2011 Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Back Off the Lidge, It Was Only Opening Day

The weather is getting nicer outside, and Opening Day came and went with six games that each had interesting endings.

We had studs like Mariano Rivera and Heath Bell shutting the door on their opponents, and John Axford and Ryan Franklin looking just a bit shaky.

Let’s take a look at the news we missed in the preseason edition and then dive into Opening Day.

 

Quick News

Shortly after the preseason edition of this column went live, it was announced that Neftali Feliz will be the closer for the Texas Rangers to begin the season.

The certainty that he is the closer for this team moves him into my top five closers and if you’re drafting this weekend, he’s absolutely worth taking at the right value.

The consensus is that he will be set up by Mark Lowe pitching the eighth and in deep leagues that count holds, he might be worth a look. 

The Phillies shut down Brad Lidge with shoulder pain during the final few days of spring training and they expect him to be out 3-6 weeks. Jose Contreras has been named the fill-in over younger Ryan Madson while Lidge is out.

If Lidge is on your team, hopefully you have gone out and gotten Contreras to fill that hole while Lidge is on the DL.

Previously, there was just speculation about Andrew Bailey and Brian Wilson, but now it is confirmed that both California closers will start this season on the 15-day DL. 

Wilson is eligible to come of the DL April 5 and will likely take over as soon as he gets back to full health; until then, Sergio Romo will likely fill in at the closer role. 

Bailey will also be available on the April 5, but the Athletics may take a little extra time bringing back their young closer, especially with an experienced veteran like Brian Fuentes in the bullpen able to close games.

If you need quick saves for a week, I like Romo more than Fuentes while their counterparts are out.

Finally, Frank Francisco will start the season on the DL for the Blue Jays and Jon Rauch will be the closer to start the year. Rauch is the best option in the bullpen while Francisco is gone and could regain the job if Francisco struggles in his comeback.

 

Opening Day Games 

In the first game of the day, C.C. Sabathia and Justin Verlander both went six innings and neither got a decision, leaving the ballgame to their respective bullpens.

Joba Chamberlain pitched a clean top of the seventh and Phil Coke could not do the same in the bottom of the inning, giving the win to Chamberlain.

The Yankees used Rafael Soriano in the eighth and earned a hold and will be a great guy in holds leagues. Mariano Rivera came in and shut the door like he does so well and got his first save of the season.

None of these sentences are particularly surprising and this will likely be consistent for the Yankees, barring any injuries.

Craig Kimbrel got the first shot in the committee in Atlanta and finished the job in a 2-0 win over the Nationals, striking out two in the process. Jonny Venters pitched the eighth and earned a hold, keeping the Nationals hitless.

If you were to draft this weekend and you wanted a Braves closer, I’m leaning harder toward Kimbrel being the better guy for the year, but I still believe it’s a committee. If the Braves go a couple weeks and Kimbrel pitches every time he’s available, then the job is his and Venters owners can go ahead and release him. 

The first blown save of the year belongs to John Axford and his awful mustache of the Brewers as the Reds scored four runs in bottom of the ninth to beat the Brewers 7-6. Takashi Saito pitched an ugly, but scoreless eighth inning and would likely get the first save chance in the bullpen if Axford were to struggle.

I believe Axford has a bit of leash but as a young guy, if he were to blow three in a row, maybe Saito gets the next chance. 

Fernando Rodney closed a two run game against the Royals in the afternoon game, despite giving up a hit and a walk. I have a hard time believing in Rodney coming into the year and the Angels are high on Jordan Walden, but want to ease him into a setup role behind Rodney.

I believe Walden will settle into the eighth inning role and possibly a chance at saves when Rodney is not available.

We got bonus baseball and a second blown save in the win by the Padres over the Cardinals, 5-3. The Padres were helped by a blown save by Ryan Franklin and a poorly timed error by Ryan Theriot.

I’m not worried about Franklin for now, but Jason Motte is the guy in the shadows in case Franklin really struggles. Heath Bell closed the door in the 11th for his first save of the year. 

And finally, as much as I was hoping to get a look at Sergio Romo, the Dodgers beat the Giants 2-1 and Jonathan Broxton got the ugly save. Broxton gave up a home run to Pat Burrell, but gave up no other hits and walked none.

