The Morning Offering - April 6, 2005

Written by Ape on April 06, 2005

So the Ape was swinging from tree to tree a few months ago in his never ending search for tasty bananas and good prospects for his roto baseball team, and he slipped, fell out of the tree and busted his ankle. Ouch!

Almost five weeks later the now 27-year-old Ape is still feeling the effects of his injury and starting to wonder whaddafuck is going on. This never happened to the Ape while he was in college. It should have been better two weeks ago at least.

But, while pondering the vagaries of age, the Ape was inspired to think up a list of geezers who are still getting it done on the baseball diamond. With so many people hyping young guys and breakout players, it’s time to flip the coin and see what the value is in the nursing home. While Randy, Roger and Curt (if you need their last names you're at the wrong site) remain perennial first and second rounders, here are some others who deserve your attention.

Jim Edmonds: The Ape has thought that last year would be Edmonds' last good year for the past three years. At this point though, Geritol Jim has had such a remarkable late career run that the Ape just pencils him in for 38 homers and 100-plus RBI. Bottom line, you can bid out your ass for younger guys like Manny Ramirez and Hideki Matsui, but Edmonds will put up the same numbers and won’t cost as much.

David Wells: While Boomer’s waist size is battling his age for numerical supremacy, it may surprise some that his numbers between the foul lines have stayed consistent late in his career. Wells isn’t a smart play against loaded lineups anymore, but he is a great play against weaker teams. Backed by the Boston bats, he will post double-digit wins. And, in leagues with innings limits he will efficiently get you wins in six innings where the young bucks will eat extra innings off your total. Plus Wells still is a top control pitcher so there won’t be any walks to inflate your WHIP.

Jeff Kent: I picked Mark Loretta in the sixth round of our Matrix League draft and watched in disbelief as Jeff Kent lasted until the ninth round. Whaddafuck?!? People seemed scared that his move to Chavez Ravine would rob him of his power numbers. If you see people in your league turning up their noses at Jeff Kent, make sure their loss is your gain. Kent is gold at second base and is still top three at the position despite his age. You only don’t want him if you don’t like .290/25/100 next to your second baseman's name.

Jamie Moyer: Moyer actually had an off year last season for the first time in recent memory. Now, the improved Seattle lineup and defense (bye-bye Rich Ausluglia) will booost him back to being a top three rotation guy for your roto team. Moyer’s slow ball repertoire should serve you well, as it did the M’s on opening night.

Omar Vizquel: Vizquel is no power source, but if you refused to overpay for one of the top five shortstops, you should strongly consider Vizquel. Not a home run threat, the move to PacBell will actually benefit his power to the gaps, and the NL style should guarantee he again reaches 20 stolen bases. Throw in a solid batting average and 90 runs or so from the second spot in the batting order and you have a late-round bargain you can feel comfortable playing.

Steve Finley: Finley is a poor man’s Jim Edmonds. He seems to keep having solid years as people keep dismissing him. As a bonus, Finley has proven to be a second half hero. Roto owners love to pay premiums for outfielders who topped 30 homers and 100 RBI, but if you don’t mind one who can hit 28 homers with 95 RBI, you will enjoy picking up Finley at a significant discount to similarly productive players like Brian Giles or Vernon Wells.

Luis Gonzalez (AZ): Gonzo’s Opening Day jack may have been a jolt to some who pushed this guy back on their draft cards because of his injuries last year. Don’t count him out. Ever since his arrival in Arizona (and to the cynics, his arrival on the juice), Gonzo has been nothing but productive. Don’t let his age and last year’s injury dissuade you from getting this guy. He is another who will give you first rate production without the bloom of youth to drive up his price.

Now, if only some of these guys would tell Ape where the fountain of youth is so he can get his ankle taken care of. I like to climb trees, not just twist’em …

-- Written by Ape on April 06, 2005