Here’s a scenario: You are the burger flipper manager at your local burger flipping place. Someone comes to you and says Ryan Braun, your best burger flipping employee, is injecting his meat with HGH. That’s why they’re tasting so good, yells one of your other employees. You don’t want to believe Ryan is doing this. His burgers are soooooooo delicious. All of your customers love them. Kowtowing to your other employees and the media, you decide to taste test his burgers. Sadly, they do taste test positive for HGH. You have no solution other than to suspend him. This is gonna hurt business. When, by sheer luck, it turns out your taste testers sampled his burgers after they were delivered to their house from FedEx and the soooooooo delicious burger wasn’t tasted in the restaurant. Ryan’s attorneys rejoice. Ryan says, “I told you my burgers were clean” and you shrug. You’re just glad your best burger flipper can keep making you those soooooooo delicious burgers. Then…THEN someone comes along and says they found a note scribbled in the dumpster that says Ryan is ordering HGH to inject into his soooooooo delicious burgers. You look at that note and say, “Okay, we’ll keep an eye on things,” and go back to serving those soooooooo delicious burgers that everyone likes. Well, damn me and my deliciously Horsey sauce argument about chain of custody and Biogenesis as a ‘consultant.’ There’s no way Ryan Braun is being suspended for this Biogenesis nonsense. It’s ridiculous. Can we move on? Anyway, here’s what else I saw in spring training for 2013 fantasy baseball:
Hanley Ramirez – He’s out for two months, having thumb surgery. I just went over some Hanley musings yesterday, so I’m not going to rehash those potatoes. Been there, drunkenly wrote that. For those that didn’t heed my warnings to not draft him, I’m sorry it’s turned out this way. A petty man would throw it in your face about how you could’ve drafted any other top 30 player instead of Hanley. Gloating is no fun for me. What joy is there in others’ misfortune? I’d rather watch another man get accidentally hit in the nuts. But this is a close second. Schadenfreude, snitches! This is like America’s Funniest Home Videos for fantasy baseball. Can Bob Saget announce my next draft? Can a cat spin around on a ceiling fan and fall on Bud Selig’s head pulling off his toupee? I need to get my giggle on! On the bright side if you drafted Hanley, you now have a chance to go all Phil Collins on your fantasy league and beat ‘em against all odds. “I like my odds the same as I like my pancakes — stacked against me.” That’s you, sitting in traffic, talking to yourself. You’re weird. For Hanley, I’ve updated the top 400 for 2013 fantasy baseball.
Dee Gordon – Every action has an equal, opposite reaction. And that’s me thinking I quoted something correctly from high school! I’m sorry, I’m still excited about Hanley, buzzing around my room like Alex P. Keaton on speed. Can’t every guy I don’t draft get hurt? Please. The big annoyance here is we didn’t get to April so everyone else had a chance to draft Hanley (and Te(i)x, Granderson, Headley, etc.). Alas, there will still be people drafting Konerko off his good spring (pfft). I bumped up Gordon in the top 20 shortstops for 2013 fantasy baseball. I didn’t change a whole lot on his projections. The Dodgers have said Luis Cruz will man short with Uribe at 3rd. Anyone familiar with either of those guys knows they are nothing special. I think Gordon now has a chance to contribute. He’s by no means a lock for playing time. He’s a flyer at the end of your draft for steals.
Scott Rolen – The Dodgers said they have no interest in Rolen. And I have no interest in manscaping. Glad that’s all out there now.
Aroldis Chapman – The Cincinnati Enquirer says he will be the Reds closer. Dusty says he wants him as the Reds closer. Aroldis says he wants to be the Reds closer. Banksy spraypainted Aroldis on a wall peeing on hitters in the 9th inning. Yet, the Reds say there’s no decision yet. Oh-kay. I updated the top 400 for Aroldis, too. You know, just in case Banksy’s right.
