As part of my preparations for writing this blog, I keep a list of potential topics to discuss. Well, said list is longer than “Grindhouse” right now, so we need to do some housecleaning.
There won’t be a theme to The O-Zone today or tomorrow -- just random thoughts and analysis presented in quick-hit format.
* As a Felix Hernandez owner, I was relieved to hear that he doesn’t need to go under the knife. But that relief was just temporary … the more I read about The King and the more I think about things, the more I’m convinced this isn’t going to end well.
Stephania Bell did a great job of discussing the problems with King Felix, and her column got me going. It’s not hard to imagine Hernandez’s injury flaring up again, or the ailment being a precursor to other problems. Plus I’m having Francisco Liriano flashbacks to last year -- pitch dominantly, hurt your elbow, try to come back, need surgery.
What should you do with King Felix? If someone in your league is encouraged by the diagnosis and wants to trade for him, I’d move him in a heartbeat. If no one wants to trade with you, cross your fingers, hope that Hernandez comes back and pitches a couple of good games, then try to move him again. A 21-year-old power pitcher with elbow problems is not someone you want to rely on.
* Josh Hamilton’s comeback has been a great story. He’s playing terrific, and it’s understandable the Reds want to get his bat into the lineup.
But why are some of his at-bats coming at the expense of Edwin Encarnacion? (Ryan Freel is moving to third so Hamilton can play in the outfield.) Encarnacion is a good, young player who’s off to a slow start. He needs at-bats if he’s going to bust out of his slump, and he needs at-bats to keep his confidence high, too.
Seems very shortsighted.
* I enjoyed David Ferris’ blog about fictional sell highs. He’s right -- you’re never going to get Albert Pujols for 50 cents on the dollar, nor will you get a king’s ransom for the Ramon Ortizes of the world.
That being said, buying low and selling high is possible. I do it all the time, particularly in a league I’m in where some of the guys are less experienced.
Anyway, a couple of sell-high candidates:
BRAD PENNY: Penny is 3-0 with a 0.89 ERA, but his horrid 6/8 K/BB (in 20 1/3 innings) and mile-long injury history should give you pause. Perhaps a pitching-starved owner -- they’re out there, especially with Carpenter and King Felix ailing -- will give you a dollar for your shiny Penny, if you get my drift.
DELMON YOUNG: He’s off to a terrific start, but he’s got a 9/2 K/BB this year and a 33/3 K/BB lifetime in the bigs. He needs to start taking a walk or three, or his .295 batting average is going to crumble like Don Imus’ career.
