Mound Musings: My 2018 'Home' League Pitching Staff Revisited

Readers often ask about my own pitching staffs in the various fantasy leagues in which I compete. So, now into the stretch run in my primary or "home" league, I thought I'd take this opportunity to discuss the pitching staff as it stands today – after quite a few changes necessitated by a nearly unbelievable flurry of injuries. This season, more than most, it's been all about roster management. I will add that I typically focus very heavily on a few arms, so many of these guys pitch on several of my teams.

I anticipated being somewhat competitive despite losing several key players from my league championship team last season. The team is currently in a lower money spot, but a league title is probably out of reach. Despite a lot on injuries (and some disappointing numbers), the pitching staff has held up reasonably well, while the hitting, with as many or more injuries, and some epic failures when playing, has been atrocious. Putting that in perspective, Nick Ahmed and Jurickson Profar – both drafted as reserves/depth – are my team leaders in RBIs. The pitching staff has seen a lot of turnover, mostly to fill in for injured regulars who couldn't be released. Several trades and several pickups have kept the team competitive, and hopefully, the staff can finish on a high note.

A little background:

This league has been in existence for a very long time. This will be my 28th season, and most of the league's owners have been members for 20-plus years. It started in my hometown, but owners have gradually dispersed all over North America, and we all come back for draft day. These guys are savvy, experienced, and they are pretty familiar with the tendencies of the other owners. It's a challenging group, but that makes it fun!

With 15 teams, it's a mixed league keeper with deep rosters (33 players per team with no minor league or disabled list slots). Standard scoring categories, five hitting and five pitching, with a lineup consisting of 12 hitters and nine pitchers (with a minimum of five qualified starting pitchers and two qualified relief pitchers). One thing that makes roster management more challenging – picking up a free agent requires a "move" usually from a player being sent down or put on the disabled list. You can then release that player and pick up someone on the waiver wire (order is determined by reverse order of the current standings). Since you probably won't want to cut a key player who goes on the DL for a short time, you really need versatility and some productivity on your bench.

So, let's look at my pitching staff, and discuss my thoughts on who and why:

• Was SP1, now TRADED Yu Darvish ($12 extended) – Last season, and again this year, I had huge expectations for Darvish. He had a good, but not elite, season in 2017 before moving to the Cubs. I always avoid Cubs (it's one of my few superstitions), but I was so confident in his ability, I decided to ride with him – temporarily. It was clear from the start of the season he wasn't right. His lack of command was glaring, and he never looked comfortable on the mound. I decided to trade him, and he was moved in early May despite a very friendly contract. Not long after, he went on the disabled list and hasn't pitched since. He's reportedly progressing in his rehab and could return soon. Darvish, when healthy, remains an elite starting pitcher. I'll probably eventually miss him.

• Was SP2, now SP1 Noah Syndergaard ($14 extended) – I considered Darvish and Syndergaard co-aces entering the season, but after peddling Darvish, Thor inherited the title all by himself. Unfortunately, while he has pitched fairly well when active (7-2, 3.17 ERA, but only 88 innings), he has missed a considerable amount of time with annoying minor injuries, and after missing most of last season, he hasn't been especially sharp. However, Syndergaard is a true ace, and he's capable of dominant outings, even when he doesn't have his best stuff. If he can ever stay healthy, he can be right there with the best in the game.

• Was SP4, now SP2 Patrick Corbin ($2) – Corbin was the one pitcher I was hoping would have a major breakout in 2018. He held a laundry list of angles I like to play, and everything I saw at the end of last year pointed to bigger and better things to come. He's now 9-4 with a 1.05 WHIP, a 3.15 ERA, and 183 strikeouts in just 149 innings. There was some concern over a slight drop in his fastball velocity, but it hasn't really affected his performance. After all, Corbin is all about breaking pitches; both a curve and a slider. The fastball is used to set up those pitches. Here's an interesting fact for all the yacker lovers (like me). Did you know Corbin leads all MLB pitchers with 298 swinging strikes on breaking balls? That's nearly 100 ahead of second place!

• ACQUIRED, now SP3 James Paxton (2018) – Last year, desperate for a healthy arm in my rotation, I went out and acquired Aaron Nola with an expiring contract. Basically a rental player, he was a key component in my earning a league championship. This season, the rental arm has been Paxton. I paid a significant price with a package that included Tim Anderson and Julio Urias (both with very attractive contracts), but you sometimes have to pay a price to keep the wheels turning. I hated giving up Urias, but I felt Anderson was expendable after acquiring Paul DeJong in the Darvish trade. The Big Maple has been a lifesaver, and while he won't lead to another title, he's done everything I could hope for.

