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0We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2012 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team. We feel this approach will be fresher, more sustainable, and require less energy consumption (for us anyway). The 2012 Cubs Fantasy Baseball Preview comes courtesy of Hire Jim Essian.
1) Epstein made over the team best he could going into the Spring. Who do you think still goes and how soon? (I think Carlos Marmol is out-ski, but you would know better than me.)
Now that we’re less than two weeks from Opening Day, it’s much safer for me to opine that the team will at least enter the season pretty much as-is. I’ve been lobbying for the trade of Carlos Marmol since 2009, and now his arm is more useless than a one-game wildcard playoff (ZING, BUD!). I don’t think he’ll make it through the end of the year as the Cubs’ closer, even if he remains on the Cubs’ roster. Hopefully, Ryan Dempster performs well enough and adds a hilarious enough Dick Vitale impression to his resume to get traded away, but Jim Hendry gave him a stupid contract, and the Cubs might actually have to eat some of it to unload him. What a horrible thought. Alfonso Soriano is having a great spring, and people were saying Carlos Zambrano was equally “untradeable,” so I have a glimmer of hope that Jeo Hoystein can move him. Now that Marlon Byrd is off gluten, there’s no point in him staying in the city with the greatest pizza on the planet (Get bent, New York.). I think he’ll be traded away for scraps, and Brett Jackson will finish the season in Chicago. Oh, did you want to talk about tradeable players with actual value? The Cubs have one. And that one is Matt Garza. He won’t finish the year in a Cub uniform. Maybe the Cubs can even get Sam Fuld back in a Garza deal!
2) Do the Cubs fans see Chris Carpenter this year? And I don’t mean when they play the Cardinals. (Note from Grey: I asked this question a few months ago prior to Carpenter being shipped.)
Maybe. The Red Sox are coming in on June 15th. Because I’m a procrastinator, you obviously asked this question prior to Carpenter being sent to Boston to complete the Theo Epstein “trade.” But so I don’t cheat you out of an answer, I’ll make this rotation prediction: Jeff Samardzija will make 20 starts in a Cub uniform this year.
3) Bryan LaHair is keeping the 1st base bag warm for Rizzo or LaHair stays at 1st for the entire year putting up better-than-expected numbers?
Bryan LaHair is Micah Hoffpauir 2.0. He even wears the same number. That is not a compliment. LaHair is having a miserable spring, and Rizzo is having a great one. I know the front office is playing it safe, tempering expectations for Rizzo and keeping pressure off him by saying that LaHair is their guy. Nonsense. Rizzo will be up by the All-Star Break. I’m going to make a not-very-bold statement right here and say that before the start of August, the Cubs’ Opening Day roster will have undergone a 40% turnover.
4) I’m in a deep league and I’m looking at Reed Johnson, Tony Campana, Wellington Castillo and Jeff Baker. Who gets the most ABs? Best stats?
Baker gets the most ABs. Barring an injury to Soriano, the outfield is crowded enough as it is to count on significant at-bats from Reed Johnson. That’s not even taking into account the fact that Reed’s back is made of Styrofoam and that he has a penchant for running headlong into walls. Tony Campana is a terrible baseball player, and the Cubs finally have a front office capable of recognizing that fact. I hope he doesn’t see the inside of Wrigley Field this year. Wellington Castillo is having a great spring, but so is Steve Clevenger. There’s no guarantee that Castillo will even make the team, even though both “backup” catchers deserve to make it over Geovany Soto. The Cubs seem intent on unloading Blake DeWitt, and Darwin Barney is only slightly less bad than Campana. That is going to leave a big hole at second base. Baker should get a lot of at-bats there, especially against left-handed pitching. He’ll also spell David DeJesus in right field against lefties.
Reed will probably end up with the best slash line. For whatever reason, he loves hitting in a Cubs uniform, and can’t hit anywhere else. He’s the anti-Cub.
5) What would make you happiest as a Cub fan in 2012?
A) They win more than 75 games
B) It’s uncovered that Alfonso Soriano is using a fake name (real name Carlton Banks) and must forfeit the rest of his contract.
C) Ian Stewart’s bat livens up in the denser Chicago air.
D) Travis Wood morphs into a young Kerry Wood and Darwin Barney evolves into someone other than Darwin Barney.
I’m going to put them in order from what would make me least happy to what would make my heart grow larger than Tony Campana’s hat.
A) Whether they win 75 games (that’s my exact prediction) or 82 games (they won’t), this team isn’t built to do anything in the 2012 playoffs, so it doesn’t really matter. 2014. That’s the year I predict they’ll be back in the playoffs. They should even win a game or two. Only 11 years after their last playoff victory! Hooray!
D) How dare you suggest that anyone could take the place of Kerry Wood? He’s #34 in my heart. Travis Wood is having a shockingly bad spring, so at this point I’d be happy if he morphed into MIKE Wood. I truly hope you intentionally used the word “evolve” in reference to Darwin. Knowing the Cubs, if he does evolve into someone else, that someone will be Augie Ojeda. Which will actually be a significant improvement.
B) I’m a big Soriano apologist. I like the guy. He tries hard, he accepts blame when he sucks, I hear he’s a good teammate, and it’s not his fault that Jim Hendry overpaid him in both dollars and years. But, yeah, that money could be far better spent elsewhere.
C) I know you’re a big Ian Stewart guy, and I really hope you’re finally right about him. The Cubs took 30 years to replace Ron Santo, and I hope it doesn’t take them another 30 to replace Ramirez. He was the best hitter on the team for the last several years, and I hope Stewart finally blossoms into a threat at the plate and makes me forget all of those thrilling Ramirez walkoff home runs.
I love these. Great as always.
Just finished a slow draft in a 19 team league with R/RBI/HR/NSB/OBP/XBH and QS/ERA/WHIP/K/BB/K/Holds/NSV
I really waited on pitching and took all upside there but how does my team look?
C – Chris Iannetta (10)
1B – Ike Davis (9)
2B – Danny Espinosa (15)
3B – Evan Longoria (1)
SS – Zack Cozart (21)
IF – Carlos Pena (5)
LF – Yonder Alonso (17)
CF – Drew Stubbs (3)
RF – Andre Ethier (6)
OF – BJ Upton (2)
Util – Nick Markakis (7)
SP – Daniel Hudson (11)
SP – Mike Minor (12)
SP – Juan Nicasio (18)
RP – Huston Street (8)
RP – Luke Gregerson (14)
RP – Jake McGee (20)
P – Juan Abreu (21)
P – Hector Noesi (24)
P – Jon Rauch (24)
Bn – Trevor Bauer (19)
Bn – Danny Duffy (23)
Bn – Kris Medlen (22)
Bn – Bobby Parnell (23)
Bn – Jeremy Affeldt (25)
@Tom Thumb, Ike Davis, Dan Hudson, Espinosa, Stubbs were keepers
@Tom Thumb, Team looks very weak on pitching because you waited so long, but decent if low on OBP for hitting… In a league this deep, you’re gonna have to get some breaks with guys breaking out…
Madson out for the season with TJ!
Marshall will most likely close.
My condolences for all those who drafted him.
@Eddy, damn, beat me to it.
***Madson is DONE. Needs TJ surgery and will miss the entire season!***
@Wilsonian, Not totally surprising…
Where is Marshall in this group:
Farsnworth, Marshall, Myers, Balfour?
@Wilsonian, The way you listed them…
@Wilsonian, Actually, Farns, Myers, Marshall…
@Grey, Wow, really? Hmm. Interesting.
@Grey, yeah, I figured he has a decent shot to last the whole season. Looks like Myers might be dealt at some point. I was actually thinking about putting Balfour ahead of Myers. I picked up Marshall without losing any of those guys just to make sure I have a strangle hold on closers for trade value. Plus you can play Myers at SP.
@Wilsonian, I have Madson nowhere, and I picked up Marshall in a league the other day, so suffice to say I’m elated. But I know he was a Razzball favorite.
Anyways, I believe Marshall is number one in that group. Will get the opps, has been 9+ K/9 for two seasons in a row, has a great shot of being under 3 BB/9.
@Eddy, yeah, I didn’t either, so I just snagged Marshall in one league where he was available. I tend to agree with you, if he can pitch like he has the past two seasons (Cubs fan here, he was their best reliever the past two years), he should hang on to the job with a good K-rate. I’ve now got 6 closers on this team, but I figure it’s a good route to take if they do well. Their value will only go up.
Grey-
Just drafted a few days ago, punted saves thinking people would spend big on closers. They didn’t. We’re shallow 8-team keeper 5×5 head to head each category, QS instead of wins- max 4 RPs and max 8 SPs. My 8 SPs are Verlander, Kershaw, Shields, MadBum, Darvish, Garza, Cueto, and –for now – Johan Santana. My 4 RPs are Romo, Clippard, Sean Marshall, and Jansen. Looks like Marshall has fallen into closer role. Do I pick up other closers off free agency and kick my middle relievers? If so, who do you pick up?
Best available closers: Santos, Nathan, Capps, Balfour, Guerra, F. Francisco, Thornton, J. Johnson
Thanks!
@Drew, you definitely need the closers there. You have one in Marshall, then I’d snag Santos, Nathan, and maybe Balfour if you feel like losing Jansen. He’s not the closer, and unless it’s a Ks/9 league, he doesn’t have much to offer until he is the closer. But I can see you hanging on to him.
@ Grey :
when is the 1st day that teams can officially put guys on the DL list ?
No idea… Maybe Thursday…
Marshall could get it done, but what are the chances the Reds trade for a closer?
@Steve, or move Chapman into the closer role?
They’re not trading for someone until July… 1) No one to trade for except maybe Kevin Gregg… 2) Marshall should be fine…
While we’re talking closers, it looks like Storen won’t be ready for Opening Day, and the skipper says he won’t take Clippard out of his set-up role. I’d grab Lidge, then Henry Rodriguez (and preferably both) if you’re looking for Saves anywhere you can get ‘em.
@Al Swedgin, Yup
gotta replace Madson after giving me a rough TJ. I’d like to cut his ear off and douse him in gasoline. Need to take a spec on one of the Royals and hope I guess right. Brox or Holland?
@Colton, Holland
I love it when the closer scramble begins. All of a sudden, all those peripherals you’ve analyzed to within an inch of their lives in the offseason get flushed down the toilet and all you care about is the almighty SV.
@Steve, No Face Killahs
@Colton, Ha!
@Steve, SAGNOF!
@TheNewGuy, Exactly
@Grey, Clearly going soft in my old age, but spare a thought for Madson too. He’ll be absolutely gutted, as we say in these parts.
Yeah, you big softie!
@Steve, I wonder if he’ll be able to use any of his newly acquired $8.5 Million to buy something to console himself with…
Yeah, seriously…
@Grey, Hard-hearted cynics!
@Steve, Ha!
@Al Swedgin, If he’s smart he’ll buy a life size pinata of Scott Boras & stay away from metal chairs.
Madson out for year…WOW…
Marshall already drafted in my league though, typical…
@TheNewGuy, Yeah, my leagues too… I didn’t have Madson anywhere though so there’s that…
@Grey, Me too. Even more reason to not spend a high pick on a top closer. Give me the Mottes, Santos’, Leagues, Franciscos any day of the week.
Grey, would love to know what you think. 10 team H2H.
R, 3B, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP x W, L, SV, K, ERA, WHIP
3 keepers, at least 1 has to be a pitcher. Kept Miggy, Fielder, Lester.
