Atomic RoadRunners

FAAB Acquisitions:

• 1B Brandon Belt, AA Giants – ($3 bid) Reserve
• OF Trayvon Robinson, AA Dodgers – ($2 bid) Reserve

Up:

• SS Cristian Guzman
• OF Roger Bernadina (to UT)
• SP Edinson Volquez

Down:

• SS Jonathan Herrera
• 3B Casey Blake (from UT)
• SP Ian Kennedy

Cut:

• SP Chris Volstad
• SP John Ely

Notes:

• Volquez made his debut on Saturday night in his return from Tommy John surgery, going 6 innings, with 1 earned run, 3 hits, 2 walks, and 9 strikeouts over 96 pitches against the Rockies.  I’d say he’s back, but he may have some wildness.
• I bid $16 for new Atlanta SS Alex Gonzalez.  The bidding was as follows: $100 Cover Zero, $79 Misogynistic Padres, $53 X-Men, $16 AaRr.  I should have known beforehand, as Steve was making Gonzalez available prior to the FAAB run ($100 max bid + last place= no tie-breakers)
• Belt and Robinson were signed as today was the deadline for acquiring players protectable in the minor leagues.
• Backup bids for Belt and Robinson were former Roadrunner SP Christian Friedrich and Reds SS Zach Cozart

Up:

• 3B Casey Blake (to UT)
• MI Omar Infante
• SP Ian Kennedy
• SP Madison Bumgarner
• C Chris Iannetta

Down:

• OF Roger Bernadina (from UT)
• MI Cristian Guzman
• SP Wade LeBlanc
• RP Joel Hanrahan
• C Ronny Paulino

Notes:

• Bid $8 on Reds SP Travis Wood, but was out-bid.  Bidding was $32 (Goodfellas), $11 (Get Off Kong), $8 (AaRr).
• Bid $1 on Braves minor-league SP Mike Minor.  Was obtained by Get Off Kong for $1, due to tie-break rules.
• Get Off Kong also acquired Roadrunners prospect Jordan Lyles, and had first-round draft pick Christian Friedrich as his contingency bid on Minor.  Looks like we’re reading the same sources. We’ve also both picked up Hong-Chih Kuo and Sean Marshall this season.
• There were three trades in the WBRL last week:
  • Get Off Kong acquired 1B Adam Dunn, 1B Lance Berkman, and OF Xavier Nady from Cover Zero, for former 2010 Roadrunner RP Sean Marshall, OF Chris Coghlan, and SP Matt Cain.
  • Shoeless Jews acquired OF Chris Young from Misogynistic Padres, for SP Dan Haren and OF Cody Ross.
  • Goodfellas acquired RP Huston Street, RP Andrew Cashner, and 2B Martin Prado from Misogynistic Padres, for SP Jair Jurrgens, OF Jay Bruce, 1B James Loney, SP Ricky Nolasco, and SS Yunel Escobar (who happened to be traded from Atlanta to Toronto that day).
• The original trade between Goodfellas and Misogynistic Padres was vetoed by the Commissioner (me) and four other owners also objected. That deal would have had every player list above, plus Misogynistic Padres also acquiring 2B Chase Utley and SP Hiroki Kuroda.  That’s imbalanced!

• Some discussion comments:

Tom: “I totally agree with the AARR squad…7 for 3 seems lopsided enough, but I ran the numbers and projected value (for the rest of 2010) of the 7 guys that Tim is getting is $114- Drew’s 3 guys – $44!!  Come on man!!

I think the trade needs to be reworked with some guys coming out of Drew’s end (Loney would be logocal as a start) or more active/real guys from Tim’s side being added in…otherwise I say we vote and I vote veto.”

Steve: “way unbalanced, I vote for veto”

Steve (later): “On second look, it isn’t so bad.

Drew is cashing in for next year…Jurrjens, Bruce, and Nolasco are up, Utley is hurt and $36, and Kuroda just isn’t that good.
Street is a $10 closer, Cashner is a $5 keeper, and Prado is one of the best young players in baseball and $10.

On the other hand, Tim has protected guys a lot more expensive than Utley before, and Loney and Escobar are both protectable at not much more money.  Kuroda isn’t sexy, but he’s projecting to 14 wins and an ERA under 4 with over 150 Ks for only $14.

I still say veto.”

Me: “I believe the problem with the trade is that, with possible exception of Prado vs. Escobar, every player received by Tim is, and likely will always be, better than anyone received by Drew, regardless of the length of contract. And Drew received 4 fewer “less-notables”.

