Shuffle Up: The joy of Jean Segura

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

One unavoidable fact about middle infield this year: it's not deep for fantasy purposes. The fears of the preseason appear justified at the quarter pole.

The prices that follow below are how I'd attack this area (2B/SS) if redrafting right now. The games played to this point are an audition, not a ranking mandate. Expect to disagree with a lot of stuff, that's why we have a game. You know the preamble by now.

We'll use a 5x5 scoring assumption, as most reasonable people do. Don't worry about prices in a vacuum: what matters is how the players relate to one another. Assume similar-ranked commodities are equal.

I'll add comments later in the day and perhaps move a few ranks around. Share your

Hanley Ramirez runs prior to Tuesday's game - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez (hamstring) ran in the outfield prior to Tuesday's game.

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.8

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

This week I went a bit reliever crazy. It’s better to spend a small amount on a middle reliever who could take over as the closer than spend a huge amount on the guy a week or two later when he is officially named the closer. Therefore, I added an AL East closer in pretty much every league this week, trying to get a bit ahead of the curve. We’ll see if it plays out as I think it might, or if I will have to go middle reliever trolling in the coming weeks all over again.

TOUT WARS

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

Fantasy do-over: Auditing results from an in-season experts draft

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

At the risk of tearing down the entire "fantasy expert" scam, we begin today with an admission: Occasionally, fantasy gurus get stuff wrong.

It's rare, but it happens. Back in March, it's possible that some of us led you to believe Roy Halladay was salvageable and that Adam Dunn was not terrible at baseball. We apologize for these misunderstandings.

With six weeks of MLB data in the books, it's time to reassess the player pool. We've assembled a group of 10 experts for an in-season baseball draft. The league settings are fairly standard: 5x5, mixed player pool, CI & MI, head-to-head, weekly lineups. Nothing too exotic.

[You can still own Paul Goldschmidt! It's not too late! Sign-up today for

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.7

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Another week, another series of injuries, another series of desperation moves on the waiver-wire. Well that’s not quite accurate, but the fact is that my fantasy baseball teams are struggling with injuries, just like many of yours. We’re all doing the best we can to piece together a competitive squad until health returns. Here are my moves in free agency Monday, May 13th.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): Let’s go through the DL’d guys first –

Hanley (hamstring) expected to miss 4-6 weeks - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after an MRI confirmed the diagnosis of a left hamstring strain.

Mostly MLB Notes: James Shields hot start, examining bullpens and prospect talk

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Leaving a home park that ranked first, second and seventh when it comes to suppressing runs scored over the past three years respectively (according to Park Factors) and a defense that has the highest UZR over that span as well, I was down on James Shields entering 2013. After all, he was just two years removed from a season in which he posted a 5.18 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. But I’ve been dead

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.6

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

I’ve been sick. So sick that I was in the hospital for three days. I’m feeling better now, but apparently my brain is still a bit scrambled. Just check out some of the crazy bids I placed this week in the free agent pool.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): As you know, I’ve been sick for a week now, so sick I was in the hopsital for three days. I’m blaming the residual there for my lack of bid on

Roto Roundup: Dee Gordon, Jose Fernandez, Miguel Cabrera, and Others

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

I just want to remind everyone that you can post any fantasy questions here in the comments section of the Roto Roundup, so feel free to ask as many questions as you would like.

I didin't get to the Roundup last night, so this one will be short and quick.

Dee Gordon makes an impression in first game

The Dodgers finally called up Dee Gordon from AAA, but it took another injury to Hanley Ramirez for the decision to be made. And after the way he hit last night, the Dodgers look silly for not

Around the League - N.L.

Source: Fake Teams by Kevin Nielsen

Promotions

Dee Gordon will be called up by the Dodgers because of Hanley Ramirez going on the DL and Mark Ellis remaining injured. Gordon may play some of his games at 2B and gain eligibility there. The speedy middle infielder had hit .314/.397/.431 with 14:17 BB:K and was successful in 14 of his 16 stolen base attempts. He should be picked up in all formats because of his ability to dramatically boost your SB total.

Carlos Martinez was called

Dodgers place Hanley Ramirez on 15-day DL - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Dodgers placed SS Hanley Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain.

