1. $12 – are you kidding me!?!? It’s a quarter head of iceberg, some blue cheese and bacos!!!!!! Where’s my McRib?!?!?

2. Grey, you’ve been dropping Neftali in these Closer Looks solely due to the Starter vs. Closer rumors – and not anything to do with his talent, right?

3. @JustMatt: Ha

   @Buddo Chezuski: He’d shoot up 15+ spots if he were the closer. Kinda hard to rank a guy who may not be the closer high up for closers.

4. Axford been shaky lately? I’d maybe move him up a few spots, as he seems more reliable than the rest of those Donkeycorns.

5. Grey, need a 3rd closer RP behind Nunez and Rodney (I know, it’s ugly). Who you grabbin?

   League, Gregg, Capps, or Rauch?

   Thanks!

6. @Grey: Would you take the over or under on Jake McGee getting 20 saves this year?

7. I have Street, Kimbrel, Hanrahan, Storen and Jansen in the h2h (counting holds and k/bb). Jansen was just a late round flyer- should I lose him for Rauch, Balfour or Dotel?

8. @AdamH: Gregg

   @JustMatt: Under, I’d set the over/under at 15 and take the under.

9. @royce!: Rauch

10. I hear ya, just wanted to make sure

11. I’m about to make that trade for Thornton… In my personal closer rankings I had him at #6 behind Bell, Soria, Marmol, Feliz(assuming he closes), and Wilson(assuming health).

    Basically I like the team Thornton pitches for and the massive amount of K’s he gets… Do you think Thornton can finish as the #6 closer?

    If not, where do you think he will finish the season in the overall closer ranks since he wasn’t the closer when you made your top 20 closer post…

12. @Grey Have you heard anything about Kimbrel doing a time share with Venters? Worries me cause I drafted Kimbrel in most of my leagues and may have to make up the slack somewhere. Maybe grab Venters as a handcuff? I’m not one to lose my pants on a closer run! Thanks!

13. @joe from point pleasant: He could be a $12 Salad by the end of the year.

    @Howard: Venters should get 5-7 saves vs. lefty heavy lineups, assuming both stay healthy and effective.

14. @Grey: re: WAS closer: Bill Cosby. Ha!

15. @Grey: Finally saw True Grit last night. Loved it. Henceforth my reaction to one of my hitters going 0-5 or one of my starters shall be ‘that didn’t pan out.’g

16. @Stephen: Hehe

    @Steve: Yeah, I loved it too. Seemed to get shafted by the Academy because people just expect Coen Bros to be awesome. Were there contractions in it though? Probably ‘that did not pan out.’

17. Anyone willing to take a quick look at my roster? I’m still caught up in the drafterglow, so it’s hard to be objective. Between keepers and just grabbing guys I’ve had before, this team is pretty similar to last year’s (which is good, ’cause I won). 10-team H2H.

    C: Matt Wieters
    1B: A-Gon
    2B: Dustin Pedroia
    SS: Elvis Andrus
    3B: Evan Longoria
    Util: Justin Morneau
    OF: CarGo
    OF: Brett Gardner
    OF: Adam Jones
    BN: Grady Sizemore

    SP: Jon Lester, Clayton Kershaw, Brandon Morrow, Filthy Sanchez, Ian Kennedy, Jordan Zimmermann, Mike Minor

    RP: Joakim Soria, Matt Thornton, Drew Storen, Joel Hanrahan

    The obvious question marks are the bullpen and the health of Morneau and Sizemore (who was just a flier anyway). I love my rotation – the possibility of 800 K’s from my first 4 pitchers makes me pretty excited.

    With regard to Storen, would it be prudent to replace him now with someone who has a good chance to vulture saves (you know who you are, Daniel Bard) or just sit tight ’til the Nats’ closer situation shakes out?

18. Can someone tell me what the #@!! to do about Neftali Feliz? I want to keep him as a 23rd rounder in my 12 team roto league but from what I’ve seen, he’s been pretty wild in his spring training starts. You have to still keep a guy with that much talent, right?

    I just wish he’d just be declared the closer and move on with it!

19. Grey due to all the injuries you listed in the introduction, in a standard 5×5 when should one take his first closer assuming one should have at least three by the end of the draft.

20. Just wondering where you get the info that Nathan looks nothing like 06-09 Nathan?

    I’m anticipating a closer run in the first round of my keeper league draft (technically Round 11). I have the 4th pick and I’m not seeing any great value at other positions as the tiers have pretty much plateau’d to a point where it’s down to personal preference on SP’s or Util guys.

