RotoSynthesis Blog Posts for Tampa Bay Rays

Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced-Loaded With Talent

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:00 PM 0000

Preliminary rosters for the Arizona Fall League were announced today. The rosters are loaded with talent. In the past, however, for one reason or another some preliminary names were removed when the games actually began. So this list is subject to alteration.

Anatomy of a pitching meltdown, part 1 -- Scott Kazmir

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 25:00 PM 0000

Tampa Bay’s Scott Kazmir tops my list of this year’s underachieving pitchers, and with a quick look at his numbers, I think few would argue with that choice. Last year, Kazmir posted a very respectable 3.49 ERA, with a whopping 166 strikeouts in only 152.1 innings pitched. He has followed it up so far this year with a miserable 6.17 ERA, with only 81 K’s in 105 innings. So what accounts for this drastic downfall? Well, I delved into his pitch data from 2008 and 2009 to see if I could figure it out. Here’s what I found:

Quantifying Patience and Timing in Fantasy Baseball

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 39:00 PM 0000

What we can learn from buying lowest, David Ortiz, and partial-season dollar values.

Lineup Order Still Doesn't Matter That Much, But...

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 49:00 AM 0000

With the Tampa Bay Rays exploring lineup options as they enter a pivotal stretch of games tonight against divisional rivals Boston and New York, and with several key players struggling, here's how I'd refine the team's batting order.

You Know You're Bad When...

Sat, 1 Aug 2009 23:00 PM 0000

There are a million facts and figures one could use to describe the Royals' ineptitude this season.

Subversive Trade Deadline Strategies, Fans' Edition

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 40:00 AM 0000

How Yankees fans can sabotage the Rays' playoff chances.

What I'm Watching At The Deadline (And The Rest Of The Season)

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:00 PM 0000

As much as teams try to look at the big picture, today's actual problems always seem to carry more weight than tomorrow's theoretical problems. A team with a great pitching staff in paper that's getting lit up leading into the trade deadline might feel compelled to reach out for an ace or a bullpen stopper. A team expected to score a ton of runs that hits a July offensive swoon might have trouble resisting the urge to trade premium prospects for a middle-of-the-order bat.

Here are two situations we're watching that could prompt teams to make deals they wouldn't have expected to make a few months, or even a few weeks ago.

On Roto and Outliers

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 37:00 AM 0000

Jarrod Washburn pitched a 1-hitter last night and is now 6th in the AL in ERA. In April, I called Jarrod Washburn this year's Cliff Lee. This weekend, I traded Washburn for Marco Scutaro. I believe the term for this is idiot savant. Though I'm probably a much bigger idiot than savant.

BABIP of the Week: Carl Pavano(?!)

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:00 AM 0000

In this week's edition of BABIP of the Week, we examine a very unlikely tout: Carl Pavano.

Rants, An Homage

Thu, 21 May 2009 21:00 PM 0000

In the great tradition of Bill Simmons' Ramblings, Dalton Del Don's MLB Notes and Andy Rooney's daily existence, here's what's on my mind on a warm Thursday evening.

Yahoo's Can't Cut List and Projecting the Fall(s)

Fri, 1 May 2009 42:00 AM 0000

So here's a little exercise for you: Who's going to end up with the worst season among players considered pre-season MLB superstars?

This Year's Cliff Lee? Jarrod Washburn

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 48:00 PM 0000

Making the case for a most unlikely breakout pitcher.

The Wisdom of Crowds

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 53:00 PM 0000

Something to consider when looking at the stats generated by big-time fantasy hosting sites...

Opening Day Action

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 12:00 PM 0000

A new blogger steps in with some friendly wagers with the Rotowire guys.

MLB Playoff Team Predictions

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 45:00 AM 0000

I'll post complete projections for all 30 teams, with regular-season records, playoff results and award winners, at JonahKeri.com before Monday's first pitch. For now, here are your eight 2009 MLB playoff teams.