C Soto (16th rd)
1B Cabrera (Keeper)
2B Phillips (6)
SS Castro (2)
3B Sandoval (4)
OF McCutchen (1)
OF Bruce (3)
OF Adam Jones (8)
UTIL Fielder (Keeper)
SP Lester (Keeper)
SP Gio (5)
SP Zimmermann (7)
RP Chris Perez (12)
RP Thornton (14)
P Scherzer (9)
P Marcum (10)
BN Luebke (11)
BN Chacin (13)
BN Dirty Sanchez (15)
BN Cahill (17)
BN Volquez (18)
@Ol’ Wes, I think you’re asking for trouble with some of the SPs at the end of your staff, but you probably won’t start them anyway. I like the hitting and pitching otherwise…
Marshall or Nathan?
@JungleMike, Nathan
@Grey, Sweet… thanks for the reply! I’m in a 6 team roto league and I’ve got Street, Valverde, Clippard, Jensen & Madson for closers. Should I drop a Clippard/Jensen and get both marshall and Nathan? Nathan was just dropped. If so… which should go… Clippard of Jensen? There really aren’t any other closers available.
Thanks for the input, I love your writing!
No problem… Drop both for both closers…
@JungleMike,
a) 6 team ? is that a typo ??
b) why not drop madson ?
@chata, a) yep, 6 team. We had 4 teams drop out at the last minute, so we decided to try to go with the stacked format… we’ll see how it works.
b), yeah dropped Madson for Nathan and will now drop Clippard for Marshall. Some guy in our league went ahead and drafted 9 closers.
Here’s my team, if you’re at all interested –
C Santana
1B Votto
2B Phillips
SS Andrus
3B Youkilis
1/3 – Longoria
2B/SS – Kendrick
OF McCutchen
OF Bruce
OF J. Upton
OF G. Stanton
OF – D. Jennings
UTIL Swisher
B – Montero
SP Sabbathia
SP Lester
SP Haren
SP Bumbarger
SP Hanson
SP Latos
RP Valverde
RP Street
RP Marshal (picked up after dropping Madson)
BN Luebke
BN Clippard (dropping for Nathan)
BN K. Jansen
BN Marcum
Whaddya think?
@JungleMike, Bumbarger’s gonna bust in with a great year.
@Al Swedgin, I sure hope so… I drafted him over some “top” names. But I feel like he’ll be my Kershaw for this year.
@JungleMike, whoosh
@Grey, Someone offering me Bruce for Bumgarner and Berkman? Plus he’ll throw in another piece like Niese or backup closer.
Fair?
It’s okay, you should get a cheap SP too…
@Grey, Another offer. Guy gives me Teixeira for Youk and Brian Wilson. Thinking about taking this one – you agree?
@mcbainus, Sounds decent for you…
12 team league, what do you think??? draft was today.
C Avila
1B Freeman
2B Phillips
SS Castro (keeper)
3B Beltre (keeper)
LF Soriano Or Logan Morrison
CF Werth
RF Justin Upton (keeper)
UTL Lind (1B,LF Credit)
SP Halladay (keeper)
SP Haren
SP Dempster
SP Worley
SP Alvarez
SP Humber
SP McCarthy
BN Iannetta
BN Beckham
BN Alex Gonzalez
BN Headley
BN Morrison
BN Byrd
BN Hunter
I think it’s a very shallow league and your pitching is decent up top, but pretty wonky later on. I think think your hitting is decent, but pretty light on speed…
I’m never trading an MR again. My Beltre Holland & Marshall for Freeman Wilson & Motte seems like I might be on the losing end now :-\
@timSTi,
Bit of tough luck there…
@Grey, hence the teenager pouting post.. how much would you bid on Lidge in a 14 TM $100 faab. Only closers are the aforementioned Wilson & Motte?
$5
@timSTi, damn, that is some awful luck.
@Wilsonian, I know man. Closers went too high in my 14 team Auction so I punted and grabbed a bunch of cheap MRs. Got offered that trade and was happy to grab 2 closers (prior to soria & madson’s injuries of course) and drop from Beltre to Freeman. Now it burnnssssssss
I dont know how i did a million mocks, and took madson on many many many teams and I’ve done three $$$ league drafts and didn’t get him anywhere. I’ve snagged marshall in one league, brox in another…. good ole closers, always rotating….
Nice…
is there a way to import your top 300 into espn league
Don’t think so…
@aj, No, you have to adjust your pre-rankings 1 player at a time. ESPN has a pretty good system, though. And once you do it for 1 league, you can import it to any of your other ESPN leagues.
Guys i just finished my NFBC 12 team draft 5×5…. what you guys think?
C- Mauer
C- Salty
1B- Pena
CI- Loney
2B- Cano
SS- Desmond
ML- Giavotella
3B- Gamel
OF- Holliday
OF- Holliday
OF- Choo
OF- C. Young
OF- A. Jackson
UT- A. Hill
Bn- Polanco
Bn- Figgins
Bn- Morgan
P- Hamels
P- Lester
P- Hanson
P- Nat Gio
P- Scherzer
P- Nicasio
P- Axford
P- Street
P- Francisco
Bn- Nieman
Bn- Volquez
Bn- S. Marshall
Bn- B. Anderson ( DL drafted guy by mistake smh so i will drop)
@princerudynasim, replace one of the “Holliday’s” with Josh Hamilton
@princerudynasim, Besides Cano, your IF is scary. I like your pitching. I’d try to improve upon one of your corners. Loney, Gamel, & Pena is a lot of risk at 1b,3b,CI.
@princerudynasim, Agree with timSTi. Infield looks like a much deeper league than you’re playing in, which isn’t good.
@Grey, Thank you sir….would you drop Loney for your boy Morel?
@princerudynasim, Not right now…
Geez, I got a feeling it’s going to be a long, long summer for both of the Chicago teams this year… Good thing there’s still a few viable fantasy options on the north and south side…
Anywho, 6+ trades later, this is the roster I’m rolling with into the year. 14 team H2H, keeper league, 7×6 categories, with TB/OBP and L added. Any weak spots you see?
