Now Aroldis Chapman says he wants to be the closer. Hahahahahahaha… Wait, why are you putting me in this room with padded walls? No, the Reds haven’t driven me crazy. I’m wearing a potato sack because the fabric breathes. Dusty’s the crazy one, not me. What is that powdery substance you’re stirring into my Jamba Juice? I saw you… I feel drowsy… Jack, I just want to see what’s in the hatch… ….Whoa, just had the weirdest dream. I dreamt that not only did Dusty say he wanted Aroldis as the closer, but that Aroldis was saying it too. All of that came after they signed Broxton to close games, with Sean Marshall and Jose Arredondo setting him up. Wait, why am I still wearing a potato sack? It’s true?! AAAHHH! I blame Dusty and the toothpick he hasn’t changed since late-1997. He’s got splinters in the brain. The good news (depending on how optimistic you can be) is Aroldis has about the same value and ranking as a closer as he does as a starter. His auction value wouldn’t really change either. If anything, Aroldis is probably a tad higher in rankings if he’s a closer. It’s a role that he’s not only done before, but it’s a role that had him produce a top ten overall fantasy season. The bad news is, you might own a $12 Salad and if you drafted him as an ace, you no longer have a starter, which could change the entire dynamic of your team. This would kill Broxton’s value too. This still isn’t a done deal, Aroldis and Dusty might get overruled by Reds management, who obviously want him as a starter. I ask the Reds, “Is deciding on a role dis hard?” Anyway, here’s what else I saw in Spring Training for 2013 fantasy baseball:
Scott Kazmir – Favorite to win the Indians 5th starter job and be the inspiration for team names of Led Zep fans everywhere.
Casey Janssen – May not be ready to go on Opening Day due to his shoulder. In the event that he can’t go, Santos will see saves in the early going. Possible scenario: Santos does well for the first two weeks, Janssen returns but the manager of the Blue Jays — we’ll call him John No-Name — says Santos has been fine so there’s no need to switch them, then Santos stays the closer for three months, then, after back-to-back shoddy outings from Santos, John No-Name says the Jays may go back to Janssen, then people question “go back to” since he’s yet to be the closer except in name only, but John No-Name resents “in name only” because he has no name and the Blue Jays go to City Hall to make John No-Name’s last name officially No-Name so he has a name, then, in an ironic twist, John No-Name goes to a closer by committee unable to choose one name.
Brennan Boesch – Signed with the Yankees. He was only their fourth choice after Derrek Lee, Chipper Jones and The Unknown Comic. To compensate, Boesch will play left field with a paper bag over his head, and Juan Rivera will play 1st base with a Don Mattingly face designed by Rick Baker. This ain’t your slightly younger brother’s Yankees! Boesch is a flyer for your 5th outfielder slot in AL-Only leagues. Not much else. I’ll give him the line of 58/16/60/.252/4 in 500 ABs. It’s not great.
Matt Diaz – Released by the Yankees, which means nothing to most of us, except for us us. Us meaning Rudy and I. I drafted him in our AL-Only CBS leagues (which I still need to post about; as soon as I get a second). I figured with the Damn They’re Old Yankees, Diaz would’ve gotten a chance to platoon. Oh, well, hopefully he lands on a different AL team for us. Still us us, not you us. You Us A! You Us A! Sorry, I’m still drunk from St. Paddy’s Day.
Mark Teixeira – Says he’ll return anywhere from late-May to early-June, which is optimistic with a side of “Yeah, that ain’t happening.” He has the same injury that sent Bautista under the knife last year. Cashman and “Quiz Kid” Donnie Smith– I mean, Joe Girardi, said there’s a 70% chance of avoiding surgery. If he can’t avoid it, he’ll miss the whole season.
David Wright – Could start the year on the DL with a moderate intercostal strain. The WBC is putting the hurt on some guys, huh? No, that’s not the Western Balkan Countries or When Bongos Collide. Okay, you suck, Acronym Finder, these acronyms don’t even exist. The World Blogging Classic? Seriously? “All right, nerds who think they have something interesting to say, you have thirty minutes to write a blog post about anything you want. First one that gets 25 comments wins. Ready, set…Blog!” That’s a judge at the World Blogging Classic. So, an intercostal strain is obviously not a great thing, but it’s early enough that he might only miss a couple of weeks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him have a setback and miss a month. I’m not going to move him down in my rankings, but if you’re looking at Wright or a healthy player in the 3rd round, I could see going with the healthy player. If Wright falls to the 4th or 5th round, then you have to take that gamble, Rudy.
Jordany Valdespin – Now a legit contender for an everyday job in New York. He has great speed and some decent power (15 homers, 33 steals in his last full year in the minors). In just 191 ABs last year with the Mets, he had 8 homers and 10 steals. Strikeouts could cause him to struggle to hit over .250, but I’d absolutely take a late round flyer on him in deeper leagues. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in the season’s first Buy/Sell. Plus, his name sounds like it’s from a Game of Thrones Character Name Generator.
Jackie Bradley – Who was great as the mom in Silver Linings Playbook may get a shot at the Opening Day roster in Boston. Due to Ortiz’s heels not, uh, healing, Gomes could move to DH with Bradley playing outfield. Between High and Double-A last year, Bradley had 9 homers and 24 steals. With only 271 ABs in Double-A, he could be overmatched in the majors once pitchers get a book on him. That book being, “We Can Strike Out Jackie Bradley.” Even if he breaks camp with the club, there’s no guarantee he sticks all year. If he were to get 500 ABs, you’re looking at a guy that could give a seven homer, 20 steal, .250 average year with superb defense, so if your league has a Web Gem category bump him up. To read more, Bradley also made Scott’s top 50 fantasy baseball prospects.
Stephen Drew – Looking unlikely for Opening Day. Ma nishtanah this season for Drew.
Kyle Lohse – Now it’s between the Rangers and the Brewers. Someone get Jim Gray on the line. The Decision II might be filming from downtown Milwaukee.
Domonic Brown – Charlie Manuel said, “Brown is Smarty Jones or something out front” for the everyday left field job. Then Charlie chewed some grass and pooped as he walked away from the media.
Zack Greinke – Dodgers consider him a longshot to make his first start of the year — or he’s Mine That Bird, if Charlie Manuel’s telling you. But Greinke did throw a pain-free bullpen session yesterday. His first start could be April 13th when the club needs a fifth starter. Staying optimistic, Greinke will face all fifth starters the rest of the year and go 24-5 with a 2.30 ERA. Realistic? Nah. George Steinbrenner voice from Seinfeld, “Realistic is DEPRESSING! Depressing, Costanza! Now tell Greinke to stop kowtowing to his elbow and pitch!” Greinke is in the same sinking ship as Wright. I’m not moving him down in the rankings, but I could see passing him over for a healthy player. Healthy, George! Now bring me my calzone!
Shelby Miller – Hey, wait a second, the Cardinals haven’t settled on Joe Kelly for the 5th starter job yet. They’re giving them both one more audition on Tuesday. If I were to read between the lines with rose-colored glasses, they’re giving them another audition because they want Miller to win the job. Giddy up! (Geez, it’s like this has become a horse racing blog.)
Nolan Arenado – The Rockies are considering Arenado for their 3rd base job. Frankly, they’re idiots for considering him and not just making him their 3rd baseman and don’t call me Frank Lee. Chris Nelson isn’t good defensively or offensively. For fantasy purposes — or porpoises if dolphins are reading, and not plotting our demise; I’m on your side Dolphin King! — Arenado has the hit skill to be the Rookie of the Year. If NL Rookie of the Year is a poor field and Arenado can get 20 homers. If he gets the everyday job, I’ll put him down for 18 homers and a .270 average with no speed. He’s fine for a late flyer in deep leagues, but I wouldn’t count on him to man your 3rd base slot.
Brandon Beachy – Fredi Gonzalez said Beachy is on target to return late-June, then Fredi ordered Venters to throw 600 pitches and returned to reading Joe Torre’s autobiography.
Chris Johnson – Homered yesterday, which means nothing, except he’s still battling Juan Francisco for the 3rd base job. Johnson has a .305 average with 3 homers, Juan-Fran has 4 homers and a .311 average. We got a battle, y’all!
Pablo Sandoval – Scratched yesterday due to a sore elbow. Is there a hamate bone in the elbow?
Jon Garland – Mariners are leaning to Garland and Blake Beavan for the last two rotation spots and not Erasmo Ramirez, who would clearly be better than both. The Mariners are like the girl that can’t ever get love from her father and ends up dating deadbeats. You’re good enough to want better, Mariners!
Good stuff Grey
Please help: 7×7 with OBP, SLG, QS: keep two
SS elig Prado, Bourn, Granderson, Dickey, J Zim, Gallardo, Sale
Have Braun, Joey Bats and Cano
Thanks
@Matt: Thanks! Zimmermann, Sale…
Yo Greycarlo, 10 team H2H mixed league CBS standard scoring prize league. I picked from the 6th hole with these results. I didn’t bother with an offensive bench besides Carpenter as many capable guys are always on waivers if needed. I feel pretty good but wanted to get your perspective. Thanks as always Grey.
1.) Cano
2.) Strasburg
3.) Longoria
4.) J.Upton
5.) Wainwright
6.) A. Jones
7.) Heyward
8.) Goldschmidt
9.) Matt Moore
10.) Lincecum
11.) Mariano Rivera
12.) Brett Anderson
13.) Hellickson
14.) Sandoval
15.) J. Montero
16.) Asdrubal Cabrera
17.) Tommy Hanson
18.) Detwiller
19.) M. Carpenter
20.) Shelby Miller
21.) Addison Reed
@Anthony: wow cbs rankings must be eff’ed, because you got Longo in the 3rd, OK i can kinda handle that, up J-up in the 4th? Jones/Heyward 6/7?????? Goldy in the 8th? wow…. if you don’t win I wanna know what the first place guys team looked like…. team looks solid.
@Tony: You have to see them to believe them. Go to one of their roto mock drafts and you’ll see how bizarre they are.
I think the CBS Schmohawks poison the public with so little knowledge that it makes it possible to get a solid team every time. You guys should try one of their prize leagues. By design Grey I wanted a solid foundation at SP and will then work the wire as I always do. I wanted to make sure od a stacked Offense which is what I think I have…..
