Buy Low/Sell High July 8th (Fransico Liriano/John Danks)

Buy Low: Francisco Liriano

Key Stats:

Pitcher:	BABIP	K/BB	PTO%	qERA	ERA Dif	P/IP	FIP
Hitter:	BABIP	P/PA	BB/SO	GB/FB	HR/FB
2008	0.441	0.540	21.1%	8.57	2.751	20.68	5.94
2007	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A
2006	0.285	4.50	36.23%	2.37	-0.214	14.85	2.61

He’s not on my list because of his numbers. He’s on my list because he is starting to dominate the AAA crowd and look nasty like he used to. The Twins will have to bring him up soon and he can be one of those pitchers that help you out in every category. In his last 10 games down there he’s got a 3.59 ERA and that includes two games which were absolutely horrendous. He’s averaging close to a strikeout an inning and best of all, he hasn’t walked more than 1 batter in any of his last 10 starts. Getting the command back is key for any pitcher, but especially one that is coming back from TJ surgery.

Liriano, Francisco SP MIN for Hudson, Orlando 2B ARI

Kobayashi, Masahide RP CLE and Liriano, Francisco SP MIN for Kubel, Jason LF MIN

Liriano, Francisco SP MIN for Headley, Chase 3B SD

Sell High: John Danks

Key Stats: 

Pitcher:	BABIP	K/BB	PTO%	qERA	ERA Dif	P/IP	FIP
Hitter:	BABIP	P/PA	BB/SO	GB/FB	HR/FB
2008	0.282	2.770	28.5%	3.95	-1.505	16.16	3.34
2007	0.317	2.02	26.38%	4.77	0.735	17.32	5.44
2006	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A	#N/A

You’re probably looking at the numbers above and saying what the hell is there to be scared of. The only thing I see is his ERA differential from qERA to regular ERA. Even taking defense out of it, his ERA is almost a run higher than what it is. Once the heat starts up in Chi-town the balls tend to fly a little higher and a little farther. This isn’t to say that he’ll be bad the rest of the way but he won’t be this good, especially since he’s never had a WHIP below 1.38 or an ERA below 4.00 let alone 3.00.

Just make sure you get a great haul in return.

Danks, John SP CHW for Soto, Geovany C CHC

Danks, John SP CHW and Youkilis, Kevin 1B BOS for Hamels, Cole SP PHI

Danks, John SP CHW for Lincecum, Tim SP SF (I’d love to play in this league)