    Do I head off the closer run and grab Thornton, K-Rod or Valverde, or do I take someone else and hope that another good donkeycorn like Axford, Street or Perez is around for my next pick?

21. @Grey: Think you’re right – no contractions. Which makes it better. Was aware of the book though hadn’t read it. Just a great, great story.

22. Thinking about it a quick “Closer Pairings” article would be nice if you have the time, I have my draft tonight.

    Much appreciated

23. I’m going to say something totally nutzo. I think Arthur Rhodes is going to be in the mix as the closer in Texas. Wash keeps saying nice things about him. He’s made no secret about saying he prefers a veteran (read not Ogando) if Feliz is not the guy. I think he’d want to keep Oliver in a role similar to the one he had success in last year. Deep AL league I’m taking flier on Arthur Rhodes.

24. So Wilson gets injured and now Marmol is no longer a donkeycorn? Would you draft Marmol at #100 (round 9) in a standard 12 team league?

25. My league counts HLDs and it was kind of annoying for me to pick Brandon League (over better RPs) to be my number 1 set up guy. The chances for early saves to gimme a little bit of edge was the difference. SAGNOF. That is, if he can hold the job for one month…

    Isringhausen seemed to be the 8th inning guy… that is, before the latest arm problem.

26. @Lines: Team looks absolutely stacked, serious contender. I’d hold Storen for now.

    @Big Nate: Don’t see why you wouldn’t keep him if he’s a starter or a closer.

    @Sol: I take a Donkeycorn or two and a Brain Freeze or two.

    @Calogero: Nathan gave up 5 runs the other day while recording one out. Grab a closer if that’s the best option.

    @Steve: The little girl was phenomenal. So hard to pull off that scene early in the movie where she’s negotiating. Really tough scene to write too.

    @OaktownSteve: It is kinda nutso.

    @Charles: Sure

    @papasmurf: League will give you saves and Holds later, nothing wrong there.

27. Also, I think you might have Hanrahan criminally low. The 10 more saves that Ryan Franklin or Cordero may or may not get compared to Hanrahan aren’t worth the 40-60 more K Hanrahan will get you in limited innings. He had 100 last year.

28. Side note: Is there a good resource for projected batting orders that gets updated?

29. Still high on Axford after a couple scary outings? I know it’s spring, but the walks are the concern. I’m thinking Thornton as my #2 closer now that he’s actually uh, been named the closer.

    What thinks ye?

30. Just got offered Matt Capps (i get) for Brandon League (i give up). I already have nathan on my team, (and he has Aardsma). Do you take that deal? I think i should get more then that for League, since he’ll definitely be getting saves (at least a few) and has the opportunity to take over the role permanently from Aardsma. I don’t think Capps gets many saves (if any) this year, as Nathan has been almost (besides 1 IP) lights out this spring.

31. oh and btw. Andrew Bailey is my only other closer. 12 team AL only 5×5.

32. @Grey – I’m just frustrated that a decision has yet to be made around Feliz more than anything…

    @Razzballers – Has anyone seen a good resource for OBP leagues? I’m looking for 14-team mixed OBP auction values.

    Thanks!

33. Would you drop Raf Soriano for Ogando or wait to see what the F happens with the Tex situation? Just so you know, it’s in a 16 Team H2H league that’s highly competitive (and doesn’t count holds), so it would be a race to snag him, if that matters to ya…

34. @Grey – Thanks, dude! I feel validated.

    And the negotiation scene in True Grit was phenomenal. The script in general was really impressive, but Hailee Steinfeld made it work. It’s hard to be believable at 13, much less own the whole damn screen.

35. Who wins this deal:

    Rasmus/Lyon/E.Jackson OR Lind/Perez/Morrow

    H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP, W, L, SV, K, WHIP, ERA, Ks/9

36. 12 tm roto. Already have Valverde, Aardsma, Rodney. Drop any of the following for Romo?
    Chapman, Kuo, Dotel, Hensley

37. Also, can we keep the term “drafterglow” around? I thought of it as I was writing that first comment, and I feel pretty good about it.

38. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that Braves SP Mike Minor, who was battling for a rotation spot, lost out to Brandon Beachy and will start the year in Triple-A.

39. @Lines:

    Gotta admit, when I first read your comment, I thought that’d make a good glossary term as well. Nicely done.
    @Grey:

    Would you prefer holding onto both McGee and Farnsworth? Or drop one and pick up Clippard? If it’s the latter, who would you drop?

40. @vinko:

    Ughhhhhhhhh. 3/4 of razzballers lost a starter. Including me, on about 4 teams.
    @Grey:

    To kick off the upcoming Beachy questions: How deep a league to pick up Beachy? Can you a drop a line, MC Grey?