Trevor Bauer – Sent to Triple-A Columbus. Bauer will still be doing warm-up tosses to Cleveland.
David Wright – Will be ready for the opener. Good news for you Correct owners. Damn, overusing the thesaurus again.
Johan Santana – Another guy I wouldn’t have drafted anywhere will start the year on the DL. Next year, I’m drafting all of my teams in March of the previous year. Wait, that’s now. Hmm, I’m confused; I need a nap. *clapping hands* I’m back!
Robbie Ross – For those hoping for some sleeper value from Ross, gonna have to wait a bit longer. The Rangers are moving him to the bullpen. Their fifth starter job will be a battle between Randy Wells, Nick Tepesch, Derek Lowe and Justin Grimm. Grimm, indeed.
Kyle Lohse – The Decision II might be moving to Colorado. The Rockies are now in the mix to land this not commodity.
Edgar Renteria – Retired yesterday. In honor of his retirement, we go into the Razzball archives for this blurb from two years ago, “The Reds called up Cozart, realizing they didn’t need to go to the free clinic to rid themselves of their bad case of the Renterias.” Fare thee well, Edgar. May people continue to mistake your last name for an STD.
Stephen Drew – Was cleared for baseball activities. You know, like spitting and scratching himself. What’s his over/under for games played this year? 70? Anyone taking action on the over? C’mon, it’s fake money betting on fantasy baseball, you scurred?
Brad Peacock – Strong candidate for the Astros’ final rotation spot. Everyone knows how much I love Peacock (last year), so there’s no reason to repeat myself (this year). If you Google “Brad Peacock sleeper” or “Why is Grey so effin’ stupid?” You’ll find plenty of results. Since he’s now on the Astros and he lost all semblance of control in Triple-A last year, I’m tentative to grab him outside of AL-Only leagues. If he makes the rotation and pitches well in April, that will change. Stay tuned. Or not. Your choices.
Juan Francisco – I posited that if Juan Francisco won the Braves 3rd base job, he’d have sleeper value. I also posited if Chris Johnson were to win the job, he’d have value. I was spreading my love around like butter on a hot bagel. Well, as Lenny Sands would write in Hush-Hush, the position positing produced a paltry payoff; it’s a platoon. Johnson and Francisco + separately = fantasy value. Together = Meryl Streep’s shoulders. Damn! I thought my math was gonna work there. Together was supposed to equal no fantasy value.
Grant Balfour – Ready to go for Opening Day. Let’s play Bal..four! *cue Rosco P. Coltrane laugh*
Derek Jeter – Now saying he may still be ready for the start of the season. Otherwise, the Yankee opening day infield will be known as Cano and no one else Youknow. The Yankee bleacher bums are going to have to yell, “Um, you on first….eh, fahgettaboudit.”
I tried manscaping once (after too many Zima’s) and accidentally shaved my left nipple off. The Mrs and I dressed it in sunglasses and a bowtie. Nips sits on the mantle and late at night when you close your eyes you can hear him soulfully singing, “I heard it through the Grey-vine…Rudy won’t you be mine…”
Mmmm…Zima…”I’m about to lose my mind”
@The Guru: do they still make Zima?, oh the things i wish I could forget about what I did hopped up on Zima. Hey wasn’t that part of the clear beverage revolution, Pepsi ice, Gatorade Ice, Zima, water?
@Jack Full of Hate: I think they only make it in Canada for those crazy bastards. Drunk enough to get their teeth knocked out in a backyard hockey game and laugh about it
@The Guru: You could try Sticky Nips. Google it if you don’t know.
@The Guru: I like your songs and your nips, be well.
Grey,
A few questions for your sexy brain as my draft approaches.
1) Ranks these top 4 pick scenerios:
A) McCutchen/Stanton/Zimmerman/Goldschmidt
B) McCutchen/Fielder/Zimmerman/Jones
C) Fielder/Stanton/Zimmerman/Jones
D) Stanton/Bautista/Zimmerman/Goldschmidt
E) Stanton/Longoria/Jones/Goldschmidt
2) Can Cashner be this years Chris Sale? Basically a guy you can draft in the last couple rounds and get an ace type season from. Besides Cashner, any other names pop in your head?
