Recent Articles from this Column
June 11, 2013
Circling the Bases: Oh R.A. Dickey
Ray Flowers discusses R.A. Dickey's disappoing debut with the Jays and hits the bullpen circuit.
June 4, 2013
Circling the Bases: What's Wrong With ...?
What's wrong with Nolan Arenado, Kris Medlen and Rickie Weeks? Ray Flowers suggests the problem primarily lies with our expectations.
May 28, 2013
Circling the Bases: Four Struggling Braves
Can Dan Uggla turn it around? Ray Flowers discusses him and three of his other struggling teammates in Atlanta.
May 21, 2013
Circling the Bases: Curious Cases
Ray Flowers sends a skeptical tone about Patrick Corbin and Didi Gregorius in this week's version.
May 14, 2013
Circling the Bases: Hamilton-itis
Josh Hamilton has been awful this season. Is there any reason to think the good times will return with the slugger? Also, can Starling Marte & Carlos Gomez keep up their hot starts to the season? Ray Flowers gives his thoughts.
May 7, 2013
Circling the Bases: Messy Bullpens
Mariano Rivera remains a timeless wonder, but there are many other shaky bullpens out there. Ray Flowers breaks it down and advocates for a new fantasy stat.
January 8, 2013
Circling the Bases: Bourn Still Searching
Michael Bourn still hasn't landed a job. Ray Flowers evaluates his merits.
January 4, 2013
Circling the Bases: Shaun Marcum, Brett Myers
Ray Flowers discusses the current pitcher free agent market, including recent signee Brett Myers and still unsigned starter Shaun Marcum.
December 12, 2012
Circling the Bases: Evaluating the James Shields Trade
Ray Flowers shares his opinions about the big Royals-Rays trade.
December 5, 2012
Circling the Bases: Winter Meetings Edition
Dan Haren agreed to a one-year deal with the Nats that could make them awfully intimidating.
November 28, 2012
Circling the Bases: Chapman and Broxton
Jonathan Broxton's signing with the Reds has Ray Flowers pondering what the team should do with Aroldis Chapman.
November 19, 2012
Circling the Bases: Melky Mediocre Next Year?
Ray Flowers is skeptical that Melky Cabrera can approach his 2012 rate stats with Toronto next year.
November 7, 2012
Circling the Bases: Carlos Marmol and Dan Haren
Carlos Marmol and Dan Haren were nearly traded for each other. Ray Flowers breaks down each pitcher's numbers.
October 31, 2012
Circling the Bases: Two Career Year Catchers
Ray Flowers discusses the career years from A.J. Pierzynski and Carlos Ruiz.
October 23, 2012
Circling the Bases: Second-Half OPS
Chase Headley's breakout season was fueled by a huge second half.
October 17, 2012
Circling the Bases: Second-Half ERA's
Clayton Kershaw had a 2.10 ERA over the second half of the season, making a strong push for the NL Cy Young.
October 10, 2012
Circling the Bases: On Closers
Ray Flowers discusses the year-end results from the 2012 closers pool, including another remarkable season from Craig Kimbrel.
October 4, 2012
Circling the Bases: Year-End Thoughts
Despite all the offseason turmoil, Ryan Braun has been the same player that he was last season.
September 25, 2012
Circling the Bases: An Unseen Solid Effort
Chase Utley has quietly been solid at the plate now that he's healthy again.
September 18, 2012
Circling the Bases: Missing You
It's easy to forget what an impact we expected Brett Gardner to have this year. He'll return from the DL this week, though he won't be able to bat.
September 14, 2012
Circling the Bases: 2012 MLB Bullpen Disasters
Ray Flowers examines the risks in overvaluing closers in fantasy drafts and strategies in drafting the right players.
September 12, 2012
Circling the Bases: Players Defying Logic
Ray Flowers takes on Mike Trout's recent results.
September 7, 2012
Circling the Bases: Third Base Slugging
Adrian Beltre and Mark Reynolds have been lighting it up at the hot corner.
September 4, 2012
Circling the Bases: Matt Cain vs. Tim Lincecum
Matt Cain has fallen off since the All-Star break and Tim Lincecum has improved.