41. I think that something is wrong with Broxton. I don’t really see him bouncing back to previous form this year. I could be wrong, but I think Kenley Jansen closes in LA before the end of the year.

    Also, is Kimbrel a Donkeycorn? I thought he was splitting closing duties with Venters to begin the season? I know he has electric stuff and the K-Rate makes me salivate, but a strong hold on the job is number 1 in my book.

42. @Big Nate:

    Are you high? 1.93 through 14IP with 12k’s/6BB is far from wild. If you drop him you deserve to lose your league

43. @Grey et al:

    I just drafted in a 10 tram 5×5 league – sub OBP and QS. What are your thoughts? Any glaring holes. Is the pitching string enough or do I need to target a #1? Just ignore Bautista like I ignored you when I drafted him.

    C: Soto
    C: Iannetta
    1B: Gonzalez
    2B: Zobrist
    SS: Lowrie
    3B: Bautista
    CI: Prince
    MI: Chone
    OF: Kemp
    OF: JUpton
    OF: Gardner
    OF: Rasmus
    OF: Venable
    U: Pena

    P: Hanson
    P: Marcum
    P: Lilly
    P: Wandy
    P: Kennedy
    P: Chacin
    P: CPerez
    P: Thornton
    P:Lyon

    B: Kila
    B: Zimmerman
    B: Minor

44. Grey : Have you or Rudy ever done a stadium breakdown that differentiates hitters parks from pitchers parks? Seems like Rudy’s analytics would drive him to come up with something like that and think it would be useful.

45. Storen shouldn’t be at 30 in my opinion. I know the uncertainty there makes drafting him a dicey proposition, but I’d wager he’s the closer in WAS by mid-late April. Again, just my opinion, obviously. Has nothing to do with the fact that Drew Storen is my darling son.

46. @Mr2Bits:

    There are several of those spread around the web. I remember seeing one a few weeks ago that broke them down by “extreme hitters”, “hitters”, “neutral”, “pitcher-friendly”, “extreme pitcher-friendly”.

    All I remember is that I was quite surprised when I learned that the Dodgers’ home park was sandwiched between Safeco and Petco. Had no idea it was that spacious.

    Makes me sad that I’ve yet to own Kershaw in four leagues so far.

47. @Steelers Can’t Lose:

    He actually just pitched a 1-2-3 inning against the Astros.

48. Wats poppin Grey? In my 12 team H2H I have Longo and Zimm. I am already getting offers for Zimm left and right, and am trying to decide if spinning him off for the right price now is smart, or wait until he is raking and catch a starving owner in desperation for a 3B later into the season. If I can net something like Kemp and a top SP for Zimm, Rasmus, and a lower end SP, do I pull the trigger? In that scenario I would still have Lind and Snider for UTIL duties.

49. Grey, need to drop 2 RP behind KRod and League (I know, it’s ugly). Who you droppin?

    Ogando, DHernandez, Farnsworth, or Rauch?

    Seems like Ogando, Farns and DHern have highest upsides, while Rauch is currently safest.

    Thanks!

50. Brian Wilson has the most job security out of all big league closers and you put him behind Valverde and Papelbon? Sure he has a oblique strain (which in worst case scenario he will miss a month, he is ready for opening day though) but Valverede and Paps can lose their job by mid summer. MAKES 0 SENSE.

51. As someone in an AL-Only league I can’t help but notice that 7 of the bottom 8 closers here are AL teams.

    I’d guess this should drive up the value of the other 7 closers considerably in AL-Only leagues. What do you think Grey? I really hate paying for it though…

52. I guess the flipside is this bodes well for American League closer backups. Flipside wins again!

53. Rankings are pretty straight forward…but just to be oh so sure…drop McGee for Fuentes?

54. @Mr2Bits: Feliz posted a 71K / 18BB line as a closer last season. So, yes, comparatively he showed more control as a starter.

    And no one said anything about dropping him. The question was whether he was still a keeper.

55. *Showed more control as a CLOSER.

56. @Eddy and Mr 2:

    Lot’s of debate among the statistically minded about how to track the effects of ballpark on the various aspects of the game. The one I link below is at least pretty easy to understand, user friendly etc.

    http://www.parkfactors.com/all

57. In a 15 team 6×6 league that includes OPS and HLDs (and waters down SVs even further), should I at all be considering trading Beltre for K-Rod or Thornton? My only closer is Street and the only elite setup man I have is Gregerson. The majority of likely 2nd and even 3rd candidates for saves on teams are snatched up for the purposes of HLDs and SV vulturing, so getting em of the wire might be tough.