Yeah, makes me want to sign up for one of them when I see teams like that…
Yep, it’s so hard to take a SP when so many huge sticks are being left out there. CBS Summer ATM Machine!
@Anthony: Hitting looks solid as Tony said, your pitching looks bad once we get to Lincecum…
@Grey: The Greydar just went off.
Lincecum has been clocked in the 92-94 mph range in the spring so I think he get back somewhat to normal this year. His velocity issues has primarily been his undoing. Streaming double starts week to week should solidify any other shortcomings of the staff.
where do u see valdespin playing mostly? 2b and of? of only? or even a lil 3b? thx Grey, u rock.
@oaktown a’s: 3rd base is very doubtful.
@golfnut: he wants rollins for goldy? i’d do that in a heartbeat! cozart is a fine MI.@Wallpaper Paterson: talk in NY is he’ll be in the outfield.
@oaktown a’s: 2B and OF
marge wouldn’t have put up with this crap .
@costaricanchata: Nope, she would’ve burned some crosses or something equally appalling…
Hey, i have a patato sack on too! We’re twins! .. wait a minute…
@prezii: Are we sharing one?
@Grey: this is us… On our shirt / sack it reads “We Heart Chapman”…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xudGq2FUE1Y
Hahahaha… That’s totally us… Only Psy is in our sack too…
@Grey: and matt adams? Were gonna need a bigger sack..
A’la Jaws, “We’re gonna need a bigger sack!”
@Grey: damn, you want to put bernadina in there too? Well, i guess so..
And Lorenzo Cain…
@Grey: Aroldis blunt, this shit is givin me a headache!
Take a Tylenol and rest your weary head in your sack…
@Grey: i could bunch my sack up and use it as a pillow…
My potato sack… Not my ball sack.. that would be a tad awkward!
Either works!
Grey,
Can a poor guy get an opinion on the team he drafted? 16-team Yahoo 5×5, 24 rounds, 3OF with 1 UT, 5SP/1P/2RP, 1450 IP limit. I drafted out of the 12-hole. Tried to follow your recs to a tee, but afraid I ended up with questionable pitching as guys from the Samardzija and Estrada tiers went disturbingly early, and Steve Cishek was the last projected closer left (other than Marmol… seriously even Glen Perkins was gone) at 140…
C: Avila (R16-245)
1B: Fielder (R1-12)
2B: Phillips (R4-53)
3B: Zimmerman (R3-44)
SS: Rutledge (R11-172)
OF: Jones (R2-21)
OF: Jennings (R5-76)
OF: Jackson (R7-108)
UT: Some combo of Frazier (R14-213) and Segura (R17-268)
BN: D’Arnaud (R20-309)
SP1: Zimmermann (R6-85)
SP2: Morrow (R8-117)
SP3: Niese (R10-149)
SP4: Minor (R2-181)
SP5: Parker (R13-204)
SP6: Milone (R15-236)
SP: Norris (R21-332)
SP: Bundy (R24-373)
RP: Cishek (R9-140)
RP: Robertson (R18-277)
RP: Pestano (R19-300)
RP: Benoit (R22-341)
RP: Cook (R3-364)
Thoughts?
@Dustin: Pitching doesn’t look that bad, not sure I understand Bundy unless this is a keeper… Your hitting looks great… Looks like a hitting team for a 12-teamer…
@Grey: It was my last pick, we were about to get kicked out of the community center room because we went over time, and he was literally the last guy on my “consider drafting” list who was still available…
Gotcha…
Three year keeper league question.
5×5 Draft
I have first pick in minor league draft. We do draft after 23 man rosters have been picked.
“Mike Trout and Bryce Harper aren’t walking through that door.”
I would prefer somebody with a chance to have an impact this year.
Myers? Tavares(Assuming he gets sent down) ? Somebody else?
Who would you draft?
@You’rekillingmeSmalls!: tavares
@You’rekillingmeSmalls!: Myers
What do you think? For Keepers (need to pick one). H2H, 12 Team Auction: Lorenzo Cain $5, Big Papi $2, Tim Hudson $6, Vogelsong $2… Thanks!
@RussB: Ortiz
Valdespin VS. Cogwill Who will produce better stats?
Venable Vs. Jay Vs Dirks Who will be of more use?
@djhogness: Valdespin… None… Jay…
Grey,
Frieri put up such good numbers last year. Hate to give him up. What’s your gut telling you on how long Madson will really be out? Thanks!
@mhfella: 3 weeks…
Grey 12 team h2h
C:Wieters
1B:Goldschmit
2B: Rutledge/Espinosa
SS: Elvis
3B: Adrian Beltre
OF: Kemp
OF: Choo
OF:Nelson Cruz
Utility: Ike Davis
Bench: josh willinegham
Latos, sale, peavy,kuroda,samardjza,Hughes, tommy Hanson, Johan Santana, doubront
I know back end of the pitching is crazzzzzy bad, but what do you think?
@Whampwhamp: I agree with what you said… Your pitching isn’t good…
Hmm. Tried ‘Ma nishtanah’ on the random Irish people still lingering in my house this morning and ….nothing!
Considering replacing Greinke with Austin Jackson in my 6×6 (OPS, L) keeper. We keep 6, other keepers are Bryce, J-Up, Votto, Wright, Sale.
@Ned Shakeshaft: Give them until their hangover wears off… I could see it… You already have Sale…
Dusty solves issues by naming Chapman starter & closer…
@Pubcrawlers: Yup
I screwed up somewhat with my draft last night. Yahoo, head to head, 10 teams…….I wanted Goldschmidt, but the guy before me took him in the 3rd round……He wants Jimmy Rollins….am I just paranoid having Ike or Carlos at 1st?
here is my roster:
1. (5) Andrew McCutchen (Pit – CF)
2. (16) Justin Upton (Atl – RF)
3. (25) Evan Longoria (TB – 3B)
4. (36) Matt Cain (SF – SP)
5. (45) Ian Kinsler (Tex – 2B)
6. (56) Jay Bruce (Cin – RF)
7. (65) Carlos Santana (Cle – C,1B)
8. (76) Jimmy Rollins (Phi – SS)
9. (85) Ike Davis (NYM – 1B)
10. (96) Jordan Zimmermann (Was – SP)
11. (105) Shin-Soo Choo (Cin – RF)
12. (116) Shane Victorino (Bos – LF,CF)
13. (125) Jeff Samardzija (ChC – SP)
14. (136) Brett Gardner (NYY – LF)
15. (145) Sergio Romo (SF – RP)
16. (156) Huston Street (SD – RP)
17. (165) Todd Frazier (Cin – 1B,3B,LF)
18. (176) Matt Garza (ChC – SP)
19. (185) Trevor Cahill (Ari – SP)
20. (196) Emilio Bonifacio (Tor – 2B,CF)
21. (205) Adam Eaton (Ari – CF)
22. (216) Tommy Milone (Oak – SP)
23. (225) Trevor Plouffe (Min – 3B,RF)
24. (236) Jean Segura (Mil – SS)
25. (245) Zack Cozart (Cin – SS)
@golfnut: Team’s not bad… Davis could be fine at 1st… Biggest concern is the team looks like an average problem…
NOOOOO!!!
I banked on him as my two in a 10 team H2H. Is my rotation still ok???
On the bright side my bullpen will be dominate
Madbum
Brett Anderson
Estrada
Matt Moore
Jordan Zimm
Jarrod Parker
Reserves
Bauer
Garza
Luebke
Skaggs
Strailey
@Jamiehov: Yeah, your rotation is totally fine…
So, we’re likely on the express train to the Blue Jays having a “closeter f*#k” in the 9th inning this year… At least Jannssen was only a last round flier for me–is he worth holding until a few weeks in and then SAGNOF as needed?
@fri-guy: Santos has looked fantastic in camp and he’s going real late. I think everyone forgot how good he was 2 years ago, except the Jays. Also Janssen might not be back till end of April.
@Nick the Podcast Host: i have romo and holland as my RP in addition to jannsen…my archaic h2h league greatly overvalues saves
my plan is to dump jannsen and grab colby lewis as a DL stash, but now i’m over-thinking it…
@fri-guy: People still think it’s Janssen’s to loose but I have a feeling Santos will get the opportunity and has better stuff, if he’s available I’d grab him. Look at Pestano too, don’t think Perez is long for the gig.
12 team 6×5 (AVG & OBP) H2H ROTO LEAGUE
C- Rosario
1B-Goldy
2B-Espinosa
SS-Zobrist
3B-Moustakas
OF-Braun
OF-A.Jones
OF-J.Upton
Util- Ike Davis
Util-Chris Davis
BN-Hicks
BN-Rutledge
BN-Gardner
P-Scherzer, Latos, Chapman, Moore, Niese, Bauer, Miley, Teheran
RP-Cishek, Perkins
so obviously my middle infield is awful… do youn like espinosa over rutledge? i want to clear a bench spot to pick up a closer-in-waiting if one should rise to the top…. who would be the first guy dropped for a move like that?
@ulysses:
Your midlle is not that bad, and you have Rut as a back up
@JoeG: right, but i feel its dumb to keep multiple 2B since it is so shallow. Like the drop off from espinosa to rutledge is not much. i figure its the same guy, no?
Are you still down on Hyun-Jin Ryu?
He looked sharp yesterday…
@VinceVo: I think Ryu kills, at least during first go around thru the league. Ok it was in the K League but dude can chuck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omrq923hRZ0
@VinceVo: I’m not down on him, I just think he’s more of a 5th starter than a 3rd…
@Grey:
Do you think I need to make a move for a SP given that Chapman will likely be a RP?
My Pitching staff includes:
1)Baumgarner
2) Zimmerman
3) Chapman
4) Milone
5) RYU
6) Harvey
7) Street
8) Gee
9) Teheran
@VinceVo: SPOILER! Be sure to check the site on Thursday, We’ll be doing a Greydar post on Ryu. And I believe I’ll have a snippet on him for the podcast tomorrow.
Was offered Wright for Dickey + Machado in a dynasty league with no restrictions. My team is project to smoke the competition as is, so I am hesitant to make this deal. 5X5 roto. Based on projections I gain 5 hitting points by doing the deal and lose 2 pitching points, but keep in mind the projections do not account for the fact Wright could miss a month…do I do the deal?