Broxton looked slimmed down in appearance in comparison to last year, which may help his stamina. Hong-Chih Kuo got a hold and may be the king of the holds this year just like he was last year.

 

Written by Jim Dingeman exclusively forwww.thefantasyfix.com

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2011 National League East Pitching Preview: Cliff Lee and the Phillies

In preparation for the 2011 MLB Fantasy Baseball season, The Fantasy Fix team will preview a team’s pitching rotation each day. Tyler starts the series with the National League East’s Philadelphia Phillies.

The Fantastic Four have come together to defeat the evil competition in the NL East.

In 2009, we saw the first glimpse of Cliff “Mr. Fantastic” Lee. He made 12 starts going 7-4 with 79.2 IP, a 3.39 ERA and struck out 74 during his successful stretch with the Phillies. Lee was this offseason’s most coveted free agent, and stunned the baseball universe with his decision. However, getting a taste of World Series savor with the Texas Rangers, Lee now joins the rest of his super hero friends in the City of Brotherly Love to try yet again to win it all.

Last year, Mr. Lee won 12 games in 28 starts while posting a 3.19 ERA, striking out 185 and walking only 18 batters in 212 innings. In 2011, Lee should see an increase in wins with all the same stuff: many strikeouts, few walks and a solid ERA in the low to mid three’s.

Beginning with opening day, Cliff will find himself in the midst of a friendly competition with superhero friend Roy “The Thing” Halladay as they dual it out for the title of ace of the rotation.

In his first year in Philly, Roy “The Thing” Halladay used his super-human arm and strength to take down any hitter in his sight. Five complete game shutouts, one perfect game, a no hitter in his first postseason start and a Cy Young to cap it off, Halladay was easily baseball’s top pitcher in 2010.

As 2011 approaches, there is no reason for him to lose his title as the games best arm. His health is no longer a concern as he is about to enter his sixth straight season of 30+ starts. Despite allowing 24 home runs last year, we can say the hitters’ advantage at Citizens Bank Park is not a major liability. Halladay posted a stellar 2.44 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

Cick Here To Continue Reading>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Fantasy Baseball Fallout: Cliff Lee Is All About The Brotherly Love!

Let me just start by saying that I do not want to be writing this article. 

Not just because Cliff Lee did not sign with my Rangers, but because of the way it went down.  Throughout the whole process Ranger fans were led to believe Lee might stay in Texas and take (slightly) less money than what the Yankees were offering because he liked his time in Texas.  In the end he takes substantially less money in order to play in a place he likes, and that place is not Texas.  He did not take the money, and he did not pick us.  That sucks.  Now that I am done editorializing, maybe we should move on to the fantasy impact.

Ultimately, is there a significant fantasy impact of Lee going back to Philadelphia?  We are talking about a guy who has posted stud-caliber numbers in four different cities over the past three years.  His ERA was somewhat higher in his stops at hitter’s parks (3.39 in Philly, 3.98 in Texas), but his strikeout rate was consistently around seven to eight K/9, and his walk rate was consistently around one walk per nine innings or lower.  That is not going to change wherever he pitches.  

So we are talking about strikeouts and WHIP remaining relatively similar and a probable uptick in ERA which should be offset by an increased number of wins thanks to a solid Philly lineup.

The point is this: Continue Reading>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Ryan Howard To the DL: Fantasy Options

While 2010 has been the year of the pitcher, it’s also becoming the year of the injury. The Philadelphia Phillies placed slugging giant Ryan Howard on the DL today to the dismay of many fantasy baseball owners.

He joins the ever growing list of injured All-Stars including teammate Chase Utley, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Troy Tulowitzski, Ian Kinsler, Justin Morneau and Jason Bay to name a few (trust me there’s plenty more).

Although scans were negative on his ankle, he will still be out for at least two weeks. So who do you pick up to pick up the slack? Lets take a look…

Begin Slideshow

Done Deal, Roy Oswalt Completes Three-Headed Monster in Philly!

Its official! Roy Oswalt is now a Philly. Oswalt waived his no-trade clause to join the red-hot Phillies and hopefully win the National League East (insert Boos from Braves & Mets fans). Oh yeah he’s also getting $31 milion in small unmarked bills, I hear.