    If it makes any difference, I already have Zimm as my starting 3B….I’m tempted to make the trade (out of semi-desperation), but the back of my mind is telling me I’m overpaying by a good bit.

58. Looks like Francisco will officially start the year on the DL:

    http://twitter.com/LottOnBaseball/status/50283832624164864

59. @Wilsonian:

    In a league where I have Kimbrel, Hanrahan, League and Soriano as RPs and we count Ks/9, do I drop either League or Soriano for Rauch (or Ogando)?

    This question negates my previous one (#33) asking if I drop Soriano now for Ogando.

60. @Grey: @Lines: And who’d have thought that a movie shot entirely in gray and brown could look so good?

    And perhaps when I drop a guy – “I do not know this man.”

    BTW – all research suggests the line was “that didn’t pan out.” A man needs to be straight on these things.

61. Grey, what´s your take on a number of pitchers you would keep in a keeper league relatively to a number of hitters? I mean, I think that generally you should keep more hitters than pitchers because pitchers are more prone to injuries. Also I think it would be wise to draft for example Halladay or any other big time pitcher and doesn´t keep him as his value won´t be going up while keep couple of others for say 5$ whose value will skyrocket. Generally, are you a fan of keeping high value players like Pujols, HanRam?
    Anyway, you should definitely write some article on keeper strategy, don´t you think?:)

62. 20-team mixed, H2H keeper league;
    $70 team salary cap…salaries go up $1 per year

    I need a bat. Trade Brett Myers $3 for Chris Coghlan $3?

63. Though I’d like Grey’s feedback on my one 12-player team, I haven’t posted my lineup as it’s boring to everyone but me. Maybe those who want to do so could email Grey rather than post it here, donate $2-$5 and get a personalized response that the rest of us don’t have to read. Grey wins, the reader wins and even the poster wins as they may get more detailed feedback. What are Mr Albright’s thoughts?

64. @Eng: Or they can be posted in the forums:

    http://razzball.com/forums/index.php

65. Grey, to follow up my question from earlier, you said you wouldn’t want to trade j. upton and volquez to get lester (basically in a vacuum) and pick up torres…just wondering, what’s your reasoning? Do you have that much faith in volquez or is this the year upton delivers a car-go year?

66. @NVChris: Thornton’s fine.

    @MD: Eh

    @Wilsonian: Sure

    @Lines: Yeah, without her performance the movie doesn’t work.

    @Wilsonian: It’s fair.

    @Kazmere: Hensley

    @Lines: I do like that. Then in two months, so much for the draftglow.

    @Eddy: 15

    @Tom Thumb: Answered above.

    @Dean: Pitching could be strong enough, it’s not on paper though.

    @Jared: Sure

    @bern: Middle two.

    @rafi: Sounds about right.

    @Hennessey: Sure

    @Jake: Nope

    @Black Beard: Thanks for the heads up!

    @Steve: Hmm… Thought there were no contractions, my bad.

    @jeffjam: You want the best value. Doesn’t matter if it’s pitchers or hitters, but hitters are generally better/more consistent.

    @Exactly: Upton’s better than Lester, you want the better player in a trade.

67. Sorry – not a RP question..

    I have the #10 pick in my 10 team keeper league.
    I already have Upton, Greinke, and Scherzer.

    The Top picks I think will be available to me for the back to back:
    - Howard
    - Fielder
    - Teixeira
    - ARod
    - Matt Holliday
    - Josh Hamilton
    - Andrew McCutchen
    - Jose Reyes (top SS)
    - Brandon Phillips (top 2b left)

68. Grey, did a couple of mocks on Yahoo last night in the 8 hole, and stunningly Cabrera fell to me both times. Is there something that I’m missing, or are people overeacting to possibilities. He is after all still playing. If he’s there at 8 he MUST be taken, right?

69. @Grey: fair enough!

70. @Grey:

    On the Rasmus/Lyon/E.Jackson v. Lind/Perez/Morrow deal, do you prefer a side, or is it lateral?

    Also, in response to the Ogando question, do you drop Soriano for him or Rauch?

    Thanks dude.

71. @vinko: @Grey: Ugh, terrible. And I JUST spent $4 on him in a 12 team auction, too. Do you think Minor is worth hanging onto for a bit or should I go ahead and drop him opening day?

72. @Brian: My rankings can answer this. Nothing changes with the keepers you have, you need a big bat.

    @Joel: I just drafted him in Friends and Family 5th overall.

    @Wilsonian: The deal is fair. Soriano…

73. @peter: Beachy got the rotation spot?