C: R. Martin
1B: Pujols
2B: Kinsler
SS: Desmond
3B: Wright
IF: Cuddyer
LF: Wells
CF: Crisp
RF: Zobrist
OF: Choo
Util (2): Fowler/Pena
Bench: Kubel
SP: Lincecum/Lester/Shields/Beckett/Floyd/Hochevar
RP: Betancourt/Myers/Johnson/Clippard
Thanks, and keep up the awesome podcasts. Gives me something to listen and laugh to while keep me sane during the non-baseball mid-week boringness.
@Son of a Beachy, Thanks! Your hitting is much weaker than your pitching, which isn’t a great thing and I’m not crazy about Beckett and Shields and Floyd and Hochevar… You’re weak on power and speed… I think you do have good OBP…
I thought if I drafted in February, I might have a leg up on the competition. Of course, I took Madson as my first closer. I swear I’m naming my next Roto team Tommy John Schadenfreude.
@Terrence Mann, Ha! I always say draft closest to Opening Day as possible…
This “valley fever” issue with Pedroia has me worried, apparently it can last up to a yearShould I unload him before he becomes unloadable, or hope for the best?
@Doug Ault, Are you talking about Ike Davis? If not, do you know something we don’t?
@Al Swedgin, Yeah, it was Ike Davis, my mistake.I think I’m still in shock after scooping Sean Marshall in every one of my leagues cept the one where I owned him
@Doug Ault, Davis seems ok with it so maybe Pedroia can shake it.
@WallyCleaver, Yeah- I responded assuming I hadn’t heard the news on Pedroia. But I can’t find anything on other sites. Anyone hear?
@WallyCleaver, google says he’s full of it, or else maybe it was a brain fart. Unless, maybe, Doug Ault is Pedroia’s physician!!?! Say it ain’t so, doc!
Dodged a bullet. NL only keepers are due today and I had Madson at $10. Who do you like for my last guy – goldschmit $10, Ian Kennedy $16, Freddy freeman $17, Sandoval $26? Other keepers are votto, Hanley, tabata and kershaw. Thanks
@Schlitzy, Goldschmidt
@Grey, Thanks!
No problem…
Drop Thornton for Marshall?
@Black Beard, Eh
Which Seattle Schmohawk do you prefer – Smoak or Carp?
Carp
The only thing less surprising than the fact that Chipper will retire after the 2012 season, is that he will begin it on the Disabled List.
@Steve, Ha
Greetings from New Zealand Grey/everyone!
Just did my first online draft out of necessity because of my recent move and here’s my team. 12 team 5×5 standard roto. We start 2 at each IF position. Baseball is back and I no longer have to pay attention to fantasy rugby! Ha!
C Wilson Ramos
C Josh Thole
1B Miguel Cabrera
1B Brandon Belt
2B Dustin Pedroia
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Danny Valencia
3B Brent Morel
SS Ian Desmond
SS Zack Cozart
OF Andrew McCutchen
OF Nelson Cruz
OF Jay Bruce
OF Hunter Pence
OF Drew Stubbs
UT Alejandro De Aza
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Mat Latos
SP Matt Garza
SP Gio Gonzalez
SP Max Scherzer
RP Matt Thorton
RP Frank Francisco
P Corey Luebke
P Matt Capps
Bench Mike Minor
Bench Wandy Rodriguez
I regret having such a weak infield but Pence and Stubbs just kinda fell to me late and I couldn’t pass up a bargain. I’m also concerned that I might have a WHIP problem. Any comments are much appreciated. Cheers!
@jamaican Me Happy,
trade gio and a 3rd baseman for an up-grade at that position
@chata,
thats actually a great idea! would get rid of a WHIP liability as well. would love to upgrade to a Youk or even mark reynolds but i just don’t see anybody biting. can’t hurt to try though. thanks!
@jamaican Me Happy, Yeah, your infield’s kinda terrible… Not even sure how you got such a weak infield in a 12 team league…
Hey Grey….I didn’t take your advice to hold off on trading JD Martinez for Sean Marshall on Friday morning. Went ahead and rolled the dice on the Madson injury and did the deal.
Other owner is NOT happy right now…:)
@PaulyOH, Nice
Hey Grey….what are your thoughts on Henderson Alvarez. I read he struck out two with his slider today, a pitch he didn’t use last year.
@craig, I think he’s an intriguing fifth fantasy starter…
It’s either Alvarez or Lily….I think I’ll stick with Alvarez.
@Grey, mind ranking these RPs for me as things stand today?
Balfour, Holland, Broxton, Marshall, Chapman, Perez, Pestano, Jansen
Second, do they all fall under guys like Bailey, Betancourt, Francisco, Thornton?
Any other late-round closers/will-be closers you’re targeting right now? Thanks for your help!
@Jon, Yeah, they’re all brain freezes and coin flips… Marshall, Balfour, Holland, Broxton… Adams…
Is my team that bad? ESPN ranked me to finish 10 out of 13. (5×5 roto 3 keepers) Where do i need to improve?
C Carlos Santana, Cle C, 1B
1B Mark Teixeira, NYY 1B
2B Danny Espinosa, Wsh 2B
3B Evan Longoria, TB 3B
SS Elvis Andrus, Tex SS
2B/SS Ian Desmond, Wsh SS
1B/3B Eric Hosmer, KC 1B
OF Josh Hamilton, Tex OF
OF Desmond Jennings, TB OF
OF Jason Heyward, Atl OF
OF Logan Morrison, Mia OF
OF Peter Bourjos, LAA OF
UTIL Mark Trumbo, LAA 1B
Bench Jose Tabata, Pit OF
Bench Lorenzo Cain, KC OF
DL EMPTY
PITCHERS
P Daniel Hudson, Ari SP
P Jordan Zimmermann, Wsh SP
P Gio Gonzalez, Wsh SP
P Kenley Jansen, LAD RP
P Carlos Marmol, ChC RP
P Jhoulys Chacin, Col SP
P Brett Myers, Hou SP
P Jonathan Broxton, KC RP
P Mike Leake, Cin SP
Bench Shelby Miller, StL SP
@aj,
espn doesn’t know what the hell they’re speaking of. your hitting looks great! you lack a front line starters and the back end is a little weak as well. not a mike leake or chacin fan, but i have high hopes for hudson, zimmermann and gio. I would suggest trading one of your outfielders for some pitching help since you have cain and tabata on your bench.
@aj, Look at Mr. Me Happy’s team above and tell me if your team looks weak…I agree that your pitching is the only reason for concern, but I think it’s fine…
What’s the story on Utley? Gone for awhile?
@knighttown, Hey, man, long time, no hear from… I think we might see him for †
@knighttown, Whoa, not sure what happened there… I think we might see Utley for about 80 games this year… I don’t think we’re ever seeing the old Utley again…
Grey… Question(s). 12T H2H. Been working on a trade where I’m giving Boneface, Frank Franc, and either Garza or Luebke for A. Sanchez, M. Buehrle, and a PTBDL (for B. Meyers or JD Martinez). I already grabbed Marshall to replace FF.
1.) Is this too much to give, 2.) Marshall or B. Meyers, 3.) There is no 3, 4.) What projections would you give JD Martinez? 5.) M. Aviles or A. Craig if (when) Kinsler gets hurt?
Thanks!
@Slappy Pappy, 1) Yeah
@Grey, Thanks! Ended up talking him down to Leubke and FF.
Frank Francisco has made eight appearances this spring and given up runs in six of them – the only good thing is that he won’t get many save appearances with the Mets
@Mr Baseball, Ha!
Hey there Grey. Adam Dunn Has lost weight, is seeing the ball well (2 dingers inc. a grand salami the other day) and may gain OF eligibility. Would you still avoid? I’m a betting man and sometimes a gamble that pays off is more fun than going straight down the line. Was thinking maybe the 20th round?
Also have 2 DL spots. How high now would you go for Howard? Utley?
Or would Carpenter be a better use of those. Guess it all depends on whose left on the board to snag after the draft. I’m thinking I’d use one for last pick.
Cheers man. I draft tomorrow.
Best of luck this year!
@paddyman, I just went over Dunn two days ago… How high? Maybe around 100th for Howard… 150th for Utley…
@Grey, Good estimates on the DL values. I had my Y! 5×5 money league draft yesterday and Howard went at 120, and Utley at 167.
Hey grey. Francisco, holland, balfour, marshall, thornton. Which two would you pick?
Thanks a lot
@Moscowitz, Francisco, Balfour…
@Grey, thanks but in your reply to post number 30 you put Marshall ahead of Balfour, now here you put Balfour ahead of him. Just a mistake or you just dont see much of a difference between Balfour and Marshall?
@Moscowitz, I said… They’re all brain freezes and coin flips… I.e. they’re all crappy closers at this point…
More closer questions im afraid, is there anything else to talk about atm…
Lidge is available on the wire, reckon he could get a few early saves? Drop Casilla/ a bench bat in Boesch to pick him up?
@TheNewGuy, Drop Casilla for him….
No structural damage, yet I am still worried about Storen. (maybe it’s the Madson thing-he was fine the all of a sudden, done for the year)
This is a contract decision for me. I have Storen at $5 for one more year, but was planning to bump it up to 3yrs/$15 before this nonsense. Do I scale it back to 2ys/$10?
Last year I had Latos come down with arm concerns in spring training, and decided not to add any contract years, and he went on to have a good season and would have been a bargain for me this year. Now I will have to bid on him. I hate contract decisions with pitchers.
I also have an offer (maybe) of Storen for Putz at $18 and Mesoraco at $5/2years.. but I know Putz is just as risky.
@elwood blues, Do $5….
Grey: I have Billingsley as my 7th SP. should I cut him for Lance Lynn?
@Joel, Yes
@Grey, Thanks! quick follow up (before season starts we have unlimited moves so I’m tinkering): I just got chris sale as a throw in in a trade. Ogando and Nolasco are on the wire. Would u rather have Sale, Ogando or Nolasco? THX!!
@Joel, Sale
@Grey, for bench offense: Lahair or Mayberry?
12 team mixed roto league
bat cats: r, hr, rbi, sb, avg, obp, gidp, errors
pitching cats: w, l, s, hld, k, era, whip, gidp
Please let me know your thoughts on this team:
c- jesus montero
1b – texeira
2b – kendrick
3b – longoria
ss – aybar
lf – braun
cf – adam jones
rf – pence
util – bruce
sp’s: latos, hudson, morrow, anibal, worley, sale
closers: street, marshall, myers (sp eligible), adams, balfour
thanks!!
@paulzone, Team looks solid, you look a little light on speed…
@Grey, i think my pitching is light. i feel i can make up speed.
one team in our league, used a new strategy. he went pitching, steals, and saves and then filled in his batters for the most part. ended up with:
pitchers: kershaw, verlander, greinke, wilson, axford, storen, zimmerman, luebke, kuroda, floyd
batters: ianetta, butler, walker, moustakas, peralta, melky, mccutchen, beltran, bourn
genius or idiot?
Idiot
@Grey, I was screaming idiot too. But, and a big but:
if he finishes with an 11 or 12 in 8 categories, that’s 88-96 points.
if he averages at least 5 out of 12 in the other 8 categories, that’s 40 points.
Tot of 128 – 136 points can win this league…hmmmm…..
Where would you rank Sean Marshall in your “Closer Look”?
@Chicago Mike, You’ll find out on Tuesday.
@Grey, Thank God my draft is Tuesday night
hey Grey,
curious your thoughts. got quite an offer that i’m mulling. 14t keeper 6×6 roto (OBP instead of AVG, plus Total Bases and Holds).
the 4-for-2 offer is my
Howie/Rasmus/CC/Nathan
for
Braun/Glen Perkins
so i’d get two open spots back.
CONTEXT: sending Howie opens my MI in a big way. i’d have to use an open spot to grab one of: Pennington, Aviles, Infante, Bartlett, Pastornicky. (bleh.) would use the other open spot to grab another SP (avail: Holland, Minor, Niese). considering the curdling cesspool of talent avail at MI, i feel almost better keeping Howie and not scrounging waivers all year… but am i loco to not snatch Braun here? my OF would be Braun, Bruce, Hamilton, Morrison… which is like, come on. how big a hole in MI is too big? Perkins would def help my holds, but i don’t necessarily like to spend for holds since they always show up on waivers. plus losing CC means my SPs would become MadBum, JordZimm, B-Morrow, and whichever i’d grab out of Holland/Minor/Niese… losing steady CC would def hurt ratios/K/Ws here, but is taking that ratio/K/W hit worth it for the STuD?
yeah — all that said, which side do you like here?
@Goose, Take Braun…
@Grey,
right on. who’d you like for my middle infidel, thus and therefore? again, pick one: Penningteen, Aviless, Infanty, Barflett, Pastor-icky…
and pick one SP: Holland, Stauffer, Niese, Minor…
@Goose, Minor, Pastornicky…
Giovotella optioned to AAA. Think this means the Proletariat will be playing 2nd? This obviously sounds promising for Cain.
@Wilsonian, That sounds very promising…
Grey, Last one I want you to critique. Sorry I know you love this. 12 team, H2H, 5×5, Yahoo settings but only one utility. Also, it was a live draft. I obviously got Hanley before Jay Bruce. How’s she look?
1. (3) Albert Pujols
(LAA – 1B)
2. (22) Jay Bruce
(Cin – OF)
3. (27) Hanley Ramirez
(Mia – SS)
4. (46) Pablo Sandoval
(SF – 1B,3B)
5. (51) Desmond Jennings
(TB – OF)
6. (70) Matt Wieters
(Bal – C)
7. (75) Madison Bumgarner
(SF – SP)
8. (94) B.J. Upton
(TB – OF)
9. (99) C.J. Wilson
(LAA – SP)
10. (118) Chase Utley
(Phi – 2B)
11. (123) John Axford
(Mil – RP)
12. (142) Anibal Sanchez
(Mia – SP)
13. (147) Adam Lind
(Tor – 1B)
14. (166) J.J. Putz
(Ari – RP)
15. (171) Brandon Morrow
(Tor – SP)
16. (190) Jordan Zimmermann
(Was – SP)
17. (195) Danny Espinosa
(Was – 2B)
18. (214) Jhoulys Chacin
(Col – SP)
19. (219) Jonathan Sanchez
(KC – SP)
20. (238) Matt Thornton
(CWS – RP)
21. (243) Ryan Dempster
(ChC – SP)
@Tggq21, BnY… Team looks a little light on power and very on speed, not terrible though… Not sure I understand the Wieters pick… Pitching looks solid…
@Grey, War Room had me in the top 3 for HR RBIs and Runs. Weiters was also the best available hitter per your rankings. Do you think I should have waited a little longer on him? Did you mean very good on speed or very light?
@Tggq21, I think you could’ve waited a little on Wieters, probably another two rounds… But it’s fine now… Interesting War Room’s projecting well for power, guessing it’s my optimistic projections on Lind and something for Utley, which at this point doesn’t seem that likely…I was gonna say high on speed…It’s H2H so it’ll matter week to week anyway…
Grey,
I am playing in a H2H, 8×8 league where almost everything counts.
K/9, saves, holds, WHiP, ERA, W, L
1. (4) Jose Bautista
(Tor – 3B,OF)
2. (17) Clayton Kershaw
(LAD – P)
3. (24) Mark Teixeira
(NYY – 1B)
4. (37) Dan Uggla
(Atl – 2B)
5. (44) Mike Napoli
(Tex – C,1B)
6. (57) Michael Morse
(Was – 1B,OF)
7. (64) Ian Kennedy
(Ari – P)
8. (77) Lance Berkman
(StL – 1B,OF)
9. (84) John Axford
(Mil – RP)
10. (97) Adam Jones
(Bal – OF)
11. (104) Michael Pineda
(NYY – P)
12. (117) J.J. Hardy
(Bal – SS)
13. (124) Nick Swisher
(NYY – 1B,OF)
14. (137) Anibal Sanchez
(Mia – P)
15. (144) Ervin Santana
(LAA – P)
16. (157) Adam Lind
(Tor – 1B)
17. (164) Frank Francisco
(NYM – P)
18. (177) Danny Espinosa
(Was – 2B)
19. (184) Vance Worley
(Phi – P)
20. (197) Gaby Sanchez
(Mia – 1B)
21. (204) Colby Lewis
(Tex – P)
22. (217) Mike Adams
(Tex – P)
23. (224) Jason Kubel
(Ari – OF)
24. (237) Justin Morneau
(Min – 1B)
25. (244) Vernon Wells
(LAA – OF)
26. (257) David Robertson
(NYY – P)
Would you say i could be in need of another closer? Assuming Holland wins the closer job, would you pick him ahead of likes of Balfour and Marshall? Would you drop Worley or Lewis to get one of these closers?
Thanks a bunch in advance
@Moscowitz, No, I wouldn’t pick Holland over Balfour or Marshall… Yes, you need another closer. Assuming Kubel’s not in your lineup (though I have no idea with how you’ve listed your team), get rid of him…
@Grey, but then I would be filling 7 of
8 bench spots with pitching. Would you still dump kubel or any other suggestions? Thanks
Grey – have Point Shares question, but I’m sure you can handle it (emoticon)
Someone offers me, say Adam Jones for, say, Yovani Gallardo. I say, bah, Jones isn’t enough. If I go to the relevant Point Shares, I should be looking for the OFs that are ranked around Gallardo, to get an idea of his relative value, right?
