May
6
2012
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Fantasy 40/40: Random Music Video: Beastie Boys – “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”

RIP Adam Yauch aka MCA.

Apr
25
2012
Kitchen Drawer By Tito | 1 comment

Fantasy 40/40: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not: Pitcher’s Edition

Who’s Hot

  • Yu Darvish SP TEX – After a couple starts and some eased nerves, Yu has begun to pitch like the Rangers thought he would.  He just shut down the Yankees at home over 8.1 INN on Tuesday night and has gotten better with every start.
  • Jake Peavy SP CHW – He’s looked like the ace of old, sporting a 3-0 record with 26 K in 28.2 INN.
  • Gio Gonzalez SP WAS - After giving up four earned runs in his first start, Gio has now gone three starts without giving up a run.  He’s 2-0 after shutting down the Padres yesterday and has posted at least six strikeouts in each of his four starts.
  • Tommy Milone SP OAK – One of the players traded for Gonzalez, Milone has surprised some out in Oakand, winning three of his first four starts.  He’s also got a 2.00 ERA after his first four outings to go with a sub-1.00 WHIP.
  • Lance Lynn SP STL – With Chris Carpenter on the sideline, Lynn has stepped up and delivered for the defending World Champions.  With a win on Wednesday afternoon, Lynn is now 4-0 with 24 K in 27 INN.

Who’s Not

  • Francisco Liriano SP MIN – Had a great Spring and had everyone fooled.  He was just skipped in rotation.  Sorry.
  • Jair Jurrjens SP ATL – He gave up 30 hits and 10 BB in 16.1 INN and will have to work his stuff out in AAA.  He’s being dropped in mixed leagues, sit tight in NL only’s.
  • Brian Matusz SP BAL – The Baltimore prospect has allowed at least 10 baserunners in each of his first three starts and has yet to complete six innings of work.
  • Josh Collmenter SP ARI – Just waiting for Corbin, Bauer and Skaggs.
  • Ervin Santana SP LAA – He’s lost his first four starts and is rocking a 7.23 ERA and 1.52 WHIP.  Luckily for him, there’s some other guy in Anaheim who hasn’t been producing as well.
Apr
24
2012
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Fantasy 40/40: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not: Hitter’s Edition

Who’s Hot

  • Matt Kemp OF LAD – Before games today, Beastmode was .460-9-22-18-1. Why isn’t he stealing more?
  • Josh Hamilton OF TEX – Contract year and he’s looking to get paid – straight cash, homie.  He’s no slouch either, hitting .409-8-18-16-1 to begin 2013.
  • Derek Jeter SS NYY – DJ is looking like he’s 27, not 37.  Dude is batting .411 with 4 HR already and is on pace to score 141 R.  Probably not gonna happen, but you get the idea.
  • Freddie Freeman 1B ATL - He’s batting .481 over the last seven days with 3 HR and 14 runs driven in.  After a slow start and a move in the batting order, Freeman has started to turn it on and is a nice play in standard mixed leagues.
  • Mike Napoli C/1B TEX – Napoli has always been a favorite of mine until recently.  Why? ‘Cause everyone knows about him now.  His best value came late when no one knew who he was.  I let him slide by in the 5th round of drafts now and see him hit HR after HR – 6 HR to start the season, BA back down to where most believe it will stay.

Who’s Not

  • Alfonso Soriano OF CHC – The aging leftfielder is 1 for his last 23 and is batting just .200 on the year.  If there is a plus side, he does have 9 RBIs.
  • Ian Stewart 3B CHC – The replacement for Aramis Ramirez has struggled at the hot corner, failing to reach the Mendoza line after 56 ABs (.196).
  • Mark Reynolds 3B BAL – He’s batting a buck twenty-five so far (4-for-46) with 22 strikeouts in 48 AB.
  • Marlon Byrd OF BOS – The ex-Cubbie looks to regain form with his new team and add to his 4-for-47 start so far.  With the better offense, Byrd could be a buy low candidate.
  • Ryan Raburn 2B/OF DET – A sleeper for many back in March, Raburn has been slow out of the box, gaining just one hit in his last 29 ABs.  No HR, no RBI and just 3 runs scored.
Apr
11
2012
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Fantasy 40/40: FSIC League Draft Recap: NL ONLY

This is my second year in the FSIC League.  After finishing 10th out of 12th last season, I’m looking to improve and land somewhere in the Top 5.  It can remain unsaid, but I want to win this thing.  I learned some stuff last year about how these type of leagues work, and hopefully, I came away this year prepared to compete for a title.  I think I have what they call “a puncher’s chance.”

