The time has finally come. 5-42 will be a distant memory in a mere 4 days. I have been waiting for the chance to write a new chapter in the story book of my 64/60 career. In all honesty nothing I can do this Saturday will erase my poor performance at last years Swing and Swim. What I can do is attempt to rebuild my image as the 64/60's most marketable player and it's unquestionable leader. Let us not forget about the year in which Bopp suffered the potentially career threatening ankle injury. You know the one which set his UPS career track back about 4 mos. or so and caused his volatile relationship with Ms. Stein to explode once the postgame presser went viral. Anyone recall that day? I can tell you I sure do. That was the day when I ran onto the field and four sets of eyeballs looked at me as more than their Commissioner. These four sets of eyes knew at that moment that something bigger than themselves was happening, they may not have known what was happening, they just knew they wanted to be a part of it. Hell and Flimstone Field was built that day and as if you weren't overcome with emotion then you simply wasn't living. So this Saturday as we gather to showcase out skills not a single player will have as much pressure as yours truly. A victim of instant legend status. Very few can be awesome 100% of the time. Saturday it's about establishing myself as just a solid player. Get on base, play good defense, and put 5-42 in the rearview mirror of my career. Should another legendary moment follow then so be it, as my track record suggest, I can handle it.
Weekly Recap
PED 12 vs. Hat 0. Damn. I thought the demise of Bopp was imminent. I envisioned a defeat at the hands of the Hat, followed by a thumping by the Factory and before you knew it Bopp was 25+ games out by the All-Star break. How quickly a week can change things. Odd thing about this matchup was how ineffective the Hat's were. Without knowing there weekly performances of the top of my head, I feel rather safe in saying this was there first off week of the season. The PED's have been amongst the worst offensive teams all season and when you can get the edge in Runs with 34 and RBI with 33 you no you had a off week. On the pitching side the PED's were simply electric, ERA and WHIP totals south of 1.00, league best K totals. Self proclaimed best staff in the league came to make their mark in Week 10 and it's hard to argue with the results. In a true Roto format I would lean toward Emanski's rotation assuming Price resembled himself but given the weekly format and ability to stream, Bopps claim may be valid.
Tops- K-PED 76, ERA-PED .94, WHIP-PED .94
Bottoms- Runs-Hat 31, RBI-Hat 30, K/9-Hat 6.77
MVP- Zimmerman 2QS 12K 0.00/.60/7.20
Mashers 9 vs. Takeover 2. The comeback story of the Takeover has took another turn for the worst. After posting B2B wins in Weeks 7 and 8, a 18-5 mark vs. the league leaders have the Takeover holding comfortably to the final spot in the standings. I've said it several times but I feel strongly that the talent is there the roster just needs some TLC to turn it around. The big story to come out of this contest is the new name atop the standings within the 64/60. Sure having to rely on Chris to obtain it puts some stain on it being at the top has to feel good. Sure I've been critical, sure I doubt the validity of the roster as a whole. Title however aren't won in the In-N-Out, their won on the field and thus far the Mashers have come to play. Offensively 6 starters within the Top 100, more importantly 4 within the top 30. Pitching isn't as good in fact I see it as his downfall. Does have 3 starters inside the Top 100 but none within the Top 30 and more damning is the fact only Betancourt and his DL stint is within the top 300 of the remaining options. I've questioned the Mashers on plenty of occasions but I don't question Ward's ownership and attention to detail when his teams competitive. A real playoff contender on lineup alone but unless the pitching is overhauled I don't see it consistent enough to make a three-four week playoff run.
