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Hache Man · 06-13-08, 02:58 PM

The Laffey Taffy

Q:Why does it get hotter after a baseball game?
A: Because all the fans leave.
With Waiver Wired's tribute to Laffy Taffy out of the way, here are some waiver options this week:

National League

1. Mike Gonzalez – RP – ATL - Mike Gonzalez is currently wrapping up a rehab assignment, but so far he's allowed just one run in nine innings while striking out ten and issuing just one walk. With Tom Glavine on the disabled list, Manny Acosta getting hit hard of late, Blaine Boyer blowing a save on Thursday and Rafael Soriano complaining of elbow discomfort, Gonzalez has a chance to hop right back into the mix at closer for the Braves – once they finally decide to call him up. He should be back any day now, and those owners looking for saves should remember he closed out 24 games for the Pirates back in 2006. His 2.29 career ERA and 196 strikeouts in 172.2 major league innings are also of note.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.

2. Lastings Milledge – OF – WAS - Since May 24, Lastings Milledge has hit in 17 of the 19 games that he's started, walking in the two that he didn't. He's stolen six bases and also hit four of his five homers in that period, suggesting that he could be starting to turn things around. So far in June, he's struck out just three times while walking four, which suggests that the 23-year-old could be refining his approach at the plate. His average should continue to climb as he continues to adjust to major league pitching, likely winding up around .270, and he'll probably end up making a run at a 20/20 season.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.

3. Kyle Lohse – SP – STL - After posting a 3-0 record with a 2.36 ERA in April, Lohse was shelled in the beginning of May. In two brutal starts he allowed 15 runs in ten innings. He complained of shoulder soreness around that time, and has since lowered his ERA from 4.91 down to 3.92. He hasn't been striking out many batters, but he makes up for it by limiting his walks. The biggest key to his success this year appears to be that he's halved his home run rate from about one per nine innings to .45 homers per nine, thanks largely to the fact that he's inducing about 13 percent more ground balls than he did last year. When batters are hitting the ball in the air, only 4.7 percent leave the park, less than half of his career and the league's average. Dave Duncan is one of the better pitching coaches in the major leagues, and it's possible he's helped something click with Lohse. It's also possible that Lohse has just been lucky.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.

4. Chris Duncan – OF – STL - With Albert Pujols out for a few weeks, Chris Duncan will start at first against right-handed pitchers for the Cardinals. He has a .795 OPS against righties so far this year, and a .918 OPS against them in his career, with 44 homers in 650 at-bats. The Cardinals are scheduled to face righties in their next nine starts, making Duncan a solid short-term addition.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.

5. Mike Pelfrey – SP – NYM - Pelfrey has had quality outings in his last three starts, allowing just four runs over 21 innings. He's registered a 15/6 K/BB ratio over that period, which is a significant improvement on anything he'd done in the majors. While his most recent starts are a step in the right direction, they shouldn't be enough to convince owners he's figured out how to pitch in the big leagues. Owners with bench space in mixed leagues can consider grabbing him to see if he can maintain the success, but don't go blindly inserting him into your fantasy lineup.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in NL-only leagues.

6. Sean Gallagher – SP – CHI - Gallagher has pitched moderately well for the Cubs since becoming a starter. If you take out his ugly first start, he's compiled a 3-2 record with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, striking out 24 in 28 1/3 innings. Gallagher should continue to compile wins with the Cubs' explosive offense behind him, but expect some bumps in the road during the summer months at Wrigley.
Recommendation: Should be owned in NL-only leagues

7. Andy LaRoche – 3B/1B – LAD - The Dodgers say they plan on playing Andy LaRoche against left-handed pitchers, but unfortunately that's the less frequent side of a platoon. LaRoche has hit extremely well at Triple-A over the past two seasons, but he hasn't been able to carry his success over to the big leagues. At just 24, there's still plenty of time, but he'll need to be a more regular part of the Dodgers lineup. For what it's worth, the team is reportedly looking at trading some of it's younger players for a proven bat, which could help LaRoche find more playing time – either on a new team or in place of James Loney or Blake DeWitt.
Recommendation: Monitor in NL-only leagues.

8. Paul Janish – SS – CIN - With Jerry Hairston Jr. headed to the disabled list, Paul Janish will take over at shortstop for the next week until Jeff Keppinger is back. Janish has gone 1-for-11 since assuming the job, scoring once after being walked. His value will be both short-lived and minimal, making him an option for only the most desperate of owners.
Recommendation: Stay away.

American League

1. Aaron Laffey – SP – CLE - Laffey continues to get mentioned here, as his long-term value continues to improve. With the season-ending injury to Jake Westbrook, Laffey seems likely to stay in Cleveland's rotation until the end of the season. With the exception of a disastrous start against Texas' high-powered offense, he's been very solid this season, posting a 2.83 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in eight starts. Laffey is a control pitcher who relies on inducing a high percentage of ground balls, and he has just 24 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings. Still, his contributions in other categories should leave him with long-term value in mixed leagues.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.

2. Brandon Morrow – RP – SEA - J.J. Putz is currently sidelined with a hyper-extended right elbow. He's not going to go on the disabled list immediately, but the hyperextension is also causing "triceps tendon inflammation" and an "irritated ulnar nerve." He will be reexamined on Monday, and while it's unknown if he'll need a trip to the disabled list, Morrow is worth grabbing in all formats as a speculative source of saves. He hasn't allowed a run since May 12, and is currently sporting an ERA of 1.00 and a WHIP of 1.06. He also has 25 strikeouts in just 18 innings.
Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues.

3. Luke Scott – OF – BAL - Scott hit a disappointing .212 in May, but he's bounced back so far in June, hitting .382 with four homers on the young month. His problem is that his production disappears against lefties – he has a .167 average and no homers against them so far this season. Unfortunately for Scott, that leaves him stuck in a platoon, although the team said Friday they'll start to use him more often against southpaws. Until he proves he can hit them, fantasy leaguers might want to sit Scott when he faces left-handed pitchers. Still, his power and .297 average against righties makes him a solid fourth outfielder, especially if you can plug him based on match-ups.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.

4. Scott Baker – SP – MIN - Baker is owned in about two percent of fantasy leagues, which is surprising considering he's posted a 3.60 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP so far this season. Most of his problems in the past have come from the number of homers he's given up. This season, he gave up six dingers over the course of two starts, but has issued just one long ball in 33 innings outside of that. That suggests he's managed to control his gopheritis, which would make him a quality contributor in mixed leagues.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.

5. Francisco Liriano – SP – MIN - Liriano seems to have gotten a grasp on his control at Triple-A: he's issued just one walk in five of his last six outings. He's also struck out seven in his last three outings. Liriano might not revert to his old form this season, but he appears to be regaining some of his old skill set in the minors. The Twins' website recently ran a story saying he was close to getting called up, but there's nothing official planned. Regardless, teams with deep benches and in need of pitching could consider stashing him.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues

6. Justin Masterson – SP – BOS - Masterson is sporting a 2.59 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP after four starts for the Red Sox. His 18/12 K/BB ratio is weak, and Masterson's .179 BABIP is significantly above average, although it's supported by an incredibly impressive ability to induce ground balls. Still, the ERA should rise, and Masterson's status once Daisuke Matsuzaka returns is in doubt. It's also worth noting that two of Masterson's starts have come against Seattle and Kansas City, the two worst offenses in the American League. He's a short-term option for now, to be played in the right situation.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues.

7. Billy Butler – 1B – KC - Butler was one of the biggest sleepers coming into the season, but a poor start ended up in a demotion to Triple-A. Butler was struggling against righties, but he also seemed to have lost his power, with a slugging percentage over 100 points lower than in his rookie season. Since arriving in the Pacific Coast League, Butler has gone on an absolute tear, hitting .377/.441/.679 in 53 at-bats. He's still doing most of his damage against lefties, but he's also hitting right-handed pitching well, and is showing he deserves another chance to help an anemic Kansas City offense. Mixed leaguers with bench space should consider stashing him, as Butler could hit ten homers in the second half with an average hovering around .300.
Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues.

