So thanks to Brandon Morrow's move to the bullpen I now have a ridiculous # of RPs. Serves me right for participating in a league that did its draft weeks before Opening Day:
The scoring cats are QS, W, CG, SV, ERA, WHIP, and K. I feel like five is just too many to have, but do you think it might help w/ ERA, WHIP and K? I don't want to wind up at a constant loss for QS and W - I'd be fine w/ punting one category if necessary but two's a bit iffy.
At least one of the teams in the league is closer-poor, so I may be able to swap one of my guys for another SP. Who do you like as trade bait?
Devine may hit the DL so I could always just pick up a FA pitcher and add him to the ranks and reassess the RP situation later.
Well, it won't hurt to shop any of your closers around just to see what you can get. Soria should draw the most value, but in a league counting QS, that makes starters that much more valuable.
We learned this morning that right-hander Joey Devine will open the season on the disabled list with an elbow injury that he really hasn’t shaken since last season. Devine will visit elbow specialist Dr. James Andrews either Wednesday or Thursday of next week to try to decipher how significant the injury is.
Needless to say, it’s a huge blow as the A’s prepare for Monday’s season opener against the Angels. Devine and Brad Ziegler were set to open the season as co-closers, but it was generally thought among baseball observers that Devine’s stuff would allow him to eventually assume the full-time role. It’s a recurring injury that landed Devine on the DL for much of last season. He eventually returned to the mound (his 0.59 ERA was the lowest in major league history among pitchers with a minimum 25 IP). But the elbow was enough of an issue that the A’s had him visit Andrews in October. Devine missed three weeks of action once spring camp started, and his elbow flared up again yesterday.
“I spent the entire offseason and rehabbed it and then it came back as soon as I got to game-ready, the first part of spring training,” Devine said. “That tells me there is something there.”
With Devine out, Ziegler takes over the closer’s role, and Bob Geren said Russ Springer and Santiago Casilla could also be called upon on days Ziegler isn’t available for the ninth. Springer, 40, was signed to be an eighth-inning man and has just eight saves in his 16 big league seasons. Casilla has four saves, seeing just the occasional ninth-inning opportunity in recent seasons with Oakland. “Casilla is definitely throwing the ball right now where I would have confidence putting him in the ninth inning too,” Geren said.
Devine’s absence has a trickle-down effect on how the A’s can handle their bullpen. They’re expected to carry seven relievers. Ziegler, Springer, Casilla, Wuertz and left-hander Jerry Blevins, at first glance, would take five spots. The A’s could also carry two long relievers, as Geren has said might be necessary because of his young rotation. In that case, think lefties Josh Outman and Gio Gonzalez (if Gonzalez is healthy). Or, if the A’s want to avoid having three lefties, they could sub in prospect Andrew Bailey for Blevins. Bailey hasn’t allowed a run in 10 spring outings.
I would definately use one of these closers as trade bait. The question is who to deal, (even though Soria is your most sought after closer, he is the only "proven," one you have so try and avoid trading him.) I would try and move Francisco or Morrow. The combo of Soria/Gregg should be pretty solid.
Yeah I've already had a guy come sniffing around for Gregg. His SPs include Haren, Liriano, Vazquez, Scherzer, F. Hernandez, Myers, Cueto and Maine.
I may try to spin one or two of the others off on him instead, because I like the combo of Soria's stuff and Gregg's save opps pitching for a contender.
If Devine really is DL-bound then I might just pick up someone like Pelfrey, Maholm, Parra or Jurrjens off the FA pool and use them for stats until all five are healthy and I can deal with an even hand.
I would take either Pelfrey or Parra out of those available starters. I also agree with the previous poster, you should see if that other owner would be interested in a trade for Gregg, he has some enticing starters.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
by the dresden » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:42 pm 
