Tom:  There’s nothing that Matt and I like more than getting an old “pat on the back” from fans.  “Keep up the good work, guys!”  Thanks!  I think we will!  And there is no better way to pay back the fine folks who take the time to write us than to publish their letter right here on RotoExperts.com.  It’s almost as cool as getting your caption selected in the New Yorker’s “cartoon caption contest.”  While those captions never make sense, we assure you that your letters make perfect sense to us.  This week Matt and I figured we would take a question from a reader and answer it in this week’s installment of Mother Lode or Fool’s Gold.  The question is from reader “Frank D.” from the “City of Monks” –- Des Moines, Iowa.     

Tom and Matt,

Guys - I enjoy reading your stuff. My team is in third place and I want to make a big splash out of the gate after the All-Star break. I'm looking to shake things up in my outfield and would like to pick up two of the following four players - which two would you recommend?  It’s a deep league…

John Bowker, Scott Hairston, Ross Gload, and Adam Lind.


Thanks,

Frank D.
Des Moines, IA

Great question, Frank.  It seems like you might need a little help from your favorite two-headed monster of Matt and Tom.  Well, this is why we’re here, right?   Matt, let’s give Frank a little help here and see if we can come to some sort of conclusion. 

JOHN BOWKER, 1B/OF, SF

Bowker has been one of the bright spots offensively for the aging Giants.  There are few regulars on this roster that are under the age of 30.  Bowker and Fred Lewis seem to be the closest things to young offensive talent on this team.  Bowker, the former third-round draft pick for the San Francisco Giants in 2004, has shown some good pop in his bat this season, hitting nine home runs in 234 AB.  It looks like he has a little more power than that in his arsenal.  He’s shown some pretty good gap power, hitting 10 doubles and two triples along the way.  The one concern you might have with a guy like Bowker is that he strikes out way too much.  He has struck out 52 times in 234 AB.  That is not something you like to see, though we do tend to see this kind of impatience with younger players.  As I mentioned, Bowker has been one of the few rays of hope when it comes to the future of the Giants.  But, is he worth a look in your deeper league, Frank and folks?  Let’s take a look. 

STATS (through July 17th):   AB: 234  H: 64  R: 25  HR: 9  RBI: 38  BB: 13  SB: 1  AVG: .274

Matt: While Bowker is supposed to have good power, the results tell a different story.  In 1,622 minor-league AB, he hit only 48 home runs, which is one home run for every 34 AB.  In 234 major league AB through the All-Star Break, he has nine home runs, which is one home run every 26 at-bats. That number is obviously better, but by no means head-turning.  A more telling statistic might be Bowker’s strikeout/walk rate.  In the minors, he had a 2.8:1 K/BB rate, and with the Giants this season, that number in 4:1.  Bowker’s future will probably be as a platoon player. Against lefties this season, he is hitting .143 with 10 strikeouts and one RBI in 28 AB, while against righties he is hitting .291 with all nine of his home runs in 206 AB.  Frank, I say pass on Bowker. If you need to add a Giant to your squad, wait for Nate Schierholtz to get called up, because Bowker is Fool’s Gold.

Tom:  You’re right, Matt.  Bowker is supposed to have the power.  The problem seems to be that he is not patient at the plate -- he has only 13 BBs in 234 AB.  While I can sit here and talk about his lack of power production, I can also tell Frank that Bowker is still learning how to hit major league pitchers.  Bowker did hit .325 in the month of June, and his power production is picking up a little bit.  However, is it enough to consider him an option?  I would say that Bowker is certainly worth considering in NL-only leagues and deeper mixed leagues.  He has the make-up and is starting to hit with a little more pop.  I saw him play against the Mets just before the All-Star Break, and he reminded me a little bit of J.T. Snow.  In the scheme of things, that's quite a compliment for the 25-year old.  The ABs will be there for Bowker, and it seems to me that he is getting more and more comfortable at the big league level.  I like Bowker and think he's a legitimate source for power after the All Star-Break.  Frank, he looks good to me!  Mother Lode!    

SCOTT HAIRSTON, OF, SD

The fifth in a long line of professional baseball playing Hairston’s –- also known as the Hairston Five –- Scott is starting to make a name for himself, after spending most of his five-year career as a role player for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  When you look at Hairston’s season totals, nothing really jumps out at you.  However, when you look at his July totals, you start to see a guy who looks like he’s turning it on.  He has hit five HRs in 32 July AB.  He is also batting .438 for the month and showing some very productive AB, as 10 of his 14 this month have gone for extra bases.  This seems like the kind of production Frank is looking for.  But, is it too premature to count on a guy like Hairston, who has only played more than 100 games once in his five-year career?  Frank, I’d think we know enough about Hairston to come to a conclusion at this point.  Did you know that Hairston is a Jehovah’s Witness?  That’s why we’re here, Frank! 

STATS (through July 17th):   AB: 255  H: 66  R: 35  HR: 14  RBI: 28  BB: 16  SB: 2  AVG: .259

Tom:  It's funny, because Scott is the one Hairston coming into this season who no one was talking about.  That may have been a good thing, since his brother Jerry was linked to steroid use.  Scott, however, seems to have found a home in San Diego.  I love the fact that he has hit five HRs in only 32 AB in July.  Right now, it looks like the only competition Hairston has for playing time is Jody Gerut, who is a nice player, but not someone Hairston should be too worried about.  That being said, Hairston is still not much of a run producer.  The fact that he has only 28 RBI on 14 HRs is a little troubling for me.  Of course that has something to do with the Padres lack of run production.  There certainly are power bats in that line-up -- Gonzalez, Kouzmanoff, and Headley -- but there are not many OBP guys on the Padres.  So, when Hairston comes up and doubles with no one on base, you really aren't getting much in terms of fantasy production.  The 28 RBI and 35 runs bother me a little, so I am skeptical of his value.  I would pass on Hairston and look elsewhere.  Take a pass, Frank.  Fool's Gold!   

Matt: Hairston was traded to the Padres at last year’s trade deadline, and he hit what looked like the game-winning home run against the Colorado Rockies in last year’s one-game playoff.  Don’t let that one hit sway you.  Hairston is another guy who has problems making contact regularly.  In 892 Major League AB, he has 217 whiffs.  As you’d expect with that strikeout rate, Hairston doesn’t hit for average -- he is a career .249 hitter.  Further complicating his value is that he is an awful defensive player, and with Brian Giles back from the DL, Hairston could be relegated to the bench and/or spot duty.  Chances are, Hairston will never have a full-time, starting gig in the majors, and he shouldn’t have one on your fantasy team.  Frank, Hairston falls into the same category as Bowker.  He is a guy who can hit the occasional home run, but he just doesn’t give you anything else to make it worthwhile to own him.  Keep Hairston on your free agent list, because he is Fool’s Gold!

ROSS GLOAD, 1B/OF, KC

Gload had his best statistical campaign last year after he was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Kansas City Royals.  His fine play made him a useful asset to the Royals, and they offered him a two-year contract extension.  Gload had a slow start to his 2008 campaign, although he is really starting to pick it up this month.  At 32 years old, Gload provides a young Royals team with a much-needed veteran presence.  While Billy Butler and Alex Gordon are considered to be the future corner infielders of the Royals, Gload can play first, right field, and also DH a bit.  Many believe that Gload is best suited for coming off the bench, but with people like Frank standing up and taking notice, Matt and I have to question whether or not he is a legitimate option, or –- as I will now coin –- a “floption.” 

STATS (through July 17th):   AB: 235  H: 65  R: 33  HR: 1  RBI: 20  BB: 16  SB: 3  AVG: .277

Matt:  Frank, I don’t know how many teams are in your league, but based on the guys you mentioned, it must be pretty deep.  That being said, the fact that you are considering a player who has 20 career home runs in 1,049 major league AB speaks to the dearth of available talent on your free agent list.  I know that Gload has been hitting the ball well lately (.323 over the past month), but he gives you nothing else.  He is another poor defensive player who has played mostly first base and some outfield for the Royals this year.  Major league teams can’t afford to play corner infielders or outfielders who have no power, and neither can your fantasy team.  Even though he made his major league debut in 2000, he has played in 20 more games at the Triple-A level than he has so far at the major league level.  Basically Gload is a “Quadruple-A” player who will never do much at the MLB level for any extended period of time.  You can’t spell Gload without g-o-l-d, but he is most definitely Fool’s Gold.

Tom:  I'm trying to find the positives here in Gload.  The only thing is that I see him as nice player and someone who would fit nicely with a title contender, but coming off the bench.  He doesn't do much for me when we talk about fantasy value.  Matt hit on several key points above.  This really must be a deep league, Frank.  I'm all for trying to tap into players who might be getting ready to hit their stride and peak, but at 32-years old, Gload has shown just about all he has to offer.  He has no power at all and is not producing many runs for the Royals.  You also have to believe that, eventually, the Royals are going to just allow Butler to take a majority of the ABs at first base.  I like what you did above, Matt, with the "you can't spell Gload..."  So, let me add another one here -- If you pick up Gload, you are picking up a Gload of...well, you know.  Pass!  Fool's Gold. 

Tom and Matt are putting their reputations behind Adam Lind. Photo Credit: golfadidas2003

ADAM LIND, OF,
Lind got his first true taste of the majors last season when he was called up to replace Reed Johnson, who was placed on the DL with a herniated disc in his back.  In limited time, Lind showed some pretty decent power numbers, as he produced 11 HRs, 46 RBI, and 14 doubles in only 290 AB.  With a few injuries of his own this season, Lind became a little bit of an afterthought for a sub-.500 Toronto Blue Jays team.  Now, with Vernon Wells out for six weeks, the Blue Jays need Lind more than ever.  Lind has responded well, posting a .385 BA so far in July.  Lind is another intriguing player, one who is widely available in leagues.  But, is he only an option for deeper leagues?  Adam Lind, let’s dissect you in the most appropriate way.                       

STATS (through July 17th):   AB: 78  H: 21  R: 10  HR: 3  RBI: 16  BB: 4  SB: 0  AVG: .269

Tom:  Now, we're talking, Frank.  Here is a guy with a lot of potential and very decent power numbers.  With Wells out for an extended period of time, I can see Lind moving up in the batting order and benefiting more in the run production arena.  It's already starting to show, as he has 11 RBI in 39 AB this month.  He's showing signs of becoming a solid run producer for the second half of the season.  I think he is the most complete player about whom Frank inquired.  We're actually starting to see Lind get picked up in deeper leagues, and I figure he'll be a hot name on the waiver wires.  Lind's manager, Cito Gaston, also has a ton of faith in him.  Gaston called Lind one of the Blue Jays "top players" and also stated that he wants Lind to "play every day."  This is some good news for those looking at Lind as an option in the outfield.  Buy now on Lind, because this guy will get an opportunity to play every day this year, and he'll surely take advantage of this playing time.  Mother Lode!    

Matt:  Lind is a completely different player than the other three we have discussed.  While Lind has good power, he also has the ability to hit for average and, more importantly, he has good plate discipline.  Lind is a bonafide prospect who has hit at least .300 at every stop in the minor leagues.  While Lind was not overly impressive in previous stints with the Blue Jays, new team manager Cito Gaston’s confidence in Lind seems to have made a difference.  The only downside to Lind is that he has little speed and isn’t great defensively.  But overall, Lind is a guy you should pick up.  He should be the starter for the rest of the season and has the highest upside of all the players you mentioned.  Since Lind is the only player I liked out of the four, let me give you another name to consider:  Carlos Gonzalez of the As.  He is another good young player who should get regular playing time the rest of the season.  So Frank, don’t worry about Lind, he’s the Mother Lode! 

Matt and Tom are back after a restful All-Star Break.  We hope you all rested as well, because the stretch run is coming up. If you want to win your league, you need to be on top of your game.  Need some advice and want to be a part of our next article?  Write Matt at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and Tom at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

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