74. grey, even though its a fickle stat and no way to really, really predict it, can you name your top five holds guys? I know that you posted the top middle relievers, but a lot of those guys are taken

75. @Grey: fair enough.

    Also I guess I wasn’t clear, do I drop Soriano for Ogando or Rauch? Who of Ogando or Rauch is the better pickup, I think is the better question.

    Thanks as per usual.

76. Thanks @Grey.. should I pair Howard or Fielder with Holliday or ARod?

77. @Wilsonian: Think it has to be Rauch. If Frankedy-Frank is starting the season on the DL, Rauch has a clearer paths to Saves than Ogando right now.

78. @Grey: CBSSports is reporting that they’re going with Beachy… I blame Fredi Gonzalez.

79. @Steve: thanks Steve. Went with Rauch, giving me Kimbrel, Hanrahan, League and Rauch in a 16 teamer. Not terrible for essentially printing until the late-ish rounds.

80. $70 salary cap; 20-team mixed, H2H keeper league

    I need a bat. Trade Brett Myers $3 for Chris Coghlan $3?

81. @wilsoniam: Look at the first guy in the brackets above on the good teams.

    @Wilsonian: Rauch

    @Brian: Apples and apples.

    @peter: I blame the world.

82. @Commish Cauda: Sure

83. I don’t know if it was already posted above, but it was just announced the Slowey didn’t make the rotation (per CBSsports.com).

    12-team mixed H2H

    Drop Slowey for Beachy, Harang or Zito? Also could grab Rauch.

84. @Grey – I tried to work in the Everclear reference to my comment, but couldn’t do it gracefully. Good thing you’re here.

85. @Commish Cauda: Beachy

86. thanks grey. someone in my league wants gregerson BAD.
    do you think its ok if i deal him for something else and pick up benoit to replace him? (in other words, you dont think id lose a lot from gregerson to benoit?)

    the pads cant be that good…, right?

87. Mr A,
    should i drop minor for beachy?

88. @wilsoniam: The Padres have been historically a goldmine as far as MRs/Holds go, but even in a Holds league if someone is willing to give you something really useful for a Holds guy, you have to take it.

    Not sure how deep your league is, but Holds guys are everywhere – either right now, or someone will pop up during the season.

89. @Grey: Well, if you’re going to blame the world then I’ll just plan on dropping Minor opening day then locking myself in my room, closing the shades, and listen to Everybody Hurts on repeat.

90. @wilsoniam: Nope

    @the grate one: Yup

    @peter: I’m doing that right now.

91. @Grey: And maybe if Everybody Hurts, that will include an injury to Jair Jurrjens in the next few days.

92. Grey, can you tell me you think of this squad? 12 team H2H 7X7, extra cats are ops, ks and losses, qs.

    C Jorge Posada
    1B Justin Morneau
    2B Ian Kinsler
    3B Mark Reynolds
    SS Hanley Ramirez
    OF Jayson Werth
    OF Alex Rios
    OF Travis Snider
    UTIL Manny Ramirez

    SP Roy Halladay
    SP Jered Weaver
    RP Jonathon Broxton
    RP Joe Nathan
    P Frank Francisco
    P Chad Billingsley
    P Daniel Hudson
    P Jorge De La Rosa
    BN Homer Bailey
    BN Randy Wells
    BN Jake Peavy
    BN Michael Pineda
    BN Matt Capps

93. @Grey Can we get a little perspective on Beachy? Are we talking about someone similar to Minor? Or is there a better stat-comparative pitcher we could look to as an expectation?

94. brandon beachy is really really good… people who own minor should really just go out and grab beachy. i think minor may eventually have a higher upside/better stuff, but as of today, i agree with the braves decision to go with beachy. he is very polished, and has doc halladay – like control to go with a 9.87 K/9 in the minors last year. He also struck out a batter per inning in his cup of tea last year.

    Grey, now your advice to everyone should be to draft Zimmermann and Beachy lol.

95. Hey, all. I’m in a 14-teamer and thinking of punting SP, because our 6 P categories are K/BB, total ER, WHIP, SV, W, K. It seems to me that with some strategic $12 salad overbids (overbites?) plus some cheapo MRs, the first 4 cats can be won and, with a little luck, an okay showing can be made in the last 2 (we have 8+P, but only 2 are necessarily SP–might overpay a little for 2 top guys, or else punt 100% and go for 2 w/SP/RP eligibility). This strategy would allow a little more for offense, too.

    I can think of a few critiques, but is this crazy? Crafty? Crazy crafty, like a bust of Paul Giamatti made of macaroni, glue n’ pubes?