3) Is there anything that separates your love for Ike Davis this year from your former love of Adam Lind and Mark Reynolds last year? You were pushing those guys pretty hard last year and both burned me. In yahoo leagues Ike is going around 90th overall and he is my primary UTL target.
Thanks brotha!
@bossmanjunior: 1) C
2) maybe, but I think Sale was more polished going into last year
3) i don’t think he was pushing that hard on those guys last year like he likes ike this year. He would be a great CI/Util if the round is right and you haven’t over spent on offense to that point. If grab/ get stuck with a good average/high AB like a Pedroia early it will help balance the .175 month Ike will give you in May.
@bossmanjunior:
1) A. no doubt. May want to flip Goldy and Zimm though dpnding on how savvy your league is.
2) Hammel, going near last round. When healthy, pitched like a fantasy ace for me. Cashner doesn’t have rotation spot locked down though his upside is sky high.
3) n/a
@bossmanjunior:
1) B. Nice mix of power and speed – 125 HRs and 40-45 SBs is a good start to any team. Any of the above options would be solid though.
2) Niese, Minor, and Harvey come to mind, but they’re more mid-round guys. Maybe Miller or Teheran. Cashner isn’t able to stay on the field long enough for a breakout, but he’s worth a flier.
3)
if you stream Peacock and own Dickey and Trout is that FBB’s version of a devil’s threesomne?
The dodgers should play Punto or Hairston, they are the Gardenhire Variety that makes fans buy more beer to deal…
Are you saying the Reds got a shot of Cozartistone to get rid of their bad case of Renteria, with that treatment they should have dealt for some Andreltobiotics….
OK, i’m drunk, time to pass out. if they have Patron coming out of a cooling system just say que and run away
This is the only guy who liked Peacock more than Grey last year -
http://razzball.com/category/contributors/diamond/
@Rudy Gamble: I don’t trust people who wear hats like that.
@jaywrong: I don’t trust anyone with a hat that big, unless its a novelty oversized cowboy hat
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Ujh5PNXmfY/TLVNMXYWW9I/AAAAAAAAArI/gc04SkPujeY/s1600/robed.jpg
@Jack Full of Hate: Hah. Just saw this. Perhaps the exception…
@Jack Full of Hate: Andreltobiotics, ha!
@Grey:just got done polishing off my Strawberry donut. I put some of the glaze on my screen…
I’m now licking my screen…
@Grey: I think it is awesome that Royce and his wife are planning an hour and a half each way day trip for donuts.
Per yesterdays convo, you will need at least two, the first one you inhale, the second you savor. Like a good taco.
Exactly! Wait, royce! and royce!’s wife are going for donuts? I wanna go too!
@Grey: @Grey: we can have a razzball pow wow in the parking lot of a donut shop….classy
there is a mexican joint a few doors down that use to sell turtle soup until they found out that it’s illegal. Funny thing is it’s still on the menu
How is turtle soup illegal? It’s like making shooting cheetahs illegal… I’m all for parking lot pow wows… Parking lots are where I spent the better part of my youth…
@Grey:
@Grey:
@Grey: It’s a date
The donut shop is right next to a small gym. Its good irony and funny because the donut shop has been there for 40 + years and the gym for 5.
Be better irony if the donut shop expanded and put the gym out of business…
@Grey: agreed. Always down for parking lot pows…
Meeting anywhere else reeks of trying too hard….
