Worry Meter: Where Are They Now?

Source: Fake Teams by AnthonyCalanni

Three weeks ago I wrote a piece titled, "Worry Meter." I took a look at all 30 big league clubs and dissected each team's most concerning slow starter. I ranked my level of worry pertaining to fantasy on a scale of 1 to 10. Since then, the season has matured and the numbers now carry more meaning. Let's see how drastically the Worry Meter has shifted.

Worry Meter stuck due to injury:

Josh Reddick - right wrist - previous Worry Level 6

Josh Johnson - triceps - previous Worry Level 8

Joel Hanrahan - Tommy John surgery - previous Worry Level 8

Josh Reddick: (Wrist) Not Ruling Out Surgery

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick (wrist) is not ruling out surgery, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Josh Reddick could need surgery on wrist - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick admitted Monday that it's possible he'll need surgery on his ailing right wrist.

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

Josh Reddick: (Wrist) Hits the DL

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to an injured wrist. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Athletics place Reddick (wrist) on 15-day DL - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Athletics placed OF Josh Reddick on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 7, with right wrist inflammation.

Athletics to place Josh Reddick (wrist) on DL - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick (wrist) is expected to be placed on the disabled list prior to Wednesday's game.

MRI on Reddick's wrist shows inflammation - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

An MRI on Josh Reddick's right wrist showed only inflammation.

Josh Reddick out a few days with wrist injury - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick is out of the A's starting lineup on Tuesday against the Indians because of a wrist injury.

Workshop: What’s the play on Dexter Fowler?

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

I don't blame anyone who listed Dexter Fowler on their breakout list before the season. Fowler was coming off a career-best 2012 campaign (.300/.369/.474), he has a mix of power and speed (at least theoretically), he's entering his Age-27 year, and he plays half of his games in the ultimate hitting paradise. There's all sorts of plausible upside here.

Most Yahoo! drafters didn't go after Fowler aggressively in March, as it turns out. His ADP was a modest 218.7, the 56th outfielder off the board. Ben Revere, on average, went three rounds in front of Fowler. Andre Ethier flew off the board five rounds earlier.

No one really wants to make fundamental ranking changes through

Mostly MLB Notes: The Matt Harvey Show

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

I’m not sure what more can be said about Matt Harvey at this point, but I’ll go ahead and continue to pile on the praise. The guy has allowed six hits over 22.0 innings this season. Six! Thanks to a 0.82 ERA and a decent 0.55 WHIP, he’s been the No. 1 ranked fantasy player so far. Harvey’s control still isn’t great, as he’s walked multiple batters in all three of his outings (and he had a 3.93 BB/9 rate across Triple-A and with the Mets last year), but his stuff is among the nastiest in the league already. Harvey’s average fastball velocity (94.3 mph) has been the fourth-highest among all starters this season, while his slider (88.6 mph) has easily been the fastest (next highest is Madison

Reddick (wrist) back in A's lineup Friday - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick (wrist) is back in the Athletics' starting lineup Friday against the Tigers.

Josh Reddick: (Wrist) Back In Action Friday

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick (wrist) will start in right field and bat third in the lineup Friday against the Tigers, MLB.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Josh Reddick (wrist) will return on Friday - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick (wrist) will return to the lineup Friday.

Josh Reddick (wrist) sits out again Thursday - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick (wrist) is out of the Athletics' lineup Thursday for the third straight game.

Josh Reddick (wrist) out of Thursday's lineup - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick (wrist) is out of the Athletics' lineup Thursday for the third straight game.

Reddick (wrist) thinks he could play Thursday - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick (wrist) thinks he might be ready to return to the lineup Thursday.

Josh Reddick: Nears Return

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick (wrist) could be back in the lineup as soon as Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle 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

Josh Reddick: Likely Out Tuesday With Wrist Injury

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick (wrist) is listed as day-to-day and will likely miss Tuesday's game against the Angels, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Reddick day-to-day with sprained right wrist - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick suffered a sprained right wrist in Sunday's game against the Astros.

