Player News – Page 134 – FantasySP Blog

Wainwright’s Injury Hurts Franklin’s Value

Adam Wainwright won twenty games last year with the Cards so how many less save opportunities will closer Ryan Franklin have this year?

Analysis: The Adam Wainwright injury is devastating to keeper league owners but Ryan Franklin’s fantasy value take a pretty big hit as well. Franklin will see fewer save opportunities and have smaller leads to work with. Franklin goes from a closer that has averaged 32.5 saves over the last two years and a middle tier reliever to a guy that is a Chris Carpenter injury away from being Ryan Madson with a higher ERA. Sure he’ll get you some saves but if Carpenter was to get injured you’d think the Cards would move in a differerent, younger direction at closer.

Projection: The potential loss of Wainwright for the year moves Franklin from a middle tier 17th-24th ranked closer to having as much value as a Kevin Gregg. Franklin isn’t a strikeout pitcher with his 5.8K/9IP line last year and for a guy who won’t touch thirty saves don’t bother touching him on draft day.

Shun Pedro Alvarez and Buy Justin Smoak

Alvarez, 2nd pick in the 2008 draft, made his MLB debut in June 2010, hitting .152 in 51 PA, then flashed in Sept/Oct .306 in 121 PA with 6 HR. Smoak, the 11th pick in the same draft, made his MLB debut last April, hitting .130 in 31 PA, before finishing in Sept/Oct with .340 in 57 PA, and 3 HR.

Auction Analysis: In the recent CBS Experts’ Leagues Auctions Pedro Alvarez was hammered down for $29, while Justin Smoak cost his owner $16.

2010 Earned PA BA HR RBI R SB
Wright $31 670 .283 29 103 87 19
Z’erman$26 603 .307 25 85 85 4
Alvarez $12 386 .256 16 53 42 0

Barton $16 686 .273 10 57 79 7
Overbay$14 608 .243 20 67 75 1
Smoak $6 397 .218 13 48 40 1

If your team at the end of the auction earns exactly what you paid for it, then you shall finish in the middle of your league. Lose money on your overall investment and finish lower. Only a $20 profit means a First Div Team.

Truth or Dare: If a bid is a bet, then would you rather bet that Alvarez is the 2nd coming of the 2010 David Wright or that Smoak is the 2nd coming of the 2010 Daric Barton?

Adam Wainwright May Be Lost for Season

In what would be a devastating loss for the Cardinals and Wainwright owners alike, the runner-up for last year’s NL Cy Young is headed back to St. Louis for further tests on his right elbow after a Monday throwing session went awry. Reports indicate that the 6’7″ righty felt pain and stiffness yesterday, and further evaluation by trainers have led the team to believe that a significant ligament injury is possible.

Analysis: Panic has set in around Tony LaRussa’s club, as the cornerstone of their pitching staff may be headed for Tommy John surgery. Amassing 39 wins over the past two seasons, Wainwright and Chris Carpenter form one of the best 1-2 tandems in the game. A budding workhorse, the 29-year-old has established himself as an elite and irreplaceable arm within a divison that has suddenly become much more competitive considering the Brewers’ beefed up rotation. Fantasy owners who claim Wainwright as a keeper will certainly be holding their collective breath over the next 48-72 hours, along with all of St. Louis.

Projection: Although the verdict may not be in for several days, you can be sure that the Cards are already scrambling behind the scenes for a potential replacement in the rotation. Internal candidates include P.J. Walters, Lance Lynn, and veteran Ian Snell, with the upper hand probably going to Walters. However, a very serviceable option still remains on the free agent market in the form of Kevin Millwood. The two time 18-game winner could certainly benefit from a return to the National League, and has made it known that he is holding out for a Major League deal; something other rotation-thin teams such as the Yankees have been unwilling to offer thus far. I believe that Millwood would slot in nicely right behind Jaime Garcia, and could be good for 12-14 wins in 30+ starts.

Wesley Johnson Now Starting

With the recent departure of shooting guard Corey Brewer to the Knicks, Wesley Johnson got thirty-eight minutes of action Tuesday night in a start against the Bucks.

Analysis: I have always seen Johnson as a mini Andre Iguodala in terms of athletic ability and size coming out of Syracuse. Tuesday night Johnson put up Iguodala like numbers. Johnson tallied eight boards, one steal, one block, one three with fourteen points and three assists last night and while he may not dominate in any one category he’s going to stuff a stat sheet. Johnson should continue to hit the thirty minutes per game mark for the rest of the season and the only concern with him should be field goal percentage. Remember, Johnson has shooting guard and small forward eligibility so he can plug into your squad where you need him most.

Projection: If you can live with a field goal percentage in the 40-43 percent range than Wesley Johnson just may be for you. Expect 12-14 points, 1.5-2 threes, at least 1 steal, 5 rebounds and just under 1 block for the remainder of the season from Johnson.

Miami’s Mike Miller Being Shopped For a Big Man?

According to ESPN.com, Miami Heat guard Mike Miller could be on the trading block, as the Heat continue their search for a possible upgrade for their interior game.

Analysis: Sounds like Miller isn’t working out in Miami, at least not well enough to make him more valuable than a new body to throw into the post. LeBron James loves Miller, but with James Jones and Eddie House offering more consistency and the need for a big body very evident, Miller’s days in Miami could be coming to an end.

Projection: Miller has dealt with hand and head injuries most of the season, and hasn’t really made a fantasy impact yet. He could easily regain solid value depending on where he potentially gets traded to. Over 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game are still very realistic in the right situation.