August 31, 2012
Circling the Bases: Stretch Run Suggestions
Need a helpful addition for September? Key players are evaluated for the rest of the season.
August 28, 2012
Circling the Bases: Cliff Lee's Remarkable Recent Numbers
Cliff Lee has a 37:1 K:BB ratio over his last five starts.
August 21, 2012
Circling the Bases: Carl Crawford Next Year
Ray Flowers what Carl Crawford really has done while on the field the last two years.
August 14, 2012
Circling the Bases: Sample Sizes
Don't be too alarmed by Carlos Gonzalez's August swoon.
August 10, 2012
Circling the Bases: Nationals (Strasburg) Security Agency
How will the Nats handle Stephen Strasburg's workload down the stretch?
August 7, 2012
Circling the Bases: Evan Longoria is Back
Evan Longoria returns from the DL on Tuesday.
July 31, 2012
Circling the Bases: Phillies Fire Sale
Ray Flowers breaks down the Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino trades.
July 17, 2012
Circling the Bases: Strasburg's Innings-Limit
Ray Flowers takes on the Nationals' policy on Steven Strasburg's workload.
July 12, 2012
Circling the Bases: Might Mo Return?
Mariano Rivera's ACL tear has turned out to not be as bad as first feared.
July 3, 2012
Circling the Bases: Viva Aviles
Mike Aviles has been wonderful for those that grabbed him late in their drafts, but can he hang on?
June 27, 2012
Circling the Bases: A.J. Burnett Among the Elite
A.J. Burnett would be considered among the elite but for one disastrous start at St. Louis.
June 19, 2012
Circling the Bases: Five From Sunday
Now is the time to buy Josh Johnson.
June 12, 2012
Circling the Bases: Gardner's Wonky Elbow
Ray Flowers is dubious that Brett Gardner's self-diagnosis on his elbow is accurate.
June 8, 2012
Circling the Bases: The Enigma in Minnesota
Ray Flowers warns fantasy owners to refrain from putting their faith in Francisco Liriano
June 5, 2012
Circling the Bases: The R Word
Paul Konerko's batting average is already starting to decline, but Ray Flowers thinks that there's still a pretty deep drop remaining.
May 29, 2012
Circling the Bases: Are Stanton's Gains For Real?
Giancarlo Stanton's power outburst this month has been accompanied by a drop in strikeouts and a rising line drive rate. Are either of those two gains for real?
May 23, 2012
Circling the Bases: Lawrie Falling Short
Brett Lawrie is running, but he's been a disappointment in the power categories so far.
May 18, 2012
Circling the Bases: Right in Line
Is Drew Stubbs an underperformer, or are his 2011 numbers a better indication of what is to come in 2012?
May 15, 2012
Circling the Bases: Throwing In the Towel?
Is it time to give up on chasing saves? If you bet on David Robertson to replace the injured Mariano Rivera, you might think that it's time.
May 11, 2012
Circling the Bases: Fore!
Josh Beckett irked Red Sox Nation by playing golf while rehabbing his injury this week prior to getting shelled by the Indians on Thursday night.
May 8, 2012
Circling the Bases: Concerns About A-Gone
Adrian Gonzalez is off to a slow start - Ray Flowers isn't surprised.
May 2, 2012
Circling the Bases: Big Papi Going Bonkers
David Ortiz had a .418 BABIP in the month of April.
April 24, 2012
Circling the Bases: Jurrjens' Urgency
Jair Jurrjens was sent down to Triple-A following his latest shellacking Monday night.
April 20, 2012
Circling the Bases: Hot and Cold Starts
An analysis of some of the players off to fast and slow starts in Major League Baseball this season.
April 17, 2012
Circling the Bases: Early Returns
Remember the spring training velocity concerns about Roy Halladay? Those aren't a concern any longer.
April 11, 2012
Circling the Bases: One Man's Failure ...
How to take advantage of the early-season misfortunes of certain ballplayers.
March 31, 2012
Circling the Bases: Tout Wars Recap
Ray Flowers landed B.J. Upton as his most expensive hitter in the Tout Wars Mixed League draft.
