On Monday, July 05, 1999 2:35 PM, Gary > > Reserve Moves: > > Panzas Mark Kotsay n/a Bobby Bonds (gutsy move there, Babs!) > Al, Putting in Bobby Bonds is a VERY gutsy move. I'm not even sure I would have put Barry in yet. Nuzzah ************************************************************* From andy What's the big fuss about? He's replacing Kotsay for God's sake. Mazins ps to Nuzzahs: about your trade........Hated it. ************************************************************* Mags - tough break regarding Jason Kendall. He was a huge part of your team in the 1st half, and now he gets to hold a spot on the Nuzzahs for the balance of the year since you are void of waivers, according to Sobo. Maybe some other team owner will trade for another of your horses and throw in a waiver move. Hans Statmaster ************************************************************* Hey Hans, the CyberZahm CBS home page has all of us in a first place tie! The Busters are not surprised about climbing from seventh to first in 24 hours as we've seen steady progress throughout June, but the Nuts and Hogmen climbing to first overnight? Puleessssse! Speaking of Hogs, how do you feel this morning seeing Smoltz on the DL, Willo? You give up Nen and Frank Thomas for an injured Smoltz and a dung pile named Brogna. Your asshole may never be the same again. Mags, was it the sight of Kendall's bone sticking out of his sock that made you panic or do you really think Marlon Anderson is the next Jeter? You lose Kendall and Jeter, your first two draft picks (and two of your major contributors) to get Robb Nen when Williams looks to be coming back this week and the most you can climb in saves is a couple of spots. I sure hope Anderson has a hall of fame second half or the Nuzzahs may be in an offensive free fall soon. As for the moves, I liked them all. The Busters need a healthy squad for the remainder of the year or I'll be looking for football action in August. Gabes ******************************************************************* Gabes, Such is life. I know that Marlon is no Jeter. But I figure Marlon should do better the 2nd half, and can Jeter keep it up? Well, yes I think Jeter can keep it up- that's why I drafted him first. I may just keep Kendall in his slot as a tribute to his hustle (which was his demise). Besides, I could have replaced him but there was no one worth putting in there. So I went for Al Martin. Kendall says he wants to be back in September. I hope he heals, but if he comes back he can play for the Nuzzahs. I figured Williams was coming back too, and I also figured Benitez was going to be getting more saves. The heavy closer approach worked for Willo last year- maybe it will again. Maybe I can pass the 'Busters in ERA. And to think I could have traded Kendall to the Tamales a few days ago. That would have been poetic after what happened to Smoltz. So don't worry, everything is under control in Nuzzahland. I appreciate all of your cards and letters. The last I checked, we were still in second place. Wait a minute, we're tied for first! Mags ********************************************************************* Gabes - When I checked the CBS site this morning, I saw the same stats, but decided to wait until this evening, figuring that they were doing maintenance or something on our site. To my dismay, the site is now correct, which means I'm back in 9th place, instead of tied for first. easy come, easy go. Speaking of easy come, easy go, how bout Barry Bonds, Albert? I just saw on sportscenter that he limped off the field, and is expected to go back on the D.L. but it cant be worse than losing a player for the season like Mags just did, with no waivers remaining. I was talking with Gabes earlier today, and he reminded me that we are only half-way through the season. At this time last year, the Invincibles had first well in hand. we finished fourth. but, this is 99, not 98, so anything can happen. Will Sobos savy moves drive him to the top? Will Mags desparation for saves cost him his place, or move him ahead like willo did in 98? All I know is, good riddance Steve Trachsel. Hans **************************************************************** July 8, 1999 Here they are. Unsolicited - perhaps. Unwanted - I doubt it. Unfounded - probably. Fox's opinions of the recent baseball moves and other important stuff: Reserve Moves - All 9 moves seem reasonable and well planned. - Interesting and unusual for there to be three recalls. Shows what a little early season patience might provide, eh? - Gabes and Mags being out of moves ... I don't think its that big a deal. By the time we can make our next moves there will be only 2 months left in the season. As the season progresses the value of the moves actually decreases. Of course if its a tight race they could make the difference. And those teams might lose a player at a key position and be stuck with the hole in their lineup - that's why this is called gambling. - Mags loses Kendall, with no moves available to replace him. First, the loss of Kendall is huge. He was having another great year. Condolences. Second, having no moves to replace him doesn't matter because there isn't anyone available to replace him who is worth wasting a move on at this point. I should know - I've been sitting on Hatteburg for two months. - Nevertheless, those having multiple moves left are well positioned to maintain their active players and fine tune their rosters for the stretch. Also, they may be able to use the moves in trades to increase their return, maybe even getting the best player at a given position in return for a so-so reliever! Nah - that could never happen could it? - Surprising that with all the supposed bad luck the Hogmen have had, they still have 3 reserve moves left, tied for the most left with the Tamales and the Muckrats. ********************************************************************* Trades Well, to put it bluntly, I think Sobo put the screws to the boys and really improved his team a lot with these trades. He trades (after cancelling out Nen who he picked up and then moved) John Smoltz - known to be hurting Rico Brogna - journeyman 1st base Marlon Anderson - sometimes struggling rookie with average promise a reserve move (which he still has plenty of) for Baldwin (who seems to stink but can be replaced easily) Frank Thomas - a former roto god who says he's feeling better and better Derek Jeter - strong MVP candidate and he can afford to see if Baldwin will turn it around like he did last year or just reserve him a month from now. Good work by Gary. Looking at each of the trades: Tamales/Nuzzahs Nen, Anderson, and a move <-> Jeter and Baldwin I can see why Mags would do this. He gets rid of Baldwin who has been killing him, and picks up a move he can use elsewhere. But I agree with others who have noted that he's now lost Kendall and Jeter in the same week - and that's gotta hurt big time doesn't it. True, with the extra move he picked up Al Martin for the injured Valentin - I see Valentin could be activated this week though! I also think Anderson could have a decent 2nd half ... but compare the first half numbers: Jeter .377 72 R 14 HR 60 RBI 13 SB Anderson .250 25 R 4 HR 36 RBI 8 SB And the rumor around Philly a few weeks ago was that Anderson could be sent down to work on some things, although I think it was just a bluff and he has picked up his play a little since then. Also, in the last month Nen has only had 4 saves, and his ERA is 5.40. So, although I can see why Mags might do this I think it was a mistake and a great trade for Sobo - who gets credit for leveraging his extra reserve moves (which he picked up in an earlier trade!) Tamales/Hogmen Smoltz, Brogna <-> Nen, Thomas First some notes (stats are as of yesterday) Smoltz: Has 8 wins, 3.49 era, 86 K's. Was on the DL twice this year and is on it a third time now, post trade. Will probably come back again but needs extra rest, and throwing his breaking ball hurts his arm. It was widely reported that he was having arm trouble and likely headed to the DL for a third time. Nen: Has 3 wins, 3.59 era, 21 Svs and 44 K's Has not pitched well in the last month. But he is SF's closer and is having a good year. Of these two pitchers I'd rather have Nen. But I guess its close depending on what categories you are trying to concentrate on. I suppose I could see swapping these pitchers even up if one wanted to take a chance that Smoltz will hold up and continue to provide some value. So, if that's an even swap (a stretch) why include the following? Brogna: .269 49 R 11 HR 44 RBI .289 15 R 3 HR 15 RBI in the last month Recently sharing time with Kevin Jordan Drafted 260th in Cyberzahm Thomas: .325 46 R 11 HR 56 RBI .278 19 R 6 HR 17 RBI in the last month Drafted 54th in Cyberzahm So far stats are fairly even, except for Thomas' big edge in BA, and given past performance you have to prefer Thomas. So, the way I see it, the Tamales benefit from both ends of this trade, no? Could somebody explain this differently? ********************************************************************* The Race As Hans points out there is a long way to go and last year things did turn round but I think it will take quite a bit to knock off the Panzas at this point. But the race for 2nd should be a hum dinger. I think the Nuzzahs will come back to the pack and on Monday a total of 1.5 points separated 3rd place from 6th place. The Tamales might be in the drivers seat, with their recent improvements and three reserve moves still in hand. The Foxes have moved up in offense and might continue to do so (here's hoping javy lopez is OK) but will now start to slide in strikeouts ... I wish I had held onto Pedro for one more month - its easy to forget how long the season is. If youv'e read this far you need to get a life. See ya in Las Vegas. Fox