  • C – D. Mesoraco CIN
  • 1B - A. Huff SF
  • 2B – D. Uggla ATL
  • 3B – D. Wright NYM
  • SS – T. Tulowitzki SS
  • MI – A. Hill ARI
  • CI - C. Johnson HOU
  • OF – L. Duda NYM
  • OF – J. Heyward ATL
  • OF – J. Jay STL
  • OF – C. Maybin SD
  • OF – J. Schafer HOU
  • U – M. Ellis LAD
  • P – E. Bedard PIT
  • P – J. Cueto CIN
  • P - G. Gonzalez WAS
  • P – P. Maholm CHC
  • P – C. Morton PIT
  • P – S. Romo SF
  • P – S. Strasburg WAS
  • P – H. Street SD
  • P – R. Wolf MIL
  • RES – W. Bloomquist ARI
  • RES – T. Colvin COL
  • RES – J. Lannan WAS
  • RES – B. Jackson CHI
  • RES – E. Young Jr. COL

I have since dropped Colvin and Lannan and picked up Pelfrey and Happ for some pitching depth.  I only came away with one closer in Street so I will attempt to grab saves on the waiver wire throughout the season.

I took Tulo, Uggla and Wright with my first three picks.  I also took pitching a little earlier than I normally would.  After last season, I noticed you can’t win without it.  You also can’t trade for it since trades are few and far between.

I took upside in the outfield with Heyward, Duda, Jay and Schafer.  Also, Schafer along with Maybin, Bloomquist and Young Jr. give me some speed.  Overall, I think my team is balenced and has a shot.  What do you think?

Mar
29
2012
Catcher, Rankings By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: My Top 20 Catchers

Here are my rankings for the catcher position in fantasy year 2012.  Don’t feel the need to draft a backstop early in drafts this season, it’s pretty deep unless you’re in a two-catcher league.

  1. Carlos Santana CLE – Takes over the top spot this season with his breakout year in 2011.  He also qualifies at 1B, giving him some positional flexibility and giving you options throughout the fantasy season.
  2. Brian McCann ATL
  3. Mike Napoli TEX – His power is legit.  The average is not.  Expect a BA correction to something under .300.
  4. Matt Wieters BAL
  5. Buster Posey SF - Saw him play this spring.  The injury seems like a thing of the past and he looks just fine.  He has the potential to be a Top 2 catcher in 2012.
  6. Joe Mauer MIN – Could be a bargain in the middle to late rounds of drafts.  Should also see time at 1B and possibly OF.
  7. Miguel Montero ARI - Looking for Yadier money with his new extention, Montero could be inline for quite a contract season.
  8. Alex Avila DET
  9. Wilson Ramos WAS
  10. JP Arencibia TOR
  11. Yadier Molina STL
  12. Geovany Soto CHC – I buy on Soto every year and every year I wonder why.
  13. Kurt Suzuki OAK
  14. Jared Saltalamachia BOS
  15. Russell Martin NYY – Still plays in a great ballpark and hits in a great lineup.
  16. Devin Mesoraco CIN
  17. Jonathan LuCroy MIL
  18. Ryan Doumit MIN
  19. Chris Iannetta LAA – Hoping a change of scenery could make a change in his game.
  20. John Buck MIA

*Jesus Montero would probably fall between 8-11, but he only qualifies at DH.  He should get eligibility rather quickly, whether you’re in a 1-game, 5-game or 10-game league – figure late “May-ish.”

Mar
24
2012
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Fantasy 40/40: Random Movie Clip: The Sandlot

“You play ball like a girl!”  Snap.

Mar
23
2012
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Fantasy 40/40: 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: My Top 100 Overall

I’ve made minor tweaks with it here and there, but this is my Top 100 so far.  Due to change tomorrow.