96. Anyone who has had their RCL draft – how long did it take?

97. @Steve: 2.5 hours. No shizz. Only had one no show.

98. Would anyone take Beachy over any of the following:

    Cecil, Niese, Bailey?

99. @Big Nate:

    Definitely still a keeper. Top 5 closer possibly top 20-40 starter

100. @peter: That would be nice.

     @The Burghler: Your league is crazy shallow, you look light on speed and average.

     @Public Enemy #1: Agree with Joe from PP.

     @Long Bawls: Ha! I don’t think you should punt anything.

     @Wilsonian: Over Bailey

101. @Grey @joe: As an end of the rotation type, Beachy, Pineda, or spot start Stauffer during his home games.

102. @wilsonian:

     Niese, Beachy, Cecil (very slightly behind beachy), bailey

     The only reason i like beachy a little more than cecil would be because he faces a pitcher every 9 batters and is in a much easier division than Cecil.

     I really like pitchers who can strike out batter while limiting walks. Most people would probably go with Cecil over him, actually, probably like 90% of people would, but then again, im not most people. Thats just my input, FWIW.

103. I think you need an emergency Beachy article.

     I am guessing:

     Beachy over Happ, Norris, Wood

104. @Grey: @joe from point pleasant: thank you gentlemen. Definitely appreciate the input. If you don’t mind me asking, why over Bailey? (I don’t know much about Beachy). I also heard that Bailey is the #2 behind Volquez now that Cueto is hurt.

105. 7×7 with OBP and TB… Morrison or Raburn?

     I drafted Raburn, but looking at OBP, I’m thinking of maybe dropping him for Morrison.

106. @The Situation: Beachy

     @Ozzie: Coming tomorrow… Yup over them.

     @Wilsonian: Bailey’s track record shows he’s barely ownable, Beachy is at least unknown.

     @Hennessey: Morrison’s fine.

107. Its official every league that I am in – the number one pick up is Michael Morse – Am I missing out on something great here ?

108. @wilsonian:

     I own Bailey in my 12 team mixed league, and I’m also a Reds fan. I think theres a strong season ahead for him… He posted a solid FIP and great K rate last year as he was essentially the Reds best starter down the stretch.

     However, as Grey said, Bailey hasn’t proven much yet. In the majors, hes been barely ownable from a fantasy standpoint, and has been very inconsistent.

     That being said, I think this is the year he has to put up or shut up, and with all the hype of him being the best prospect in baseball in his rearview mirror, I think he finally puts up a solid year with a high 3 era and 7.75 K/9. He should be very usable for fantasy purposes, and get a good amount of wins with that potent Reds offense behind him, but I personally just like beachy a little more this year.

     The two project to have pretty comparable seasons, but like i said, Beachy’s K/BB rate is too much for me to pass up here. The reports of this kids make-up and guile on the mound, as well as his polished reportiore are just another reason why I think he can have great success even as a rookie.

109. repertoire*

     sorry for the typo

110. Neshek is in SD.

111. @Grey: Am I exaggerating or weren’t you big on Leo Nunez last year? What happened ?

112. @Mr Baseball: 20+ homer power, good average, crowded outfield and he might not play every day.

     @Poe: Oops, thanks!

     @Rick Dempsey: I was, then he lost the job in September.

113. My team is lacking power and had speed overload (Reyes, Andrus, Gardener, Figgins). Should I try trading Reyes for Uggla even though Reyes is rated higher? I really like Reyes and would rather hang on to him but this is the only deal that works at the moment. Or should I wait for a deal to open up later in the season with one of my other guys?

114. @Grey: @joe from point pleasant: thanks again, guys. I definitely appreciate the input. I guess I was more or less asking about what was wrong with Bailey, and you guys answered that, so thanks.

115. Agree with Joe – Dishonest Jon Niese is the pick over Beachy and Cecil.

     Dirty Deeds done with a Dirt Cheap ADP.

116. @Mr Baseball: he was also the coverboy on Yahoo yesterday, which explains a little bit.

117. Grey what do you think of Brandon McCarthy this year? I play in a pitching heavy league and with Mike Minor apparently being sent to the minors (Beachy reportedly going to win the job) I’m lookin at b-mac. He is in Oakland, a great spot to pitch in and for pitchers to get value. Also, he apparently is throwing a sinker, and the results are 18ground balls to 11 fly balls in 13.2 innings this spring. What you think of him?

118. So in an NL Keeper 4×4 12-team league.. would it be a bad idea to start the season with Lyon, Venters, and Motte as my 3 relief pitchers.

     Would that get me close to middle of the pack save numbers by end of year??