@prezii: doobies and donuts
And you know this ….. Ma-nnnnnnnnnn!
hey grey, i was trying to sign up in the forums so as to post about trying to find opening in fairly large 14-18 owner H2H categories league, but when (tried 4 times) i punched in the answer to “razzball is about fantasy….” I answered “sports” then later “sports and sarcasm” (like in the podcast) it kept coming back saying i answered wrong. What is the answer to this? It does seem that cbssports.com’s fantasy baseball message board seems to have the most active openings so far for getting into league options but i figured posting in razzball’s forum couldn’t hurt as the people here seem really interested and active.
@jason batteiger: baseball…
@Cartman 4evs: thanks, all those other sports on here tricked me into not putting the whole reason i’m here in the first place. No offense to the football posts, as i followed those this past year as well.
Where can one acquire these alleged Ryan Braun burgers?
/mouth watering
@Boston Fans Are Stoopid:
Krusty Krab ??? I think we learned today the secret ingredient in crabby patties is hgh….
@Boston Fans Are Stoopid: $275 for a family of four at your local ballpark…
@Grey I didn’t draft him but yadda, yadda, yadda, he’s occupying my 3B slot. Looking at the WW I’ve got Dominguez, Arenado or Carpenter? Thanks!
@Howard: Arenado for now
Isn’t “Braun’s Burgers” on the FOX TV Network on Sundays?
@Gareth: I stopped watching Fox Sundays when the Simpsons hit their 200th episode… So ten years ago…
The may be full of PED’s, but the Hebrew hammer’s Burgers are Kosher.
Nothing about Braun smells kosher these days
@Rudy Gamble: Hey Now!
Burger King Just started Using Braun’s Beef.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576216_630713973624726_1035597004_n.jpg
@Gareth: Yum-yum!
Really entertaining site. Any players outside your top 100 have a chance to be in the top 40 next year? Better pitcher for the next 3 years – Matt Moore or Zimmerman?
@Gator: Moore hands down.
@Gator: Thanks! Agree with Moore… Lots of players have a chance… http://razzball.com/category/2013-fantasy-baseball-sleeper/
Hey Grey, I miss the days when you included in your rankings a few Mr. B relievers we could target for ratio help. I usually like to run a one or two out there in head to head leagues, and don’t think it would cost me much of anything. Could you maybe give me a top 5 non-closer relievers? I don’t really care about holds, just looking for very good Ks, ERA, WHIP and BAA.
Check out the $ value grid where you can filter based on RP and MR’s will be ranked (after the closers) based on their ERA/WHIP/K contributions – http://razzball.com/playerrater-preseason-espnmlb12/
@Rudy Gamble: This is pretty helpful. Just a heads up though that when I sorted RPs by SO, it makes 0.0 the best value. Kenley Jansen is the only relief pitcher without saves who has a positive win share value, so does this mean I probably should scrap the strategy of using middle relievers to keep the ratios down?
The sort function isn’t working for SO. Glitch with this grid format – sorry.
Sort by WHIP instead as that will likely net similar rankings.
A positive Point Share value means that the player is better than the average drafted reliever. Given MRs don’t get saves, that’s impossible. Focus on anyone that are valued above $0. There should be many. MRs are a great way to keep ratios down and get free K’s (and an occasional W) while SPs sit on your bench on days off. You’ll see that the best RPs have Point Shares nearly equal or better than mediocre SPs and that’s after factoring in the IP differences.
@Josh: http://razzball.com/category/position/closers/
…legal advice to Braun owners (and erstwhile owners), medical advice to Cozart owners, your Jewish grandma must think you’re such a nice boy. But we all know you specialize in servicing the online fantasy needs of young men, so let’s commence that unseemly business:
Which 6 do you keep in a 10 team, MLB, 4×4 (no runs, no Ks) roto?
Carlos Santana $14,
Jason Kipnis $11,
Justin Upton $27,
Evan Longoria $26
Tom Wilhemsen $6,
Greg Holland $6,
Glen Perkins $6,
Grant Balfour $8
Kind of a head scratcher because we have inflation from some good keepers (Trout $4) and deflation from some bad ones (Miggy $53, Rollins $17).
