Fantasy Baseball

by Sir Veza on Apr 11, 2011 12:54 AM EDT

Ok, so this is my first FP on TGP and I'll keep in team neutral.

I'm looking for a good OF'er for my fantasy team so I can drop my Yankee heavy picks. I have Gardner, Swisher, and Granderson. I'm intrigued by Ben Francisco. He's been killing the ball so far. My concerns after the jump.

1) His role when Brown comes off the DL. Will "Cholly" (as I've seen some people on this blog refer to him) stay with Francisco or immediately start the rookie Brown?

2) Consistency. Francisco is a career .267 average batter with a .331 OBP. Although it's only a week into the season he's hitting .306 with a .375 OBP. He's only logged 4 years of MLB experience and he's currently 29 yrs old.

Thoughts on picking up him or trading some of those OF'ers for a good 2b/SS? My main 2b is Uggla and SS is Hanley. (I think the NL east has the best available options for 2b and SS -- especially if you count Prado in the mix. Nobody in my league has picked up Utley either because we can't make use of the "DL" feature for some reason)

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Keep it* team neutral.

Not a good way to start off a Fan Post. ;(

"Kill my boss?! Do I dare live out the American dream?" - Homer Simpson

by Sir Veza on Apr 11, 2011 12:55 AM EDT reply actions

1. We don’t know. Smart money says that Brown, being as highly hyped as any Phil’s prospect in recent memory, will, at least, get some starts after rehabbing at AAA to compete for the job. If Francisco continues to impress (unlikely, but not impossible) and Brown fails to perform well, he may spend more time at AAA. If Francisco falls off the wagon (also unlikely), Brown will begin starting as soon as he returns from rehab.

2. Francisco has mostly been used as a 4th OF and pinch-hitter; and thus has had relatively few sustained stretches of starting. It is likely he will regress towards his career averages, but there’s the possibility that he will continue to perform at a higher level.

by Phrozen on Apr 11, 2011 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Well, Ben was a starter in Cleveland. He’ll cool down, but he might be worth a short term pickup, if your league allows that flexibility. Once Dom is off the DL, Cholly may platoon him with Ben. If Ben stays hot he’ll probably still play frequently spelling Ibanez and Victorino.Uggla and Hanley is a pretty good MI.

by Cormican on Apr 11, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d have to think that Brown won’t crack the lineup as long as Francisco is going at least a decent job. Although I hope that means that Brown is in AAA getting regular at-bats, and not rotting on the bench in Philadelphia like he did late last summer.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 11, 2011 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

All hail the self-styled Brian Sabean of your fantasy league! After a good half season last year trolling for replacement-level FA outfielders (and infielders. And pitchers), your due diligence on Ben Francisco I’m sure will bring you great success. Gardner sucks anyway, amirite? Bon chance, mon ami.

by Wet Luzinski on Apr 11, 2011 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

I picked up Ben Zobrist 2 years ago when he had that monster season (or at least for him it was).

Now THAT was awesome!

"Kill my boss?! Do I dare live out the American dream?" - Homer Simpson

by Sir Veza on Apr 14, 2011 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d stick with the Yankees that you’ve got. Granderson is a bit streaky, but he puts up solid numbers in all categories. Swisher seems to put up at least 25HRs & 75RBIs every year. & Gardner had a breakout season last hear. He may be the fastest player in the MLB. He’ll get you a ton of steals, surprising amount of walks & a bunch of runs.
Francisco is doing really well, and will probably get 400 ABs this season. If you’re set on getting Ben, you could try to deal a (2for1) package of Granderson & someone else to upgrade a different position, then pickup Francisco.

by DannyO on Apr 13, 2011 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

I’d stick with the Yankees that you’ve got.

If you’re set on getting Ben, you could try to deal a (2for1) package of Granderson & someone else to upgrade a different position, then pickup Francisco.

I agree with this. Who is your third baseman? I think you’re good with Hanley and Uggla. Or upgrade at first, get a pitcher or a stud outfielder. Kinda hard to give advice on what to upgrade since we don’t know the rest of your roster.

Oh, I don't know. I think the GM should sign that free agent velociraptor to fortify the bench. He's a playoff veteran who still shows a lot of hustle.

by LeepinLizardz on Apr 18, 2011 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions