Call me a disgruntled Yankee fan, if you will, but I have had enough with Mariano Rivera. I don't know what the rest of the world sees, perhaps they are still clinging on to the 1996-2000 versions of Rivera as opposed to the present day version, but this guy just doesn't cut it anymore.
He is one of a few players who can single handedly send a team into a funk. The Yankees lost 6-3 yesterday afternoon, completely on the ineffectiveness of Rivera. After a dramatic bottom of the ninth, two-out three run jack by Kevin Mass...errr...Shane Spencer...umm, I mean Shelley Duncan, Rivera proceeded to get pounded by the O's.
That was a must win game for the Yanks after such a dramatic homerun. I'm not one to ever hit the panic button. I was actually pulling for my Yanks to NOT make the playoffs this season so that we could rebuild with youth next year. So, this is not a button pushing idea in my head -- it is simply a "what is best for the team" move. Send Rivera to the setup role, a la 1996, and throw Chamberlain into the closer's role.
The reason why this would be far more effective than the other way around is that when Chamberlain (or Edwar Ramirez for that matter) come in with their electric stuff, Rivera only looks average in comparison. The hitters are so concentrating on the youngsters' 100 mph stuff that when Rivera comes in throwing 92 mph, it looks like a beachball on a tee! It comes down to being sensitized.
As far as keeper leagues go, do yourselves a favor and dump Rivera where you can get 90%+ of his value. There is no guarantee he is back with the Yankees next season, thus no guarantee of a particular number of save opportunities.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Sigh of Keeper League Relief!
With just mere seconds before the MLB draft signing deadline struck, a flurry of signings came across the desk. Most notably of which were Moustakes signing with the Royals, Vitters with the Cubs and Wieters with the Orioles.
Both Moustakes and Wieters looked like long shots in getting done; however, both opted to go pro. Vitters was assumed to have a verbal agreement, but was simply waiting until Moustakes had decided to go public with it.
As far as fantasy impact goes, Wieters and Price are the biggest "near-term" contributors. Price has #1 SP stuff and needs to be grabbed in all keeper leagues, while Wieters is a powerful switch hitting catcher. Both should rise through the minors quickly, more than likely making their debuts in mid-2008 with their respective clubs.
Coming out of high school, Moustakes and Vitters are more long-term projects, as is Porcello (Tigers). All three have enormously high ceilings, but as with any high school draft pick, the bust rate is ridiculously high, so buyer beware! It is still worth taking a shot on them simply due to the amazing upside.
On a down note, any Matt Harvey owners have to be a little bummed today as he failed to even negotiate with the Angels, let alone sign with them. He will be attending UNC in a few weeks.
Both Moustakes and Wieters looked like long shots in getting done; however, both opted to go pro. Vitters was assumed to have a verbal agreement, but was simply waiting until Moustakes had decided to go public with it.
As far as fantasy impact goes, Wieters and Price are the biggest "near-term" contributors. Price has #1 SP stuff and needs to be grabbed in all keeper leagues, while Wieters is a powerful switch hitting catcher. Both should rise through the minors quickly, more than likely making their debuts in mid-2008 with their respective clubs.
Coming out of high school, Moustakes and Vitters are more long-term projects, as is Porcello (Tigers). All three have enormously high ceilings, but as with any high school draft pick, the bust rate is ridiculously high, so buyer beware! It is still worth taking a shot on them simply due to the amazing upside.
On a down note, any Matt Harvey owners have to be a little bummed today as he failed to even negotiate with the Angels, let alone sign with them. He will be attending UNC in a few weeks.
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