@Joe: Nah, hold…
@Grey: Thanks!
I don’t always get your references, but when I do, I laugh hysterically.
@Terrible Ted: Thanks!
Re: Valdespin
Are you in GoT Season 2 yet?
@Fooch: I thought Grey said he hadn’t even watched Season 1 of GoT yet.
Do it, Grey! You won’t regret it!
@JoeC:
http://razzball.com/take-zacks-elbow-news-with-a-greinke-of-salt/#comment-1910540
@Fooch: Two episodes into Season 2, your grace.
@Grey: Summer is coming….
It is, your grace.
In a 12 team standard Yahoo mixed keeper league is Pestano bench fodder if Perez is closing opening Day?
@EDUB: Love Vinny the Wrench. Perez’s shoulder is toast.
@Nick the Podcast Host:
What makes you so sure his shoulder is toast? Reported as just a strain. Threw a bullpen session with no reported problems so far. GM and head coach are on record saying they want Perez in 9th.
All clueless managers have ‘Inception’ like totems to keep their reality in line with their stupidity.
Jim Tracy has his pinch hitters.
Eric Wedge had Miguel Olivo. I’m not sure what he’s going to do now, but I’m sure it involves Morse.
And, of course, Dusty Baker has his toothpicks.
BWWAAAHHHHMMMM!
@jaywrong: Ha, yup…
What if any is the level of concern that Ryan Braun get suspended?
@JoeG: Very! Listen to the podcast tomorrow for more details.
@Nick the Podcast Host: I drafted him yesterday, which pretty much assures a lengthy suspension.
I stumbled across this site recently. I don’t know if you’re the most accurate, but you sure are the most entertaining out there. Please to advise on my pick 3 conundrum: I’ve got the third pick in a 12 team mixed h2h league. Top guys are Detroit homers so I’m not going to see Cabrera. I’ll take whichever is left, Trout or Braun up top (maybe both cuz one of them may reach for verlander – so I’d take Braun in that case).
So my second two picks (overall 22, 27) is where it gets tricky. In all of the mocks I’ve done, the most desired 3b (beltre, longoria, wright) and 1b (pujols, votto, fielder) guys are taken. I’d rather not take a 2b or ss yet and I certainly won’t take one of the starting pitchers until bumgarner, wainwright, or geo come 4th round. Also not interested in using top picks on C or RP.
My options as I see them:
1. grab another outfielder (I’ve seen bautista, upton, hamilton, jones, or heyward available at 22 in various mocks)
2. reach for my favorite 1b (gonzalez, encarnacion, or goldschmidt) and 3b (zimmerman) who may or may not be available come picks 46 / 51
With Ramirez and Headley’s spring (minor?) injuries 3rd loses depth pretty fast.
So I could either take care of another OF with pick 2 and grab 1b or 3b with pick 3 or use 2 and 3 to grab both 1b and 3b and wait on of. Of course I could also go with Pedroia or Kinsler or perhaps Castro. Hanley has been available in round 2 almost every time and I’m tempted to go there, despite your warnings.
Thoughts / tips / sarcastic remarks?
@c0wfunk: Thanks! 2. Definitely… I’d follow my rankings… Goldy, A-Gon, etc… I wouldn’t draft Hanley…
@Grey: I’m with you. After all, who am I to argue with a good venn diagram? A couple more questions if you can, considering espn-land…
1. I’m thinking I could go:
Trout
goldschmidt,
zimmerman,
bumgarner/geo/wainwright,
then start looking for more outfielders (upton, pence, etc) and take what I can get from the pitchers
I’m sure I can grab at least rickie weeks for 2b in the next few rounds and I’ll be feeling pretty good about the whole thing. Would you be happy with that setting up the main lineup spots?
2. Rutledge is so far down the espn rankings (247) .. would you take your chances that everyone will ignore him and grab him 14 / 15 / 16 or make sure to grab him by 9/10 where you have him ranked?
3. Wilhelmsen is also going late in espnland and I’m content to take my chances with saves. I got burned badly last year by rps that ended up being wasted picks, I’m tempted to just grab one guy and load up on sp potential. The league changed from 5 free pitching slots last year to 1p, 2sp, 2rp – would that affect your strategy at all going into draft?
4. Thinking about grabbing Gyorko by round 20 at the latest and eaton somewhere in that range as well, too early for those 2 with 23 total players? Should I pick one or the other?
Last – it seems Jed Gyorko is missing from the xls war room spreadsheet, though he’s on your 400 list.. Will this spreadsheet be updated to the latest?
Thanks much!
@c0wfunk: 1. That works for me. 2. I’d draft him around 170-ish 3. Nope 4. Not too early… I could see going with both… 5. I don’t manage the XLS spreadsheet so I can’t say… I can try to ping the guy who manages it, but he’s been slow getting back to me…
12 team league w/ 8 keepers — keepers are you’re first 8 picks.
I’m loathe to keep 3 pitchers but I currently have Hamels, Grienke, and Darvish. Just got offered F-Her for Hamels and Darvish and I can’t decide if it’s a good 2 for 1 — seems he’s an upgrade, but not that much better than Hamels.
Regardless of whether I make the trade I’d probably only keep 5 or 6 and grab extra picks in the keeper rounds which have always worked out well for me in the past.
@Phil: It’s not good…
Hi Grey,
My two, highly difficult to work with, bosses decided to put me in a “company” league against far superior competition. Here’s how my team turned out drafting out of the #5 slot. ESPN, 12 team against, um, Champions. I used the RazzDraft tool which helped a ton, I’ve included my RazzDraft targets as well. Please judge me.
C – Jesue Montero
1B – Joey Votto – Too many questions with McCutch and Kemp
2B – Howie Kendrick
3B – Adrian Beltre
SS – Starlin Castro
Corner Person – Freddie Freeman
MI – Everth Cabrera
OF – Austin Jackson
OF – Hunter Pence
OF – Carl Crawford
OF – Andre Ethier
OF – Ichiro
UT – Jason Kubel
BN – Drew Stubbs – Panic pick
BN – Michael Saunders
BN – Billy Hamilton
P – Stephen Strasburg
P – Yu Darvish
P – Matt Moore
P – Fernando Rodney – I threw up a bit in my mouth when I made this pick
P – Joe Nathan
P – Mike Minor
P – Hyun Jin Ryu – Should do real well first time thru league.
P – Trevor Cahill
P – David Robertson
Total/Goal/% of Goal
Runs – 1046/1045/100%
HR – 231/261/89%
RBI – 1049/1008/104%
SB – 167/189/88%
AVG – 281/267/105%
W – 93/100/93%
K – 1357/1330/102%
ERA – 3.43/3.44/100%
WHIP – 1.17/1.24/106%
SV- 81/92/88%
Thanks Grey!
- Name Withheld
@Nick the Podcast Host: Targets not hit seems to make it obvious where the problem is… Votto has less questions? You’re showing your Canadian bias… Your outfield is old on the back end…
@Grey: Does Canadian bias taste as good as Canadian Bacon? If so, gimmie.
@Nick the Podcast Host:
Do they have “home runs” as a category in this “league”?
@Nick the Podcast Host: Corner person? Does that mean that you gave Freeman a time-out? Or is person the canadian term for infielder?
Does my starting pitching look solid enough to start the season? Or should I be looking to make a deal to land another upper-tier starter? (King Felix and Latos are a couple of possibilities I could land from managers looking to deal for offense.)
Yahoo H2H 1yr League (10 teams)
Batter Stats: R, H, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP, SLG
Pitcher Stats: W, SV, K, ERA, WHIP, K/9, QS, HLD
Roster: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, CI, MI, OF, OF, OF, OF, OF, Util, SP, SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, RP, RP, P, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL
C: Salvador Perez
1B: Adrian Gonzalez (1B, OF)
2B: Brandon Phillips
3B: Evan Longoria
SS: Ben Zobrist (2B, SS, OF)
CI: Todd Frazier (1B, 3B, OF)
MI: Danny Espinosa (2B, SS)
OF: Andrew McCutchen
OF: Matt Holliday
OF: Shin-Soo Choo
OF: Hunter Pence
OF: Michael Cuddyer (1B, OF)
UT: Kendrys Morales (1B)
BN: Josh Rutledge (2B, SS)
BN: Emilio Bonifacio (2B, OF)
SP: Gio Gonzalez, Max Scherzer, Jake Peavy, Jonathon Niese, Homer Bailey, Tommy Milone
RP: Jonathon Papelbon, Mariano Rivera, Glen Perkins, David Robertson
@Birdis: Your Sps look plenty strong enough… A bit too strong even which has hurt your outfield…
@Grey: Cool. Thanks Grey. Surprised you think my outfield was hurt… 3 of my 5 are in your top 14. Pence is 24. And my 5th slot has a lot of options with OF-eligble guys: A-Gon, Frazier, Zobrist, Cuddyer, and Bonafacio could slide in there depending on matchups, etc. Really liking how many multi-position guys I have to work with. Any more advice is appreciated. You helped me win my league last year!
Mind to rank these teams going into our draft? H2H 5×5 scoring
A) C Santana, Votto, Kipnis, Mous, Kemp, Harper, CarGo, Kershaw, Sale, Cain, Latos, Chapman
B) Posey, Goldy, Cano, RZimm, Tulo, Desmond, Lawrie, Stanton, Jennings, MadBum, JZimm, Medlen
C)Rizzo, Castro, Reyes, J.Upton, Hamilton, Cespedes, Trout, Strasburg, Lee, Shields, Samardzija, Darvish
D) Pujols, Kinsler, Longo, Andrus, Altuve, Butler, Braun, Holliday, Wainwright, Gio, Cueto, Kimbrel
Thanks!
@Jon: Are these 8 team leagues? They all look fine… I’d go C…
@Grey: 10 teams, these are the 4 best
Gotcha… Yeah, your team isn’t terrible… Your infield and pitching are better, but you have a bit more risk…
@Grey: yeah, I agree on the risk. Moore, Scherzer, Lester, B.J., Gordon, Rios, Pence, Beltran and Victorino are all available in the re-draft (along with Freeman, Ike, Rutledge, ARam, Pablo, Wieters and others at non-positions of need). Who would you aim for if you were me? I pick 9, 14 and 29 in the first 3.
