You can reach Ray Flowers on Twitter (@baseballguys).

THE FINAL PLAYER RANKINGS UPDATE IS NOW AVAILABLE. HERE ARE THE REST OF THE WAY RANKINGS FOR FANTASY ALARM.

 

In a 14-team roto league, should I drop any of Javier Baez, Joe Panik, Jedd Gyorko, or Jhonny Peralta for Yoan Moncada?
@JoeyColonna

I wrote about Moncada Wednesday in this Ray’s Ramblings piece. Since I wrote the piece he has officially been called up by the Red Sox. As I hinted at, and the Boston Globe succinctly stated “…the gap between Portland and the majors is sufficiently large that it’s almost impossible to know how a player will respond to the request that he leap across it.” Here is what his Double-A manager, Carlos Febles, had to say about Moncada. “Andrew Benintendi is a more refined hitter. Moncada is still learning. Once he learns his swing and is consistent with his approach, I believe he will be pretty good. He’s not at that point yet… He still swings and misses a lot, but at the same time, he’s taking good swings. He’s a work in progress.” Even if you don’t believe all of that you must take to heart this final note from the Globe. “There’s no guarantee that he will unseat the struggling Travis Shaw/Aaron Hill/Brock Holt trio (recall, after all, that Will Middlebrooks was the Sox’ postseason starter at third base in 2013 until the middle of the ALCS). He’s still a work in progress both offensively and defensively (particularly at third base, where he’s now played 10 games).”

Baez has played five games at first, 47 games at second, 56 games at third, 15 games at short and two games in the outfield. This late in the year it’s always nice to have a guy with flexibility to cover up injuries. He’s also torn up lefties this year (.300/.369/.482).

Panik has a .378/.455/.757 slash line over 11 games with three homers, 12 RBI and 10 runs scored. He also had an .862 OPS in August with just six strikeouts and 17 walks. No idea why you would be considering moving on from him.

Gyorko has four homers his last seven games. He has nine homers, 15 RBI and 15 runs scored his last 17 games. Over his last 40 games he’s hit 17 homers with a .934 OPS. He likely qualifies at second, third and short in all leagues, and first in some (10 games, eight starts). How on Earth, Mars, Jupiter could you drop that?

Peralta is batting .248 with six homers and 20 RBI in 206 at-bats.

I would easily drop Peralta for Moncada and hope his dynamic talent shines through.

Ricky Nolasco is who he is, a league average arm. Gio Gonzalez is the same Gio we see year after year. Luke Weaver has been everything as advertised for the redbirds. See the Daily Dive Video.

 Traded Aaron Sanchez for Danny Salazar in keeper league. Can keep forever. Right call?
@_likeKlockwork

I wrote all about Sanchez and his 2016 outlook in this Daily Trends piece. Through 287.2 big league innings Sanchez has a 2.78 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 59 percent ground ball rate. Those are all elite numbers.  Love it. However, two main factors to also consider. (1) Despite his stuff, Sanchez has a mere 6.95 K/9 rate for his career and it’s 7.43 this season. Passable is all that number is. (2) Sanchez has a 3.19 BB/9 rate for his career, a completely league average number. The rate is better at 2.72 this season, but that’s it’s nowhere near elite.

Salazar is dealing with some arm concerns now, and he has for years if we’re being honest. (1) Salazar has yet to prove that he can throw 200-innings like Sanchez, but he brings one trait that Sanchez simply doesn’t – the strikeout. Over 127.2 innings this season Sanchez has 146 strikeouts leading to a 10.29 K/9 rate. He also owns a 9.97 K/9 rate for his career, three batters higher than Sanchez. That’s a massive advantage for Danny. (2) Though he has struggled with the walk this season at 4.16 per nine, Salazar owns a 3.07 per nine mark for his career which is better than that of Sanchez (3.19). (3) Salazar has allowed 1.08 homers per nine in his career, a solid number. He doesn’t generate anywhere near as many grounders as Sanchez at 41.3 percent for his career, but the late two years he has been better than that including 46.4 percent this season.

Ultimately I do have concerns about the arm/health of Salazar, but I would still take him over Sanchez – he’s just a more dynamic fantasy option.

Adam Ottavino, Daniel Hudson or Deolis Guerra for saves?
@Mark_SZN

Ottavino has made 24 appearances this season with a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 19.2 innings for the Rockies. Those are impressive numbers. Until his last outing though, his numbers were off the charts: 0.48 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 9.64 K/9 and a 1.93 BB/9. Since the start of the 2014 season he’s appeared in 95 frames with a 3.03 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 2.27 BB/9 rate and 104 punchouts. That’s some strong work.

Hudson takes over for Jake Barrett who tried, and failed, to take over for Tyler Clippard who took over for Brad Ziegler. Barrett has allowed eight walks, nine hits and eight runs his last 7.1 frames to lose his hold on the 9th. Meanwhile, Hudson has rebounded from some terrible work of his own but he too has allowed a run in each of his last two outings, this after 11 scoreless outings. Over his last 21 games he has a 9.77 K/9 but the rest of the game… not great at all.

I wrote about Guerra in the Daily Trends piece where I suggested he would close over J.C. Ramirez, but as I pointed out there, I have no idea who will close for sure.

Give me Ottavino.

Andrew Toles has been fantastic when given playing time. Hanley Ramirez will finish with a really productive season as long as he can stay healthy. Dropping Yasmani Grandal could be a big mistake. See the Big 3 Video.

Thoughts on Junior Guerra in 2017. Keeper, more of the same or 'just a guy'?
@pdoberer

Guerra has had one of the most interesting trips, ever. A movie has to be made about this story. Check it.

Signed by the Braves in 2001, he threw his first big league pitch in 2015.

From 2002-05 he was a hitter.

In 2006 he started pitching.

From 2006-08 he pitched, never above Single-A. He was suspended 50 games for PED use in 2008.

From 2008-14 he appeared in the Venezuelan Winger League.

Last year he threw four innings with the White Sox.

This season, at 31 years of age, he’s made 17 starts for the Brewers with a 7-3 record, 2.93 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 7.55 K/9. With his history, how can you believe in him? His K/9 rate is pretty much league average. His walk rate is league average (3.10 per nine). His 18.3 percent line drive rate and 1.30 GB/FB are better than average, but not impressive. His .242 batting average is far too low, and his .206 batting average against is stupid low.

I would not be counting on a repeat next year as he’s destined to be just a guy, albeit one with an amazing story.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 8 PM EDT, on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 11 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).