{"id":579533,"date":"2010-05-26T12:01:02","date_gmt":"2010-05-26T16:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,yhoo:20050301:fantasy,article,yhoo-ept_sports_fantasy_experts-243829:1"},"modified":"2010-05-26T12:01:02","modified_gmt":"2010-05-26T16:01:02","slug":"flames-cincinnatis-jonny-gomes-is-subterranean-by-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/579533","title":{"rendered":"Flames: Cincinnati’s Jonny Gomes is subterranean by design"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>
<\/p>\n

Want to slam the Noise for his Clayton Kershaw<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\nanalysis or misguided projections? Humiliate him in 140 characters or less on Twitter<\/a>. And click here to follow Roto
\nArcade on Facebook<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mention the word "platoon" during a light
\nconversation with a fantasy owner and the mood will instantly darken. Not even a
\nsudden topic change to Erin Andrews’ erotic bedroom dance<\/a> could rectify the
\nmoment. <\/p>\n

Outside possibly "Sizemore" there is no word that elicits
\nmore disgustful feelings in the virtual game’s vocabulary. After all, timeshare
\nplayers like Andres Torres<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Marcus Thames<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Xavier Nady<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> – though useful in "only"
\nformats – aren’t exactly stimulating to the common mixed leaguer. <\/p>\n

However, Cincinnati’s
\nJonny Gomes<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is challenging the widely accepted stigma.<\/a><\/p>\n

Thus far, the colorful veteran has amassed attention-grabbing
\ntotals. Over 130 at-bats, he’s tallied a .285-6-27-23-1 line, an output which checks
\nin at No. 39 among outfielders according to Baseball Monster well ahead of
\nnotable names Matt Holliday<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Carlos Lee<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Adam Lind<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and teammate Jay Bruce<\/a>(notes)<\/a>.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Since he was schooled at the Dave Kingman Academy of Free
\nSwinging (28.3 K%), a BA regression back to the career norm (.244 BA) should be
\nexpected. He likely won’t finish north of .280. The missing "h" in
\nhis first name says it all.<\/p>\n

But Gomes’ muscle is very real. <\/p>\n

Because he’s equipped with a strong, uppercut swing (0.52
\nGB\/FB ratio) he could flirt with 30 homers playing half his games in the Great
\nAmerican Bandbox. His increase in outside contact rate, aggressive plate approach
\nand RBI-friendly spots in Dusty Baker’s order support the forecast. If he
\nmaintains his current pace, he will finish shy of the projected long-ball ceiling,
\nbut 21 homers, 97 RBI and 82 runs are nothing to scoff at. That’s production
\nsimilar to what popular commodities Ryan Ludwick<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Brad Hawpe<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> achieved last
\nseason. In this Jose Bautista<\/a>(notes)<\/a>-crazed<\/span> season, anything is possible. <\/p>\n

Despite routine days off, the 29-year-old credits feeling
\nlocked in for the sudden surge. From MLB.com<\/a>: <\/p>\n

\n

"I’m seeing the ball pretty good," Gomes said.
\n"It’s still early and Laynce Nix<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and I have been platooning. So, our
\nat-bats are kind of low right now and our average is going to fluctuate with a
\nfew hits here and there. But I’m just seeing the ball and working pretty hard
\nwith our hitting coach Brook Jacoby, who’s a real good fit for me and he knows
\nmy swing pretty well and I’ve been working hard with him."<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

After being hindered by injury and inconsistency while in Tampa, it’s no surprise
\nGomes has finally blossomed at a different address. The man, who’s cheated
\ndeath twice<\/a> and possibly a third time after he exuberantly slammed Bud Light
\nfrom Dioner Navarro’s presumably tainted cup<\/a> when the Rays clinched the AL pennant in ’08, is amazingly resilient. <\/p>\n