@Jon: BJ, Gordon, Pablo…
@Grey: Cool, thanks a lot! The allure of Moore and Scherzer and those strikeouts is tempting, but I’ll wait and see if Moore falls and focus on OF, as I should.
@Grey: C is a powerhouse (I’m B and lost to him the championship rd last year). Worst part is he managed to end up with 6 picks in the first 3 rds, so stands to add a ton of talent. He’s the guy I’ll be gunning for all year.
Quick opinion on a H2H 10 team 6 keeper league with custom 8X8 which includes OBP, Total Hits, and XBH, and QS, K/9, Losses.
I have conservatively projected who I believe I can get without much wishful thinking. Would love some feedback on whether this looks like a strong team or if I should tweak a little (draft it tonight)
I’m keeping Pujols, Cargo, Tulo, Zobrist, Bruce, and Stanton, so starting with the 7th round I am looking to pick these guys: (I have the last pick of the first, first of the 2nd, and so on and so forth
7th: Wainwright
8th: Choo
9th: Traded away
10th: Matt Moore
11th: Beltran
12th:Hosmer
13th:Niese
14th:Sal Perez
15th:Samardzija
16th: Frazier
16thpart2 (the version with molly ringwald): Jarrod Parker
17th:Homer Bailey
18th:Kendrys Morales
19th:Ruttledge
20th:Middlebrooks
21st:Matt Garza
22nd:Janssen (before injury update)
23rd:Wilhelmson
24th:Aoki or Markakis
25th: Ryu
26th: Gee
27th: David Robertson
others: David Hernandez
Who has more upside with XBH as a category: Markakis or Aoki? And should I get one more actual closer like Santos instead of Janssen and dump him in at the end of the draft?
@Robby D: Any help is appreciated
@Robby D: Team looks very strong… Hard to go wrong with those front 7…
@Grey: gracias, the only concern I have is Moore may be a pipe dream at that spot. He is projecting to go around 90th, but I’m assuming I can get him with the 91st pick. I may have to adjust if that’s not the case, and there isn’t another pitcher I like there, so I may have to reach in his tier, but if that’s my only issue, I guess I’d be ok.
@Grey: Also, Are you higher on Aoki, or Markakis given the OBP and XBH categories my league has. I’m leaning towards Aoki, but I know Markakis, while lacking power, is a doubles machine. Or maybe that should read, because he’s lacking in power, is a doubles machine.
Aoki…
Grey, if given the chance, are you still drafting Pujols before Fielder and Votto?
I think Pujols is just about to get on the field for the first time and it seems like his progress has been pretty slow in spring training. Can’t help but be a bit concerned.
@Eddy:
pujols drops to 2nd round .
@costaricanchata: I think second round is a bit low for him. If I’m drafting 11th or 12th overall, I’m taking him there. Just not so sure I’d do the same 4th or 5th overall.
@Eddy:
wouldn’t be a shocker , to me , if he puts up 3rd round value this year .
cust kayin’
@Eddy: I’m not concerned… He didn’t have an April last year and still did fine…
Any idea what happens to Erasmo Ramirez if he doesn’t win the 5th starter job? Does he go to the bullpen and potentially rake in some holds?
@A Hill O’ Beans: Nah, he has options plus a future as a starter. He’ll go down to AAA, then be back in a few weeks or months when someone else starts sucking and/or hurting.
Morning. Did my high stakes 5×5 roto draft yesterday and here are the results. Felt pretty good. Only a couple reaches. Do you think I have enough pitching? Some guys drafted double digit pitchers for two start weeks. (Weekly lineup changes) Any thoughts are appreciated.
C Perez, Salvador
C Ramos, Wilson
1B Goldschmidt, Paul
2B Kendrick, Howard
3B Longoria, Evan
SS Castro, Starlin
MI Weeks, Jemile
CI Carpenter, Matt
OF Choo, Shin-Soo
OF Jones, Adam
OF Revere, Ben
OF Stanton, Giancarlo
OF Upton, Justin
U Kubel, Jason
Bench. d’Arnaud, Travis
Bench Pena, Carlos
Bench Davis, Rajai
SP Minor, Mike
SP Niese, Jonathon
SP Peavy, Jake
SP Samardzija, Jeff
SP Wainwright, Adam
RP Balfour, Grant
RP Davis, Wade
RP Miller, Shelby
RP Parnell, Bobby
RP Santos, Sergio
Bench (SP) Doubront, Felix
Bench (SP) Gee, Dillon
Bench (RP) Bundy, Dylan
Bench (RP) Janssen,Casey
Bench (RP) Madson, Ryan
@Boomer19: Morning… No idea how many teams…
@Grey:
Brain cramp. 13 teams. I know weird number.
@Boomer19: Your pitching looks slightly better than your hitting, but the hitting isn’t bad… Your corner and middle infielders are a mess, obviously… Rajai Davis is useless with Revere on your team…
Good Monday morning Grey! Please rank these SP’s for a DL stash: Beachy, Lewis, Luebke or Pineda? Thanks!
@AnotherFalstaff: Morning… Luebke
@AnotherFalstaff: Oops… Luebke, Beachy, Lewis…
I need some strategy help. I am in a 12 team h2h and the commissioner added two new categories besides the regular 5×5. The two new categories are hitter Ks and pitchers Ls. Would this change your strategy at all besides the obvious don’t draft Adam Dunn.mwould you take pitchers earlier or later?
@JohnC: It wouldn’t change much… Can’t predict wins, let alone losses…
Grey — Need help popping my cherry — I’m a H2H virgin,
I played in roto league for years – now in 10 team H2H each category. Positons are 1 each IF, CI,MI, 5 OF, UTIL, 9 Pitchers, 3 bench, 1 DL spot. Cats are HR, RBI, SB, OBP, TB, E and W, ERA, WHIP, K, S, K/BB. Any thoughts on draft strategy? Biggest questions are: how to fill bench, how many SP’s vs RP’s, should I stream (daily lineup changes are OK) and where do I find 10-team goals for OBP, TB, and K/BB?
This has nothing to do with your initial post, but can you tell me, on a scale of $1-$12, how costly of a salad my team is? of course $1 means I got a great deal on a salad. I drafted 9th overall and although I would rater have a sharp stick poked into my eye than own Felix Hernandez or Jacoby Ellsbury in my defense I got a great deal on them. Although admittedly, my draft took a bag of nickels to the temple after round 6 or so. thoughts?
9 Prince Fielder, Det 1B
16 Justin Upton, Atl OF
33 Jason Heyward, Atl OF
40 Felix Hernandez, Sea SP
57 Jacoby Ellsbury, Bos OF
64 Zack Greinke, LAD SP
81 Freddie Freeman, Atl 1B
88 James Shields, KC SP
105 David Freese, StL 3B
112 Jason Motte, StL RP
129 Rafael Soriano, Wsh RP
136 J.J. Hardy, Bal SS
153 Alejandro De Aza, CWS OF
160 Sergio Romo, SF RP
177 Lance Lynn, StL SP
184 Jason Kubel, Ari OF
201 Neil Walker, Pit 2B
208 Miguel Montero, Ari C
225 Coco Crisp, Oak OF
232 Justin Morneau, Min 1B
249 Daniel Murphy, NYM 2B
256 Ryan Cook, Oak RP
273 Joaquin Benoit, Det RP
280 Mitch Moreland, Tex 1B
297 Andrew Bailey, Bos RP
also, its an RCL league
@Buffalo Runner: Doesn’t look like you followed my advice so not sure why you want my input… I don’t love the team…
Dare I say it…A basketball reference? And one that has happened in the last 5 years? Kudos! Your TV still works when something other than baseball comes on.
@Sky: Thanks
Hey guys, I need some keeper help. I am in a 5×5 mixed league 12-team league and can keep 3 players or up to 3 years each. We have a $260 salary cap at the auction (excluding keeper values). Here’s what I am looking at:
McCutchen: $30
Butler: $8
Gio Gonzalez: $8
Medlen: $1
Rafael Soriano: $1
Matt Moore: $1
I’m torn between keeping Moore or Soriano. Which 3 would you keep?
@Jackie: moore
@Jackie: Moore, Gio, Butler…
A guy in my league drafted 4 1B eligible guys and is offering me Konerko for Jarrod Parker. I’m a big fan of Parker but Konerko would be a big upgrade over Berkman at UTIL. I’m fairly deep at SP and probably could use the power numbers. Should I take it?
@B.J.: Go for it…
Two questions for two different leagues.
In an NL-only league, 10 is too much to keep Teheran, right? He’s been looking awesome in spring, but it’s only spring. But I’d have him for 2 years at 10 and rights to sign for a third. Would you trade Teheran @10 straight up for Matt Carpenter @ 8?
Other league is 17 team mixed roto dynasty daily league (with holds and saves as separate categories). In a slow draft and coming up on my 9th round pick. My infield is set, I’ve got 2/3 of my OF and 2 pitchers. Is the 9th round too early to pick a closer? The only one off the board so far is Kimbrel (and Aroldis). My other option is to take an old OF that everyone is avoiding because it’s dynasty, like Beltran or Worth, or a third SP (Homer Bailey-ish). I know you guys took Axford in the ninth in your 15 team expert league, but should I hold a little longer because of the Holds wrinkle?
Thanks so much for your help!
@Rags: It’s too much… I’d trade for Carp… It’s not too early, but if there’s only two off the board you can hold longer…
Grey meets up with Dusty…
http://youtu.be/v-l2zl85PHs
@Wake Up: Grey-face is raycess.
@Wake Up: Hahahahaha… That’s awesome…
Gents…some quick advice. Would you trade Giancarlo Stanton for Goldschmidt & Gyorko? 12 team keeper league…
@Baseball Furies: what does your infield and OF look like?