Josh Reddick: Sprained Wrist, No Broken Bones

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick has been diagnosed with a right wrist sprain, MLB.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Josh Reddick: Exits Game With Apparent Arm Injury

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick left the game in the fifth inning Sunday after slamming his right arm into the wall in foul territory. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Josh Reddick exits after crashing into wall - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick exited Sunday's game with an apparent right arm injury after crashing into the wall while trying to make a catch in foul territory.

Reddick homers, drives in four as A's win - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick hit a two-run double and ripped a two-run homer in Thursday's win over the Mariners.

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,

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 – 31 to 45

Source: Fantasy Baseball Dugout by BeeZee

There are still some good fantasy baseball outfielders picks in the later rounds that you can choose in your cash fantasy baseball or free fantasy baseball league. Here are the picks for those later rounds:

31. Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers

Cruz played in 159 games (previous high was 128) so his 24 HR were disappointing for him. Cruz hit under .265 (.260) for the third time in four seasons and did not reach double-digit steals for the second straight year. Cruz turns 33 in July.

32. Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers

Gomez stole 37 bases and hit 19

Reddick leaves game with sprained ankle - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick left Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox with a sprained left ankle.

Brian Wilson (P-FA)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Big League Stew’s All-Beard Team: Honoring baseball’s best beards (Big League Stew). Thanks to guys like Brian Wilson, Josh Reddick and Jayson Werth, beards in baseball are getting more attention than they have in a long time. It's like baseball's facial-hair renaissance. With Reddick engaged in a beard battle with a WWE star, Jayson Werth looking even more like a mountain man and Wilson getting his fuzzy face on TMZ , we thought it would be a good time to look at baseball's bristly heroes and crown Big League Stew's All-Beard Team. The team — position players, starting pitchers, relievers, coaches and a bench — is unveiled below. We're currently in the process of creating gold-plated Barbasol-can trophies for everyone.

Pressing Questions: The Oakland A’s

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Despite entering the year as heavy underdogs to both the Rangers and Angels, the A’s won the AL West last season, coming from down 5-1 in a memorable game on the final day of the regular season that I happened to be at.  The result culminated a remarkable comeback, as on June 30, the A’s trailed the Rangers by 13.5 games (not to mention the Red Sox by 4.5) and even crazier, were five games behind Texas with just nine remaining on the schedule, as they became one of the most unlikely division winners in recent memory. It wasn’t a fluke either

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

Top 40 Outfielders, 2012 Fantasy Baseball

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

With the top 40 outfielders, we’ve finished all the hitter recaps.  We meaning me, but I’ll include you.  No, that’s not a cue to try to hold my hand.  Why are you now patting my butt?  (Here’s all the final 2012 fantasy baseball rankings.  They’re also to your left… your other left.  And down.  That’s up.  Oh, forget it.)  The pitching recap will begin next.  To recap, the end of the season rankings are based on our Fantasy Baseball Player Rater.  I felt the easiest way to keep it objective would to go this course.  This way when I say someone finished 30th and

Brandon Moss (1B/OF-OAK)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Pleskoff: Given a chance, Moss making an impact. After bouncing around the league, Brandon Moss and Josh Reddick have settled in Oakland and established themselves as very productive players. Source: http://mlb.mlb.com

Grey and Rudy Expert League – 2012 End of Year

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

Another season in the books.  The season couldn’t end soon enough for our mixed league and NL-only teams as our success seemed to be limited to AL-only where – as late as September 15th – we had a shot at winning all 3 of our leagues.

We learned a lot during the season.  Little to nothing that will help us for next year of course – unless all the ‘perts we play against were comatose this year and will let Mike Trout pass to us in the late rounds.

Below are our league summaries except for the RCL Expert League (we will cover that in another post).  Congrats to the victors and thanks to all the leagues that invited us to participate.

