LestersLegends.com

Mark Harrison/The Seattle Times
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In the past thirty days Miguel Olivo is hitting .320. He has scored 13 runs, hit five long balls, drove in another 16 runs, and even swiped a couple of bases.
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If you look at the past 15 days, he’s even better hitting .378 with ten runs, 4 HRs, 13 RBI, and two SBs.
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Among catchers he ranks second with 26 runs scored, tied for sixth with seven home runs, and tied for seventh with 26 RBI.
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As hot as he’s been he’s only owned in 17 percent of Yahoo! and 8.5 percent of ESPN leagues. With Buster Posey lost for the year and Joe Mauer’s return still uncertain, there is certainly a need for production out of the catcher position.
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He’s owned in fewer leagues than Geovany Soto, Kurt Suzuki, Jorge Posada, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Iannetta, and John Buck who not only have been less productive and have a worst batting average. Carlos Santana would also qualify, but he has more upside. The other six though are just like Olivo. Veteran catchers that aren’t going to suddenly develop into Buster Posey.
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It’s also not like Olivo is playing over his head. He’s averaged 16.2 home runs and 56.4 RBI over the past five years.
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He will likely start getting scooped up by more fantasy owners thanks to a three-game home run streak. Don’t drop Alex Avila, Jonathon Lucroy, J.P. Arencibia,  or Yadier Molina for him, but if you’re holding onto Jorge Posada for sentimental reasons while Olivo is floating in the free agent pool, I say cut bait and give Miguel a shot.
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Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America
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On May 7th Brandon League had nine saves and a 2.08 ERA to his credit. He hadn’t lost a game or blown a save. He was automatic.
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He then gave up three runs in 1-1/3 innings against the White Sox on May 8th. He didn’t blow a save that day, but took his first loss of the season. His ERA jumped to 3.77.
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Two days later League blew his first save of the year against Baltimore giving up two runs while getting just two outs. League’s ERA climbed to 4.80. The once steady closer became shaky.
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He didn’t have to stew on the first blown save long as he was back at it two days later.  Again it was Baltimore. Again the results were the save. League blew his second straight save and lost his third straight game. He gave up two runs again while getting just one out this time. His ERA jumped to 5.87. What was going on?
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The very next night Eric Wedge gave him another opportunity. Like the previous three outings, League blew it. He gave up three runs while recording just two outs. It was League’s third straight blown save and fourth straight loss. League’s once petite ERA skyrocketed to 7.31.
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Which brings us here. What to do, what to do? At least David Aardsma had a setback, which gives League some time. It’s crazy that only a week ago I wonder if Aardsma would have replaced League as effective as League had been.
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Aardsma worries me. If he pitches at all in 2011 I’d be slightly surprised. Still, with a streak like League is on, the questions start piling up.
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Should Chris Ray be given a chance? He has 51 career saves. He also has an 11.88 ERA and 2.16 WHIP. David Pauley has a 1.16 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP, but has never been called up on to save a game. Aaron Laffey is pitching well (1.35 ERA, 1.35 WHIP), but has just one career save. Jamey Wright has also pitched well (1.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), but he is 36 and not likely to get his first crack at the closer position.
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Where does that leave us? The M’s could raid the farm system, but that seems unlikely right now.  He may just get a temporary break from the gig to clear his head. There is always a chance that somebody takes the job and runs with it, but more likely than not this will be a closer by committee system until League gets back on track.
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You knew when you drafted Chone Figgins that you were’t looking for power numbers. After all, he had 32 career homer runs entering the season. His career high in RBI is 62, but he had just 35 last season in his first year with the Mariners.
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In part  you got him for the runs scored. From 2004-2009 Figgins averaged 92.7 runs per season. Of course he had just 62 for the M’s last year. In part you got him for his batting average. He hit .292 over that same span. Of course he it .259 for the M’s last year. The return to third base (from second) was expected to help. It hasn’t. Chone is hitting just .165 with eight runs, a home run, and nine runs.
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The main reason you went with Figgins was the stolen bases. Even when his average dipped to .259 last year he still managed 42 stolen bases. He’s averaged 45.5 stolen bases over the past six seasons. That hasn’t been the case this year.
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Figgins has just two stolen bases through 24 games. Averaged out to 162 games that’s just 13.5 stolen bases. He attempted a 57 stolen bases in 161 games last year, or one every 2.8 games. He has three attempts in 22 games played, which is one every 7.3 games. Obviously his .165 average and .209 on-base percentage come into play.
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One thing to keep in mind is the fact that he’s been a slow starter the past few years. He hit .200 in April and .220 in May before finishing .280 the rest of the way, including .286 after the All-Star Break. In 2009 Chone hit .244 in April and .305 the rest of the way. For his career he has hit .254 before June and .297 after June.
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I know it’s hard to hang onto a guy batting so poorly, but his stolen bases will start to come. If you’re in a bind I can see letting him go, but if you have a roster spot I’d try to stash him for a little while longer.
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Click here to enter the 2011 Fantasy Baseball Team Name Contest
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Justin Smoak clubbed 62 home runs for the University of South Carolina in 739 at bats, prompting the Texas Rangers to select him with the 11th overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft. He shot through their farm system after just 492 at bats, hitting 17 home runs.
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He earned a trip to the bigs, but struggled to adjust. He hit just .209 for the Rangers. Despite his struggles, he did manage to hit eight HRs in 235 at bats. The 29.4 AB/HR ratio isn’t great, but considering his average and his 57 strikeouts (one every 4.1 ABs), it wasn’t that bad.
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He was then dealt to Seattle. He started off slow for the Mariners going ten for 63 (.159) with two HRs. He was sent to Triple-A Tacoma where he hit .271 with seven HRs in 133 ABs. When he was recalled in September, Smoak did a much better job hitting .340 (17 for 50) with three HRs. His overall numbers with the Mariners .239-11-5-14-0 were terrible at best, but at least  he had a strong finish to build upon for 2011.
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I expect Smoak to enter the year with a little more confidence, assuming he holds his own in Spring Training. The first base position is deep, but he offers a decent choice near the end of fantasy drafts. In fact, his average draft position, according to Mock Draft Central, is 345, meaning he’ll likely go undrafted. You can take a chance on him with one of your last picks, or you can just keep an eye on him. If he starts the season the way he finished, scoop him up. Either way, there isn’t a lot of risk involved. There could be plenty of reward though.
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What are your feelings about Justin Smoak?
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Also check out:

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With the baseball world (and sports world in general) focused on Jim Joyce and Armando Galarraga, I want to take a moment and thank Ken Griffey, Jr. for over two decades of entertaining baseball. Junior will forever be remembered for his flawless swing and his spectacular catches in centerfield.

Unfortunately injuries derailed the latter part of his career. Despite his struggles it was nice to see him return to Seattle to finish his career. Would I have liked more of a fairytale ending for a player I like as much as Junior? Of course. I am happy that he has never been linked to performance enhancing drugs. He played the game the right way and he always had a smile.