@ulysses:
trout & gordon in the OF
Lawrie 3B, Salvador Perez C
I’m in a 20 team h2h dynasty league. I was offered Marco Estrada for my Kelley and snider. Also i was offered kipnis for walker wheeler. Good or bad deal for me? Which one do I take or do I do both deals?
c jp arencibia
1b prince fielder
2b neil walker
ss yunel Escobar
3b miguel cabrera
inf evan longoria
lf michael morse
cf norichika aoki
rf justin upton
of carl crawford
util desmond jennings
bn Travis snider
bn jurickson profar
bn peter bourjos
sp clayton kershaw
sp cliff lee
sp yu darvish
sp daniel straily
rp sean doolittle
rp mat belisle
rp Jose veras
rp joe kelley
p mat thorton
p Jason motte
p aaron harang
p Barry zito
bn zack wheeler
@Ryan: Hold on both…
@Grey: what if I deal joe Kelley and zito instead of snider?
That’s fine…
Just saw the yahoo friends and family draft results, is there a reason you took harper over jones and verlander over longoria?
@agarthered: Gonna have to ask Rudy…
@agarthered: Just wanted to lay down that I would have done the exact same thing.
@agarthered: Harper over Jones because I think Harper has a greater chance of delivering a top 10 season. I think Harper should steal 15 more bases than Adam Jones and score more runs. I think Adam Jones will hit for a higher AVG. I am rolling the dice on Harper’s HR upside (40+) vs. Adam Jones safeness (~30) and think that Harper will compete with A. Jones on RBIs. Jones wouldn’t lose us the league but Harper has a better chance at helping us win.
We got burned on multiple teams with Longoria last year. I like him a lot (took him at #20 in my NFBC team) but that’s because Verlander was off the board. I likely would’ve taken him on the LABR or Touts teams (we picked late first round everywhere this year) except Grey vetoed it because it’s against his rules. Can it really be argued that Longoria – with his injury history – is SAFER than Verlander? In expert leagues, aces are taken earlier than in standard drafts. We like certain guys as 3rd round picks (Lee, Hamels). In our Touts draft, we went with Bautista/Heyward at #1/#2 and were left with eh SPs when it got back to us at pick #44. So we took two more hitters and were left deciding between Sabathia and Chapman as our first SP at #5/#6 (Upside-loving Grey took Chapman).
By taking Verlander, I could let others worry about SPs in the next couple of rounds and solidify the offense. It meant I could take our 2nd and 3rd SPs later in the draft (Gallardo in 7th round and Ian Kennedy at #13).
I was correct that Hamels got snapped up before our 3rd pick (#38) but C-Lee would’ve fell. Given we have him on a couple teams, I’m happier with Verlander/Holliday at #2/#3 than Longoria/C-Lee. (I got Frazier at pick #128 for 3B and he comes with bonus 1B/OF eligibility as well).
@Rudy Gamble: And, as fate should have it, I ended up drafting Longoria and Lee in last night’s Razzball Expert League. Longoria was #22 (3rd to last pick in 2nd round) with Verlander off the board and I decided, for the 2nd time this spring, to take him over Strasburg. Hoped Strasburg would be there for pick #3 but no dice. Didn’t love Hamels or C-Lee as an early 3rd round pick so took with Posey and was able to snag C-Lee with pick #46 in the 4th round.
But if Verlander was still on the board, I take him instead of Longoria and I’m probably punting 3B (Zimmerman went in early 3rd round, Wright has oblique issue, Headley’s thumb…).
In a 10 team keeper league, going into the snake draft I was looking at Chapman with the 10/11 picks. I kept Gio, Bumgardner, & Sale, I did not keep a closer. My other pick was going 3B (Headly, Sandoval or A. Ram). Do I still take him then? Other possible player available include J Zimm, M Moore, Jd Weaver, Nathan, Sergio Romo.
Also, if one of those 3B don’t fall to me, would you take Lawrie? What about Rizzo?
@Dom: Go with Sandoval…
I have two picks, 10th and 11th. I copy Sandoval if he is there. Chapman with the other pick? What if Sandoval isn’t there? @Grey:
@Dom: Headley, hitter, hitter, hitter… You have three pitchers, draft a hitter…
Hey Grey : 10 team 5×5 with OBP and QS.
Below are my keepers and their keeper round. Who should I target the first 2 rounds as I have the 2nd pick in the first after 11 other picks get my second.
Josh Hamilton – 6
Max Scherzer – 8
James Shields – 14
Brandon Phillips -18
Todd Frazier – 20
Austin Jackson – 21
José Bautista – 22
Ian Desmond – 23
Anthony Rizzo – Called up 24
Who/what would you target in the first 2 rounds, here are some available players :
Bats :
Beltre, Adrian
Gonzalez, Adrian
Reyes, Jose
Holliday, Matt
Zobrist, Ben
Sandoval, Pablo
Rollins, Jimmy
Granderson, Curtis
Ramirez, Aramis
Arms :
Cain, Matt
Gonzalez, Gio
Zimmerman, Jordan
Weaver, Jered
Sabathia, C.C.
Darvish, Yu
Gallardo, Yovani
Peavy, Jake
@2 Cups 1 Braun: A-Gon, Reyes, Beltre…
@Grey: Youd take Reyes in the first even though I have Ian Desmond?
@2 Cups 1 Braun: Scratch Gonzalez, Adrian as hes gone too and didn’t see it.
@2 Cups 1 Braun: Nah, take Beltre…
5×5 mixed roto keeper.
C,1b,2b,3b,ss,3x OF, util. 1450 Innings.
We haven’t drafted yet…but I’m keeping.
Braun, Kemp, Tulo, Zobrist, Craig, Headley, Myers, Bumgarner, Moore, Samardijza, B. Anderson, Nathan, Wilhelmsen.,
I’ve been offered Stanton and Kershaw for Braun and Moore. Pretty much the same dollar value to keep both sides of the deal.
thoughts?
I’d take Stanton side, it’s not close…
Did yahoo change their auto-drafter? I haven’t set an auto-draft in years, but remember that it “should” fill the rosters spots before hitting up the bench. Had to miss a draft yesterday, and ended up with 0 C, 0 3B, 2 P (9 slots), and 15 OF (3 spots, no Util). What gives?
That totally sucks… I have no idea why they would change that… You might’ve had a glitch…
@Grey: I consider that league a challenge now!
Keeper question from another league. 14 team H2H, keep 7:
I am keeping Votto, Trout, Holliday, BJ Upton, Hamels, Cain. Who should the 7th be?
Choices are: Craig, Aramis Ramirez, Medlen, Greinke
Thanks!
Tough call… I’d go with Greinke, then trade Hamels or Cain as soon as the season starts… It’s risky though…
Grey,
First time/ long time… Love the website. I tried following your rec’s as best as I could, and I’m left with a team that I feel could finally get me the top spot in my 12 team, 2 catcher 5X5 redraft Yahoo league. Your 2 cents would be much appreciated:
C: Perez
C: Arencibia
1B: Fielder
2B: Emily Boneface
3B: Panda
MI: Rutledge
CI: Frazier
OF: Stanton
OF: Adam Jones
OF: Choo
OF: Sparkakis
OF: Fowler
Util: Kelly Johnson
SP: Scherzer
SP: Moore
SP: Medlen
SP: Smardzija
SP: Estrada
SP: Ryu
RP: Rivera
RP: Janssen
P: Santana
Thanks! You’re probably gonna have to platoon Bonifacio and Johnson at times and don’t love Markakis, but those are small issues… The team looks fine… Your hitting looks solid, your pitching looks excellent… Pitching’s definitely stronger than your hitting…
Thanks Grey! Keep up the great work!
No problem…
Your thoughts on this team (12 team H2H)? Thanks
C Avila
1 Howard
2 Gyorko
SS Tulo
3 Machado
2/SS Rutledge
1/3 Alvarez
OF Giancarlo
OF Harper
OF Holiday
OF Cespedes
OF Eaton
Util Quentin
SP’s
CC
Chapman
Gallardo
Kuroda
Hellickson
Ryu
Masterson
Wandy
Shelby
Closers
Jim Johnson
Street
Perkins
Veras
Also, whats your gut tell you on Aroldis?
He’s gonna be a closer… Quentin shouldn’t be owned in your league and your outfield is so strong that your infield really looks poor… Your pitching is pretty terrible towards the end too…
@Grey:
Quentin was my last pick(will be dropping unless he starts out hot), and I will be streaming with Wandy & Masterson, so they dont bother me. I think I have a pretty strong core and will definitely be a contender.
@Grey:
Why does it matter if you have a strong outfield and a weak infield. Heard you say this before. Do you have home runs by MI in your leagues? Kidding-ish.
Draft strategy question: if I’m looking to draft both B.J. and Gordon is it better go by CBS rankings (Gordon 73 and Upton 114) to try and get both but risk missing Upton or go by your rankings to get the better talent of the two? That’s a specific example but the general question stands – cheat the ADP or pick best available as needed? What do you find works out better more often than not?
Can cheat the ADP… Just make sure you don’t cheat it too much and lose out on players…
@Grey or anyone
Does anyone know of a site or something where you can enter the format/scoring of your league and it will tell you who would have been the best players last year? I’m in a ridiculous 9×7 league and have no idea how I should adjust my rankings.
@Howie Met Your Mother:
@Grey
FYI, it’s a 12 team H2H league. We have a 40 innings pitched minimum, so an all RP rotation is out. The best possible record you can have for a week is 14-0.
Hitting categories (9) – Runs, singles, doubles, triples, HRs, RBI, batting average, SB, OBP
Pitching categories (7) – Wins, saves, ERA, K’s, K/9, WHIP, HRs allowwed
Anyone have any suggestions? I really like high OBP/extra base guys like Billy Butler, Matt Holliday, Alex Gordon, Ben Zobrist. Am I wrong?
@Howie Met Your Mother:
*16-0 is the best you can go each week.
@Howie Met Your Mother: Can’t go wrong with high OBP guys… Also, top MRs have value in your league for K/9 and other cats…
My nickname is Bird and as such, my little brother put a sawbuck on Mine that Bird. Solid track references.
The Janssen situation reminds me a litte of the Farnsworth/Rodney situation last year. Career journeyman locks down the closer role then comes to camp with a bum shoulder and then guy with electric stuff locks it down. Hope so anyway as I got Santos late in my NFBC draft.
@Oaktown Steve: Ha, nice… I agree, I think Santos has a very realistic chance to have 35+ saves this year and Janssen gets 5 saves…
@Grey:
from your lips to god’s ear, Albright. Would be super sweet.