Tim received a #2 and two #3 starters, plus four starting position players for a lesser 2B, a recovering closer, and a young middle-reliever.

I’m not hung up on the 7-for-3, it’s just that the 3 should have been of the ilk of Lincecum, Pujols, and a top prospect.  Drew’s proposal or not, that sort of trade is very unbalanced and not good for our league, and it’s too bad that the rest of the league feels obligated to monitor the future of Drew’s squad.

And Utley is VERY protectable at $36.”

Stan: “Rework or veto. Unless you guys want me to trade half my roster to Barry for Strasburg. Seriously, rework or veto.”

Hersh: “I can’t offer a legal opinion on this trade, because sodomy is regulated on a state level. That said, I agree that it should not go through.  Drew acquires two guys with one year left, each of whom may charitably have ten dollars of equity.  He also gets a prospect with a $5 salary, whom I guess he will keep, but I’m not sure why, other than some inexplicable pro-Cubs bias that permeates the entire league.  In exchange he gives away three solid middle-of-the-order hitters and three #2 or #3 starters. This is completely disregarding Utley (which seems a reasonable thing to do, based on salary and injury).  That’s just too much.  Even if you accept that Drew’s goal is to dump and that his expiring contracts are comparatively worthless, he should only need to trade half of this group to acquire a package of that quality.  Throwing those other guys in is unfair to Andy, Mark, and Tom, each of whom would presumably give up some keepers to get the rest of those guys.”

FAAB Acquisitions:

• RP Sam Demel, Diamondbacks ($2 bid), Add to actives
• RP Hong-Chih Kuo, Dodgers ($1 bid), Add to actives

Up:

• SS Jonathan Herrera
• SP Chris Volstad
• SP John Ely

Down:

• SS Omar Infante
• RP Drew Storen
• RP Tyler Clippard
• SP Randy Wells
• SP Ian Kennedy

Cut:

• SP Christian Friedrich (AA – Minors)
• SP Jordan Lyles (AA – Minors)

Notes:

• SP Madison Bumgarner was called up from AAA Fresno Saturday, June 26th, for his 2010 debut against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
• Hong-Chih Kuo rejoins the Roadrunners for the first time since 2007, when he helped the pitching staff as a starter in the second half.
• Kuo was originally drafted this season by Get Off Kong! (11th Round, 2010 Minor League Draft), but he was released on May 4th.
• Kuo was a second contingency FAAB selection by Cover Zero.
• The Pi Train bid $1 on Sam Demel, but was outbid by yours truly.
• Cover Zero selected former 2o1o Roadrunner Jose Contreras for $0 FAAB bid.
• Demel’s contract is for 1 year, as he came over from the Oakland A’s AAA Sacramento affiliate to the Diamondbacks in the Conor Jackson trade two weeks ago.

Clayton Kershaw fanned 10 while allowing three runs over seven innings Wednesday in a win over the Cardinals. Kershaw outdueled Adam Wainwright in the 4-3 game. All three runs came in the fourth, when he gave up a single to Aaron Miles, a walk and then a three-run homer to Ryan Ludwick. He allowed just two hits and one walk in the other six frames. After a rough start, Kershaw is now 6-3 with a 3.13 ERA. (Rotoworld)

Ian Kennedy threw seven scoreless innings on Wednesday night, giving up only three hits against the Braves. He walked five and struck out six leaving the game with a no decision. Kennedy has really excelled at home – opponents are hitting just .190 against him there this season. (Rotowire)

Marlon Byrd hit two home runs and tallied three RBI to lift the Cubs over the Brewers 9-4 on Wednesday night. Byrd has been on fire since the start of June and is entering must-own status once again for mixed leaguers. Counting tonight’s impressive performance, he’s hitting .321 with nine home runs and 34 RBI. The Cubs, though, are just 27-32 and buried in the middle of the NL Central. (Rotoworld)

Buster Posey hit his first career MLB home run on Wednesday in the Giants’ loss to the Reds. Posey’s shot traveled an estimated 439 feet, finding a final resting place in the upper deck of Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark. He’s been on a tear since his promotion and needs to be owned in all formats. (Rotoworld)

Earlier, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said that he has no intention of sending Buster Posey back to the minor leagues. “There wasn’t any intent when we brought him up that he’d go back,” said Sabean. “It helps he has two positions in his pocket. We knew he’d help the roster. Once he got here, we knew he’d help in more ways than one.” Well, duh. There was some question about where the pieces would fit if Mark DeRosa managed to make his way back from the disabled list, but he could be sidelined for the rest of the season now. Posey should naturally be owned in all formats moving forward. (Rotoworld)

