Fantasy Baseball Cafe Forums

by **PlayingWithFire** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:31 pm

the guy lead the Orioles in ERA last year(SP). What do you project of him. He's had an inconsistent past but Leo is there to guide him.

Think he can be a good #5 SP in a 12 teamer?

by **Pokey** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:39 pm

I project him at 12 wins, 4.10 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 136 k's. Which ranks him #68 as far as starters go. So to me, no, he's not quite worth a #5 Starter spot.

by **Thursday** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:47 pm

He was owned in my league last year, but that's about all i really know about him. He was picked up when the guy's team was riddled with injuries to pitchers, namely Halladay.

by **hybrid** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:00 pm

I expect all his numbers to be inflated some this year (era/whip,etc.). Most all teams in the AL East got better or are still very good hitting wise. His BABIP was lower than his career average, so I expect that to come up a bit. Also I'm not sure what Leo will do with him, he had him as a youngster and things didn't work out then as he was eventually traded.

by **foulballstrike3** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:53 am

Yeah, last year was the exception, but he is still young. There is no way that I would go into the season w/ the O's #5 as my #5. He was dominant last year at times (a yankees game comes to mind) but was very avg. mostly. Pitching as a #5 (which is where most people have him projected in the rotation) can only help his win total though.

by **Madison** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 3:37 am

foulballstrike3 wrote:Yeah, last year was the exception, but he is still young. There is no way that I would go into the season w/ the O's #5 as my #5. He was dominant last year at times (a yankees game comes to mind) but was very avg. mostly. Pitching as a #5 (which is where most people have him projected in the rotation) can only help his win total though.

Actually, that's a common mistake. The only time rotation spot means anthing is the first week or two of the season, and the first week or two after the All-Star break.

#5 pitchers do not just face other #5 pitchers, just like #1 pitchers don't just face #1 pitchers. It's just not possible with all the off days, and crazy schedules of the teams.

Oh, another thing about being a #5 starter is that he could get skipped in the rotation once in awhile, and thus, get fewer starts over the course of the season.

by **Mercer Boy** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:03 am

I used Chen a decent amount last year in a deep league I was in. I didn't think he did all that bad providing he had a good matchup. Normal sized league...eh, probably wouldn't use him. There's got to be better guys out there.