I talked about you for 5 minutes on today’s podcast…
@Grey:
Uh oh…that could go either way.
Can’t wait to hear it!
It starts like this…Oaktown Steve…um…uh…*cackle*…um…uh…Oaktown Steve…
@Grey:
I get that a lot.
Hi Grey,
Do you think Sandoval is getting close to being put on the Craig List (DO NOT Draft-I’m going to get hurt) ?
@Pops: Ha… Nice… The Craig List… I’d draft Sandoval, think his injuries were more fluky… But if he gets hurt this year, then all bets off…
I know this is always your favorite – please let me know if my team looks decent. 12 team h2h points league favoring power bats.
C: Jesus Montero
1: Goldschmidt
2: Pedroia (had to take him in the 4th round)
ss: Rutledge
3: Aramis Ramirez
IF: Rizzo
OF: McCutchen
OF: J. Upton
OF: Ethier
UT: Fowler
B: Aoki, Machado
SP: Bumgarner
SP: Scherzer
SP: Peavy
SP: Niese
RP: Iwakuma
RP: Kendick (both sp/rp eligible which is good in our league’s scoring)
B: Burnett, Beckett, Fiers, Wilhemsen
Waiver wire has A. Soriano, Pena, Kendrick, Gyorko…pitchers include C. Perez and Balfour at RP with SP’s pretty diminished with McDonald and Porcello as next best available. Keep what I have or make a move on the wire? I wanted Estrada, but someone else snagged him before I got the chance. I appreciate your time in looking at my team.
@smegma: Team looks solid (hard to go wrong with those first 4 picks)…. I don’t love Ethier, but it’s a small issue… I’d hold for now, but you’ll be moving guys soon…
Hey Grey! Please validate my fantasy life choices!
12-team Yahoo Keeper Roto 6×6 (R,HR,RBI,SB,AVG,OPS; IP,QS,ERA,WHIP,K/9,Net Saves) with 4OF, CI, MI, 1 Util, but the 9-man bench makes it feel like a deeper league.
Kept: Trout ($11), A. Jones ($21)
Lineup:
C – M. Montero ($3)
1B – Fielder ($34)
2B – Rutledge ($9)
3B – Zimmerman ($25)
SS – Castro ($21)
CI – Sandoval ($14)[This draft happened right after the elbow news yesterday]
MI – Aybar ($7)
OF – Trout (K $11)
OF – Jones (K $21)
OF – C. Davis ($9)
OF – M. Saunders ($1)
Util – I. Davis ($13)
SP – C. Lee ($23)
SP – J. Zimmermann ($16)
SP – J. Niese ($11)
SP – J. Samardzija ($10)
RP – J. Nathan ($6)
RP – G. Holland ($5)
P – E. Frieri ($2)
P – Hughes ($2)
CI,BN – K. Morales ($5)
MI,CI,BN – J. Gyorko ($3)
OF,BN – L. Martin ($2)
OF,BN – A. Soriano ($1)
MI,BN – J. Segura ($1)
P,BN – Ryu ($2)
P,BN – Milone ($1)
P,BN – Hammel ($1)
P,BN – Cashner ($1)
Problems as I see them: Possibly bad OF after the top 2; too much spent on MI’s; perhaps a bit weak on starter K/9.
Thanks for your input!
@Eric: Also!
Anyone I should drop for Valdespin? I happen to be thin at both 2B and OF…
@Eric: Lose Hammel for Valdespin… Your outfield is a mess… You spent a tad too much on pitching… Team doesn’t look bad though, looks shallow enough… I’d trade Nathan for a better OF if you can get any takers that are worthwhile…
@Grey: Cool. Waiver claim entered.
How much of a $260 budget would you set aside for pitching? I think my split was 180/80 almost exactly.
That split works for me…
Do you think I need to make a move for a SP given that Chapman will likely be a RP?
My Pitching staff includes:
1)Baumgarner
2) Zimmerman
3) Chapman
4) Milone
5) RYU
6) Harvey
7) Street
8) Gee
9) Teheran
@VinceVo: You don’t right now….
What is your take on Gerrit Cole…Is he worth burning a roster spot for 2-3 months? Drafted Stras, Price, Greinke, Chapman (ugh), Peavy, Niese and Garza.
@Robert: There’s no ugh with Chapman… Your pitching is very solid right now, you don’t need a minor league flyer…
Chapman’s issues seem consistent with Cuban Expert Mr. Bjarkman’s reservations regarding his makeup…
This is a test… Last week this dumped my comments twice ….
@T Moore: I’ve been wondering where you are… You still hitting the library? Stay strong, T Moore…
Would you give up Greinke (14 to keep next year) for Yu Darvish, J Zimmerman, and Brandon League? I have 3 closers already. League counts everything standard plus QS. My next best pitcher after greinke is Scherzer then Morrow.
@Slam: Yeah, that’s good value for Greinke…
12 man h2h cat league
C-Rosario
1B-Ortiz
2B-Seager
Ss-Andrus
3B-Beltre
Of-Mccutchen
Of-Harper
Of-Heyward
Util-Austin Jackson
Bnch-Viciedo
Bonafacio
Pena
Sp-Weaver
Sp-Medlen
Rp-Chapman
Rp-Frieri
P-Haren
P-Cj wilson
P-Cahill
P-Morrow
What do you think of my team?
Your hitting is heavy on speed and light on power… Pitching isn’t great either…
Hey Grey,
Enjoy your site and blogs. There is so much information out there on the web for fantasy baseball, but I always enjoy the RAZZBALL site. I wanted you evaluate my recent H2H draft with 6 keepers at Yahoo. The first six are my keepers. Thanks for the input!
1. (4) Mike Trout (LAA – LF,CF)
2. (14) Matt Kemp (LAD – CF)
3. (24) Giancarlo Stanton (Mia – RF)
4. (34) Dustin Pedroia (Bos – 2B)
5. (44) José Reyes (Tor – SS)
6. (54) Adam Jones (Bal – CF)
7. (64) Chris Sale (CWS – SP)
8. (74) Max Scherzer (Det – SP)
9. (84) Brett Lawrie (Tor – 3B)
10. (94) Ryan Howard (Phi – 1B)
11. (104) Víctor Martínez (Det – C)
12. (114) Matt Harvey (NYM – SP)
13. (124) Ángel Pagán (SF – CF)
14. (134) Jon Lester (Bos – SP)
15. (144) Jonathan Papelbon (Phi – RP)
16. (154) Mike Minor (Atl – SP)
17. (164) Mark Teixeira (NYY – 1B)
18. (174) Nick Swisher (Cle – 1B,RF)
19. (184) Greg Holland (KC – RP)
20. (194) Will Middlebrooks (Bos – 3B)
21. (204) Dylan Bundy (Bal – RP)
22. (214) Edwin Jackson (ChC – SP)
23. (224) Jaime García (StL – SP)
24. (234) A.J. Griffin (Oak – SP)
25. (244) Kenley Jansen (LAD-RP)
Thanks! How many teams?
@Grey:
10 team league standard with OBP, SLG%, 2B, 3B, QS, K/9, HR allowed, runs.
I don’t love Sale or Harvey that early… Tex, Swisher, Edwin, Garcia and Pagan aren’t great either… The team looks decent, but is being carried by the keepers at this point…
@Grey
In a 12 team, non-keeper H2H league with TWO DL spots, when would you feel comfortable drafting Beachy and Luebke?
Sure, but you’ll probably drop one of them by mid-April…
@Grey: H2h 14 player pts league thoughts on this team:
Mccann
Ryan Howard
Rickie Weeks
Machado
Rollins
Morneau
Josh Hamilton
Bonificaio
Stanton
Holliday
Bench
Cozart
Carpenter
Taveras
D`arnaud
Pitching
Hamels
Zimmermann
Nathan
Perkins
Latos
Morrow
Pettitte
Ryu
Luebke
I think your hitting is weak on average and potentially power… The pitching looks solid if a tad stronger than you need… Don’t love Pettitte though…
Love the Unknown Comic reference. Damn, Grey, you watched a lot of the same TV that I did back in the 70s and 80s. Gotta share a clip for the rest of the uninitiated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj3Q9l9Ivng
Note Steve Martin as one of the judging panelists.
Bwahahaha… That paper-bagged fool never gets old…
@Grey: How about the greying ‘fro on the show host?
It’s like an amalgamation of Rudy and me…
@Grey: Grey by name, grey by nature?
Both?
@Grey: Silver foxes represent!
@birrrdy!: “You need to stand further back from the camera.”
“How far?”
“You got a car?”
Love that stuff, thanks for sharing!
The Headley thumb injury starting to sound not at all good. They sent him back to SD to see a specialist.
Yeah, could be trouble, for sure…
@Grey:
of course I own him. Last year I had Upton and it was basically the same thing. Jammed thumb sliding in spring and was useless for half a year trying to play through. Keeerist.
Yeah, I hear ya…
@Grey:
Small fracture out a month. Pretty good news compared to muscle tendon or ligament.
I think you’re trying to see the glass half full…
@Grey: In a pts league though my hitting should be OK- Hrs are worth the most so i targetted guys who would get the most at their position or atleast tryed to
grey- my guy- i had my draft in my “big league” this weekend. i picked 8th and cano slipped to me. i’m not a big cano fan. i offered out cano + victorino for e enarnacion and howie kendrick. encarnacion, and howie are keepable again next year. 5×5 12 teamer 10 man bench. i have a feeling he ‘ll take it. u like?????
I don’t like it…
@Grey: he just turned it down. thanks for the quick reply.
I read your comments and agree that it bumps his value up in Roto 5×5 and certain H2H and points catagories based on the way points are assigned. Referring to a 12 dolar salad, Id like to remind you that sometimes with a 12 dollar salad the extra charge is for the protien (a slice of raw tuna? A shred or two of cheese? Some nuts)
One you throw a bit of protien in there you get a 12 dollar salad that eats like a meal. While I agree with you that you can overpay and its hard to find one that is right one, sometimes a 12 dollar salad makes the rest of thwe things you need to buy cheaper
It’s true… Sometimes a $12 Salad means you can have a bigger dessert without worrying about the calories…
Just traded gardner(a bench guy) for estrada. my OF now is Adam Jones, Braun, Justin Upton.
You like that deal?
