Of course, you’ve heard by now that Dallas Braden of the Oakland A’s threw a perfect game on Sunday against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
Fantasy owners are now fighting over Braden in free agency in many leagues; the A’s starter wasn’t overwhelmingly popular before the season or in most drafts. Considering Oakland’s offense, it’s understandable that owners would have reservations in drafting a control pitcher in the Bay.
But after Sunday it’s a different story. Braden’s the man.
Or is he?
Many analysts have compared Braden’s perfecto to the one thrown by White Sox ace Mark Buehrle last year for more reasons than just the fact that each victimized the Rays. The two pitchers have similar styles and approach to the game in a nearly-identical way. Earlier this year, FantasyKnuckleheads’ own Ray Tannock talked about Braden’s fantasy value.
So if we continue those comparisons and look at how Buehrle, and many other no-hitter throwing pitchers, do after throwing the career-defining game, now would be the best time to DUMP Braden.
Last year, after his perfect game on July 23, Buehrle struggled down the stretch. Yes, the White Sox had a miserable stretch as a team, but Buehrle was certainly not himself in the wake of his great game. After the perfect game, Buehrle ended the 2009 season allowing 42 earned runs in 79 innings, and limped home with a 2-7 record.
While the season’s first no-hitter pitcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, continues to dominate lineups all over the National League, it’s more likely that you could see a similar stat line from Braden in the aftermath of his perfect game as we saw from Buehrle last year.
If you own Braden, congrats (if you started him Sunday). Now consider trading him.
Trade Braden? Now? Seriously? With the Angels, Tigers the Orioles, and Tigers again just in this month alone, and WITH a soft latter schedule next month you’d be crazy to think you’re gonna get anything…or anyone comparable for Braden right now. He pitched a perfect game against the best road team in the majors by far after already having some solid outings previously. Don’t fall into the A-Rod trap my friend, the guy is the real deal.
Oh, I’m not falling into any ARod trap, Ray. The history of pitchers following early or mid-season no-hitters & perfect games is not favorable, no matter what Ubaldo Jimenez is leading you to believe this year. I looked back a strong start to 2009 and then Mark Buehrle completely falling apart against THE SAME RAYS TEAM for a great example of why to sell high.
The Angels and Tigers have pitching that can beat Oakland, so if he somehow misses the Orioles there’s a great chance he could have a very average month. Braden’s stock will never be higher than it is right now. Looking at the reality of the situation in Oakland, I can’t see any reason to turn down a #2 SP, starting top-3 OF or closer for Braden right now.
Well of course the track record following a no-hitter or perfect game is wobbly…to keep trending the performance of that start they would have to keep throwing no-no’s! I was wrong about Braden before, he’s the man.
Yes, it is the best time to DUMP Braden since his value is high. Dallas Braden is NOT the real deal. He reminds me with Anibal Sanchez who is going to be the next poster boy that proves No-Hitters are as much luck and single-case dominance than talent … that’s my POV!
He has to prove himself. By the moment, it’s uneasy for us to trade him.