September 21, 2011
Circling the Bases: Bitter Billingsley
Chad Billingsley has come up short on expectations this year.
September 14, 2011
Circling the Bases: Falling Off Stubbs Island
Ray Flowers examines Drew Stubbs' season.
September 6, 2011
Circling the Bases: Howling For Fowler
Dexter Fowler deserves your attention.
August 30, 2011
Circling the Bases: 28 Days Later
Kyle Seager quietly has been rather productive over the last 28 days.
August 24, 2011
Circling the Bases: Giving up on Gordon Beckham
Gordon Beckham has actually regressed this season.
August 16, 2011
Circling the Bases: Ellsbury Overpriced in 2012
Jacoby Ellsbury's improbable season will set expectation levels too high in 2012, according to Ray Flowers.
August 9, 2011
Circling the Bases: Cool Hand Luke
Luke Hochevar is on one of his good streaks - should you pick him up in your mixed league if he's stll available?
August 3, 2011
Circling the Bases: Soto Warming Up
Geovany Soto teased fantasy owners with his rate stats last year but has fallen short this year. Where will he end up?
July 26, 2011
Circling the Bases: Not At the Plate, Carlos
Ray Flowers breaks down Carlos Lee's recent resurgence.
July 20, 2011
Circling the Bases: Breaking Down Bonifacio
Don't get caught up in Emilio Bonifacio's recent hot streak.
July 13, 2011
Circling the Bases: Not Winning
Ubaldo Jimenez has just eight wins in his last 32 starts.
July 5, 2011
Circling the Bases: Alex Gordon's Revival
Ray Flowers illustrates how good of a season Alex Gordon has had.
June 29, 2011
Circling the Bases: Just Short of Elite
Ray Flowers looks at Jair Jurrjens' strong first half.
June 7, 2011
Circling the Bases: Breaking Down Ryan Roberts
Ryan Roberts has been an oasis in a sea of disappointment at the hot corner this year.
June 1, 2011
Circling the Bases: The Hammer
Ray Flowers breaks down Josh Willingham and Jason Hammel.
May 24, 2011
Circling the Bases: Aramis Ramirez's Disappearing Power
Ray Flowers takes an in-depth at Aramis Ramirez's dearth of power.
May 17, 2011
Circling the Bases: Cahill Denier
Ray Flowers is dubious that Trevor Cahill's current level is legit.
May 10, 2011
Circling the Bases: Royal Breakdown
Alex Gordon has started nicely, but how much can you bank on him going forward?
May 3, 2011
Circling the Bases: Cheap Average and Speed
Mike Aviles is making a nice play here, but it's his work on the basepaths that has drawn Ray Flowers' attention.
April 26, 2011
Circling the Bases: Taking a Little Off
Wade Davis has purposefully taken a little off his fastball.
April 19, 2011
Circling the Bases: Delmon Young Will Be Fine
Don't sweat Delmon Young's awful start.
April 12, 2011
Circling the Bases: Breaking Down Carlos Quentin
Carlos Quentin has started well - what can we expect from him going forward?
April 5, 2011
Circling the Bases: Breaking Down Brian Roberts
What does Brian Roberts' quick start do to his overall value?
March 29, 2011
Circling the Bases: Chris Iannetta vs. John Buck
Chris Iannetta is a good bet for a rebound, with a clearer path for playing time.
March 22, 2011
Circling the Bases: Is Josh Beckett Undervalued?
Ray Flowers discusses Josh Beckett's merits in comparison to where he's getting drafted.
March 15, 2011
Circling the Bases: Weeks vs. Zobrist
Is Rickie Weeks getting overvalued?
March 8, 2011
Circling the Bases: Trevor Cahill vs. C.J. Wilson
Trevor Cahill is getting drafted 100 slots ahead of C.J. Wilson. Is that proper?
March 1, 2011
Circling the Bases: Castro vs. Bartlett
Ray Flowers suggests that Starlin Castro is getting overdrafted for redraft leagues.
February 22, 2011
Circling the Bases: Making the Case For Chase
Ray Flowers joins RotoWire and makes the case for the Padres' Chase Headley.