119. my league is a little different. i have the first pick in every round. 12 team 5×5. i’m keeping pedro alvarez and i’m taking pujols first. i don’t think kemp will be there in the 3rd round and i really want him. is 13th overall to early? cargo is kept braun and crawford will be gone too. i’m figuring ill be choosing from arod, prince, maybe wright and i actually think kemp fits my offense better. what do you guys think??? i’m also keeping andrus, c santana and soto

120. @Grey: What’s your hunch about Nyjer Morgan, do you think he’s just not good enough defensively to be out Bernadina?

121. In my 14 team auction keeper league, we hold a supplemental minor leaguer draft. In last year’s minor league draft, I ended up with Hellickson for $10 and Moustakas for $5. Keeping a minor leaguer from the previous year does NOT count against this year’s $260 salary cap.

     Would keeping either one of these guys be more valuable than keeping Aaron Hill for $9 or Carl Crawford for $38? This is an OBP league, so I’m actually leaning toward throwing Crawford back as his career average is about .300 but his OBP is only .340 and investing that $38 elsewhere.

     So then my four keepers would be:

     Uggla – $16
     Hill – $9
     Weaver – $18
     Hellickson – $13 (Does not go against cap)

     I could also keep Oswalt for $16. Any thoughts on how to proceed?

122. @ Grey; When you say to punt closers, I really take that to heart. I have Storen and Hanrahan as my closers. Any news on the closer sit-e ation for these gents? I’m really liking the k potential and oppurtunitoes of these guys.

123. Is Minor officially starting the year in the minors? Should I go ahead and drop him for Niese, or should I hope Niese doesn’t get picked up by the time news is officially released about where Minor starts the season?

124. @cheese:

     niese should have been owned over minor to begin with if u ask me…

     grab him now, ask questions later

125. Would you trade Jason Heyward and Brandon League for Josh Hamilton and Neftali Feliz? No brainer right?

126. @luke t:

     no brainer.

     the fact that u even asked that is making me think you’re a no brainer too. lol im jk, but you get the point haha. kudos if u can get someone to accept that.

127. @thewiz: Sure, try it.

     @Mike from Jersey: Nice AL-Only flyer or very deep mixed leagues.

     @elwood blues: Nope

     @anarchy burger: Nope

     @Rick Dempsey: Going to the minors for now.

     @Big Nate: Keep Hill and Crawford

     @vottomatic: They’re both not pitching well in the spring and Storen’s in danger of losing his job and Meek could steal saves.

128. Hey guys, just discovered this site last week and I’ve really enjoyed it thus far. Was wondering if anyone would mind taking a look at my roster. This is my first year playing so any/all help would be appreciated. It’s a 14 team H2H 7×7 (W, SV, K, HR, GIDP, ERA, WHIP…R, 2B, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP). C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OFx3, Util, SPx3, RPx2, Px3, BNx6. On offense, my team stacks up well in AVG, OBP, SB, and Rs against most everyone else. My pitchers look good on AVG and WHIP.

     My worry is that my bench is heavy on position players, with only 1 pitcher. I’ve tried to free up a spot for a pitcher by moving Suzuki because he’s better than half the catchers in league, but I haven’t gotten any interest yet. Would you guys advise waiving Kuo in favor of another starter since our league doesn’t score holds? I was thinking of holding on to Kimbrel until I can find a 2nd closer that would allow me to compete in saves.

     Mauer-C
     Butler-1B
     Johnson-2B
     Sandovol-3B
     Hanley- SS
     Holliday-OF
     Pagan-OF
     Swisher-OF
     Rajai Davis-Util
     Morse- BN (1B, OF)
     Asdrubal Cabrera- BN (SS)
     Suzuki- BN (C)
     Valencia- BN (3B)
     Nishioka- BN (2B, SS)

     Verlander-SP
     Buchholz-SP
     Anderson-SP
     Hudson-P
     Bedard-P
     Vazquez-P, RP
     Kimbrel-RP
     Kuo-BN (RP)

     Thanks in advance guys.

129. Oh, and that’s Tim Hudson in my rotation, not Dan.

130. What about Andrus or Reyes and Liriano for Cano?

131. @WDE05: Pretty deep league for your first year, way to jump right in. Sure, waive Kuo. Trade Suzuki if you can, you don’t need two catchers. Your hitting looks light on power. You have excess speed. If you can move Suzuki and Pagan for a decent power bat, say, someone like Lind, then do it. Your pitching is weak too, but you might need to work on that through waivers for now.

     @thewiz: Andrus and Liriano for him is fair if you can afford it.

