What's Up with Upton?

Sometimes you write things and then immediately everything you just said sounds stupid.  Yesterday, I had that happen to me.  Yesterday I blogged about how Sergio Romo should remain the closer, and that Aroldis Chapman was the best closer in baseball.  Well yesterday Santiago Casilla came back and got the save and Aroldis gave up his first run of the year.  I am still going sticking to my guns for both statements.  Before the game yesterday, Bochy told reporters that he wasn't using Romo because he was battling knee soreness.  I think they are figuring out that Romo is the better pitcher.  We will find out who really is the closer during the next save chance.  Also, Aroldis will be fine.  He wasn't going to go all year without allowing a run.  He is still AN ABSOLUTE STUD.

Now, onto today's topic: Justin Upton.  I am kicking myself because in one draft, my decision in the 2nd round was between Carlos Gonzalez, Curtis Granderson, and Upton.  I love both of the other hitters, but got caught up in the Upton hype.  Carlos Gonzalez is now arguably the best fantasy player around, and Granderson is amidst another great year.  Upton, on the other hand, has been borderline unbearable.  He had a terrible April, finishing with a .242 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI.  He stepped it up a little in May driving in 15 runs.  I thought he was turning it around, but then came another long slump............one that he is still stuck in.  Now, Kirk Gibson has sat Upton for two straight games to get him going again.  In June, Upton is 1/12.  I've been watching.  He just doesn't seem to have confidence.  He is swinging at pitches all over the place and walking away with his head down.  While you have to think a young guy coming off a career year will have to get better, sometimes slumps just last a whole summer.  Look at Adam Dunn last year.  While we aren't even 1/3 of the way yet, I still have worries about Upton.  He's still only a guy who's hit over 20 HR twice.  He's never driven in 100.  He's not as proven as I hoped when I drafted him. He was suffering from wrist issues earlier in the year, and I fear that they have not gone away. If you can get a top player for him, I think I would do it.  I think I prefer a hitter like Kipnis, Kinsler, Beltre to him where preseason I never would have said so.  Upton is still a very solid fantasy player, but from this point forward I don't consider him much more than a top 25 fantasy hitter.

Other notes:

Clay Buchholz threw a CG SHO yesterday. His ERA is still 5.76 with a 1.58 ERA. While he has some talent, I still believe he was just a one year wonder.  He may give you one of these every once in a while, but I believe he isn't even an option in mixed leagues.  I would much rather own Jason Hammel, Wei-Yen Chen, and even Big Fat Bartolo Colon than a guy like Buchholz.  At least you can stream Colon at home in a favorable ballpark.

Ryan Zimmerman has been non-existent this year.  While I would take him for the right price, he is another guy I worry about.  If someone was looking to sell Edwin Encarnacion high, I would make that 1 for 1 in a heartbeat now.  Zimmerman may figure it out, but it doesn't look like its going to be anytime soon.

R.A. Dickey is a top 30 pitcher.  Maybe higher.  Still scares me just a little because knuckle ballers can get hammered on any given night.  His "any given nights" have been few and far between lately.

Alexi Ogando is starting Sunday in place of the injured Derek Holland.  If you have a dead spot, I'd pick him up and take the shot that he stays in the rotation.  Had solid success in that role in 2011.