Taking his name from the Telemundo reruns of Kojak, Ubaldo Jimenez currently has a 3.86 ERA, a 3.33 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and a 3.71 Away ERA. Chuck in a 7.63 K/9 and a schedule right after the break of either away games or easy matchups. In the 2nd half last year, Ubaldo had a 3.68 ERA and almost a K an inning. I’d grab him (and not start him at home vs. the Braves or any other tough matchups at home). Is Ubaldo going to win you a league? Doode, I don’t even know your league. Ubaldo is not just a cute name. No, sir (or sire, if you’re a time traveler), he’s a matchups pitcher! Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Jorge de la Rosa – Hey, it’s all about the Rockies pitchers. Sweet, I always wanted to lose my fantasy baseball league! What, no more Padres hitters? Cute, random italicized voice. He has a 3.89 ERA Away from Coors and he strikes out more than one batter per inning. If you’re in a daily league, he’s worth a spot for matchups.
Dexter Fowler – 4 steals in the last week. SAGNOF!
Franklin Gutierrez – In a week that saw the actor that played The Big Ragoo wash ashore with a DUI, The Big FraGu hit 2 homers and batted .429. He’ll hit for some power and run with some speed while singing & dancing.
Rafael Furcal – He’s been on fire lately. If you’re hurting at SS (and who isn’t), you might see if you can get him for cheap. Though at this point any Furcal owner is probably holding onto him for their dear life, praying they get some production for where they had to draft him.
Andruw Jones – Ah, he’s playing again with a smile. Actually, he always played with a smile, which I think was part of the problem. Too much, too soon and all of that. He was kinda like a child actor for baseball players. Hopefully he avoids the methadone clinic. Then again, Hamilton’s done okay for himself. Jones is worth a pickup in all leagues while he’s hitting to see how long it lasts.
Homer Bailey – Maybe, possibly, perhapsly Bailey’s finally, ultimately, in the endly showing the signs of his promising promise. (The preceding was written by a high school student who just discovered a thesaurus.)
Marc Rzepczynski – The consonant monger had a great K-rate in the minors and is worth a flier in AL-Only leagues.
Garrett Jones – I went over him in last week’s Buy/Sell. I refuse to go over a Pirates prospect again. I have me morals, argh!
David Price – You held him for so long and now you’re going to give up on him? Do you remember why you were holding him? Patience, grasshopper.
Ricky Romero – Why isn’t he owned in every league? Just give me your password and I’ll pick him up for you.
Paul Maholm – Keeping with the theme of pitchers you never thought you’d want to own, Maholm’s ERA is 4.60 and his FIP is 3.52. His career 2nd half ERA is 3.95. He’s allergic to strikeouts and as exciting as corduroy pants, but he’s worth a flier if available.
Joel Pineiro – What would a post about pitchers who are valuable that you don’t want to own be without Pineiro?
Brandon Morrow – Don’t forget about domani! He’s worth owning in every league, but I’d still play matchups for now.
SELL
Mark Buehrle – Objects on your fantasy baseball team are better than they appear.
Derrek Lee – Now it’s time for everyone’s favorite game, Fantasy Baseball, Fun With Numbers. Ding, ding, ding… Bassoon… Triangle! Triangle! Triangle! Cow bell! More cow bell! One last ding. Player A) 38/16/58/.304, Player B) 38/16/53/.279 Player C) 37/14/45/.283/1 Player A is Paul Konerko, B is Lee and C is Kendry Morales. I’m not saying trade Derrek Lee for a cup of Beef Vegetable soup, but if you can get a worthwhile piece and can grab a Konerko or Morales-type off waivers, it’s worth exploring. Remember, he’s Derrek Overbay to those in the know.
Russell Branyan – Wasn’t that long ago that I had him as a Buy. Well, times change. People, besides Joan Rivers, get older. And Branyan’s hitting .161 in July. Not saying to drop him, but you’re holding a 33-year-old who has a career .237 average in almost 2300 ABs. His average will continue to slide.
Colby Rasmus – I’m a big fan. He’ll probably be the Rookie of the Year. But right now he’s on a week or two binge where everyone’s telling you to Buy him. Let’s not lose sight of the big picture here. He’s a 20 homer rookie who gets benched against lefties. I told you to buy him in May because I knew he could do what he’s doing, but you don’t buy him now. You sell him now. As in trade him, don’t drop him. You need alligator blood when the bettor check raises to you.
Jose Contreras – In May of last year, Contreras had a 2.09 ERA in over 43 innings. In June, he had a 6.83 ERA. In his last 43 and 2/3 innings, he has a 2.06 ERA. Beware of a correction in the road.
Jair Jurrjens – On May 22nd, I said, “Jar-Jar’s a lot closer to a 3.75 ERA pitcher, instead of a 1.96 ERA. His Ks are low and his luck is high.” And that’s me quoting me! Since that faithful day when my Sell post intersected with Jurrjens, he’s gone 2-5/3.86/1.42/43 in just over 53 innings. That’s much closer to the pitcher he is. Sorry, but at least I didn’t title this post, “Jar-Jar Sinks.”