Your 2012 RCL Champions: Nobody’s Perfect

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

Congratulations to the 2012 champions, RCL 40′s Rank Railheads. Co-managers Charley and JungleMike guided the Railheads to an incredible 119-point finish, missing out on perfection by a mere 3 stolen bases. While they had pretty much clinched their league title long ago, the overall title was up for grabs, and they continued to carefully make the moves necessary to stay ahead of the pack.

The Draft

I have included each player’s Razzball Player Rater rank [after the name]. The

One HR, Two HR, Reddick, Bluedick

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

The .245 AVG is going to look ugly next March but 31 HRs and 80+ R/RBI has been nirvana for anyone (like Rudy) who plucked Josh Reddick off free agency in shallow leagues this year.  The power is real and, unlike the last A’s power hitter (Jack Cust), he is an above average fielder.   So the A’s now have 2/3 of a phallic OF foundation with Reddick and Yoenis.  Where is Lance Johnson Jr or Dick Pole Jr when you need them?  For 2013, I imagine the only flavor missing from his Chick-o-Stick is average, i.e., it may never be anything to write home about.  But if you’re writing home about Reddick’s average, you need new material.  Here’s hoping he doesn’t become Ryan Ludwick Part II.  Ryan Ludwick, “I

Closing Time: Hit the bricks, Justin Masterson

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

While this column often focuses on who to pick up, it's also important to underscore who should be dropped. Justin Masterson, come on down (and pack a suitcase). We're handing you the one-way ticket to Dump City. Sorry it went down like this, but someone had to lose.

Masterson's still owned in 46 percent of Yahoo! leagues, for reasons I can't fathom. This guy spits out more sevens and eights than the craps table at the local casino. Oakland had the latest eight-run party against Masterson on Thursday, pushing the righty's ERA up to 4.91. A 1.46 WHIP isn't earning any trophies, either.

According to

Roto Roundup: Jonathan Lucroy, Kenley Jansen, Josh Reddick and Others

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

The Red Sox traded outfielder Josh Reddick in the offseason for Andrew Bailey to replace free agent Jonathan Papelbon as the team's closer. Bailey has just one save, as he has been injured for most of the year, while Reddick has had a breakout season in Oakland. Seeing now what the Red Sox have done with their team, Reddick would be one of the players to help rebuild the team. But, their offseason plans were quite different than their plans on August 31st. Just goes

Kipnis Calms Owners Shpilkis

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

Yesterday, Jason Kipnis went 2-for-4 with his 13th homer.  Member when he had 11 homers going into the All-Star break and we were like, “Yo, I’d let Kipnis sleep with my baby’s mama.  He earned that shizz, yo.  Just make sure you change the sheets, that’s all I ask.  And maybe if you could pick up some milk for my morning coffee.”  Well, here’s a discussion topic:  The Catcher in the Rye is neither about baseball or bread.  Discuss.  Here’s another:  Is Kipnis all that and a bag of bagel chips or was he just a good first half with a bad case of the shpilkis in his genechtagazoink.  Good question from your internal monologue.  In the first half, Kipnis had a career month in May with 5 homers,

Shelby Miller Loved Everywhere Except In Springfield

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

There’s some strong indications that Shelby Miller could be called up by the Cards when the rosters expand on September 1st.  ”Why should we care about some stunod with a 4.89 ERA in Triple-A?  Hey, Grey, we care about stunods now?”  That’s you talking to yourself just as a pretty girl walks by and thinks you’re crazy for talking to yourself.  But you don’t care, you got a passing grade in Hygiene from the University of Phoenix.  The world is your oyster and you’re shucking it up.  Now, as Scott, our minor league prospect writer, said a few days ago, “Whatever was bothering Miller during the first four months of 2012 — mechanics, command, velocity… all of the above —