8. Kelly Shoppach – C – CLE - So far this year, Victor Martinez is without a homer while his backup, Kelly Shoppach, has hit three. Martinez is headed to the disabled list for a month and a half, so Shoppach will now assume starting duties for the Indians. He's hitting .238/.289/.383 on the season, but those numbers figure to improve at least a little now that he'll get regular playing time. His 137 strikeouts in 370 at-bats illustrate the difficulty he's had making contact, but his 13 homers in that same period illustrate his power potential.
Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues.

9. R.A. Dickey – SP – SEA - Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will be moved into the starting rotation in Seattle, taking the mound against the Nationals on Friday. The Mariners say it will only last while J.J. Putz is out, but Dickey has a chance at securing the job with a strong start. He has allowed just three runs in 25 innings since getting called back up at the end of May, but his 3.44 ERA in 49.2 minor league innings suggests his ERA could start to rise. Still, he's worth watching for now.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in AL-only leagues.

10. Jamey Carroll – 2B - CLE - With Josh Barfield headed to the disabled list, the 34-year-old Jamey Carroll has a temporary hold on the starting second base job. He's gone 7-for-8 in the last two days, raising his average to .273. His average has varied widely from year-to-year, but he's managed .272 over his career. He has just nine homers in 1619 lifetime at-bats, but he's hitting at the top of the Indians' lineup, which could result in solid run totals – he has 23 in 108 at-bats so far this season. Still, his hold on the job is tenuous, making him a short-term option in AL-only leagues for now.
Recommendation: Worth consideration in AL-only leagues.

