As we head to the holiday weekend, I thought I'd answer a few of your Twitter questions in an article today. Was I lazy and didn't want to come up with a topic today, or was I just nice and wanting to share my knowledge with a few of you? You can be the judge of that.
Chase Utley and Jair Jurrjens for Ryan Braun. Who you got? @RockiesFan111
Utley has been really good since he returned, but he hasn't been elite. The batting average (.280) and OBP (.381) are nearly an identical match for his career totals (.380 and .512), and he's even stolen five bases putting him on pace for more than 20 steals in a full season. However he's only got three homers and 16 games, but those are still good numbers at second. As for Jurrjens, I'm not a fan of him, at all. There is no way he's gonna keep this up, not with a K/9 rate (5.17), barely better than average GB/FB ratio (1.24) and his xFIP (3.80). If you can deal those two to get Braun, who is on pace to go 30/35 while hitting over .320, then do it.
Where's Jose Reyes wind up? @mattewkirn
No idea (how is that for expert analysis?). I do know that the Mets would be stupid not to deal him since they have no intention of paying him more than $100 million (that's thought to be the floor of what he will want). The answer to this question depends on what teams want to do. Are they going to try and add Reyes to win the World Series this year, or do they plan to build around him moving forward? The Giants could certainly use a difference maker at the top of the order, and with their pitching staff they would have to be interested. The Red Sox, Cardinals, Angels have all been mentioned as possible destinations.
Phil Hughes an option for a pickup? @spensa1
If you are in an AL-only league then add Hughes. If you are in a 10 or 12 team mixed league then no. Hughes, who hit 94 mph in his last outing in the minors, appears ready to rejoin the Yankees starting rotation. However, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned. (1) The Yankees are toying with the idea of going with a 6-man rotation. That's good for no one. (2) Is he really healthy? (3) It's not like he only struggled in three starts this season. Don't forget that he had a 4.90 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and posted a 1.90 K/BB rate in his last 15 appearances last season. I'm not bullish on Hughes.
At this point would you trade Carlos Pena for Adam Dunn? @SGreen14
I'm a big fan of Dunn, and I always tout his amazing seven year run of consistency when I tell people to keep the faith in him this season. No matter. There is simply no way I can tell anyone to deal Pena to get Dunn. In fact, I'd question the sanity of anyone who would make such a move. Pena has his faults, he has no speed and his average may not be better than .230, but the power is legit and he is white hot right now with eight homers over his last 15 games.
I was offered Erick Aybar for Chris Carpenter. I have Jason Bartlett already at SS. Need bags bad. @ColbSchlick
Aybar has 16 steals which is great, but at the same time he's only stolen two bags since June 3rd. He also hit .362 in April, .285 in May and .245 in June. Given that he has hit .276 for his career, and that he has never stolen more than 22 bases, you have to be concerned, don't you? Carpenter has been much better of late as he's allowed two runs over his last two outings (16 innings). Over his last three outings he's struck out 19 batters while walking only three, and over his last seven outings he has allowed two or fewer earned runs five times. Like I've been saying for months, you want to add Carpenter, and I would add him in this deal even if you need stolen base help.
By Ray Flowers
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