The Astros receive J.A. Happ who just came back from the DL. They also get two minor leaguers—Anthony Gose (OF) and Jonathan Villan (SS).

In terms of fantasy value, Oswalt will now receive a hell of a lot more run support which will equate to more wins. For the year, Oswalt had eight losses with three or less earned runs.

Joining a winning team is exactly what Roy wanted and his chances of winning a ring with the Phillies has increased a thousand times over the Astros. Oswalt, Halladay, and Hamels are now the Miami Heat of the Northeast.

Written by Evan Marx exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com

Written by Evan Marxexclusively for TheFantasyFix.com .  You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter @fantasyfix_evan .  

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MLB Rumor: Roy Oswalt To Philadelphia Phillies Awaits His Signature

According to Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston , the Astros and Phillies have agreed in principle to a trade that would send Roy Oswalt to Philadelphia. 

Berman’s sources report that all players and money that would be exchanged have been agreed on, but both teams await Oswalt to waive his no-trade clause.

Oswalt is scheduled to take the mound for the Astros this Friday. 

Trade details and fantasy baseball spin to follow.

Follow us on Twitter for more updates @TheFantasyFix.

 

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Brotherly Love for Philly Phenom Domonic Brown?

The time has come again as yet another phenom is set to introduce himself to the baseball world. Outfield super-prospect Domonic Brown will finally get his long awaited opportunity to shine in the City of Brotherly Love.

His promotion to the big club does not yet signal a changing of the guard, but rather a move necessitated by injury. Starting center fielder Shane Victorino landed on the 15-day DL earlier today with an abdominal strain.

Despite getting the call, the injury to Victorino could easily be viewed as detrimental for Brown. The trading of outfielder Jayson Werth is now a near impossibility, which in turn means Brown’s major league stint is likely to be short-lived. When Victorino returns, the same trio of experienced outfielders will be blocking his path to regular at bats. Raul Ibanez has picked up the slack in July hitting .325 with 12 RBI, and despite hitting only .241 since June 1st, Shane Victorino and bench will never be synonymous.

But let’s not overlook one all-important possibility: Domonic Brown blowing away the Phillies brass with his exceptional talent and dynamic play on the field. If he hits .400 with a couple of bombs, steals some bags and re-energizes the club, sending him back to Lehigh Valley sure won’t be easy. GM Ruben Amaro would be put in an unenviable spot with that decision on his hands, and it’s not implausible to think he’ll have to face that decision head on.  

Brown, the number one rated prospect according to Baseball America, was originally the 607th selection in the 20th round of the 2006 amateur draft. The Phillies took a flyer on Brown’s raw potential, and are about to be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams back in ’06. You reap what you sow, and the Phils earned it with great scouting work.  

The definition of a tools player, Brown can impact the game and fantasy lineups, in a multitude of ways. He can hit for average, batting at least .291 in his last four minor league seasons. He’s taken it up a notch in AAA, batting .346 in 28 games. He gets on base, having drawing 37 BB in 2010 for a .391 OBP. He can run, stealing 22 bases in ’08, 23 in ’09 and 17 thus far in ’10. At 6’5″, he continues to grow into his frame and develop his power stroke. Prior to this year his previous season high for HR was 14. Through 93 games in ’10, he’s hit 20. His previous season high for RBI was 64. He’s already knocked in 68 runs in ‘10.

Dynasty league owners know that the “Total Package” has long since been stashed away. But Brown is still available in a decent number of straight keeper leagues, and owned in less than 50 percent of re-draft leagues. While his major league timetable in 2010 is a relative unknown, the risk is certainly worth the reward. Worst case scenario: two weeks of an ultra-talented player in a loaded lineup. Best case scenario: he tears the cover off the ball and forces the Phillies hand. While the latter is an unlikely outcome, when talking about a skilled athlete like Brown, nothing is out of the question.

Update: Brown went 2-3, with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs in his debut.

Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com.  Adam writes like most people breathe… effortlessly. The Fantasy Fix salutes him!

Think Domonic Brown will force the Phils hand?
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