We are almost at the half way point this year, and there definitely have been some shocking stories, and of course there is some not so shocking news, jamie in first place & marv in last. I think Marv is content on his quantity over quality approach when it comes to his starting pitching.
One lesson I learned from this draft is to never count out the old guys, these guys won't crack most teams top 16 keepers, so why not take a chance. I personally passed on too many of them thinking oh its dynasty, i need youth. I whiffed big time in the first round, I am praying Aroldis Chapman is a bust. I dropped Jose Lopez when Chone Figgins became available. Figgins gives me higher avg/obp, runs, sbs, Lopez would have given me HR/RBI/TB, but comes with a pretty low OBP as he never walks. He could be a very solid add for stretch time for the pandas though.
So I passed on the young and went with a vet, lets take a look at some hot and not vets this year, and view some pics of my favorite 80's movies, movies that these players grew up watching.
1.21 gigawatts
1. Vladimir Guerrero - Vlad (35) can hit, that isn't a question but he had a very disappointing 2009 season finishing with only 15 hrs & 50 rbi. Many thought he was done, but moving Texas has rejuvenated his career. Vlad is currently 2nd in the majors with 47 RBI. Just imagine what these numbers will look like if he stays healthy in Arlington this summer.
2. Scott Rolen - Another 35 year old player enjoying a great season. Rolen currently leads the National league with 14 Hrs & is 9th in RBI. Rolen like Guerrero plays on a pretty solid offensive team. Anyone who gets to hit behind Joey Votto will have a ton of RBI opportunities.
3. Troy Glaus - Glaus is only 33, but I consider him in this tier of older players. Glaus currently leads the NL in RBI with 44, and has 11 HR which puts him in 7th in that category. Glaus,Heyward & Martin Prado have carried the Braves offensively this year.
4. Rod Barajas - Not too many people were happy with the Mets front office when they failed to sign Benjie Molina this year, but the combination of Barajas (34) & Blanco has been great for them. Barajas leads all major league catchers in HR/RBI this year. Take that Mauer & V-mart !
5. Magglio Ordonez - Ordonez (36) had a similar season to Vlad last year in terms of GP,HR & RBI, and like Scott Rolen with Votto, you have Cabrera for Ordonez in Detroit, plus Johnny Damon now in the top of the lineup.
There are some other surprises this year that just don't fit into this age bracket like Adrian Beltre & Vernon Wells who are having great years.
These guys blow
1. Raul Ibanez - Ibanez has been probably the biggest disappointment to me. He was in MVP considerations in my opinion with the numbers he was putting up last year in the 1st half, then he got hurt and hasn't been the same. .220 3hr 22rbi in dangerous phillies lineup is pretty bad.
2. Derrek Lee - Another guy who had a MVP type season last year. .306, 35hr, 111rbi are you kidding me. This year his numbers have been awful. Andy actual traded K-rod for him straight up. That hasn't worked out to good for him.
3. Bengie Molina - Molina was 2nd in the NL in RBI's & 3rd in HR's last year among catchers. I think the Buster Posey call up rumors have effected him a little this year. He isn't even on a roster anymore he has been so brutal.
4. Brandon Inge - Inge was actually 3rd in HR among AL 3rd basemen last year. I think he is done. He was not a great fantasy player last year but he at least he had that pop to help in the power categories. I see under 20 hrs this season and that isn't worth a roster spot considering his avg is so bad.
5. Randy Wolf - Wolf statistically was the Dodgers best pitcher last year. 6th in NL in WHIP, 10th in IP, 15th in ERA he was signed by the Brewers to be there #2 guy behind Gallardo and he has failed so far.
We aint found shit
So what do you do with these vets is the big question. You won't get equal trade value for these guys right now if you trade the hot bats. Is anybody really going to give up a semi good young prospect for Rod Barajas? Doubtful, so if you have one of these 5 strong old players you need to hold on to them at least to the trade deadline and then move them for whatever you can if not in the playoff race.
With these other players it is still too early to dump one of them, but if I am out of the playoff race in a couple of weeks I am getting rid of them. Is a 35 year old under performing Derrek Lee a keeper next year? I think the teams who know that don't have a shot this year are doing it right for next year. Right now is Brett Anderson, Starlin Castro & Travis Snider worth Carl Crawford who was a 1st rounder in many peoples mock drafts this year? Definitely not, but Brett Anderson enjoyed a good rookie season and both Snider & Castro were top prospects so if 1 of those guys pan out then the deal was successful. That is why it is so hard to judge trades. I commend both brian h & marv for making moves for the future and getting players they like. In a couple of weeks, others should do the same.
It is going to be a fun next couple of weeks for sure, i think i am a buyer but you never know in this league. i went from 9th to 5th this past week, and could end up back in 9th next week.
Get em a body bag!
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