Mailbag

On the eve of the NFL Draft, I thought I’d break out a mailbag to start off the weekend. Remember, e-mail me any thoughts/questions/rants at seven3d@aol.com to appear in future versions. Thanks to those (few) who did write in, and for those who did but didn’t make the cut onto the site, there’s always next time:

Ben asks:

Who is/will be the best pitcher this year & WHY?? J Hirsh, D Cabrera, M Buehrle, F Garcia. After the best, please rank the other 3 from best to worst w/reasoning. Thanks.

RotoScoop says:
Daniel Cabrera will be because he has the best arsenal of pitches and is finally improving his command. Although still a little too high, he’s cut his walk rate down significantly, and his strikeout potential is second to none.

2)Buehrle – he’s pitching for a contract and looks ready to greatly improve upon last year’s subpar effort. Soft-tossers are just so much safer healthwise as well.
3)F. Garcia – not what he once was but should rebound in the NL. His numbers aren’t good so far, but he’s had two tough matchups (Mets and @ Cincy).
4)Hirsh – not a bad option either, but Coors Field is still very much so a hitter’s park.

Mark asks:

Should I drop Willy Taveras for Kenny Lofton? The only reason I have Taveras is for SBs. However, he’s hurting the rest of my stats. H, R, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, SB, K, AVG.

RotoScoop says:
The fact Steve Finley is getting so many starts over Taveras is quite ridiculous and discouraging. That said, for a leadoff hitter, Taveras certainly doesn’t spend a whole lot of time on base. While a DL stint is probably likely at some point this year for Lofton, I’d still go ahead and make the switch.

Jack asks:
I have been offered David Dejesus and Tom Glavine for Andruw Jones and Brett Tomko. Dejesus is currently leading Jones in EVERY category… including home runs! And I think he’ll end the season with more SBs… the question is, can Dejesus keep it up without a little help and is Andruw about to blow up? Remember, this is a contract year for Jones. Tomko has a better ERA than Glavine, but he’s 0-1 and Glavine is 3-1. Tomko has better K numbers, and my team is hurting in that category but Glavine has a better WHIP, which I’m doing well in. Another big factor is the NL West is MUCH improved over last year, and to me the Mets seem to offer much better run support. Any feelings on this?

RotoScoop says:
I’d take Glavine over Tomko, since he’s the better pitcher and could approach 15-17 wins pitching for that powerful Mets team. Tomko may have greater strikeout ability, but his WHIP suggests a big increase in ERA is sure to follow. Still, Andruw Jones is much, much more valuable than DeJesus. Sure, he looks better now, but DeJesus has NEVER played in more than 122 games in a season, or finished with 10 HRs or 10 SBs in a season. And like you said, Jones is playing for a contract – he’ll turn it around. I would not do this deal.

MT asks:
5×5 14 team mixed league – Have been offered a trade — I get Sexson & Sosa — I give E Byrnes & Hawpe …. I could use Homers — I’m concerned that the AVG will kill me. Your thoughts?

RotoScoop says:
I actually wouldn’t recommend doing this deal. I know it sounds crazy, but Byrnes is the most valuable fantasy commodity here with his power/speed combo. Sexson and Sosa will demolish your average, and Hawpe will come around (he’s showing real good plate discipline, some power will come). Don’t do it.