Tops- Runs-Mashers 50, OPS-Mashers .814
Bottoms- K-Takeover 36
MVP- Ortiz .259/3/5/12/0/1.074
TED 9 vs. Maniacs 2. I projected both to be a playoff team to begin the season. While both find themselves amidst the sea of mediocrity from spots 5-11 it's safe to assume neither are happy with the early results. In the case of Emanski injuries and ineffectiveness of perceived stars has been his downfall. For Reyes it's been a lost season thus far. Kemp and Price were terrible before hitting the DL. While the return of a healthy and effective Kemp and Reyes would certainly provide a spark offensively the overall unit isn't very good. 4 players within the top 100 but not a one inside the Top 40, Cespedes is the only one in my mind who could be there by seasons end. Some players are underperforming to some degree or have been plagued by injury but generally speaking the active lineup has about 4-5 replacement level players. Pitching is another story. Three pitchers inside the Top 20 and 9 of 10 within the top 250. Best part about it outside of Feldman and Guthrie the talent level matches the production. On the losing side the Maniacs. For the record let it be known I called this demise 5 Weeks ago. I felt very strongly, and still do, that this roster was smoke and mirrors in terms of elite level production. Let me be clear, I give Jr. a hard time but in all honesty you can't knock his effort and willingness to shake things up. Sometime to fault but none the less his fingers always on the trigger. This dedication leads me to believe this team will fight for the better part of the season for a playoff spot and I see nothing to suggest he won't make it. My argument against the Maniacs was simply he wasn't the elite team the record and Power Rankings suggested. Offensively 6 players are within the Top 100 including 3 in the top 40. Chris Davis is a big reason this team excelled over the first two months, top 5 seasons can carry a team. Overall the offense is solid and more importantly generally meeting or exceeding expectations with only Rickie Weeks being labeled a disappointment. From a pitching standpoint the team is solid. 7 Top 200 options with 2 in the Top 100. Closer heavy but Darvish plays well into that strategy. Hamels has certainly underperformed and should he emerge as the presumed ace he is this rotation could be hard to beat assuming Jr. isn't too active with his adds and drops. However it's Jr were talking about and if there is any description for his management style it would not include holding pat.
Tops- AVG-Emanski .290
Bottoms- SB-Maniac 1, ERA-Maniac 5.37
MVP- Medlen 2QS 12K 0.00/.95/7.90
41129ers 9 vs. Stars 3. Let's not let one win in 5 Weeks and the emergence of Yaisel Puig cloud your judgement. While it's good to have you back in the fold Ev a name change and Smacktalk propaganda on league domination is a tad bit premature. Certainly right in the mix to make a move only three games out of the 6th spot the 41129ers, attach military theme before zip code, are living on the youth movement. Jones, Jennings, Trout all have youth and all have been Top 100 thus far. Profar, and Puig have made their way to the show and are performing daily to varying degrees and it appears Wil Myers could be at a ballpark near you in the very near future. There is nothing that makes Ev tick more(outside of a case of beer and a smoking firepit at the Dojo with a fully charged cell phone) than the next hot prospect. As if the 2012 season of Trout wasn't enough the early indication is 2013 is the year of the Puig. So having productive players playing is one thing but providing Butch with a new level of interest is another. The question is how long will it last. More than any other 64/60ian Ev is about what have you done for me lately and % Owned. Should Puig's star fade and Kemp and Crawford return is there enough excitement left to keep Ev Lemasters heart burning as facebook and the firepit are calling his name? On the losing end of this matchup the Stars. A common theme in 2013. With only one win in the last four the Stars have managed to stay in this thanks to the mediocre play of those around him. Statistically speaking it's been an odd year. They have the 4th most HR's in the league yet only own a 4-4-2 mark in the category. More puzzling to me is the Top 5 standing in total HR's still has the Stars dead last in Runs scored in the league which has netted them a understood mark of 4-6 in the stat. Offensively speaking the team is solid, 5 players within the Top 100, 2 among the Top 30. More importantly only Cody Ross has managed to stay mostly healthy and is outside the Top 350. The pitching has to be frustrating for a owner. Burnett and Strasburg are the only top 100 players. But the underperforming likes of Wilson, Kennedy and to some degree Jackson and Lohse are hard to manage. Their stats say drop yet there track record and draft spot would dictate otherwise. Typically I don't question Mike's management style, his refusal not to respond to trade request not with standing. However it seems he's either not paying attention or being to stubborn when it comes to holding on to players. Given his advanced age and track record we'll go with the latter. Holding onto the likes of Gutierrez and Ellis is foolish. Pick up some speculative picks, stream a starter, add a bat, get exotic. Holding steady is only effective when your leading the race.