Jose Tabata left Wednesday’s game with a cramp in his right hamstring. Not exactly the debut he was hoping for, we’d guess. He did finish 2-for-4 with a run scored, but may need to sit out of Thursday’s game. Tabata may have to miss a game or two as a precautionary measure, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Past hamstring issues have caused Tabata to miss time. “I feel great to be out there,” Tabata said. “But something happened in my leg.” Manager John Russell envisions Tabata as a spark plug atop Pittsburgh’s lineup. “He’s got a great approach,” Russell said. “Lays off pitches. Uses the whole field. Uses his speed. He’s going to be a big boost for our offense. We scored some runs tonight, and he was a big part of that.” (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Edinson Volquez (elbow) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Single-A Lynchburg on Saturday. Though he threw 30 pitches in extended spring training on Tuesday, Volquez hasn’t pitched in a game since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. His 50-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs expires on June 13, so provided he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, he could return sometime in July. (Rotoworld)

Madison Bumgarner was fined an undisclosed amount by the Giants for his actions during the seventh inning of Monday’s game with Triple-A Fresno. Bumgarner had to be physically restrained from an umpire after a runner was called safe on a pickoff attempt. The young left-hander hurled a baseball into center field on the way back to the dugout. Bumgarner released a statement via a Giants spokesperson on Tuesday that read: “I am a highly competitive person, but I let my emotions get the better of me. I want to apologize to the Giants organization and to the fans of Fresno and throughout baseball.” Still, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said the incident will not impact Bumgarner’s standing in the organization and that he is “real close” to earning a promotion the major leagues. (Rotoworld)

Christian Friedrich is having a rough go of it at Tulsa this year. (0-3, 40 IP, 47 H, 14 BB, 5 HR, 37 K, 4.72 ERA, 1.53 WHIP). The whiff rate is fine, but all of the other numbers are off and – unlike Kelly – Friedrich isn’t young enough to simply write all of this off due to age. He’s too much of a talent to simply write off, but if you were hoping for a contribution this year, you’re almost definitely going to be disappointed. Curiously, he’s being pounded by left-handed batters while doing OK if not great against righties. He’s not finished as a prospect, but Friedrich is going to need to turn it around soon (he’ll be 23 next month) or risk falling into the second tier. (RotoThinkTank)

Ian Kennedy tossed five scoreless innings against the Padres on Sunday but did not factor into the decision of a 5-2 Diamondbacks’ loss. Kennedy struck out an impressive seven hitters while walking three and giving up just two hits. However, he threw just 58-of-102 pitches for strikes and couldn’t make it into the sixth inning. Though he departed with a 2-0 lead, Aaron Heilman and Juan Gutierrez conspired to prevent Kennedy from getting a win. Kennedy has shown strong strikeout totals in two of his first three starts, but they both against the Padres. Kennedy threw five shutout innings against the Padres on Sunday, only to get a no-decision after the bullpen later blew the lead. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out seven. The only two hits Kennedy allowed were a ground-rule double to Everth Cabrera and a single to opposing pitcher Wade LeBlanc. But with Arizona leading the game 2-0, the bullpen allowed five runs in the seventh to give the Diamondbacks the loss. “We got ahead early, and that’s all a pitcher can ask,” Kennedy said. This was Kennedy’s best start of the year to date. In his previous start against San Diego, he allowed three runs off six hits over five innings. Looks as though he has learned from his first outing. His next start is scheduled for Saturday against Philadelphia. He is not a good candidate for Fantasy Week 3 (April 19-25) against the heavy-hitting Phillies lineup. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Ian Kennedy gave up six runs and three homers in 4 1/3 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Dodgers. Three L.A. hitters – Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake and Matt Kemp – took him deep and gone for home runs as he allowed six earned runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings and took the loss. Kennedy (0-1) also walked three and struck out two. His ERA is 8.68 after two starts to the season. The home run ball is going to be a problem for Kennedy all year long. He’ll likely have a solid WHIP and strikeout rate, but he might not be an asset in ERA or wins if he gives up 30 homers. After a stellar D-Back debut last week, Kennedy’s ERA bloomed to 8.68. There’s no need to panic, just toss him out there for his next start. Kennedy has given up nine runs and four homers in his first 9 1/3 innings but does have 10 strikeouts. Fantasy owners should recognize that a starter who can get a strikeout per inning is a big-time commodity, but you’d also like him to pitch a little better. Kennedy can be used in mixed Fantasy leagues when the matchups are right or he starts twice, but is mostly an NL-only option. He gets another start this scoring period and that comes on Sunday at San Diego. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Ian Kennedy fanned eight while allowing three runs in five innings Wednesday against the Padres. With his command and quality offspeed pitches, Kennedy should do pretty well this year when it comes to WHIP and strikeouts. However, his ERA will depend on how successful he is at keeping hitters in the yard. He was sharp tonight, but he gave up a three-run homer to Scott Hairston in the second, which left him with a 5.40 ERA and a no-decision. We’d have liked him better for this year if he was traded to a team in a bigger ballpark. (Rotoworld)