Hanley Injures Hammy, Dodgers in a Jammy

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

In the words of one Champ Kind, "That's a whaaammy!" Hanley Ramirez left the game last night with a hamstring injury in just his fourth game back from the DL with a torn ligament in his thumb. HanRam will have tests done this weekend but early signs are not good. He did that "Oww! PAIN!"-grab-the-back-of-the-leg move that Giancarlo Stanton owners are no doubt familiar with, and he needed the help of two trainers to get off the field. Manager Don Mattingly said it looked like he'll miss "...a good amount of time," and wouldn't expect him back anytime soon. Don also added, "Hot damn-ley! This screws up all my plan-leys!" That makes two of us, Donny. Ramirez's rehab for his thumb went so smoothly we should

Hanley Ramirez: (Hamstring) Headed To 15-Day DL

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez (hamstring) will be placed on the disabled list, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Closing Time: Buying time for Tony Cingrani; Hanley Ramirez hurt again

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Casual Friday rules are in play, which means we'll go right to the bullets. But the wall-to-wall coverage of Cincinnati's rookie left-hander continues. Score like a champion today, gamer.

• Tony Cingrani returns to the mound Saturday for his fourth start with the Reds. He's quickly becoming appointment television after three electric turns (1.50 ERA, 28 K, 4 BB), including last week's six-inning domination of the Nationals (2 H, 0 R, 11 K). The Cubs will be well-armed as well, sending Jeff Samardzija to the mound. Opening pitch is 1:05 pm ET.

Cingrani owners can't just worry about their man, of course. There are peripheral elements in play; Cingrani's 2013 role with the club is

Hanley Ramirez expected to be placed on DL - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reports that the Dodgers are "not optimistic" that Hanley Ramirez (hamstring) will avoid the disabled list.

Roto Roundup: Hanley Ramirez, Aroldis Chapman, Chris Davis, and Others

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

I just want to remind everyone that you can post any fantasy questions here in the comments section of the Roto Roundup, so feel free to ask as many questions as you would like.

I get the MLB Extra Innings package via Comcast Cable and for some reason last night, they did not show the Dodgers-Giants game. This happens from time to time, but could they have picked another day, like when Clayton Kershaw wasn't pitching?

Carlos Martinez makes his major league debut

The

Hanley Ramirez: Hamstring Injury May Be Significant

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Manager Don Mattingly said after the game that Ramirez, who suffered a left hamstring injury, "looks like he'll miss a good amount of time" and doesn't expect him back any time soon. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Hanley Ramirez suffers left hamstring injury - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez was diagnosed with a left hamstring injury.

Hanley Ramirez: Apparent Hamstring Injury

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez had to be helped off the field Friday night with an apparent left hamstring injury, the LA Times' Bill Shaikin reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Hanely exits with apparent hamstring injury - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez was removed from Friday's game against the Dodgers in the sixth inning due to an apparent injury to his right hamstring.

Mostly MLB Notes: Buying Matt Cain and examining what’s wrong with Eric Hosmer

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Matt Cain entered this season having allowed 129 homers over 1,536.2 innings (0.76 HR/9). This year, he’s already served up nine home runs over 34.2 innings. Put differently, he’s allowed the same amount of long balls this month as he did all of the 2011 season, which spanned 221.2 innings. Cain has never had a season in which his HR/FB% was higher than 8.4. That number currently sits at 19.1% in 2013. While some could view this as regression hitting hard, Cain’s previous sample was too big to be written off as a fluke, and it’s worth pointing out just two of his six starts this year have come at home. Cain’s fastball velocity is down slightly in the early going (about 0.5 mph less compared to last

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

Hanley Ramirez: Makes First Start Tuesday

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez will start at shortstop and bat fifth in Tuesday's game against the Rockies. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Hanley Ramirez activated from disabled list - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Dodgers activated SS Hanley Ramirez from the 15-day disabled list.

Hanley Ramirez: (Thumb) Activated From DL

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez (thumb) was activated from the disabled list Monday. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Hanley Ramirez not in Dodgers' lineup Monday - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez (thumb) is not in the Dodgers' lineup on Monday.

Hanley (thumb) doubles, singles in rehab game - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez (thumb) went 2-for-3 in a minor league rehab games Sunday at High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Hanley (thumb) to begin rehab stint Saturday - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez (thumb) will begin a three-game minor league rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday.

Hanley Ramirez to begin rehab Saturday - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez (thumb) will begin a three-game minor league rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday.

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

Hanley Ramirez: Making Progress

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez (thumb) is hoping to head out on a rehab assignment next week, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Hanley (thumb) almost ready for rehab games - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez (thumb) is aiming to begin a three-game minor league rehab assignment next week.

Over/Under: Earth, Wind and Mire, how smelly is Matt Kemp’s funk?

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Fantasy is a speculative game. Predict the future, and you look like a genius. Don't, and you're painfully human. Gazing into the crystal ball, here's our view on 10 intriguing over/unders this week.

