the list; injured players have largely relative values and I'm not going to debate them. What's happened to this point is merely an audition: the

Daniel Murphy (1B/2B/3B-NYM)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

metsblog: Daniel Murphy rounds third and heads home to tie it http://t.co/wNmWxupA. metsblog: Daniel Murphy rounds third and heads home to tie it http://t.co/wNmWxupA Source: http://twitter.com

Shuffle Up: Encarnacion and Joey Bats, hot and cold in the YYZ

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Today the Shuffle Up tour hits the corner infield. The assignment is to rank all of the 1B and 3B eligible players in Yahoo!, with a few disclaimers.

I've cut out all the catcher-eligible bats, because they'll rarely be used as corners. DLed players are not considered; it's been proven (at least to me) that those players have a largely-relative value, depending on your specs. If you want to build a comeback strategy around Kevin Youkilis, that's your folly, not mine.

What's happened to this point in the season is an audition, not a rank-mandate. I'm trying to list the players as I'd be likely to draft them for a fresh-starting league that drafts right now. Assume a 5x5 roto-scoring system, as

Shuffle Up: Encarnacion and Joey Bats: Hot and Cold in the YYZ

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Today the Shuffle Up tour hits the corner infield. The assignment is to rank all of the 1B and 3B eligible players in Yahoo!, with a few disclaimers.

I've cut out all the catcher-eligible bats, because they'll rarely be used as corners. DLed players are not considered; it's been proven (at least to me) that those players have a largely-relative value, depending on your specs. If you want to build a comeback strategy around Kevin Youkilis, that's your folly, not mine.

What's happened to this point in the season is an audition, not a rank-mandate. I'm trying to list the players as I'd be likely to draft them for a fresh-starting league that drafts right now. Assume a 5x5 roto-scoring system, as

Mailbag: May 3, 2012

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Each week I’ll be here answering questions that have been sent to me at the BaseballGuys’ Twitter account.

Should I deal Shane Victorino for Eric Hosmer ?
– @cooperkyle22

I always wonder why Victorino gets such little love in the fantasy game? I know he has no outstanding skill, so that must be the reason. He’s never hit 20 homers. He’s never knocked in 70 runs. He’s never stolen

Closing Time: Good stuff cheap – the 2012 Houston Astros

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

There weren't a lot of expectations placed on the Houston Astros entering the 2012 season. Vegas pegged them to win 63.5 games before the year, and when I gathered eight friends for an over/under pool, only one person had the nerve to call "over" on this group. (Perhaps Erin had some inside information, living in Houston, or maybe it was a heart over head pick. Either way, she's on pace to scoop that one.)

Now that we're three weeks into the campaign, I'm ready to hop on the Metro. These Astros are competitive, at least for fantasy purposes.

You're not going to find a lot of pop with the current lineup, but don't dismiss Houston out of hand. The Astros have scored 95 runs in their 20 games (fourth-best in the

Keep it on the DL

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

The DL slot in many fantasy leagues is one of the most misused and misunderstood positions on fantasy baseball teams.  For most people, it’s believed to be where the hopes and dreams of their teams like Mike Morse, Chris B. Young (or if you like your KFC version, it’s Krispie Young) and Jacoby Ellsbury go to die while you go stick your head in the proverbial oven…or the literal oven, depending on how much you’re into this game.  For others, they see it for what it could and should always be used for: an empty bench spot.  To put it in literary canonical terms, it’s not just there for Paradise Lost, it’s also there for Paradise Regained (PS, I was an

Blog Wars 2012: The One Grey and Rudy Let the Prospect Guy Run

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

Grey and Rudy are letting me run a team for Razzball, and I’m totally pumped about it.  See, this is my first venture into the realm of expert leagues or writer’s leagues or whatever the hell you wanna call them and the pressure on a rookie like me is enormous.  Grey told me I can only cover White Sox prospects if I don’t finish in the top eight.  I feel like Andrew Luck or something… probably bigger than that, actually.  Anyway.  The auction happened a couple Thursdays ago and my strategy was simple:  don’t look stupid.  I’m not quite sure if I’ve succeeded in that regard.  You tell me.  Click here to see the

Shuffle Up, Infield: Robby Cano hits the first round

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Here are your Shuffle Up prices for the infield, amigos. In the middle of the year we'll break up the infield by corners and middles, but today it's a mash-up of all four positions. Serve with ranch, feeds 12-14 hungry mixed leaguers.

Normal disclaimers apply. As always, it's a 5x5 scoring system. Players at the same price are considered even. Don't stress over the dollar amounts; all that matters is how the platers relate to one another. I might tweak this list as the day goes along, and I'll add full commentary a little later. And if you have any disagreement, we welcome your comments: but for the love of all things holy, give a solid reason. Further the conversation, roto head. Construct an argument. Respect