@Steve, Yeah, that’s what I would do… In the real world (not Point Shares), Jones is fair…
@Grey, Oh. Was actually a trade offered to my sister in our league. She always asks me what I think and I said he was worth a bit more.
She has Krispie at CF currently…
@Steve, Oh, I’d want more, but I could see how people outside of the Razzball universe would think it’s fair… Don’t think people really respect Gallardo…
@Grey, No, probably not, though I’d say the guy offering the trade is trying to rip her off a little.
FWIW OFs closest to Gallardo in PS are Hamilton, Holliday, BJ, Pirate, Cruz and Pence.
@Steve, Yeah, Gallardo’s a number #1 SP… Jones is a #2 OF…
@Grey, Yeah – that’s what I said to her.
I just need to figure out how she can trade one of her 5 aces to ME without it looking bad…
@Steve, What a bro!
Hey Grey- Love the site, just drafted and had a question and would love to hear your as well as others opinions.
I’m in a 12 team/ h2h/ linear weights/ points/ keeper league that just had its inaugural draft, here’s how it went for me.
2 Joey Votto, Cin 1B $40
22 Starlin Castro, ChC SS $25
30 Brett Lawrie, Tor 3B $24
60 Jay Bruce, Cin RF $19
73 S Strasburg, Wsh SP $20
79 Chris Sale, CWS RP $7
88 James Shields, TB SP $22
92 Max Scherzer, Det SP $11
116 Mike Minor, Atl SP $8
129 Bryce Harper, Wsh RF $8
141 Brett Gardner, NYY LF $8
147 Anibal Sanchez, Mia SP $13
158 Corey Hart, Mil RF $11
184 Martin Prado, Atl 3B $4
188 Drew Stubbs, Cin CF $4
200 Howard Kendrick, LAA 2B $5
212 Kurt Suzuki, Oak C $1
214 Jason Kipnis, Cle 2B $5
222 Vinnie Pestano, Cle RP $2
224 Felipe Paulino, KC SP RP $3
235 Kyle Kendrick, Phi SP RP $1
241 Fernando Salas, StL RP $8
245 Lucas Duda, NYM 1B $3
I’m a bit worried about Stubbs in CF, but just read word that harper is getting switched to play CF, is it worth riding Stubbs until Harper comes up, or do I make a trade offer for B.J. Upton who sold for $5 but is projected 100 points higher. K’s are not counted.
Also what’s your take on Harpers ETA?
The league doesn’t count saves so I went for no-names for the most part.
Took a gamble for youth, pretty happy w/ Howie for $5 w/ LF elig.!
Thanks again for the great reads here.
@Worm Turner, Thanks! http://razzball.com/?s=harper Team looks solid if a little weak on power, don’t really understand how Upton and Kendrick went for $5 and Harper for $8, but guess whatever…
Looks like Thames wins the starting left field job in Toronto. Snider optioned to the minors.
@vinko, Figures…
What’s your take on John Mayberry now that Domonic has been sent down? Good flyer in a deep 16 team H2H keeper for a bench bat? I would drop Chisenhall for him.
@Wilsonian, Never thought Domonic Brown was making the team so I figured Mayberry into my rankings… I’d hold Chisenhall over him, but they’re tomato-tomahto right now…
@Grey, true, just figured that fully solidified a spot for him. He’s also got dual 1B/OF eligibility, which is nice, but I kinda like the backup to Lawrie in Chisenhall, with Lawrie’s propensity to get slightly banged up.
Maybe Ozzie is secretly still in charge of this team:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/whitesox/2012/03/cooper-white-sox-closer-a-5-ho.html
@Steve, Yeah, saw that… Ridiculous…
Got the 3rd pick in my 12 team 5 keeper. We have 3 of spots, 2 ut spots and no corner or middle. I kept kemp, Justin upton, Stanton, Jennings and cliff lee. Top 5 at draft are pence, andrus, hamels, konerko Kendrick. Top 3b left are aramis, mike young, Reynolds. I love pence but that would tie up my last ut spot right away. I was thinking konerko is the best fit here, but wondering if there is less risk in waiting to fill 3b and 1b since we have no corner. Who would you go with?
@Schlitzy, Konerko…
make these starbucks commercials stop !
@chata, You have to point out where they are, I don’t see them…
How would you rate this team? My Internet connection kicked out a couple of times so I have too many top starters but I think my offense is balanced enough. We count bb and holds. Morneua, Belt and morel are on the wire.
SLOT PLAYER, TEAM POS ACQ
C Geovany Soto, ChC C Draft
1B Joey Votto, Cin 1B Draft
2B Howard Kendrick, LAA 2B, OF Draft
3B Kevin Youkilis, Bos 3B DTD Draft
SS Hanley Ramirez, Mia SS Draft
2B/SS Emilio Bonifacio, Mia SS, 3B, OF Draft
1B/3B Ike Davis, NYM 1B DTD Draft
OF Andrew McCutchen, Pit OF Draft
OF Josh Hamilton, Tex OF Draft
OF Desmond Jennings, TB OF DTD Draft
OF Logan Morrison, Mia OF DTD Draft
UTIL Yoenis Cespedes, Oak OF DTD Draft
P Madison Bumgarner, SF SP Draft
P Tyler Clippard, Wsh RP Draft
P Sergio Santos, Tor RP Draft
P Kenley Jansen, LAD RP Draft
P Greg Holland, KC RP Draft
P Sergio Romo, SF RP Draft
SP Zack Greinke, Mil SP Draft
RP Kyle Farnsworth, TB RP Draft
Bench Yovani Gallardo, Mil SP Draft
Bench Gio Gonzalez, Wsh SP Draft
Bench Anibal Sanchez, Mia SP Draft
Bench Brandon Beachy, Atl SP Draft
Bench Brennan Boesch, Det OF Draft
DL
@I”m Keith Hernandez, No idea how many teams…
@Grey, 11 teams
@I”m Keith Hernandez, It looks like a 8 team league, so that’s good for you… Team is stacked, can’t complain about it at all…
yo grey man,
henderson alvarez, matusz, chris capuano…can you rank deez guys late SP flier?
respeckt.