On a team loaded with a number of statistical marvels (Joey
\nVotto<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Brandon Phillips<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Scott Rolen<\/a>(notes)<\/a>)<\/span> and hyped youngsters (Bruce and Drew
\nStubbs<\/a>(notes)<\/a>),<\/span> it’s understandable why the 17-percent owned outfielder is still doing
\nbackstrokes in many free agent pools. However, for owners who can see past the
\nsplit situation, he could be a deep league difference maker. And a key reason why
\nMr. Redlegs might bust a stitch come October. <\/p>\n

Another monster month similar to May (.343-4-15-14-1) and
\nthe Garden Gomes won’t remain beneath the surface much longer. <\/p>\n

Fearless Forecast (rest of season): 313 at-bats, .258 BA, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 50 R, 4 SB<\/strong>  <\/p>\n

Discount Den <\/strong>
\nQuality commodity owned
\nin fewer than 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Eric Hinske<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Atl, 1B\/3B\/OF
\n(seven-percent owned)<\/strong>: Due to his multi-positional eligibility, the
\nwell-traveled commodity is a contortionist of sorts. To deep leaguers,
\nconsiderable flexibility is invaluable. Earning regular time in left due to
\nMelky Cabrera’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> mundane play; he’s hit .391 with four homers 12 RBI and nine
\nruns this month. The veteran has an unsustainable .423 BABIP, which means the
\n.300 BA won’t last long. However, his power is legit. Recall in ’08, he clubbed
\n20 homers in just 381 at-bats with the Rays. Owners searching for a short-term
\nfix at CI or OF should give the 32-year-old an audition. <\/p>\n

Ooh Stream Weaver…<\/strong>
\nWidely available plug
\nn’ play starter heading into the weekend.<\/em> <\/p>\n

\n<\/a>P.J. Walters<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> StL (5\/27
\nat SD, one-percent owned): <\/strong>For those who think boxing a mutant kangaroo
\nis a riskless gamble, the recently recalled prospect is immediately acquirable.
\nPrior to being recalled, the 25-year-old finesse righty dominated PCL opponents.
\nIn 18.2 innings with Triple-A Memphis
\nhe totaled an impressive 0.48 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 11.38 K\/9 over three starts.
\nSimilar to LA’s John Ely<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Walters doesn’t possess overpowering stuff. Instead,
\nhe relies heavily on offspeed junk – his change rates as one of the
\norganization’s best – to miss bats and coax weak contact.  Because Dave Duncan could turn water into
\nwine and based on San Diego’s
\noffensive shortcomings (.243 team BA, 4.2 runs\/game), the rookie is a
\nroll-of-the-dice start which could pay a handsome profit.  <\/p>\n

Middle Relief Magic <\/strong>
\nERA\/WHIP savior,
\npotential saves\/wins vulture<\/em>. <\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Joaquin Benoit<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> TB
\n(one-percent owned)<\/strong>: Storming back with a vengeance after going under the knife to
\nrepair a torn rotator cuff in January ’09, the reliever has shined as a Ray.
\nWorking in high leverage situations, he has punched out 14 in nine innings with
\njust two walks. Dan Wheeler<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Grant Balfour’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> struggles as setup men
\nin the recent past has left a bitter taste in Joe Maddon’s mouth, opening
\nthe door for Benoit. Though his GB\/FB ratio is a bit sky-heavy (0.44) and 7.1
\nline-drive rate will inflate, the former starter’s increased fastball velocity
\nand effective change are certainly attractive. Toss Nelson Cruz’s<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> body double
\na flotation device in 12-team and deeper leagues.  <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Image courtesy of the AP <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want to slam the Noise for his Clayton Kershaw(notes) analysis or misguided projections? Humiliate him in 140 characters or less on Twitter. And click here to follow Roto Arcade on Facebook. Mention the word "platoon" during a light conversation with a fantasy owner and the mood will instantly darken. Not even a sudden topic change […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5446,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-579533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5446"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=579533"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/579533\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=579533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=579533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=579533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}