• Was SP6, now SP4 Miles Mikolas ($5) – I vaguely remembered Mikolas from before he left for Japan back in 2014. Nice arm, but weak and inconsistent secondary stuff. After watching him more closely, both in video from Japan and in spring training, I felt he was a completely different pitcher. Nice arm and excellent command of his full repertoire. He became a primary draft target. I'm not sure how I could be any happier – okay, a few more strikeouts would be nice – but I'm satisfied with 12-3 and a 2.74 ERA. I do think the strikeout rate will gradually increase, but his game is about keeping hitters off balance.

• Was SP3, now SP5 Jameson Taillon (2018) – Taillon is a pitcher on the edge of becoming a fantasy star. Of course, that is just my opinion, but his injury history has somewhat delayed the progression to his ultimate ceiling. While he has remained reasonably healthy this year, he does still appear to wear down in the middle innings, but he's never really pitched a full season workload. It impacts his command, and he compensates by pitching a bit more to contact – something the Pirates seem to prefer anyway. Bottom line: I think we may be a season early on Taillon, and I expect him to be one of my most touted arms next spring.

• Was SP5, now SP6 Kevin Gausman ($8) – Following the pattern he has set throughout his early career, Gausman has bounced between being a marginal bum and a certified ace this season. There's no question he can be a true fantasy stud, but inconsistency and playing for a bad team in Baltimore have taken a toll. Fast forward to last week, and he was dealt to a very good and very exciting young team in the Braves. There are obviously no guarantees – every individual reacts differently – but this change in latitude could be just what he needed to get himself into a whole new mindset.

• ADDED, now SP7 Ryan Borucki – I admit to being very picky, and in deeper leagues, that can be a challenge. I often look at dozens of pitchers before finding one I feel might be worth a roster spot. Such was the case with Borucki after a couple of impressive starts with Toronto. He has good (not great) stuff, and he won't be a huge strikeout guy, but he does have a notable mound presence. He pitches in the volatile AL East, so I try to avoid the most dangerous matchups, but he has been a solid back-of-the-rotation addition.

• ADDED, now SP7 Matt Harvey – He was added early in the season when his owner cut him loose. I classify Harvey a "project." That's pretty much what the Reds consider him, too. I have a long memory, and I clearly remember the Harvey who made a huge impression when he first arrived. He has had some issues, and hasn't fully come back from thoracic outlet surgery, but I have seen glimpses of that early form, and the glimpses have been increasing in frequency. He's actually been in my active lineup far more often than I would have liked, but he's serviceable in selected starts, and his potential upside is the attraction.

• Was SP7, now INJURED playing DH Shohei Ohtani ($5) – He's contributed some help to my anemic hitting, but hitting wasn't in the plan. He was dazzling before being shut down from pitching with a partial tear in his UCL. Relegated to duty as a designated hitter, he opted to forego surgery, and – crossing my fingers – he's throwing again, and the Angels hope to have him back on the mound this season. He remains a big risk with that elbow, but he's worth that risk. With him missing from my rotation, my strikeout total has really suffered.

• RP1 Kenley Jansen ($25) – I consider Jansen the best closer in the game, my bullpen anchor, but early this season, his results were concerning. His velocity was down on his signature cutter. The team called the dip a "dead arm period," and Jansen dismissed the concerns. Still, his fantasy owners, including me, were wringing their hands. Thankfully, everything settled down, and he's pretty much back on his game. He's still not quite the Kenley to which we have become accustomed – his command is just very good now – but he consistently gets it done, and the saves come in bunches with a great team like the Dodgers.

• Was RP2, now INJURED Sean Doolittle ($5) – Since joining the Nationals just before the deadline last season, few closers have been more successful than Doolittle. His approach is simple – here's my fastball, try to hit it. In most cases they don't succeed (a 0.54 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 37 innings). The knock on Doolittle has always been durability. The injury bug caught up with him in early July as he was found to be suffering from a stress reaction in his left foot. Recovery is very unpredictable, and there remains no timetable for his return.

• ADDED, now RP3 Thyago Vieira – In this league, saves have been a hot commodity this year. With several points readily available in the category, there was a rush to claim potential closers right after the trade deadline. With my depleted pen, following a few MLB deals, I was compelled to participate in the feeding frenzy. Unfortunately, there is no FAAB, and adds are granted in reverse order of the current standings. When the dust settled, six relievers were now on teams, including Vieira (five owners had claims ahead of mine). I like Vieira, especially his fastball that has touched 104 mph, so I have to hope he can find enough command to get a serious look as the future closer for the White Sox.

• Was RP3, now FLEX Keone Kela ($4) – Early in the year, my bullpen was a huge fantasy asset. Kela was third in line, behind Jansen and Doolittle, with closers/soon to be closers Jeurys Familia and Zach Britton waiting in the wings. I traded Britton anticipating him moving, but then Kela was dealt to the Pirates, and Familia left for the A's (both are now in nonclosing roles). With Doolittle out indefinitely, Jansen has suddenly become the last man standing in a closer's role, and it's been a real scramble ever since.

• FLEX – this could be a SP7 or RP3 Dinelson Lamet ($11), Yoshihisa Hirano ($7), Drew Steckenrider ($1), Zach Britton ($6) and Julio Urias ($2). – These guys all have two things in common. First, they were all on my roster on Opening Day, primarily as reserves or hoping for future relevancy. Secondly, they are now all gone. Lamet and Hirano were released, while Steckenrider, Britton and Urias were dealt trying to keep a competitive lineup on the field. The pitching depth remains very thin. Besides Ohtani, Doolittle and the overworked pair of matchup starters, Borucki and Harvey, Mike Soroka was added, but is currently injured, leaving just a couple former closers, Kela and Familia as the only available reserves at this writing. I could use another starting pitcher, but if I can find one, a semi-reliable closer could be more useful.
  

• An interesting arm has now begun a rehab assignment. After undergoing Tommy John surgery early last season, the Twins' Michael Pineda is shooting for a few September innings to get himself aligned for 2019. I'm doubtful he will have a fantasy impact this season, but he's perhaps one to keep in mind for next spring.

• The Cardinals' Luke Weaver continues to be an enigma. The talent is still there, and it shows fairly frequently, but just when you think he's turned the corner and is ready to re-establish himself, things go wrong – again. His last start against Miami was pretty solid, but will he be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde next time out?

• Uh oh. The Jays' Marcus Stroman was pitching a real gem against a potent Boston lineup but he was removed from the game after seven innings with a blister issue. Blisters have become more prevalent this year, and Stroman was just beginning to look like he was coming into form following shoulder woes.

• He's been tossing hints, but Madison Bumgarner may have found his stride, pitching brilliantly for seven innings against the Astros earlier this week. After missing a couple of months to begin the season, he has struggled at times with his command, but he has shown progress recently. He's a gamer.

• Injuries have again opened the door for Red Sox southpaw Brian Johnson, and I really think he could be useful if the team would just let him start. He allowed five runs in seven innings against Toronto in his last start, but that's a little misleading. Most of it came in his last inning, and he was running on empty.

• If he's available in your league, the Dodgers' Hyun-Jin Ryu should be back with the big club sometime next week. Starting pitching is always hard to find at this point in the fantasy season, and Ryu has looked very sharp in his rehab outings, including a five inning, 71-pitch effort at Triple-A Oklahoma City this week.
  

The White Sox seem to have a wheel of fortune bullpen right now, where almost anyone in the pen could get a call. Jace Fry might still have a very lukewarm edge, but they have even used Hector Santiago. If you're shopping for a dark horse candidate, I still think Vieira has the raw skills to make it. The Mets are playing the matchups in their pen, but Robert Gsellman is probably still the guy to own. Just be aware, Jerry Blevins could also receive an opportunity now and then. The Blue Jays have been true to their word and will give Ken Giles every chance to lock down the closer's gig. He has the stuff but must keep his head in the game. Kyle Barraclough was removed from a save situation earlier this week and has at least temporarily lost his job. Drew Steckenrider is the likely benefactor. The Nats signed Greg Holland, and the next day interim closer Kelvin Herrera left a game with a shoulder impingement. With Herrera on the disabled list, I'm confident Ryan Madson will get the first shot to fill in. The Giants' will look to get Hunter Strickland back in about 10 days. He's been out two months after breaking his hand following a poor outing. Will Smith has filled in reasonably well, but I think the team will want to see Strickland back in the closer's role. Mychal Givens is the closer in Baltimore if a save chance should ever arise.