@#1contenda, Alvarez, Capuano…
Grey : Just finished my 10 team keeper 5×5 league that uses OPS and QS. Can you please rate my team and let me know where I can improve?
Grenade Whistle
1. (7) Miguel Cabrera
(Det – 1B)
2. (14) Prince Fielder
(Det – 1B)
3. (27) Andrew McCutchen
(Pit – OF)
4. (34) Nelson Cruz
(Tex – OF)
5. (47) Jon Lester
(Bos – SP)
6. (54) Kevin Youkilis
(Bos – 1B,3B)
7. (67) Michael Cuddyer
(Col – 1B,2B,OF)
8. (74) Gio Gonzalez
(Was – SP)
9. (87) Emilio Bonifacio
(Mia – 3B,SS,OF)
10. (94) Alex Avila
(Det – C)
11. (107) Andrew Bailey
(Bos – RP)
12. (114) Huston Street
(SD – RP)
13. (127) Max Scherzer
(Det – SP)
14. (134) Chris Young
(Ari – OF)
15. (147) Sean Marshall
(Cin – RP)
16. (154) Trevor Cahill
(Ari – SP)
17. (167) Vance Worley
(Phi – SP)
18. (174) Zack Cozart
(Cin – SS)
19. (187) Ian Kennedy
(Ari – SP)
20. (194) Jim Johnson
(Bal – RP)
21. (207) Cory Luebke
(SD – SP,RP)
22. (214) Jhoulys Chacin
(Col – SP)
23. (227) Desmond Jennings
(TB – OF)
@Mr2Bits, You have some pretty nice keepers, which helps… Team looks real solid, Well balanced… Only small issue is your relief corps is a little wonky… SAGNOF, so it’s not a big deal…
Hey Grey, can you give me some tips on a draft I just finished up?
10 Team H2H Mixed
Batting Stats: R, H, HR, RBI, SB, BB, TB
Pitching Stats: W, CG, SV, K, ERA, WHIP
C Joe Mauer (I kind of panic picked him, but I’m trying to be optimistic)
1B Eric Hosmer
2B Michael Young (love him at 2B with TB included)
3B Brett Lawrie (all aboard the hype train!)
SS Hanley Ramirez
OF Ryan Braun
OF Jacoby Ellsbury
OF Shane Victorino
Util Adam Jones
BN Danny Espinosa
BN Lucas Duda
BN Daniel Murphy
BN Brandon Belt
BN Zack Cozart
SP Zack Grienke
SP Daniel Hudson
RP Huston Street (injury concerns yes, but like him in Petco)
RP Brandon League
P Gio Gonzalez
P Brandon Beachy
BN Cory Luebke
BN Anibal Sanchez
BN Jhoulys Chachin
I really like my offense (and I think it ironically would be awesome if AVG was counted), but I feel my pitching is slightly weak up top, but I make up for it with depth. Thoughts? I got offered Matt Moore and Mat Latos for Grienke, I’m thinking of doing it, but I’m feeling cautious trading Grienke for some reason.
@Kevin, Your team is stacked, but it’s a shallow league so it’s gonna matter how well you work waivers… Your pitching is more than fine…
@Grey, So you think I should pull the trigger on the Grienke move for the two great SPs or should I stick with the anchor at the top of my SPs?
@Kevin, I wouldn’t do that trade in a shallow league…
14 team h2h 6×6 (obp + k/bb) QS instead of wins…
Bruce/Lawrie/jennings all went in the 4th so I went pitching a little early. (Price) I’m gonna try and move him for some hitting sometime early in the year. What say ye?
1. (5) Jose Bautista
2. (26) Giancarlo Stanton
3. (33) Starlin Castro
4. (52) David Price
5. (61) Madison Bumgarner
6. (80) Josh Johnson
7. (89) Joe Mauer
8. (108) Jordan Zimmermann
9. (117) Ike Davis
10. (136) Cory Luebke
11. (145) Sergio Santos
12. (164) Adam Dunn
13. (173) Alex Rios
14. (192) Nick Markakis
15. (201) Matt Thornton
16. (220) Francisco Liriano
17. (229) Colby Rasmus
18. (248) Aaron Hill
19. (257) Tim Stauffer
20. (276) Jake Peavy
21. (285) Jeff Niemann
@Grey: Had my first 12 man (RCL) draft today. Zagged when I should have zigged quite a few times and reached a little too often in the middle rounds, but I don’t think the end result was too horrible.
C – Carlos Santana (55)
1B – Adrian Gonzalez (7)
2B – Ian Kinsler (18)
3B – Kevin Youkilis (79)
SS – Erick Aybar (114)
2B/SS – Jose Altuve (247)
1B/3B – Lucas Duda (175)
OF – Josh Hamilton (31)
OF – Desmond Jennings (66)
OF – Delmon Young (151)
OF – Brennan Boesch (186)
OF – Jose Tabata (234)
UTIL – Ryan Howard (199)
B – Michael Brantley (282)
SP – Zack Greinke (42)
SP – Mat Latos (90)
SP – Josh Johnson (103)
SP – Brandon Beachy (127)
SP – Vance Worley (210)
SP – Johan Santana (271)
CL – Rafael Betancourt (138)
CL – Huston Street (162)
CL – Matt Thornton (223)
B – Sergio Romo (258)
B – Fernando Salas (295)
Easily the most injury-prone team I’ve ever drafted. Thoughts/suggestions/ridicule?