Fantasy Baseball Cafe Forums

by **waterproof** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:17 am

Any thoughts on this kid? Is he even worth keeping a roster spot for?

Sportsline writes:

The 22-year-old Duke was one of the majors' top young starters in 2005, going 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA in 14 starts despite pitching for a team that lost 95 games. This season, he is 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two starts -- allowing as many earned runs (eight) in 11 innings as he did in his first seven career starts last season. Even though Duke's delivery seemed to be close to flawless a year ago, the left-hander said it's obvious his mechanics aren't the same as they were in 2005. "It's just not me out there," Duke said. "I'm rushing through my mechanics. I can't get my body where it needs to be." We have to advise you to sit Duke in mixed leagues until his mechanics and now his head get in order.

by **j_gilday** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:53 am

I have the same problem. I think he's definitely worth a roster spot, but you might want to bench him until he shows a little more consistency.

Even when he's on, he still might not get many wins b/c PIT just won't win that many games.

by **rx99674** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:38 am

I am so pissed at Tracy. Why would you mess with Duke's mechanics if he was 8-2 last year? What an idiot! Duke needs to just throw the go$ dam# ball and forget about what shi$ people are putting in his head.

Duke will get his SHI@ together if and only if he stops listening to Tracy--what a DILD#!

by **BillyHallDisciple** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:37 pm

I'm mad at Tracy too, for 3 reasons:

1) Up until last night I don't even think the Pirates had an SB attempt. (Nice to see Bay got two, hopefully it's a trend).

2) Not getting Craig Wilson in the line-up on a more regular basis. (He's been in the last few days due to Casey's injury).

3) Messing with Duke's mechanics.

The sooner Tracy gets fired, the better. Does this guy even get it? Why is he hired as a manager? Somebody please defend him so I can figure it out, 'cause right now I can't. I think he took the Dodgers to the playoffs, but was he on auto-pilot that year?

by **mak1277** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:06 pm

BillyHallDisciple wrote:I'm mad at Tracy too, for 3 reasons:

1) Up until last night I don't even think the Pirates had an SB attempt. (Nice to see Bay got two, hopefully it's a trend).

Well, the team's been playing from behind a WHOLE lot this year, which makes stealing bases a much less attractive proposition. I wouldn't worry about this at all.

BillyHallDisciple wrote:2) Not getting Craig Wilson in the line-up on a more regular basis. (He's been in the last few days due to Casey's injury).

You're kind of preaching to the choir here, but this is management's decision, not Tracy's. They're paying Burnitz and Casey a ton of money...those guys are going to play. The only hope is for an injury or trade if you're looking for serious PT for Wilson

BillyHallDisciple wrote:3) Messing with Duke's mechanics.

Tracy isn't the pitching coach. He had nothing to do with Duke's mechanics.

As a Pirate fan, I'm very happy with Tracy as the manager. He has the teaming playing much better fundamentally than they previously did. I have no complaints with him thus far.

by **rx99674** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:05 am

Bull SHI$...Tracy totally messed with Duke's mechanics...be a student of the game and do your homework.

by **YardBirds** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:19 am

Maybe the coaches noticed that his delivery was dangerous or awkward (see Kerry Wood) and figured they can change it while he is young... more of a long term solution... so he gives up some extra runs... they really could careless if they are grooming an ace. Give him some time to find his control and he should be fine.