Kennedy, a former top prospect who had fallen out of favor in the Yankees organization, showed the talent that once made him so highly regarded in his season debut Thursday against the PadresAfter an impressive debut in 2007, Kennedy was a disaster for the Yankees during an injury-plagued 2008 and never really got another opportunity. But the Diamondbacks wasted no time making him a fixture in their rotation this spring, which should indicate what kind of potential they think he has. The 25-year-old likely has some growing pains ahead, but his potential makes him worth stashing even in mixed leagues. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday at the Dodgers, making him a two-start pitcher in Fantasy Week 2. (CBS Sports)

Up:

• SP Mat Latos
• SP Ian Kennedy
• SP Chris Volstad

Down:

• RP Tyler Clippard
• RP Nick Masset
• RP LaTroy Hawkins

Notes:

• I bid $0 on new Marlins SP Nate Robertson, was outbid by The Pi Train, who was awarded Robertson for $1.
• The Pi Train was the only other team to submit FAAB bids, and received $4 OF Tyler Colvin and $2 SP Rodrigo Lopez.
• Was originally going to send down Juan Gutierrez, but the Diamondbacks are playing the Padres and Pirates this week, while Nick Masset’s Reds play the Cardinals and Cubs this week.  Perhaps the 5 earned runs in 1 inning that Masset gave up Opening Day had something to do with it.

(These post-draft roster moves are pre-FAAB and only for Opening Day, Monday, April 5th, 2010)

Up:

• RP Takashi Saito
• RP Brian Bruney
• RP Tyler Clippard
• RP Nick Masset
• RP Juan Gutierrez
• RP LaTroy Hawkins
• C Ronny Paulino

Down:

• SP Mat Latos
• SP Ian Kennedy
• SP Aroldis Chapman (AAA)
• RP Drew Storen (AA)
• SP Edinson Volquez (60-Day DL)
• SP Madison Bumgarner (AAA)
• C Buster Posey (AAA)

Notes:

• Since the only RoadRunner given an opening-day nod was Josh Johnson, I chose to flood the team with relief pitchers for the one-day week.

Ian Kennedy held the Brewers to two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings Thursday as the Diamondbacks grabbed an 11-3 spring victory. Kennedy, who already has a spot locked up in Arizona’s rotation, struck out four Brewers hitters and walked just one. He’s certain to display some growing pains in the early going this year, especially in the cozy confines of Chase Field, but we like him as a late-round value pick in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld)

Troy Tulowitzki – Shortstop
Tag: Troy Tulowitzki
Round: 1st
Overall: 1st
Nominated by: Tim Nygard – Misogynistic Padres
Salary: $31
Notes: Bold move to start the draft, but at least followed strategy. Ranked as the Number one available Shortstop. Was targeting either him or Jimmy Rollins. Rollins later went for $30, but only as a result of a $5 skip-bid by Stanimals. Love the power, may be lacking in steals.

Brandon Phillips – Second Base
Tag: Brandon Phillips
Round: 1st
Overall: 7th
Nominated by: Andrew Flynn – Atomic RoadRunners
Salary: $32
Notes: Went over budget by $6 – estimated $26. Best available 2B, by far. Next best was Rickie Weeks ($14). Consistent, re-joins the team for fourth consecutive season. At this price, hoping for improvement, towards 25/25. We’ll see.

Matt Holliday – Outfield
Tag: Matt Holliday
Round: 1st
Overall: 10th
Nominated by: Andrew Capece – Goodfellas
Salary: $35
Notes: Second-best OF available (behind Ryan Braun). Was originally targeting $28 Carlos Lee here, as we’ll need power, but didn’t mind expected production from Holliday. Lighter on homers, but better on steals. Third-best OF available Justin Upton went second overall to X-Men for $35, and 4th-best Jason Bay went for $29.

Adam LaRoche – Corner Infielder
Tag: Adam LaRoche
Round: 3rd
Overall: 25th
Nominated by: Barry Stahl – The Pi Train
Salary: $19
Notes: Last remaining good first basemen, I had ranked third overall, behind Joey Votto and Lance Berkman, ahead of James Loney. Intrigued by his power potential in Arizona, and needed a 1B with two 3B’s already on the squad.

