Roto-Rx

The Doctor is once again in....

Question 1: I thought I had a quality starting catcher in Russell Martin. I had to get Yadier Molina as a free agent and reserve Martin because I couldn’t take it anymore. Do you think he will come back in the second half or are you putting the Garrett Atkins “He’s Done” on him? – Scott, Cupertino, CA

Scott: Has it really come to this for Russell Martin? Are people actually reserving him and picking up Yad Molina? Man, Dr. Roto is nauseous just hearing that. So Russell has no HR...he still has 7 SB. He still plays on a good team and can score runs, can't he? Dr. Roto has not lost hope...although admittedly, his patience is wearing thin. Take the 15 SB at a thin position and be somewhat happy.

Question 2: What’s YOUR opinion on Mark Reynolds? Same as Kearny? I’ve been offered him for Elvis Andrus straight up. Andrus is on my reserve roster. I’m looking to go for it, the other guy is dumping. – Michael, Sarasota, FL

Michael: Dr. Roto has been very impressed with Mark Reynolds this season. The power has always been there although the speed seems to be an anomaly. However, how you even have to ask whether to trade Andrus for him has Dr. Roto confused. Andrus is a rookie with upside potential, yes, but is he Mark Reynolds? So Michael, Dr. Roto would like to have a little private conversation with you. Please, all others do not read this note: ARE YOU NUTS!!! ELVIS HASN'T GOTTEN A HIT IN A WEEK AND REYNOLDS' VALUE ALONE SHOULD NET YOU THREE BETTER PLAYERS THAN ANDRUS!!! MAKE THE DEAL ASAP OR LOSE ALL DR. ROTO VIEWING PRIVILEGES FOR ONE WEEK!!

Question 3: Is it worth using a roster spot to carry the set-up guy to your closer? I had Brid Lidge and didn’t have Ryan Madson, then when I went to get him someone out bid me. – Chris, Phoenix, AZ

Chris: Not sure if you play fantasy football (BTW Dr. Roto's expertise there is enormous), but getting your backup to your star players is called a handcuff. So, for example, if you had Edge James on your team, you would try to get Tim Hightower (a little Phoenix reference for you there). Same thing in baseball for closers. If I had Lidge, you better believe I would have Ryan Madson. The only caveat is if the backup clearly sucks. So if I had Mariano Rivera, I would NOT have Alfredo Aceves.

Question 4: When you draft, do you have an allocation of money that you specifically use for hitting and an allocation that you specifically use for pitching? If so, what are the percentages? – James, Oakland, CA

James: This answer all depends on your league and how it values those categories. I will tell you that a 50-50 split is rare. Most people do some sort of 65-35 or 70-30 split.

Question 5: You said that wins were the hardest to predict. What’s the easiest to predict? There are so many things to think about on draft day, I’m looking for something that I can bank on so I can just worry about the other categories. – Patricia, Allentown, PA

Patricia: The safest categories to predict are saves and stolen bases. You should know that a good closer (who is healthy) should put up about 40 saves per year. And while a few guys get replaced each year (i.e. Joel Hanrahan and Brad Ziegler), for the most part, closers hold their job. Parenthetically, speed guys get their bags regardless. Michael Bourn may never hit 10 HR in a year, but you can write down 30-40 bags for him if he hits .260.

Dr. Roto would like to wish all the fathers out there a very Happy Father's Day!

The Doctor is out...

Mark Bloom (aka Dr. Roto) is the former owner of Roto-Rx, a fantasy website featured in a UPN newscast. He has been an active competitor and commissioner in fantasy leagues for close to 20 years winning numerous league titles.