  1. Miguel Cabrera
  2. Albert Pujols
  3. Matt Kemp
  4. Ryan Braun
  5. Jose Bautista
  6. Troy Tulowitzki
  7. Evan Longoria
  8. Joey Votto
  9. Justin Upton
  10. Jacoby Ellsbury
  11. Robinson Cano
  12. Adrian Gonzalez
  13. Carlos Gonzalez
  14. Jose Reyes
  15. Prince Fielder
  16. Hanley Ramirez
  17. Dustin Pedroia
  18. Andrew McCutchen
  19. Ian Kinsler
  20. Curtis Granderson
  21. Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton
  22. Roy Halladay
  23. Justin Verlander
  24. Clayton Kershaw
  25. David Wright
  26. Adrian Beltre
  27. Cliff Lee
  28. Felix Hernandez
  29. Tim Lincecum
  30. Jered Weaver
  31. Cole Hamels
  32. Jay Bruce
  33. CC Sabathia
  34. Dan Haren
  35. Pablo Sandoval
  36. Dan Uggla
  37. Hunter Pence
  38. Nelson Cruz
  39. Josh Hamilton
  40. Ryan Zimmerman
  41. Carlos Santana
  42. Jon Lester
  43. Paul Konerko
  44. Matt Holliday
  45. Matt Cain
  46. Elvis Andrus
  47. Michael Bourn
  48. Brandon Phillips
  49. Starlin Castro
  50. Shane Victorino
  51. Zack Greinke
  52. Eric Hosmer
  53. Jimmy Rollins
  54. Aramis Ramirez
  55. Ben Zobrist
  56. David Price
  57. Yovani Gallardo
  58. Asdrubal Cabrera
  59. Alex Gordon
  60. Alex Rodriguez
  61. James Shields
  62. Brian McCann
  63. Drew Stubbs
  64. Lance Berkman
  65. David Ortiz
  66. Mike Napoli
  67. Michael Morse
  68. B.J. Upton
  69. Ian Kennedy
  70. Adam Jones
  71. Desmond Jennings
  72. Craig Kimbrel
  73. C.J. Wilson
  74. Kevin Youkilis
  75. Chase Utley
  76. Rickie Weeks
  77. Shin Soo Choo
  78. Brett Lawrie
  79. Carl Crawford
  80. Chris Young
  81. Corey Hart
  82. Michael Young
  83. Brett Gardner
  84. Mariano Rivera
  85. Matt Moore
  86. Logan Morrison
  87. Jason Heyward
  88. Stephen Strasburg
  89. Chris Carpenter
  90. Alexei Ramirez
  91. Matt Wieters
  92. Howie Kendrick
  93. Carlos Beltran
  94. Jayson Werth
  95. Madison Bumgarner
  96. Ichiro Suzuki
  97. Billy Butler
  98. Ricky Romero
  99. Daniel Hudson
  100. Michael Cuddyer
Mar
2
2012
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Fantasy 40/40: 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 20 Overall

I’ve recently listed my Top 10 overall for 2012.  Note: Ryan Braun has been added my Top 10, so, technically, all these guys move down one slot.  So here’s my 12-21.

  • 12. Adrian Gonzalez 1B, BOS. I don’t know if the power drop-off was due to his shoulder issues or adapting to an easy, giant, left field target.  Would you rather have .280 and 40?  Or .330 and 30?  Could be .280 and 30.  Could be .330 and 40.  Scary.
  • 13. Carlos Gonzalez OF, COL. I really wanted to put him into my Top 10.  But…  With his injury history and style of  play, like Kinsler, I need to see him on the field all the time.  That being said, he was 26/20 last season and will only get better.
  • 14. Jose Reyes SS, MIA. Jose took his talents to South Beach this winter to become the Marlins new shortstop and win not five, not six, not seven World Series’ rings.  If he stays healthy all year, Jose could be a Top 10 player, leading off for Hanley, Gaby, Stanton and Morrison.
  • 15. Dustin Pedroia 2B, BOS. After a slow start in 2011, this former Sun Devil turned it on and finished 21/26.  He’s a grinder, plays hard and will finish with the numbers.
  • 16. Prince Fielder 1B, DET. Got paid this off-season and now calls Detroit his new home.  With Fielder playing Goose to Miggy’s Maverick, Prince should feel right at home.  Bigger ballpark?  Yadi, yadi, yada.  I still see at least 37 HR and 100 RBI.
  • 17. Andrew McCutchen OF, PIT. A player getting better and better, McCutchen has the five-category potential fantasy owners crave.  A bit of a stalled season in 2011, fantasy owners could expect a decent jump in numbers this year.  He could bat .300, but .280 is more like it.  Add 20/20, shake and drink.
  • 18. Ian Kinsler 2B, TEX. I would rank him in the Top 10 every year if he could just stay healthy.  He did in 2011 and came up with 32/30.
  • 19. Curtis Granderson OF, NYY. “The Grandy Man Can!” Can’t stand the announcing, just think it’s stupid funny.  Granderson’s 41/25 last season was stupid good and fantasy gold, helping owners to league championships (thank you).  Past seasons’ numbers in Detroit are hard to compare due to shift in ballparks and change in swing – the 30/20 club should be a real possibility again.
  • 20. Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton OF, MIA. Like McCutchen, upside has something to do with this ranking.  He’s a man-child and has huge potential.  He should hit at least 30 HR.  40?  Not sure he gets to 50 quite yet….  To the more important stuff, he’s the tits.  Dude changes his name like Diddy when he feels like it.
  • 21. Hanley Ramirez SS, MIA. He’ll gain 3B shortly after the year starts and should benefit from the arrival of Jose Reyes.  I’m not so sure he’s happy playing third, not so sure how this plays out.  If Ozzie can help focus his thoughts, Hanley could be in for a monster comeback season.
Feb
22
2012
Kitchen Drawer By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: 2012 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 10 Overall

This is my Top 10 for 2012.  It’s changed about thirty-six times.  And I’m sure it will change again before I start drafting.

  1. Miguel Cabrera 1B, DET.  After the signing of Prince Fielder, I wanted to move Cabrera into the top spot surpassing King Albert.  Cabrera has been a model of consistency, is in his prime and will add 3B to his eligibility.
  2. Albert Pujols 1B, LAA.  It was close, but Albert has given up his throne this season to the younger slugger (32 to 29).  He’s still locked in for .300-35-100-100 which should be his floor, but I think Miggy’s BA is the difference.
  3. Jose Bautista 3B/OF, TOR.  I almost had Kemp here, but Joey Bats isn’t a fluke and his 40 HRs are legit.  He also qualifies at a shallow 3B and position scarcity and flexibility apply here.
  4. Matt Kemp OF, LAD.  So close.  The 40/40 club almost had another member last season as Kemp fell one HR short.  These are the types of players I crave in the fantasy world and will look to draft come gameday.
  5. Troy Tulowitzki SS, COL.  I could make the argument for him to be as high as #3 overall.  Shortstops are slim this season and he’s the best out there.  I can pencil in Hanley to make a comeback in Miami, but I can pencil pen Tulo for .300-28-100-80-5.
  6. Joey Votto 1B, CIN.  I know the first base position has a decent amount of options.  But, Votto is a MVP player that is only getting better.  Some have Adrian Gonzalez higher, but I see double-digit stolen bases.
  7. Justin Upton OF, ARI.  This guy has the ability to make the Matt Kemp/Jacoby Ellsbury  jump this season.  Could make a run at the NL MVP.
  8. Robinson Cano 2B, NYY.  I almost had him at #6, had him at #7.  Cano is the best second baseman in the game and promises you over 600 ABs every year.
  9. Evan Longoria 3B, TB.  Longo is due for another video game-type season.  His BABIP last year was terrible (.239) for a guy who has a career .299 BABIP at the Major League level.  He’s at that age, 26, where it all starts to click.  Watch out.
  10. Jacoby Ellsbury OF, BOS.  Was a fantasy superstar in 2011 and looks to maintain his wicked numbers in ‘12.  Won’t go 32/39 again, but 20/40 could be possible.
Feb
22
2012
Videos By Tito | No comments yet

Fantasy 40/40: Random Music Video: Eminem – “Without Me”

Guess who’s back?

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