06-13-08, 02:58 PM	#183
Hache Man "Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak" Join Date: Aug 19, 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 64,496	Re: Fantasy Baseball News 2008 The Laffey Taffy Q:Why does it get hotter after a baseball game? A: Because all the fans leave. With Waiver Wired's tribute to Laffy Taffy out of the way, here are some waiver options this week: National League 1. Mike Gonzalez – RP – ATL - Mike Gonzalez is currently wrapping up a rehab assignment, but so far he's allowed just one run in nine innings while striking out ten and issuing just one walk. With Tom Glavine on the disabled list, Manny Acosta getting hit hard of late, Blaine Boyer blowing a save on Thursday and Rafael Soriano complaining of elbow discomfort, Gonzalez has a chance to hop right back into the mix at closer for the Braves – once they finally decide to call him up. He should be back any day now, and those owners looking for saves should remember he closed out 24 games for the Pirates back in 2006. His 2.29 career ERA and 196 strikeouts in 172.2 major league innings are also of note. Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues. 2. Lastings Milledge – OF – WAS - Since May 24, Lastings Milledge has hit in 17 of the 19 games that he's started, walking in the two that he didn't. He's stolen six bases and also hit four of his five homers in that period, suggesting that he could be starting to turn things around. So far in June, he's struck out just three times while walking four, which suggests that the 23-year-old could be refining his approach at the plate. His average should continue to climb as he continues to adjust to major league pitching, likely winding up around .270, and he'll probably end up making a run at a 20/20 season. Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues. 3. Kyle Lohse – SP – STL - After posting a 3-0 record with a 2.36 ERA in April, Lohse was shelled in the beginning of May. In two brutal starts he allowed 15 runs in ten innings. He complained of shoulder soreness around that time, and has since lowered his ERA from 4.91 down to 3.92. He hasn't been striking out many batters, but he makes up for it by limiting his walks. The biggest key to his success this year appears to be that he's halved his home run rate from about one per nine innings to .45 homers per nine, thanks largely to the fact that he's inducing about 13 percent more ground balls than he did last year. When batters are hitting the ball in the air, only 4.7 percent leave the park, less than half of his career and the league's average. Dave Duncan is one of the better pitching coaches in the major leagues, and it's possible he's helped something click with Lohse. It's also possible that Lohse has just been lucky. Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues. 4. Chris Duncan – OF – STL - With Albert Pujols out for a few weeks, Chris Duncan will start at first against right-handed pitchers for the Cardinals. He has a .795 OPS against righties so far this year, and a .918 OPS against them in his career, with 44 homers in 650 at-bats. The Cardinals are scheduled to face righties in their next nine starts, making Duncan a solid short-term addition. Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues. 5. Mike Pelfrey – SP – NYM - Pelfrey has had quality outings in his last three starts, allowing just four runs over 21 innings. He's registered a 15/6 K/BB ratio over that period, which is a significant improvement on anything he'd done in the majors. While his most recent starts are a step in the right direction, they shouldn't be enough to convince owners he's figured out how to pitch in the big leagues. Owners with bench space in mixed leagues can consider grabbing him to see if he can maintain the success, but don't go blindly inserting him into your fantasy lineup. Recommendation: Worth consideration in NL-only leagues. 6. Sean Gallagher – SP – CHI - Gallagher has pitched moderately well for the Cubs since becoming a starter. If you take out his ugly first start, he's compiled a 3-2 record with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, striking out 24 in 28 1/3 innings. Gallagher should continue to compile wins with the Cubs' explosive offense behind him, but expect some bumps in the road during the summer months at Wrigley. Recommendation: Should be owned in NL-only leagues 7. Andy LaRoche – 3B/1B – LAD - The Dodgers say they plan on playing Andy LaRoche against left-handed pitchers, but unfortunately that's the less frequent side of a platoon. LaRoche has hit extremely well at Triple-A over the past two seasons, but he hasn't been able to carry his success over to the big leagues. At just 24, there's still plenty of time, but he'll need to be a more regular part of the Dodgers lineup. For what it's worth, the team is reportedly looking at trading some of it's younger players for a proven bat, which could help LaRoche find more playing time – either on a new team or in place of James Loney or Blake DeWitt. Recommendation: Monitor in NL-only leagues. 8. Paul Janish – SS – CIN - With Jerry Hairston Jr. headed to the disabled list, Paul Janish will take over at shortstop for the next week until Jeff Keppinger is back. Janish has gone 1-for-11 since assuming the job, scoring once after being walked. His value will be both short-lived and minimal, making him an option for only the most desperate of owners. Recommendation: Stay away. American League 1. Aaron Laffey – SP – CLE - Laffey continues to get mentioned here, as his long-term value continues to improve. With the season-ending injury to Jake Westbrook, Laffey seems likely to stay in Cleveland's rotation until the end of the season. With the exception of a disastrous start against Texas' high-powered offense, he's been very solid this season, posting a 2.83 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in eight starts. Laffey is a control pitcher who relies on inducing a high percentage of ground balls, and he has just 24 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings. Still, his contributions in other categories should leave him with long-term value in mixed leagues. Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues. 2. Brandon Morrow – RP – SEA - J.J. Putz is currently sidelined with a hyper-extended right elbow. He's not going to go on the disabled list immediately, but the hyperextension is also causing "triceps tendon inflammation" and an "irritated ulnar nerve." He will be reexamined on Monday, and while it's unknown if he'll need a trip to the disabled list, Morrow is worth grabbing in all formats as a speculative source of saves. He hasn't allowed a run since May 12, and is currently sporting an ERA of 1.00 and a WHIP of 1.06. He also has 25 strikeouts in just 18 innings. Recommendation: Should be owned in mixed leagues. 3. Luke Scott – OF – BAL - Scott hit a disappointing .212 in May, but he's bounced back so far in June, hitting .382 with four homers on the young month. His problem is that his production disappears against lefties – he has a .167 average and no homers against them so far this season. Unfortunately for Scott, that leaves him stuck in a platoon, although the team said Friday they'll start to use him more often against southpaws. Until he proves he can hit them, fantasy leaguers might want to sit Scott when he faces left-handed pitchers. Still, his power and .297 average against righties makes him a solid fourth outfielder, especially if you can plug him based on match-ups. Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues. 4. Scott Baker – SP – MIN - Baker is owned in about two percent of fantasy leagues, which is surprising considering he's posted a 3.60 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP so far this season. Most of his problems in the past have come from the number of homers he's given up. This season, he gave up six dingers over the course of two starts, but has issued just one long ball in 33 innings outside of that. That suggests he's managed to control his gopheritis, which would make him a quality contributor in mixed leagues. Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues. 5. Francisco Liriano – SP – MIN - Liriano seems to have gotten a grasp on his control at Triple-A: he's issued just one walk in five of his last six outings. He's also struck out seven in his last three outings. Liriano might not revert to his old form this season, but he appears to be regaining some of his old skill set in the minors. The Twins' website recently ran a story saying he was close to getting called up, but there's nothing official planned. Regardless, teams with deep benches and in need of pitching could consider stashing him. Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues 6. Justin Masterson – SP – BOS - Masterson is sporting a 2.59 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP after four starts for the Red Sox. His 18/12 K/BB ratio is weak, and Masterson's .179 BABIP is significantly above average, although it's supported by an incredibly impressive ability to induce ground balls. Still, the ERA should rise, and Masterson's status once Daisuke Matsuzaka returns is in doubt. It's also worth noting that two of Masterson's starts have come against Seattle and Kansas City, the two worst offenses in the American League. He's a short-term option for now, to be played in the right situation. Recommendation: Worth consideration in mixed leagues. 7. Billy Butler – 1B – KC - Butler was one of the biggest sleepers coming into the season, but a poor start ended up in a demotion to Triple-A. Butler was struggling against righties, but he also seemed to have lost his power, with a slugging percentage over 100 points lower than in his rookie season. Since arriving in the Pacific Coast League, Butler has gone on an absolute tear, hitting .377/.441/.679 in 53 at-bats. He's still doing most of his damage against lefties, but he's also hitting right-handed pitching well, and is showing he deserves another chance to help an anemic Kansas City offense. Mixed leaguers with bench space should consider stashing him, as Butler could hit ten homers in the second half with an average hovering around .300. Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues. 8. Kelly Shoppach – C – CLE - So far this year, Victor Martinez is without a homer while his backup, Kelly Shoppach, has hit three. Martinez is headed to the disabled list for a month and a half, so Shoppach will now assume starting duties for the Indians. He's hitting .238/.289/.383 on the season, but those numbers figure to improve at least a little now that he'll get regular playing time. His 137 strikeouts in 370 at-bats illustrate the difficulty he's had making contact, but his 13 homers in that same period illustrate his power potential. Recommendation: Should be owned in AL-only leagues. 9. R.A. Dickey – SP – SEA - Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will be moved into the starting rotation in Seattle, taking the mound against the Nationals on Friday. The Mariners say it will only last while J.J. Putz is out, but Dickey has a chance at securing the job with a strong start. He has allowed just three runs in 25 innings since getting called back up at the end of May, but his 3.44 ERA in 49.2 minor league innings suggests his ERA could start to rise. Still, he's worth watching for now. Recommendation: Worth consideration in AL-only leagues. 10. Jamey Carroll – 2B - CLE - With Josh Barfield headed to the disabled list, the 34-year-old Jamey Carroll has a temporary hold on the starting second base job. He's gone 7-for-8 in the last two days, raising his average to .273. His average has varied widely from year-to-year, but he's managed .272 over his career. He has just nine homers in 1619 lifetime at-bats, but he's hitting at the top of the Indians' lineup, which could result in solid run totals – he has 23 in 108 at-bats so far this season. Still, his hold on the job is tenuous, making him a short-term option in AL-only leagues for now. Recommendation: Worth consideration in AL-only leagues.