Ken Tatum - Too Expensive?

[cwostevec]

I got Tatum with my first team. 7 saves thru 42 games, 2 losses and an ERA of 4.86 in only 16 innings. I have him set as closer vs Rh and LH, because I have no LH alternative and his card vs lefties isn't bad.

Just wondering how others were doing with him.

[MoCrash]

Through 42 games as primary closer:

Tatum, Ken R R3 0 2 8 22.0 12 8 14 19 3.27 1.18

Three blown saves, and playing in Busch, a singles park. Hitter's batting under .200 left and right and only one HR allowed in 22 IP, 77 BF. Not bad, but early returns would suggest his being slightly overpriced. Frankly, Hartenstein at $1.5 seems like a better value. He's done well for me as a set-up man, but could probably close too (I'm currently using Marone/Drabowski, the latter doing particularly well).

[Play By The Rules]

Yes

[Leo / loob]

No-

My reason for saying this is based on what is offered of this version:

1. There are few high priced RPers. There are exactly 12 RPers over 3 bucks (okay, the 12th is 2.92). That, is exactly one/team. Of the top two RPers, him and Perranoski, there is no comparison. Perranoski, being a straight lefty, just is not worth basically the same price, as there are not enough lefty hitters in this version to get extremely worried about. On the other hand, Tatum, straight righty, kills righties, and is much better than most, against Lefty hitters.

2. Tatum is the best set up guy in the game, DO NOT use him in dual roles of S/U and close. yes he can close, but there are many other options, a ton cheaper that are perfect for the closer role, regardless of parks.

3. Not all know this yet, but in this version we only NEED 9 PITCHERS (5 SPers of course). So, get Tatum as set up, get a closer, one righty specialist, and then a guy who is good vs both sides for an inning eater when needed.

Listen, as I said before, there are not enough lefties to worry about.
There are many options at closer
There are some great cheap options as righty specialist
and there are a couple that are great for both sides, that also, are cheap.

Give me 4 RPers spots
Give me 10 million $
And I'll give ya a 4 man pen that can hold any lead + I'll give ya change back.

Going out on a limb here, but, since I know most of you, Just PT me, and I'll let you in on the other 3 guys that are a must have (+ they cost less than 3 bucks combined)

[Leo / loob]

Fulton County (9/9/19/19) (66 team games)
Tatum, Ken R R3 10 7 5 77.2 59 30 33 59 3.48 1.19

RFK (10/10/5/10) (45 team games)
Tatum, Ken R R3 4 2 4 47.2 37 16 22 46 3.02 1.24

Fulton County (24 team games)
Tatum, Ken R R3 3 0 1 15.0 10 2 7 14 1.20 1.13

Combined that is:
135 Team games
73 Appearences
17-9-10
140.1 IP
106 Hits
48 ER
62 walks
119 SO
3.08 ERA
1.20 WHIP

So, think of that as a 1 season, and he would have a shot at 20 wins

Ya pay much more than 6 bucks in hopes for 20 wins, why is it too much for a RPer that wins 20?

[novie]

Ah, finally a version that encourages me to do what I have an obsession to do.... load up in the BP.

I have two teams going right now... one is a theme league where I am the A's.... one is a 100M league. In both, I am using the theory pretty much proposed by Leo.

A's - (42-24, 1st) - (5RP) - 22-9, 26 saves - 245IP, 2.60 ERA 1.26 WHIP
Anarchy (26-19, 1st) - (5 RP) - 6-2, 14 saves - 104IP, 2.25 ERA 1.07 WHIP

Both are anchored by Wilhelm...with a RH spec, LH spec, Reverse RH, Bal LH

There is one RP as well on both teams for under a buck that has produced 3-1, 2 saves, 47IP, 1.53 ERA 0.89 WHIP.

Just picked up Tatum for my 3rd team and am counting on getting better numbers.

[tkl33]

No complaints here.

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/1969/team/team_other.html?user_id=3581

[cplake]

....he started against me the other day. How do you start a pure reliever? It's never an option in the drop down box for me.

Tatum is a bit overpriced IMO, but he seems to be a popular choice in the few leagues I have been in. Hartenstein is kind of a Tatum-light and he has performed well for me thus far. At 1/3 Tatum's cost, he seems to be a better value.

cpl5454

[Leo / loob]

The only way any R rated pitcher should start is when a manager has a 5 man rotation, and, the slotted starter is injured

[Leo / loob]

Calling hartenstein a Tatum-lite might be a stretch, but is for sure a GREAT value in pitcher parks. Thanks for the heads up on him