Posted on September 16, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
FAAB Acquisition:
Up:
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Notes:
Posted on July 1, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Sean Marshall has lost both of his starts since joining the Cubs rotation, but has 13 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Marshall’s time in the Cubs rotation is about to end as Carlos Zambrano (shoulder) is ready to come off the DL as early as Friday. When active, Marshall is primarily a NL-only Fantasy SP. (CBS Sports)
Carlos Ruiz has struggled to hit left-handed pitching throughout his career. Last season, Ruiz batted .189 against left-handers, and after going 0-for-3 Tuesday night against Red Sox LHP Jon Lester, he is batting only .194 against lefties this season. “Chooch has to get better on lefties,” said manager Charlie Manuel, who could start to use backup C Chris Coste more often against left-handers. Ruiz has been a bust for Fantasy owners and nothing more than an NL-only option at this point. Coste can mash when he plays, so consider him the better option between the two in deeper Rotisserie formats. (CBS Sports)
Posted on July 1, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
FAAB Acquisitions:
Up:
Down:
Cut:
Posted on June 14, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Carlos Ruiz went 4-for-6 with two doubles and four RBI in Friday’s rout of the Cardinals. Everyone hit for the Phillies tonight, so this probably won’t make a big difference as Ruiz tries to regain some of the at-bats he’s lost to Chris Coste. He raised his average from .217 to .235. (Rotoworld)
Posted on June 12, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Since May 13, Chris Coste has started 14 times behind the plate compared to 12 for Carlos Ruiz.
Coste is batting .313 while Ruiz is at .226, so the depth chart lines have been blurred. “Right now, Coste is swinging the bat better than Chooch,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “I still look at Chooch as our regular catcher, but at the same time, when Coste is playing good, that earns more playing time. Chooch has to improve on lefthanded pitchers. He doesn’t hit lefties.” (Rotoworld)
However, Coste was not available for the Phillies on Wednesday after flying home to be with his wife who was in labor with their second child, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. Coste could miss a few games but will return to his platoon role with Carlos Ruiz upon his return. (Rotowire)
Posted on May 4, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Phillies C Carlos Ruiz finally hit his first home run of the season Sunday against the Giants and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With his team trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Ruiz parked a one-out homer off Vinnie Chulk over the left field wall to tie the game. Philadelphia would go on to win 6-5. Ruiz hasn’t been much of a hitter in 2008 (.203) and perhaps a clutch hit like on Sunday will get him going at the plate. Ruiz is nothing more than a No. 2 Fantasy catcher in deeper mixed leagues until he finds a consistent stroke at the plate. (CBS Sports)
Posted on April 22, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Phillies C Carlos Ruiz, riding the pine the last couple days as Chris Coste started instead, returned to the lineup Monday at Colorado. He ripped a two-run double in the eighth inning, finishing 1-for-4. He now has three hits in his last nine at-bats. Ruiz is hitting only .212 and looks like he’s in a pretty even split with Coste for the time being. Not like he had serious upside in the first place. You should probably leave him for NL-only leagues. (CBS Sports)
Posted on April 7, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Carlos Ruiz started his fifth game of the season on Monday and went 0-for-3 against the Reds. Given that there isn’t much upside in backup Chris Coste, Ruiz should get the opportunity to play five times a week for most of the season unless the Phillies bring in a more capable veteran to split time with Ruiz at some point down the road. He’ll hit eighth for most of the season, but Ruiz has a lot of big bats setting the table in front of him and he’s a good early season buy-low candidate. (Rotowire)
Posted on April 7, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Phillies C Carlos Ruiz doubled in four at-bats during Sunday’s game against the Reds. He also scored after hitting his second double of the season. Ruiz has just three hits in his first 16 plate appearances for a .188 average. Here we go again with Ruiz. His inconsistency at the dish is going to drive Fantasy owners crazy. But since he calls a hitter’s park home and plays in a very potent lineup, he still remains a decent No. 2 Fantasy catcher. (CBS Sports)
Posted on April 2, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Phillies C Carlos Ruiz collected a double in the season opener Monday against the Nationals. He finished 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Ruiz was inconsistent at the plate last season, as you would expect from a catcher in just his first full year in the majors. But he calls Citizens Bank Park home, and he has shown enough promise to warrant use as a No. 2 catcher in all mixed Fantasy formats. (CBS Sports)
Posted on January 14, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Dear ESPN Answer Guys,
Protected List due Feb 1st. 10-team, NL only, 5×5 league.
I can protect three of the following:
C - Carlos Ruiz $2
C - Ronny Paulino $5
SP - John Maine $5
SP - Chuck James $5
Considerations:
Ruiz and Maine seem to be the top two here. I was leaning towards James, but now Paulino’s getting attention in mock drafts. SP-wise, I am also keeping Brandon Webb and Tim Lincecum, and relievers Brian Wilson and Brandon Lyon (in case he gets saves). IF and OF are solid and set.
Thanks for your help!
Answer Guys:
I agree with keeping Ruiz and Maine. James is an ok pitcher but his extreme fly ball tendency makes him prone to allowing a lot of HR, too many to ever be anything more than a decent fantasy starter. Ruiz will be starting and should put up good number this season. Paulino is no bargain at $5.
Shawn (CDub)
Posted on January 14, 2008 by Andrew Flynn
Here’s Part III of my 2008 Protect List rundown, looking at the third likely group of protections - “The Probables”. This group consists of players that are probably going to be protected, having a decent value, but they’re not star caliber, and casual fans might not be sure of who they are, exactly, but Rotisserie players will nod in appreciation. Still, each requires a justification.
The Probables: