who to drop?? WHIR

[eric31216]

i've got the following "minor league" eligible players stashed on my team but i can only keep 2 - 3. can i get some help on which 2-3 to drop? WHIR always

nolan reimold
jake fox
matt laporta
fernando martinez
brandon wood


thank you!

[eric31216]

bump

[MadDog36]

Let me compare these players for you:

nolan reimold.....Rick Ankiel (260/30/80 type of player) -- can't argue he's hot use him, but be prepared for streaks. When he's on his a MUST start, when not he's a MUST sit.
jake fox...Adam Laroche (he's got plus power, average will fluctuate but never kill you...a solid low end 1b or good CI) --- will help you the most right now, his bat WILL be in the lineup everyday at 3b.

matt laporta...Lance Berkman BEST Thome WORST (This kid can mash) -- that's a VERY good assesment based on what I know and have seen from him. This kid is a huge power threat from 1b or UTL. At worst he might murder RHP and maybe not ever hit for a SUPER average but 35 HR 100 RBI are a lock for him in his prime, you MUST keep him. I'd consider stashing him away if you have the spots.

fernando martinez (this guy did get called up recently, but its only for some coffee. He'll be back down soon. He's only 20 years old and more of a project at this point IMO. The kid has shown some power in flashes. I'm not sure what to say about him just yet. He could eventually become another Carlos Beltran, but that might not be for a few years. Definitely stash this guy away, I wouldn't keep him rostered.)

brandon wood (Will this kid ever get a chance) -- He's your boom/bust player. However, his value skyrockets if he continually plays SS, which would make him a must start every week once he's up for good. However if he stays at 3b for wherever he goes, then he'll end up being a low end 3b, with potential to be a solid tier-2 3b for years to come. I've always compared him to Troy Glaus of later years (265-270ish hitter with 30 homer and 90-110 RBI potential guys that compare to him right now --Adrian Beltre, Mark Reynolds). Remember, Troy can adequately play both SS and 3b. What you need to worry about is he's the ultimate risk/reward guy. If he qualifies send him down til he gets his chance to stick, for good.

Reimold is up and playing right now you can use him while he's getting ABs. Personally, how many do you wish to drop?

[Chatrain57]

Ok, need a bit of clarification here before I can give you a proper answer. Is this a keeper league or a 1 year league, because my analysis is going to differ quite a bit.

[eric31216]

oh yeah i forgot to clarify. its a keeper league. i can keep 2-3 of those players listed above (the exact number hasnt been decided yet)

[Chatrain57]

Ok, since it's a keeper, that makes it easier. I'd say that your 3 keepers are LaPorta, Wood, and Riemold.

LaPorta - I think that he might get shuffled a bit back and forth between the big club this season, but, like the previous poster mentioned, the kid can rake. I'm thinking along the lines of a Brad Hawpe with more power. He'll hit in the .260-270 range with 30+ bombs if he can stick with the big club for a full year. That's a big if though with the Tribe being stuck with Hafner for the next 2 (?) years. I don't think that LaPorta fits well anywhere but 1st or as a DH, and I just don't see him getting the chance to do that this season for Cleveland.

Brandon Wood - I think that the previous poster hit the nail right on the head comparing him to Glaus. I think that he is in the same boat as LaPorta with the call up-send down problem, but I think that with Anaheim's lack of offense eventually they'll have no choice but to give him an everyday spot, be it 3rd or short. His production at what is arguably one of the thinnest positions in baseball makes him a fantasy stud when/if he ever gets a chance to stick. Thereby making him almost a no-doubter as a keeper.

Nolan Riemold - His having an everyday starting spot pretty much locked up makes him valuable this year already, not to mention the fact that the kid is playing for a solid young offensive team and he'll get plenty of opps. to prove himself, and I see good things for him. What I'm seeing him become is almost like his teammate Nick Markakis. Decent average, decent power, a guy who really doesn't do anything spectacular, but flies under the radar and helps across the board.

Jake Fox - I've seen plenty of Jake Fox and heard everything that the hype machine can say about this guy, so here's my honest opinion of Jake Fox... He's at best a decent DH. He can't field to save his life, he murders mediocre AAA pitching, but has no clue when going against guys that can change speeds against him or guys that throw breaking stuff with good movement. Unless you see him get traded to an AL team that is in DIRE need of a DH, I'd definitely cut him loose. I see no chance of the Cubs putting him at 3rd, since he's such a defensive liability at every position, and plays the OF like Adam Dunn with two broken ankles and an eyepatch over one eye. Basically the whole reason (IMO) that the Cubs brought him up was to appease the fans that see him slaughtering minor league pitchers. Sure, he can help for interleague games, but other than that, I honestly can't see the Cubs fitting him in anywhere.

Fernando Martinez - In all honesty, I don't know much about him, simply because I haven't scouted him much since I didn't project hearing much about him for at least a year or two. I can't tell you to keep him around. He does project to be one of the best OF'ers in the NL, but 3-4 years from now. I think that he's way too green, and really feel that the Mets just want to get a look at him with all the injuries they have. This way they can get a first hand look at the holes in his game, and get him to work on them when they send him back down. I think that he'll be solid, but not for a few more years.