Sounds fair…
Couple of trades I’m on the fence about, looking for some advice.
10 team 5×5
Trade 1:
give Latos/Chris Davis
get Sandoval/Jerrod Parker
Trade 2:
give Scherzer/Rizzo
get Butler/Peavy
Starters right now are Scherzer, Latos, Moore, Samardzija, Bailey, Burnett, Estrada
hitters would just be rotating in 2 Util spots
any advice would be greatly appreciated
1. Eh, it’s fair… Don’t see the point… 2. Don’t see the point…
20-team, H2H-Points, Contract League ($70 cap)
Trade Cody Ross $2 for Matt Carpenter $2?
Sounds good…
Are RCL’s a mix bag of razz and non razz players. I was shocked that i got Miggy, Goldy, and Jones in my first 3 picks. And i had to choose between Jones and Harper. Heyward was off the board. Crazy, right?
Yeah, I think Vin first made me hip to that last year… ESPN rankings tend to rule the day over there… Which leaves a lot of teams screwed…
@Grey: Can you get into an RCL without going via Razzball?
Nope, but some people try to outsmart others by zigging on the zag, I think… Not sure…
@Grey: last year the one I played in had people get bumped for the commishes buddies who obviously did not read the razz. the league was 50/50
They must’ve had some idea about Razz if they were in the league…. I’d like to think so at least…
@Grey: people should have to pass a 3 question test to get in
Yeah, if you don’t know what a donkeycorn is, goodbye!
@Grey: I’m thinking a razzball version of this balls and shaft club entry dialogue from PCU
Bantam: America’s greatest president.
Rand: It’s me, Rand. Open up.
Bantam: America’s greatest president.
Rand: Damn it. “Who is Ronald Reagan?”
Bantam: A casual shoe for yachting.
Rand: What are you trying to figure out, B.D.? Who could I be? “What is a blucher?”
Bantam: They killed Jesus Christ.
Rand: “Who are the Jews?” Open up, sucko.
Except: Who is Taipei Slinko?
@Grey: thats ok, what has two thumbs and didn’t get screwed….this guy
http://www.aidthoughts.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Two-thumbs.jpg
Ha… Kelso!
@Grey: I did two yesterday and was pleased that so many in my first RCL knew and followed my ramblings on the razz. Good or bad, at least they read my BS.
Did the so-cal thing between drafts yesterday, got some beers and did a carne asada. I love this weather
Yeah, it got crappy today though… Back in long sleeves… And mittens…
@Grey: mittens….he he
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47D9-U8hn5I
Hehe… I don’t watch that show enough… It’s really funny…
@Grey: this one still cracks me up even without the context of the episode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYtjpIwamos
Ha, that’s awesome…
@Jack Full of Hate: Which one did you prefer: Jack Full of Hot Air or Jack Full of Grey Lust ?
@Kid A: Jack Full of Your Ass, cause I plan on stomping it this year in RCL.
Are we getting a little green over here?
I’m in a 10 team roto league doing an acuction draft.
R,HR,RBI,SB,AVG,OPS W,SV,K,ERA,WHIP,K/BB
I get to keep 4 of the following players, who would you suggest? Thanks
Bryce Harper
David Wright
Brandon Phillips
Elvis Andrus
Michael Bourn
Ryan Howard
Ike Davis
Nelson Cruz
Miguel Montero
Nick Swisher
Norichika Aoki
Pedro Alvarez
Max Scherzer
Brandon Morrow
Rafael Soriano
Homer Bailey
Jeremy Hellickson
Grant Balfour
Brandon League
Time Hudson
AJ Griffin
Mark Buehrle
Gavin Floyd
Harper, Wright, Phillips, Scherzer… Keepers are a bit of a mess…
Grey,
Just found out I’m picking 9th in my 10 team league and I’m trying to plan my strategy. Standard scoring with no CI/MI,3 OF, 1 UTL. So my picks will be 9, 12, 29, 32, 49, 52, 69, 72…and so forth.
Here is how I’m breaking down my targets in round pairings:
Pick 1,2: Cutch(if he falls)/Fielder/Stanton/Longoria(only chance for top 3B)
Pick 3,4: Pedroia(if he falls)/Jones/Harper/Heyward/AGon/Goldschmidt(reaching 17 spots)
Pick 5,6: Goldschmidt(exact adp)/Headley(If I don’t take Longoria)/Cespedes/1st pitcher
Pick 7,8: Hill/Sandoval/2nd pitcher
Pick 9,10: Choo/Jennings/Jackson/3rd pitcher
Any advise on what strategy you would take? Would you pass on Goldschmidt if you take Fielder? What if there were 2 UTL? Pass on Fielder if he is there to take Longoria and reach for Goldschmidt?
I need to commit myself haha
Thanks!
I’d pass on Goldy if I had Fielder… I wouldn’t not pass on Fielder for Longo….
@Grey:
Awesome thanks. Looks like I’ll be taking Headley then if I can get Cutch/Stanton and Fielder with my first two picks. I have to admit, I’ll probably still be tempted to take Goldschmidt if he is sitting there in the 5th round. Because there are limited offensive positions with no MI/CI and only 3 OF, if feel like I need to take the best value even if it takes up a UTL spot. I’m already punting catcher and shortstop.
Can’t take Headley anymore… He fractured his thumb… http://razzball.com/top-20-3rd-basemen-for-2013-fantasy-baseball/
@Grey:
crap. Target Zimmerman in the 4th (32nd pick) or Sandoval in the 7th (69th pick)?
Zimmerman… Either work though…
@Grey: Any thoughts that we might need to take Zimm or Panda a bit earlier to head off those geezers who were going to wait on Headley?
I don’t think it’s that necessary…. It’s not ideal, but you can put Frazier at 3rd base, but I’d want a stronger corner man 1st baseman then…
I have E. Ramirez, S. Miller, and Phelps on my bench and I need them all to make starting rotation so I can stream them. Oh dam, plus I drafted Ryu as my 5th starter late since someone I know had him ranked so high wink, wink(my auction was day before news broke that his chances were diminishing). Is that too much to hope for?
When I heard the news about Miller getting second chance this week I thought exactly what you wrote plus read that Kelly might be better suited as a RP, so more hope for us.
Can you give us your thoughts on Valverde? I think some team will realize he is better than whatever they have.
Ryu looks like he’s gonna make the rotation after all… Miller and Ramirez are less likely… I hope so though on Miller… Valverde will close somewhere, or set-up… Can’t imagine he’s done…
David freese is equal to who in terms of pitching? I’m looking to trade him.
A number 4 starter… Look at my top 400 to see who he’s by… http://razzball.com/grey-fantasybaseballprojections-2013/
Little predicament for ya’ll to solve. Ive got Pestano and Doolittle on the squad and am debating on dropping one for D. Brown. With Balfour(knee) about to return to action, and Perez(shoulder) reporting no discomfort its hard to hang onto both relievers. This is a very deep league and saves are a coveted resource as many teams are holding relievers in speculation. Between Balfour and Perez which closer do you think holds onto his gig the longest and which reliever(Pestano, Doolittle) would you drop?
I’d lose Doolittle… He’s not even the back up…
Your old buddy Yo-Lease was just named opening day starter. You haven’t talked about him much (at all?) this year. Draftable?
Nah, I think the Rox are still limiting all of their starters to 100 pitches/game….
Followup to my prior question. Which of these pairings do you like better for 4th/7th round picks: Pedroia/Sandoval or Zimmerman/Hill?
This is contingent on Pedroia falling to me in the 3rd round, which happens in some mocks.
Or if Pedroia falls, I could take both Pedroia and Zimmerman, but that would mean passing on an elite outfielder like Jones, Harper or Heyward. Pretend I took McCutchen and Fielder with my first two picks.
Last question I promise! haha
Zimmerman/Hill…Take an elite OF…
@Grey: If I’m pretty confident I’m going to end up with Samardz on a team, is it worth passing on Scherzer in favor of a better WHIP pitcher like Zimm? It’s an H2H league so the K’s are enticing but the WHIP is scary if you have both of those guys.
Sure, you can go that way…
It’s beginning to look like Matt Carpenter might be winning the everyday 2B. He seems to hit for average and might have a little pop. If given the everyday job in STL, how do you like him among your 2B ranks?
@Shidesthelimit: I second this question. He definitely has the 2B job (as well as eligibility at several other positions). He also takes his walks and has a decent OBP.
@SwaggerJackers: Agreed. And I’m in a 6×6 OPS/HR Allowed league which could also affect his value with that nice OBP.
Around Gyorko…
watch worst cooks yet?
Yup, I watched it… It’s losing steam and Carla… Sad emoticon….
@Grey: I know, i knew she would never win, but the value was great. The biker thing was lame. And the chick from Anne’s team that won is horrible on TV. I’ll take the douchebag plant with his bow ties any time.
You watch bar rescue yet?
Yeah, I’ve seen Bar Rescue… Enjoyed it, but it didn’t make me want to record future episodes… Feels like the kind of show you catch when it’s on… Russian Blondie and Rasheeda are gonna be the final two with Russian Blondie winning….
@Grey: Its funny that bar rescue has been to Austin a few times. isn’t that were rudy lives? I record it to play in the background when I’m working.
for Worst cooks I can’t argue that, is there anything you can’t project?
Ha…Nope! Yeah, Austin’s a great city for it… Per square mile there’s so many bars there…
@Grey: I’m going to have to think of things for you to project. I’ll get back to you on that
Sounds good…
They were here a little while ago – http://austin.culturemap.com/newsdetail/BarRescue/
I had been to the Brixton once and liked it. Seems like that owner just used bar rescue for a new electrical system. had never been to the other bar but had seen shows all around it. metal and lace is a lame name though
@Rudy Gamble: when i go to Austin, i know who to ask for points of interest. The Brixton is a good name for a spot. i know a local bar near me that bar rescue turned down. So sad, that even bar rescue wouldn’t touch it.
Should I trade Moustakas/Harvey for Zobrist in a 14-team keeper?
My starters are Parker/Harvey/Haren/Lince and Bonifacio/M. Carpenter would be my starting 3B.
I’d hold on that trade…
Just finished up a ridiculously long 16 Team H2H draft. 5 player keeper.
