h2h Corner ~ Red Light District, the Closer Carousel

June 22, 2009

Closers do most of their work late at night, often after most upstanding fantasy managers have gone to bed. They necessitate early checking of box scores and Fantasy Baseball 101 to see if they secured the win for the home team. Read more

Written by Albert Lang · Filed Under H2H | 3 Comments 

h2h ~ The Buddy Garrity/Don Draper/Ed Norton Sales Convention

June 22, 2009

Who isn’t versed in financial lingo nowadays? In these tough economic times, it has become clear that everyone needs to know how to manage their finances. You certainly can’t leave it up to the experts. So, in light of that, I (not an expert) am going to help you with players you should be selling, moderately positioning to sell, and those you should be keeping the faith on. Read more

Written by Albert Lang · Filed Under H2H | 1 Comment 

Can the Mets Catch A Break?

June 22, 2009

Another Met is headed to the disabled list, this time it’s superstar outfielder Carlos Beltran.  Just when you thought it could not get any worse for the Mets, it did. Beltran joins Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado and J.J. Putz, just to name a few, on the DL.

Mets brass hoped that Beltran would be able to play through his sore right knee, however the discomfort seemed to be to much for the all-star slugger.  New York has not released the results from Monday’s MRI, but it could not have been positive, if he was placed on the 15 day DL immediately following the procedure.

This was the last thing the Mets needed, as well as some fantasy owners.  Look for Fernando Martinez and Jeremy Reed to fill in at CF short term.  If the injury is more severe than expected, the Mets may look elsewhere to find his replacement.

-Bobby Holt

Written by Bobby Holt · Filed Under Player News | 4 Comments 

Minor-ity Report: Highlight on Jesus Montero

June 22, 2009

Even the most devoted defender of the Yankees will acknowledge that Jorge Posada is nearing the end of his career as the backstop of the Bronx. Coming off of an injury shortened 2008 season, Posada will either soon shift to DH, or may require robotic legs.  One or the other. 

If Yankee brass does as they should, they will free up their DH spot by passing on re-signing both Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon after the 2009 season.  Both are past their prime and collectively cost more than any “real solution” to the Yankees woes.  In doing so they would have the opportunity to do some key things:

1. Recall catcher-of-the-future Jesus Montero

2. Minimize their already skyscraping salary (or at least reallocating it for starting pitching, moving Joba Chamberlain to where he is most successful – the ‘pen)

3. Infuse their aging roster with energy and make a gradual move toward restoring a young nucleus

4. Slotting Melky Cabrera at LF AND Brett Gardner into CF duty (alongside RF, Nick Swisher) 

But the purpose of this piece is not to serve as muse to Brian Cashman in his future dealings.  It is to highlight the up and coming backstop of the Bronx – Jesus Montero.  The 6′4, 225lb Montero is not an unknown quantity.  Signed as an undrafted free-agent in 2007 at age 17, Jesus Montero adroitly handled the Gulf Coast League (A-), led the Sally League (A) in hits, and took the Florida State Leagues (A+) by storm as a mere teenager.  In fact, he is STILL a teenager – and at age 19, has already reached double A after a strong start to 2009.  Let’s take a deeper look at his numbers in the minors.

Montero’s OPS has risen precipitously in each of his three stints in the minors, reaching .989 in 2009 with 8 homers and 15 two-baggers in 180 at bats.  In 2008, Montero hit 17 homers and 34 doubles in 525 at bats while batting a healthy .326.     His glove won’t win accolades, and many scouts believe him to fit better at first base than catcher, but Montero has the mind of a catcher with a bat that will earn him steady promotions.  ETA – 2010.

Written by Russell Sandman · Filed Under Articles | 1 Comment