Tops- QS-41129 10
Bottoms- HR-Stars 6, SV-41129 0, WHIP-Stars 1.47
MVP- Holliday .407/2/9/7/0/1.292
9irons 6 vs. HGH+ 6. While I can't say I have been searching for it, thanks for pointing out the rare 3 to 3 offense/pitching split Mr. Rice. Seems like this is something research should track throughout the history of the 64/60. My guess would be this is a very rare feat. Don't know why but I found it odd the 9irons bettered the HGH in HR by 5 yet lost RBI by 11, just a observation perhaps it's not that uncommon at all. Once again research needs to get on that. It's been a nice push of late by the HGH to get back in this thing. A 3-1-1 mark over the last 5 have the HGH+ closer to resembling what the Power Rankings have been saying for nearly two months. Offense is certainly his strong suit. Three players currently in the Top 100 with one in that coveted Top 5. Breaking it down even farther 11 currently reside within the Top 200. Perhaps most important of all only two of 15 starters currently reside outside of the Top 360 one of which includes Josh Reddick who has been injured for the majority of the season. As if the HGH needed any more good news Austin Jackson should be back in the lineup within the next couple of weeks. The rotation is still a unit in flux. All things normal this team will feature 4 Closers yet when that will be remains to be seen. Kershaw and Bumgarner are perfect fits for this strategy. The addition of Rosenthal and Robertson makes will also work well with this approach. The biggest issue at this point is the two-three spots needed to get to the 40 inning minimum. Compared to the wish list of some teams the HGH+ is much closer to being complete. On the flipside is the 9irons while the Power Rankings are finally calling them out as frauds the Standings have yet to exploit them. Four offensive players within the Top 100, 8 within the Top 200. Overall rather respectable. Let's overlook the 3 starters who shouldn't even be owned, Richard certainly has. Pitching features 2 Top 50 options and a total of 5 in the Top 200 yet it also features 2 outside the Top 700. Once again let's overlook them, Richard certainly has. Find a theme yet. I have no issues with a team overachieving. Hell look at the PED's in the standings relative to Power Rankings or myself. Yet I know the time Bopp puts into finding the right matchups, streaming, adding, dropping, efforting trades. It's a labor of love but it requires time. GRC3 simply hasn't put forth the time this season yet has been rewarded with a fourth place spot in the standings. This isn't GRC3's track record throughout his career, perhaps a rededication is right around the corner. Fortunately for him he has built up enough equity in the standings where it has yet to cost him. If things do not change one would think the Standings would start finding the flaws just as the Power Rankings have.
Tops- HR-9irons 15
Bottoms- AVG-9irons .247, SV-9irons 0, QS-HGH 2
MVP- Brown .346/3/6/7/2/1.162
Walls 7 vs. BCFP 5. I'll save everyone further praise of myself. So instead of breaking down my roster compostion and hard luck loss to Bowe how bout a public service announcement. If anyone is in the market to deal I am looking for a 3B or CI in general as well as a solid #2 SP. As always I am looking to make a fair deal in which I give up no elite level players to obtain one. If interested please send me a proposal or text so a dialogue can be obtained. As for Bowe what a couple of weeks it has been. As if thumping Bopp wasn't fun enough last week beating the best player in the business is icing on the cake. While I feel Bowe realizes the Champions Trophy will return home at seasons end it still gave him pleasure to best me for the very last time. The win marked the 3rd straight for Walls and has vaulted him into 3rd place in the standings. Six top 100 players and like most of the top teams one of the coveted Top 5 in CarGo. Throw in 2 more within the Top 200 and you have a solid start offensively. Considering how poorly Stanton, Castro, VMart, and Ike Davis have been it's safe to say this team has room to improve and will need to in order to make a deep playoff run. Thus far it's been Pitching that has lead the way. Five closers accompanied by Harvey, Lee and Samardzija who are all perfect complimentary pieces to that approach. As is typically the case with this approach the overall success from Week to Week depends on the two to three pitchers needed on the back end. Currently Leake and Santiago fit that description but look for these spots to be a revolving door of names moving forward at least until potential replacements Anderson and Beachy get healthy.
Tops- RBI-Walls 53, SV-Walls 9, K/9-Walls 9.24
Bottoms- AVG-BCFP .247, OPS-BCFP .714
MVP- CarGo .276/3/6/12/0/1.102
Power Rankings Hitting Pitching Overall
1. Free Hat 57.5 52 109.5
2. Mashers 57.5 32 89.5
3. Emanski 33.5 55.5 89
4. HGH+ 54.5 32 86.5
5. Maniac 41 39.5 80.5
6. Stars 43 36 79
7. Walls 32 46 78
8. 9irons 39 37.5 76.5
9. PED 25 42 67
10. BCFP 16.5 49.5 66
11. Seals 28 29.5 57.5
12. Takeover 40.5 16.5 57
Tops/Bottoms: Runs- Hat,HGH/Stars, HR-Hat/Takeover, RBI-HGH/Takeover, SB-Mashers/Maniac, AVG-Takeover/PED, OPS-Hat/BCFP, SV-BCFP/9irons, K-Hat/41129, ERA-Emanski/41129, WHIP-Emanski/Stars, k/9-Walls/HGH, QS-Hat/PED
Head Scratcher Of The Week- Argumentative 9irons drop Aaron Hill. Anyone recall GRC3 being unfashionably late for the draft. Maybe 7 rounds in, give or take a few. Each and every time GRC3's name was called it was me on the clock. As if running three different programs while Facebooking the result to RTW wasn't enough. In typical GRC3 fashion, I wasn't greeted with thank you or my bad on the late arrival, the first words out of Richard's mouth was why 3 2B? Valid point I would have to say but beggers can't be choosers. So I find it somewhat comical that here we are in the early part of June and Richard is searching the wire for AB at the position, production would be a bonus. So before I criticize Richard for the transaction, for the record let me thank him for taking the time out of his schedule to address his roster issues. The current version of the 9irons haven't been the most hands on group in franchise history. Problem is if your going to add Aviles then why not drop someone rather than a Top 100 player who by all indications is set to begin a rehab assignment in the very near future. Mike Moustakas and Carlos Pena certainly come to mind as better alternatives than letting a potential team strength and bargaining chip be snatched up off the wire.
Pickup Of The Week- BCFP adds Aaron Hill from Waivers for $87. The point of adding players is to make your team better. It's not often you find a potential Top 75-100 player sitting on the Waiver Wire. Sure with the benefit of hindsight, I paid too much the $36 runner up bid tells me that. I have criticized numerous people throughout the year bestowing the Head Scratcher of the week for mismanagement of the FAAB budget. So if your revenge field mind insist the BCFP should be held to the same standards then have at it. Fire your verbal assaults I am prepared to withstand them. My criticism was never about the money it was always who the money was spent on. Up to this point the majority of FAAB money has been spent on fringe players who likely rank from the 250's to 400's and the money itself has been spent in minimal increments for the most part. 2 here 4 here all slowly chipping away from that potential max bid should a true difference maker hit the wire. So when GRC3 made Aaron Hill available the simple question was do I see anyone better becoming available? I value Hill as a Top 100 player. The Yahoo database of players consist of nearly everyone therefore a Non-40 Man roster player worthy of max bid doesn't exist. So while GRC3 is still running the show and other owners have made suspect cuts in the past it's very likely even they wouldn't drop a current Top 200 player. Therefore the way I see it the only potential player who could hit the Waiver Wire would be a highly drafted player who has either greatly underperformed or has been injury plagued. With that as my criteria I came up with a possible list of players who may be considered for release. Kemp, Stanton, and Reyes all have been hurt and all have a 0% chance of hitting the wire. Aramis Ramirez and Victorino have been bothered by injury both have been somewhat productive when healthy regardless I would still rather have Hill. Heyward has been ineffective and injured yet I don't believe a inactive owner such as Holland would bother cutting ties. I own Hamilton and Upton already. Landon's not coming off Castro. Prado, V. Mart, and Konerko are within the realm of possibility but once again I would rather have Hill. And finally Ike Davis who is now in the minors. Sure I didn't take into account Pitchers but with the lack of attrition from year to year we as owners are more apt to take a bad season on the bump to be just that. So unless the Free Hats get tired of 8+K from Verlander every 5th day I don't see a impact arm hitting the wire. I've been in this league long enough to no the unexpected could happen at anytime so should a Castro or Heyward hit the wire then Bopp and his 100 budget will be a happy man. As for myself should Hill return healthy and produce as expected I will be happy with my .300/15-20/45/45/7/.825 slash line from this point forward even at the cost of $87.
1 comment:
Another gem from the commish
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