Stats: H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OB+SLUG, W, L, SV, Ks, ERA, WHIP, Ks/9
C – JP
1B – Frazier
2B – Espinosa
3B – Lawrie (K)
SS – Tulo (K)
OF – Stanton (K)
OF – A.Jones (K)
OF – AJax
UTIL – Machado
UTIL – Plouffe
BN – B.Hamilton
BN – B. Wallace
SP – Price (K)
SP – Moore
SP – Niese
RP – Wilhelmsen
RP – Veras
P – Pestano
P – Santos
BN – Parker
BN – Dempster
BN – Teheran
The pickings get slim pretty early, but I like it for the most part. Thoughts?
Your keepers don’t hurt, that’s for sure… I like the team, I think Hamilton’s a stretch for value this year or next in your keeper… I like the Wallace flyer and love the power speed combo on hitting… Your pitching is excellent… Aside from Dempster…
@Grey: so would you make any changes? I hated the Dempster pick, but there was little there of value, and somehow he was the highest in your rankings. He’s not TERRIBLE for an SP 5/6, I guess.
I wasn’t sure about Hamilton, either. Segura went right before him and I wanted a backup SS just in case he made the team.
Available guys:
Peralta, Smoak, Yunel, Gee, Vargas and that’s mostly it.
Gee over Hamilton…
@Grey: thank you, sir. And I appreciate the vote of confidence on the team as a whole. And yes, my keepers didn’t hurt anything. I wasn’t too upset picking from those guys.
Of these injured pitchers, who do you like more long-term: Luebke, Beachy, Lewis, Pineda or DHud? Just wondering what order you’d stash in a keeper league. If Garza and/or Cashner end up joining that list, where would they rank?
How long term? Next year? Beachy, Luebke, Hudson, Pineda, Lewis, Garza…
@Grey: not looking for anyone to contribute this year – so starting next year and beyond.
Frazier/Morrow for Zobrist, who wins then?
Zobrist
As far as closers, has much changed since your closer post? It looks like C Perez will be ready for opening day and Pestano is droppable. Any other changes?
Janssen might not be ready as this post above where you’re commenting says… And Aroldis could be the closer…
The draft is over in my 5×5 15-team Yahoo league (keep 6). Here’s how it went
C – S. Perez
1B – A. Gonzalez – K
2B – B. Zobrist – K
3B – E. Longoria – K
SS – J. Rutledge
OF – J. Upton – K
OF – A. Craig – K
OF – A. Jackson
U – B. Gardner
Bench – M. Machado
Bench – K. Morales
Bench – M. Carpenter
Bench – L. Martin
SP – J. Weaver – K
SP – J. Samardzija
RP – S. Cishek
RP – B. Parnell
P – J. Niese
P – M. Minor
P – A. Griffin
Bench – C. Tillman
I’m worried that there are quite a number of teams with better pitching than mine. I grabbed Minor in the middle rounds to help, but that put me a round behind in picking up closers, so I basically got what was left, there.
Undrafted players on waivers – D. Gee, A. Cashner, S. Santos, R. Cook, T. Bauer, J. Vargas, P. Maholm, among others.
Should I drop Carpenter and/or Martin in order to pick up, say, Santos and Gee or Cashner? Or should I be trying to make a trade? Other thoughts? Weaknesses? Power may be a little low as many of my keepers are question-marks (Longoria’s health, Craig’s healt, Gonzo return to form, Upton return to form).
@Ryan: I really don’t like bench bats… You should trade a bench bat and Zobrist for one solid pitcher and pick up Cashner… Your team is a bit weak on speed, but it’s not bad overall…
@Grey: I dropped L. Martin for A. Cashner, and Santos got taken ahead of me (waiver order). If I try to trade Zobrist along with Machado for a Scherzer or Bumgarner type, who would I fill in at 2B or SS (Rutledge could play either)? The best guys left on the waiver wire are K. Johnson, S. Drew, O. Infante, Y. Escobar types…way at the bottom of your rankings.
@Ryan: I suppose M. Carpenter will have 2B eligibility soon…
according to ESPN, my team will finish 11th in one of my RCL’s
Rosario
Goldy
Infante
Miggy
Andrus
Hardy
I Davis
A. jones
C. Davis
fowler
bone face
berkman
marte
cain
carpenter
greinke
moore
peavy
szmardja
holland
whihelsen
burnett
beckett
friers
I figure between boneface, infante and carpenter i will get something useful at 2nd
I think ESPN is wrong, you?
Rudy showed last year that ESPN’s projections were the worst, so yeah I wouldn’t pay attention to the that much… Your team looks fine… Not an 11th place team…
@Grey: I know how bad they were last year, this was more for the readers that didn’t know how bad they were. I love my staff a lot and my core offense will be tough to match when my waiver wire skills get a chance to shine… I’m coming for you members only!
berkman on two teams now in honor of Rudy. I have already bought his prayer candle at the 99cent store. it has jesus on it!
We shall call Berkman… Jesus with a gimpy knee….
@Grey: Jesus A. Cruciate!
Nice!
Hey Grey! First time poster, looking for advice. 7×7 (OBP, XBH; IP, QS)
Team A gets:
Braun
Kuroda
Burnett
Team B gets:
Hamilton
Dickey
Pagan
I’d be team B – is the difference between Braun/Hamilton worth the upgrades from Kuroda/Dickey and Burnett/Pagan?
I don’t like it for you…
@Grey:
If I replaced Pagan with Harper? (that would be my next counteroffer)
That’s a good deal for you…
Watcha Think – 12 Team Mixed H2H
Giancarlo Stanton
Justin Upton
Adam Jones
Matt Kemp
Paul Goldschmidt
Zack Greinke
Ian Desmond
Jordan Zimmermann
Matt Moore
Josh Rutledge
Todd Frazier
Jonathon Niese
Joe Nathan
Huston Street
Wilin Rosario
Jarrod Parker
Manny Machado
Matt Harvey
Adam Eaton
@Tom: doesn’t say much for your league mates
Team looks really solid, not sure how you pulled it off honestly…
12 Team H2H 3 keepers And 1 Rookie
I’m keeping JUp Verlander and Bautista with Rizzo as rook.
Grey I’ve found you and can’t get enough. Advice please on draft for Thursday night Hey now!
I have 9th pick overall in the snake. So assuming top 3b gone would you recommend Goldy there? or should I try to fill in other infield postions first since Ive kept Rizz. We use two utilities spots and 3OF. Would you pass on Heyward or Jones to take a RZimmerman? then hope aushizz swings back around to pick 16? I doubt if you would recommend drafting a pitcher in either of the first two rounds. I would then look for a P/3OF in rounds 3/4 which are more like 7/8 with the keeper format. Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words! I’d take Zimmerman, Jones, Goldy in that order…
@Grey: goldy 1st round and panda 2nd as back up plan?
Hey Grey…
Getting a late start on my mock drafts for my first league that drafts wednesday. I did one last night as a 12 teamer, but our commish announced today he wanted to cap the league at 10 when its been at 12 the last 3 years. In any event, just did a 10 team mock and wanted to get some feedback. Its a 7×7 league with QS, HR allowed, TB and OBP. I’ve never played a 10 teamer before, but I assume its not going to be drastically different other than there will be a lot more quality on the WW…
1 (7) – Dread Pirate
2 Longo (took him over Beltre as you advised, but I’ll agonize over this one if thats the choice I have in the real draft)
3 Adam Jones
4 Goldy
5 Zobrist (to start at 2b)
6 Greinke ( I assume we’re still drafting him despite the injury?)
7 Choo
8 Scherzer
9 Ike Davis (picked to start at util bc he was 15 spots ahead of anyone left and I thought it was too early to get a 2nd pitcher)
10 Peavy
11 Papplebon
12 Espinosa (to start at SS)
13 Samardzija
14 Rutledge
15 Niese
16 Parker
17 Burnett
18 Cishek
19 Bonifacio
20 Seager
21 Avila
22 Morales
23 Milone
Hey, man, long time no see… I like the team, it looks weak on average… The pitching looks a tad stronger than it needs to be too… Greinke’s fine in the sixth…
@Grey: Hey buddy, yeah I’ve been slow to get rolling this year. I’ve been reading your posts a good bit, but usually late at night and haven’t gotten around to making any comments. In any event, I should be around a good bit from this point forward. Need to really cram the next couple of days to get ready for this draft. Being a 10 teamer and with most of the guys drafting from the yahoo predrafts, I assume my team is going to end up looking ridiculously good since I’m used to 12 teamers.
Who would be your preferred backup options at 1b if I miss on Goldy? You seem to be a little higher on the moobster this year than I remember you being in the past. He would make a nice average offset for a guy like Espinosa at SS.
Hey Grey,
Thoughts on my draft? 7×7 with R, HR, RBI, Avg, Slg, BB, NSB, QS, BB, K, ERA Whip, Hold, NSV
C) J. Montero (K)
1B) Votto (K)
2B Altuve (K)
3B Frazier
SS Hanley (K)
OF: Cargo (K), Jennings (k), Choo
Util Butler
BN: Marte(K), Espinosa
DL: Granderson(K)
SP: Strasburg(k), Wainwright(k), Morrow(k), Garza, McCarthy(k), Cobb, Hanson(k), Wade Davis(k), Romero(k) Hultzen(k)
RP: Motte, Soriano, Rivera, Robertson, J. Peralta
DL: D. Hudson
Would love any input or thoughts on what I could do to improve. Thanks!
Need some help. In a 14 team keeper league. I am keeping Trumbo at $2, Goldschmidt at $14, and Scherzer at $13. We count BA, R, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, SB, K, Saves, W, QS, ERA, WHIP. My final keeper choices are
Anibal $14
Lucroy $1 or Torii Hunter at $8.
does anybody know when Luebke gets DL status on Yahoo? Also, does anybody have any useful info on whether or not Phelps is going to start for NYY? I want to pick up at least one of W.Peralta/Phelps/W.Davis/. Peralta’s the only one mentioned in top 100, but that may have been without Phelps/Davis being known to be starters. Thanks for any help.
@jason batteiger: worley also is out there, so pick one out of W.Peralta/Phelps/W.Davis/Worley?
Great insight and analysis, but also a ‘Quiz Kid’ Donnie Smith reference. Top notch. Top notch.