132. Care to rate, Grey? 12 team 5×5 roto

     C Carlos Ruiz
     C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
     1B Joey Votto
     2B Aaron Hill
     3B David Wright
     SS Alcides Escobar
     MI Danny Espinosa
     CI Aramis Ramirez
     OF Dread Pirate
     OF Drew Stubbs
     OF Bobby Abreu
     OF Jason Kubel
     OF Ryan Braun
     UTIL Kendry(s) Morales
     SP Jon Lester
     SP Francisco Liriano
     SP Daniel Hudson
     SP Jhoulys Chacin
     SP Travis Wood
     SP Mike Minor
     RP Chris Perez
     RP Francisco Cordero
     RP Jake McGee

     we draft our bench soon, not sure if I want to take Trumbo, Rauch, or Beachy with my first pick.

133. Back on to my Beachy questions. I’m a little worried about Cueto, and here’s my current staff:

     SP: Lester
     SP: Marcum
     SP: Gio
     RP: Kimbrel
     RP: Hanrahan
     P: Rauch
     P: League
     BN: Cueto
     BN: E.Jackson
     BN: Bailey

     Basically, with Cueto’s injury issue and Bailey moving into the number 2, would you still drop Bailey for Beachy with this lineup?

134. are we all pretty much set on believing danny knobler from CBS (that beachy is the 5th?) i cant find anything else on this…so i wonder if its true???

135. @Grey, thanks for the comments. I would definitely like to move Suzuki and I offered 2 for 1s to several guys to try pick up a power guy, but haven’t had any lucky thus far. I don’t want to waive Suzuki because 3 or 4 guys waited until the last 2 or 3 rounds to draft a garbage catcher.

     Who would you advise picking up on waivers after dropping Kuo?

     The following SPs are FAs…

     Derek Holland
     Bud Norris
     James McDonald
     Michael Pineda
     Travis Wood
     Happ
     Harang
     Pineiro
     Tommy Hunter
     J Guthrie
     Padilla
     Wolf
     Slowey
     Zito
     Penny
     Niese
     Homer Bailey

136. @wilsoniam: that’s part of my issue with not snagging Beachy right this second…I don’t know who that is or if I should trust him, and with Cueto’s injury, if Beachy doesn’t make the rotation, I’m left with 4 SPs to start the season.

137. @ wilsoniam I’m a braves fan and its been rumored for a couple of weeks that Beachy would be the starter, but up until today I still thought Minor would get the 5th spot. The braves blog I read, talkingchop, all but confirmed that report from CBS today, saying that it was in line with everything they were hearing in Florida. I had Minor in 2 leagues, but I went ahead and dumped him today. I’m tempted to pick up Beachy, because he was decent in his 3 starts last year and he’s been great this spring. With the braves improved offense, he should have a shot at a decent number of wins.

138. Also, on my SP FAs question, add Beachy to the list of FAs.

139. Do you think Kevin Slowey will get his starting job back

140. Do you think Mike Minor will get his starting job back

141. Why do we own Mike Minor and Kevin Slowey in 20 team deep leagues – thats my excuse anyway -

142. @ Mr baseball, Minor never had the starting job this spring, its always been open. Everyone just assumed he would likely win the 5th spot, but Beachy has pitched really well and it looks like he beat him out. The braves are trying to trade a starting pitcher, so its possible that Beachy is being placed in the rotation to build his trade value. Also, Minor has been working on his curve ball so maybe they want him to continue doing that before permanently taking a rotation spot.

143. completely off-subject :

     was watching that chumley pawn stars show .
     here’s the trivia question ==> what’s the most money paid
     for a world series ring ?

     answer ….. $225 k
     for Babe Ruth’s 1927 World Series Ring .
     new owner ….. charlie sheen

144. @chata: Winning!

145. @chata: Here’s an nteresting article on Sheen’s purchase – http://deadspin.com/#!5775565/the-messy-history-of-charlie-sheens-winning-ring

146. Question, I drafted Chapman and Soriano (NYY) am I screwed at the closer position this year?

147. Donkeycorns? That was beautiful.

     I believe in Donkeycorns. Where can I get the poster with the rainbow and the sparkles?

148. Great stuff.
     Seriously though, Leo Nunez could bounce back this year. New $3.5 million contract happens to be largest ever for a FLA reliever, and that’s saying something, albeit for one year only.
     He has added a slider to his arsenal that has impressed in ST.
     Also, his K rate actually rose last year, as his BB rate went down. Both his WHIP And ERA went down too! He’s only 27.
     Put me down for one who thinks he’ll make the jump to Donkeycorndom this year.

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