Anderson ReCooper

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

Did you see the game Brett Anderson threw the other day?  Neither did.  Was watching MasterChef.  C’mon, is she really blind?  I could see a service dog, pulling to the side of the road and being like, “Listen, sweetheart, how about we stop the charade and let me go hump some other dogs?”  There’s no way she’s blind!  I’m dying for someone to toss her a baseball and watch her catch it.  Speaking of baseball (yes, I’m segueing into baseball on a fantasy baseball site — that’s how I do!), the takeaway from Brett’s box score is they’ve fixed Raggedy Anderson.  He was also going against the World Class Minnesota Twins.  I’m using World Class there like food companies will use World Class

RCL Roundup: August 13

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

The Rank Railheads (RCL 40) stumbled and panthers_freak (We’ve Got the Runs — Baseball Reasons) pounced. The Railheads dropped 4 points to 110 and now sit 2 back of the new leaders in the overall standings, despite another superb week from their pitching staff. They used only 6 starts, and came away with a perfect 6 wins. Yovani Gallardo and Chris Sale each won 2, with Kris Medlen and David Price notching the other victories. Justin Verlander starred for We’ve Got the Runs with a win, 22 strikeouts, and

Pitcher Profile: A.J. Griffin and the Revolving Door of Good A’s Pitchers

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

How does Oakland do it?  I know the stadium is ideal and I know that Moneyball tactics help set the precedent, but how does Oakland churn out no-name pitcher after no-name pitcher that end up having success in the Majors?

Before the start of the season, the pitcher under-the-radar in Oakland that had all the buzz was Brad Peacock, but a 6.17 AAA ERA thus far is keeping him from the Majors.  Enter A.J. Griffin, a 13th-round pick in 2010’s Draft, to the never-ending supply of successful Oakland pitchers.

Through 6 starts, Griffin has thrown nothing but quality starts with a 29:8 K:BB ratio in 36 innings.  Pitching in the AL’s pitcher-friendliest park, Griffin’s brought a sub-1.00 WHIP from

Shuffle Up: How I learned to stop worrying and love Melky Cabrera

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

This week's Shuffle Up experience comes in the outfield. What's happened to this point works as an audition, but we're looking to judge the value for the final two months. Players at the same price are consider even, and all that matters is how the commodities relate to one another - don't obsess over the prices in a vacuum.

Assume a 5x5 rotisserie scoring system, because we're reasonable men. And remember that players on your own team don't gain 10-20 percent of bonus value. Keep both cleats on the ground as you negotiate the list.

I welcome your intelligent and respectful feedback; win the debate, win the rank. I'll tweak this list as the day goes along, and I'll try to answer as many worthwhile

Reddick diagnosed with upper back contusion - Josh Reddick | OAK

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Josh Reddick was diagnosed with an upper back contusion.

Josh Reddick: Upper Back Contusion

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Josh Reddick: Reddick was carted off the field late in the A's win over the Orioles on Friday He crashed into to the right field fence while making the final out of the game. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Roto Roundup: Matt Harvey, Josh Reddick, Starling Marte and Carlos Santana

Source: Fake Teams by Jason Hunt

With just 8 games on the docket yesterday, let's take a brief look at the happenings around the fantasy world.

Starling Marte announced his presence in his big league debut last night, homering on the first pitch he saw and adding a single as well. He profiles to provide a little bit of power and a little bit of speed if he gets regular playing time, but at this point I would say he's only a pickup in NL-only, keeper or deep league formats.

Josh Reddick hit his 22nd home run of the season in the A's loss to the Blue

Tulo Acquaintances Be Forgot

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

About a month ago, Troy Tulowitzki had surgery to have scar tissue removed from his groin.  Tulo now sings, “Scar tissue that I wish you saw, because I’m kinky.”  Yesterday, the Rockies announced nothing, but people familiar with Tulo’s groin — hey now! — have said he probably won’t return this year.  ”It looks like an Asian person’s garbage can after a cat picked through it with kumquats and a baby corn.”  That’s Tulo’s groin doctor.  He was only supposed to be out for two months, but he hasn’t started any baseball activity, which is a bad sign, since, you know, you want him to play baseball.  Yo, yo, yo, what’s the best case scenario?  He returns in the last few weeks of the season,