Fantasy Baseball Question for you Pros....

[Jim'sBeef]

I am in a league where we score head to head via a category based system. 10 hitting categories vs 8 pitching categories.

In the last round of my draft last night, I selected Johnny Cueto as a back up pitcher, thinking he has some pretty good upside.

I realized today that no one drafted Todd Helton, who is tearing it up this spring (although only 32 ab's, he is hitting .500 with 4 hr's). I have Morneau and Adrian Gonzalez (my util), and also have Votto as a backup.

We can trade in this league so I would only be picking up Helton as a flier in hopes that he reverts back to his days of 2006-2007 (can't expect anything like the ealry 2000's) and hit .300+, with 15-20 hr's, 40+ doubles, 100+ walks, and very few k's.

What do you guys think? Drop Cueto and pick up Helton? The other guys I have on my bench are Ibanez, Damon and A-Rod (not going anywhere). Bench pitchers are Jurrjens, Pelfrey, and Cueto.

Thanks!

Beef

 

[JakeT.]

Cueto > Pelfrey by far IMO.

 

[Jim'sBeef]

Thanks Jake, I respect your opinion too. Could you elaborate on why you like Cueto more than Pelfrey? And would you drop Pelfrey for Helton given my situation?

Thank you for your advice and input!

 

[JakeT.]

Cueto plays in a tougher park to pitch in but the guy's stuff is #1 starter quality and he received a ton of bad luck last season. The Cincy offense has never looked stronger and Cueto has a 1.50 ERA in the spring and has been unhittable. The guy has 200 strikeout potential after striking out like 160 in 180 innings last year.

Pelfrey is no slouch but 110-120 strikeouts is about as good as it gets and he doesn't have even close to as high of a ceiling as Cueto. Plus I expect regression from Pelfrey who got really lucky when you figure in the fact that opposing batters hit like .280 against him.

If you drop one, I'd go Pelfrey in a second. As far as whether or not to drop him for Helton to trade the Rockie slugger later, it's a tough call. Helton doesn't have Holliday anymore and the Rockies offense should be down a notch since Carlos Gonzalez isn't ready just yet.

That being said, Helton is batting 3rd in an offense that can still score runs and he should hit .300+ with 15 HRs or so. I'd make the move.

 

[jtc1984]

keep Cueto....forget Helton....finished

 

[JakeT.]

Brian Anderson and Chris Volstad are young STUDS that should have nice seasons if you need a pitcher at some point. Good guys to stash. Just figured I'd put this somewhere.

 

[smartz]

pretty sure its brett anderson.

get elijah dukes and scott baker....

 

[JakeT.]

pretty sure its brett anderson.

get elijah dukes and scott baker....

Damnit smartz you are right. Brian Anderson is a White Sox OF right? Anyway, Brett Anderson.

I think Dukes has a ton of potential but is going too high because of all the hype. Baker is a good one though. The Twins have a very nice staff. I still think Kevin Slowey is gonna be the best of the bunch (minus Liriano assuming he recovers).

 

[99steak]

This years Braun: Nelon Cruz
This Year's Soria/Papelbon: Jason Motte
This Year's Howard: Chris Davis
This Year's Lincecum: No one

 

[billhill999]

I like Davis myself, he's good for 28 taters if he plays 65 + games in Arlington this season.
Like Howard, whiffs alot.
Would like to see him be a little more patient.

 

[w8lifterguy]

Helton looks as healthy as ever. He is stretching out hits in preseason which is a good indication that his back problems may be resolved short term. Pick up Helton, drop Pelfrey and then dangle A. Gonzalez as bait to upgrade your weaker position. Can see helton .300 - 85 - 25 - 90 this season and this will be his last hurrah.

 

[w8lifterguy]

This years Braun: Nelon Cruz
This Year's Soria/Papelbon: Jason Motte
This Year's Howard: Chris Davis
This Year's Lincecum: No one

I have Nelson Cruz as this years Hamilton, more mature always has torn the cover off the ball and is in that peak 25-27 year old range where hitters figure the game out. Don't fall asleep on Jay Bruce in Cincy, 5 tool guy that's only 23 yrs old.

Like Motte, but Larussa is not the most patient manager out there, a couple of so-so outings and Perez is back up from the minors.

Chris Davis is an absolute stud, but if a league penalizes for K's then he becomes average until his eye matures and starts taking walks.

The closest to Lincecum is Zimmerman from the Nationals. He has the tools to be a #1 and his k/bb ratio is excellent for such a young pitcher.