Hunter Pence – Outfield
Tag: Hunter Pence
Round: 3rd
Overall: 27th
Nominated by: Andrew Flynn – Atomic Roadrunners
Salary: $26
Notes: I had Pence as the sixth-best available OF (behind Braun, Holliday, Upton, Bay, and Lee) and ahead of Michael Bourn, Shane Victornio, and Manny Ramirez. Really like his upside, and had targeted him for $27, so there’s a $1 savings there.

Marlon Byrd – Utility Slot
Tag: Marlon Byrd
Round: 8th
Overall: 74th
Nominated by: Tom Ross – Get Off Kong!
Salary: $9
Notes: Byrd was one of several $10-ish OFs available, and I just happened to bid $9 to fill my DH slot. I had Byrd ranked 17th-best available OF. I had been targeting Lastings Milledge here, actually, but those two, along with Kyle Blanks (also $9, nominated immediately after this selection) and Conor Jackson ($12). Should be okay.

Aroldis Chapman – Starting Pitcher
Tag: Aroldis Chapman
Round: 8th
Overall: 77th
Nominated by: Andrew Flynn – Atomic Roadrunners
Salary: $11
Notes: Tantalizing power lefty that hits 100mph, and still a possibility of being the Reds #5 starter. Wasn’t in the plans, but with the Reds offense (and defense) behind him, I like his prospects better than Strasburg to contribute in 2010. Available projections were quite sketchy.

Ian Kennedy – Starting Pitcher
Tag: Ian Kennedy
Round: 9th
Overall: 88th
Nominated by: Stan Sharik – Stanimals
Salary: $2
Notes: Was quite interested, had him ranked as the 29th-ranked starter available, but was convinced someone would say “$3″. Has always been solid in minors, though fluke injuries have bothered him the past two seasons. May not be a good fit in Arizona.

Drew Storen – Relief Pitcher
Tag: Drew Storen
Round: 10th
Overall: 92nd
Nominated by: Alex Tava – X-Men
Salary: $8
Notes: Was ranked as a must-get, after his performance in the Arizona Fall League. Was hoping to get him for a few dollars less, but banking on mid-season arrival and as a good protectable. Since I was shut out of current closers, went with this gambit, especially since I missed on Luke Gregerson six picks earlier.

Omar Infante – Middle Infielder
Tag: Omar Infante
Round: 12th
Overall: 117th
Nominated by: Andrew Flynn – Atomic Roadrunners
Salary: $1
Notes: Was pretty much screwed out of every other available middle infielder, as we only had $3 remaining. Luis Castillo (56th, $3), Ian Desmond (57th, $7), Starlin Castro (97th, $3), Brendan Ryan (102nd, $3), Akinori Iwamura (105th, $5) and Felipe Lopez (107th, $2) were all taken ahead of this spot, and I nominated Desmond, Castro, and Lopez before I could actually get a middle-infielder. No offense to Infante, but perhaps I should have selected Juan Uribe (who will be starting most of April) instead.

Edinson Volquez – Starting Pitcher
Tag: Edinson Volquez
Round: 13th
Overall: 127th
Nominated by: Andrew Flynn – Atomic Roadrunners
Salary: $2
Notes: Targeted an injured starter that will come back this season and be a good keeper. Primary was Volquez, but also looked at Jordan Zimmerman (further behind in rehab) or Chien-Ming Wang (not as much upside). Also part reclamation, as I traded for Volquez last season with Tom in a four-player deal (he received Jose Reyes, who also never came back in 2009. The principals were Tim Lincecum for Prince Fielder). Volquez is ahead of schedule and should be ready to return following the All-Star Break. Now if the Reds could only trade Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo . . .

Ian Kennedy has earned his spot in the Diamondbacks’ rotation according to a report in the East Valley Tribune. With Austin Jackson earning his spot in Detroit, this means that both former Yankee minor leaguers will be starting for their new team. Kennedy had a good spring, boasting a 1.14 WHIP and 2.79 ERA. He may have adjusted well to the warm desert air, but Chase Field has its own charms to which the young right-hander will need to adjust. Kennedy isn’t the worst option in NL-only leagues, but his home park certainly puts him at a disadvantage. (Rotoworld)

Ian Kennedy pitched six innings and allowed two runs Saturday versus the Indians. It’s been a harsh spring for Arizona’s pitching staff, but the one encouraging development is that Kennedy has come out and earned his rotation spot. He’s 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA after five starts. (Rotoworld)