h2h ADP Value Grab Bag II

March 16, 2009

Recently, I published the first installment of the h2h Average Draft Position (ADP) value grab bag. For more information on ADP and how to use it, scroll to the bottom.

This series identifies the players that, for whatever reason, you can get later in drafts, but will provide you with better returns than their ADP would indicate. Read more

Written by Albert Lang · Filed Under Blog, Draft Strategy | 10 Comments 

Astros Sign Ivan Rodriguez

March 16, 2009

ESPN just reported that the Astros have signed Ivan Rodriguez to a one year deal.  A perennial All-Star, Pudge still has some fantasy value after all these years, particularly for owners playing in NL-Only leagues. 

Many thought that the Astros would give J.R. Towles another shot to win the starting job.  But he does not inspire confidence after hitting .137 in 2008, and .133 so far this spring.  Instead, the Astros wisely ponied up $1.5 million for Rodriguez to man their backstop.

Despite last season’s poor numbers, Rodriguez remains a good buy, particularly in NL-Only leagues.  But admittedly, last year wasn’t his best.  He only had 398 at-bats, split between the Tigers and Yankees, which was his lowest since 2000, and hit less homers than any season since 1991 .  Yet, Pudge was having a pretty good year before he was traded to the Yankees.  In Detroit, he was hitting .295 with 5 homers, before tanking with a .219 average for the Yankees. 

Keep in mind that Pudge is only one year removed from hitting .281-11-63-2-50, and two years removed from hitting .300-13-69-8-74.  If he stays healthy, there’s no reason Pudge can’t hit .280-10-60-1-50 for the ‘Stros.  That by itself makes him better than most of the catcher pool, who routinely hit in the .210-.240 range.  

Signing Pudge also has fantasy baseball implications for Towles and Humberto Quintero.  Towles is likely to start the year in the minors, and will hopefully regain his stroke so that he can be ready for the Bigs in 2010.  Quintero will back up Pudge, and should get 200-250 at-bats.  But there’s no need to remember Quintero’s name – he’s got the fantasy value of Monopoly money.

Written by Evan Rosen · Filed Under Player News | Leave a Comment