What fading ‘star’ will yield more fantasy value come year’s end: Josh Hamilton or Matt Kemp?

Dalton – KEMP. I liked him far more entering the year, and at least he has an excuse for a slow start since he's coming off shoulder surgery. Kemp is also three years younger and isn't the one who left an extreme hitter's park.

Brandon – KEMP. If I was drafting today, I'd still take Kemp ahead of Hamilton. The difference is the speed factor, which remains a a key

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.4

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Oh those injuries. They can be a killer in fantasy baseball. Unfortunately, they are a fact of life. Injuries will happen. You have to able to adapt and work around that. Truthfully, these 2-3 week fill-in’s you add to your club will go a long way to determining whether or not you are in contention in September. Choose wisely young padawan.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): Just so you know that you aren’t the only one dealing with injuries, here are the players on my club that

Baseball Daily Dose: Down Hill

Source: Rotoworld Baseball Articles

Ryan Boyer touches on Aaron Hill, Hanley Ramirez and more in Wednesday's Daily Dose.

Hanley Ramirez: (Thumb) Says He'll Be Back Before Mid-May

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez (thumb) said Tuesday that he will be back "way sooner" than mid-May, Ken Gurnick of the Dodgers' official site reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Hanley: I'll return 'way sooner' than mid-May - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez (thumb) said he'll return to the Dodgers' lineup "way sooner" than mid-May.

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

Hanley Ramirez has cast removed from thumb - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez had the cast removed from his right thumb on Friday, and declared that it felt "awesome".

Hanley Ramirez to have cast removed Friday - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez will have the cast on his right thumb removed on Friday.

Roto Roundup: Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano, All Astros and Others

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

Tuesday brought fantasy owners with a collection of bad news and some good news on the injury front. The news on Jered Weaver and Jason Motte was not good, but there was some good involving Chase Headley and Hanley Ramirez.

Miguel Cabrera is still the best hitter in baseball

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera had a big day at the plate on Tuesday afternoon, going 4-5 with a HR, 3 runs

Hanley will have cast removed this week - Hanley Ramirez | LA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Hanley Ramirez will have the cast on his right thumb removed sometime this week.

Hanley Ramirez: (Thumb) Could Shed Cast Soon

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Hanley Ramirez: Ramirez (thumb) expects to have his cast removed this week, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Draft Day Challenge, April 9

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Daily baseball is all the rage in the fantasy sports world, so I will be covering the game a couple of times a week here at BaseballGuys.com. To that end, I’ve partnered with DraftDay.com to give all my wonderful followers, that’s you, the chance to

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.2

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

I made an executive decision over the weekend when I was away drinking champagne and sitting in front of the fire with my friend in Carmel (she was decidedly better looking than the Peep that you see in main photo, and she is even sweeter than my sugary friend as well). I decided that every Monday I’d run through my seven main leagues that I’m doing this season and regale you with my personal FAAB decisions. Hopefully it won’t be as boring as it sounds and you’ll all be able to get something out of my personal decisions on many of the same players you will all be looking at each week.

To see how others are

DraftDay Partners with BaseballGuys

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

You know me, I’m a huge fan of rotisserie fantasy baseball over Head to Head. However, there’s another type of fantasy baseball game that really piques my interest and won’t cause me to start frothing out the mouth out of anger (grrrr H2H), and that is the daily fantasy baseball game. To that end, BaseballGuys.com has partnered with DraftDay.com for the 2013 Fantasy Baseball Season. What does that mean? Before we get to that, let me tell you a little bit about

Fake Teams 2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

This weekend is a big weekend for fantasy baseball drafts, so make sure you stop by and check out our fantasy baseball rankings before stepping into your draft rooms.

In case you missed our positions rankings, here are links to our rankings, along with player porfiles. Read on to gain an edge on your league mates.

Note: these rankings were published prior to spring training, so the rankings for several guys who are currently injured, including Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Hanley Ramirez,

Empty Wallet: The All-Avoid Team, 2013

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The good cops have had their say, the optimistic spins are already out there. Today I'm here to play bad cop, throw some red ink around. Let's get ready for the Anti-Value team, the names to avoid.

There's a sneaky industry secret when it comes to target and avoid lists; the second group generally gets the short end of the stick. It's common for many a fantasy pundit to

Post-Draft Conundrum: How to solve your 3B dilemma

Source: Fake Teams by Daniel Kelley

Well, crap. You drafted at the start of March. Since then, your third baseman, named (Chase Headley)(Hanley Ramirez)(David Wright)(Pablo Sandoval)(David Freese)(Brett Lawrie)(Aramis Ramirez), has had some injury concerns pop up. You need a replacement/backup,