Binky Update

Inspired by an intervention style post about one owner's continued attachment to his binkies, here's an update on some of the ongoing binkies in our league:

Owner: Dan Opp
Binky: Michael Cuddyer
Binky Qualifications: Weak
This is a weak binky because Mike Cuddyer is a perfectly valid fantasy option at this point. He is certainly worth owning after a .309, 24 HR, 109 RBI season. The only reason he reaches binky status is that Mr. Opp owned Mikey well before he became a viable option, but like I said, a weak case.

Owner: Nick Willnow
Binky: Carl Pavano
Binky Qualifications: Very Strong
Nick drafted Pavano high before the 2005 season and held onto him all season (4-6, 4.77 ERA). He even opted to keep him, and held onto him for his zero appearances in 2006. He kept him AGAIN and still is hanging onto Carl, even though he's about to have his elbow rebuilt and will likely not pitch until 2009.
Dishonorable Mention: Coco Crisp

Owner: Dan Messier
Binky: Zack Greinke
Binky Qualifications: Very Strong
Dan traded Bartolo Colon to get Zack in 2005, and enjoyed his 5-17, 5.88 ERA, 1.56 WHIP season. He kept him, and stuck with him through his lost year of 2006. Dan is still tantalized by Zack's potential, despite his immolation and demotion to the bullpen this year.

Owner: Brad DeMay
Binky: Wily Mo Pena
Binky Qualifications: Moderate
Brad has owned Wily Mo since he came over the AL. He wasn't eligible to be kept this past offseason, so Brad had to go ahead and draft him. Brad continues to hold onto Wily Mo (despite owning 5 other OFs), intrigued by his power, just hoping for him to get some playing time.
Dishonorable Mention: Eric Chavez, Ervin Santana

Owner: Matt Adams (me)
Binky: Jonny Gomes
Binky Qualifications: High
Yes, I can admit my own weakness. Similar to Brad with Wily Mo, I continue holding onto Gomes despite having 5 other OFs. I keep telling myself that Gomes hit 21 HR in 3/4 of a season in 2005, and 12 HR last April before hurting his shoulder. His binky status is enhanced by the fact that Gomes got sent to Triple A today, but I have not plans to drop him.
Dishonorable Mention: Adrian Beltre, Jason Giambi, Johan Santana (kidding)

Owner: Harold Greist
Binky: Jorge Cantu
Binky Qualifications: High
Continuing on a theme, here's another D Ray who had a monster 2005, followed by a disappointing, injury plagued 2006. Harold had Cantu for 2005, so perhaps his devotion is understandable. Cantu is back in the majors after an uninspiring trip to the minors (.677 OPS) He avoided a second trip to the minors, but doesn't look to be getting any playing time any time soon.

Owner: Greg Palmer
Binky: Daniel Cabrera
Binky Qualifications: Extremely High
The king of all binkies in this league, Greg is like a battered wife who keeps making excuses for her abusive husband. Greg has been waiting years for the results to match the stuff. He actually traded him away last season in a trade for Randy Johnson, but once Cabrera was dropped, I must admit, I got a case of Cabrera-fever. After a few positive starts by Cabrera this season, Greg couldn't resist, and traded me Gary Sheffield and Kevin Millwood for Cabrera and Adam Lind.
Dishonorable Mention: Tadahito Iguchi

Owner: Chuck Prezzano
Binky: Andy Marte
Binky Qualifications: High
Chuck's the subject of a recent intervention about his devotion to Craig Hansen, Andy Marte, and Brandon Marte. He did bounce Hansen (finally) but is doggedly attached to Marte, despite having TWO thirdbasemen on his team better than Marte (Alex Gordon, Aki Iwamura)
Dishonorable Mention: Brandon McCarthy, Craig Hansen (cured!)

We've all got them: the guy we hate

So I was perusing the wire today and I saw a name that made my blood boil. Ok, maybe that's a bit strong, but I certainly didn't react positively to the name.

I think most fantasy players, after a while, end up with anti-binkies. I've mentioned the irrational fantasy binky in the past (I myself am a recovering member of the Jose Guillen binky club), well the anti-binky is the opposite, a guy who you irrationally hate.

The anti-binky really needs a good name. How about bonky? That’d be especially appropriate in fantasy hockey if your bonky was Radek Bonk.

Anyway, my current bonky is Hank “Mookie” Blalock, aka Hank “Stiff” Blalock. There, you see, my irrational distaste for Mr. Blalock is shining through. As you can probably guess, I once owned Mr. Hank Blalock. In fact, I made intermittent attempts to acquire his services over the course of 2 years before finally acquiring him prior to the 2006 season. I traded a high pick (top 10) and a lower pick for Blalock and a mid-round pick. I don’t want to delve into our league rules too much, suffice it to say, I gave up a fair amount to acquire him.

The thought process at the time went something like this: “He’s only 26, and already has a 32 HR, 110 RBI season under his belt. Nevermind the fact that he can’t hit lefties to save his life (He sports an impressive .225/.278/.351 against lefties in his career). Also nevermind the fact that his OPS had decline for 2 straight seasons, from .872 to .855 to .749. Basically, I was betting on him to turn it around, after all, he was only 26.

Well, what happened? He fell further off the face of the Earth. His OPS lowered again to .726. He hit even more pathetically against lefties. By the end of the season one of his coaches told him “You are a waste of talent.” By our league’s trading deadline I was disgusted with this stiff (who had taken up residence on my bench, having been supplanted by Adrian Beltre, another guy I have a love/hate relationship with) and shipped him out to get some first base help (Kevin Youkilis).

Hank was off to a better start this year before going under the knife. Not up to his previous career standards, but his OPS was at least over .800.

I think one of the main reasons people form fantasy bonkies is because of disappointment. In my case, I worked off and on for a few years in order to get that guy, only to end up saying “Man, this guy friggin sucks!”

We all have our bonkies and I welcome your comments about yours, and the reasons why.

Other bonkies I have/had:

JD Drew - He's well on his way to bonky status with his incredibly weak start. I draft him even though he was my 5^th outfielder and traded Magglio Ordonez (and Joe Borowski, for Jason Giambi) to make room for JD. Not looking so good right now.

Chris Carpenter – This one is more a case of “what might have been.” I drafted him (a steal I thought) in the 12^th round of our inaugural draft, back when he was still in Toronto. I thought he’d be a good one. He got bombed in his first start, then went on the shelf. He came back a few weeks later to get bombed again. Back to the DL he went, eventually having some arm surgery, if I recall correctly. Toronto ended up letting him go, he went to the Cardinals and the rest is history.

Will I take Jose Guillen?

So I was just perusing Yahoo's preview of the AL outfielders and a name caught my eye. Yes, it's one of my original binkies, Jose Guillen. I have loved this man irrationally since his big half season with the Cincy Reds in 2003. When he came over to the AL in 2004 I was all over him, and he really came through with a big season, at least until he threw a helmet at his manager and got suspended towards the end of the year. Since then he's had one good year and one bad (injured) year. Now my boy is back in the American League, and I can snap him up again.

What is it with fantasy sports binkies? I equate them to your first crush, or any crush for that matter. Why do you have crush on someone? It could be all sorts of silly reasons (they have good hair, they have good looks, or they're easy), but you just want them. Well I just love Jose Guillen. I look at him and say, "He's ONLY 31, he's still in his prime." and "He was hurt last year, and played in the Grand Canyon of stadiums."

I guess I'm like a victim of spousal abuse. Things have turned out badly more times than not, but I just can't see it, and keep giving them another chance. All I know is that I need to trade one of my outfielders to make room for a Mr. Jose Guillen...