@Dewayne Buice: Ha! Not Balfour and Perkins…
Listening to BaseballHq podcast (boringer then yourses) and they’re talking up Dominic Brown, he could hold off Delmon for playing time. I’m not sure the manager can show up the GM by benching his big acquisition (unless it’s Scoscia and Vernon Wells getting Reagins fired).
@Dewayne Buice: I agree… Young doesn’t sit…
So the top 400 still has Hanley at #31. Am I looking at it wrong?
I’m updating it now. Grey knocked him down to #168 which seemed cruel until I ran it in my $ values and he came out #177.
The updates will be live on the site by the time you read this.
“Fairly well, Edgar.”??? How about “Fare thee, well.” Yeah, I know it’s Olde English being used for a player who’s decidedly not. But I frequent this site usually after catching up on Downton Abbey, so I expect the Queen’s English, sir.
@Scott: Mmm… Olde E. That was a good malt liquor…
@Grey: The High Gravity 800 with a Red Bull poured in for fun. Four Loco didn’t exist when I went to college…
I invented Four Loco…
@Grey: Bad Frog for Life!
http://40ouncebeer.com/40/badfrog40.html
Wow, I don’t even remember that one… That’s to to say I never drank it, actually that might mean for sure I drank it…
@Grey: somewhere on the bottle it said it was micro brewed malt liquor. Last time we had it was late 90′s and you could only get it in LA. Always had sediment and had a mild halucinogen effect. The bottle is quite hilarious. Similar to crazy horse in those ways
Red Bull turned me red and made me hallucinate, it was awesome.
@Grey: Mushrooms did that to me….oh that’s what they are suppose to do
@Grey: you havent had beer til you have had….. “Arrogant bastard”
I’ve had beer then… I’ll say nothing’s quite like a Colt 45.
@Grey: niceee.. colt 45 and two zig zags, grey thats all i need
I’d be stone cold drunk in 20 minutes…
@grey: when i was youngr and wanted to get smashed for 2 bucks….. 211 steel reserve. Man, that shit was like drinkin out of an oil can.
Two words: Night Train — Two more words: You’re done.
@grey, never heard.. sounds tantalizing tho…
It’ll put your lights out, done… It’s what Hendrix drank, and Dennis Hopper…
Did another Mock Draft today Grey. Thanks to your lists I’m finding real value with my picks. I know the bench on this team is too strong and are all hitters (apart from Cishek) but they fell so far vesus their ADP (especially Pence / Hosmer) I had to grab em. You Can always trade a good hitter, right? Thanks!
C Perez, Salvador (C KC) C · U ACT
1B Encarnacion, Edwin (1B TOR) 1B · U ACT
2B Kinsler, Ian (2B TEX) 2B · U ACT
3B Zimmerman, Ryan (3B WAS) 3B · U ACT
SS Rutledge, Josh (SS COL) SS · U ACT
OF Upton, B.J. (OF ATL) OF · U ACT
OF Choo, Shin-Soo (OF CIN) OF · U ACT
OF Trout, Mike (OF LAA) OF · U ACT
U Goldschmidt, Paul (1B ARI) 1B · U ACT
P Holland, Greg (P KC) P ACT
P Fister, Doug (P DET) P ACT
P Miley, Wade (P ARI) P ACT
P Strasburg, Stephen (P WAS) P ACT
P Cain, Matt (P SF) P ACT
P Latos, Mat (P CIN) P ACT
P Parker, Jarrod (P OAK) P ACT
RES Prado, Martin (OF ARI) 3B · OF · U ACT
RES Lawrie, Brett (3B TOR) 3B · U ACT
RES Frazier, Todd (3B CIN) 1B · 3B · U ACT
RES Pence, Hunter (OF SF) OF · U ACT
RES Hosmer, Eric (1B KC) 1B · U ACT
RES Cishek, Steve (P MIA) P ACT
@Gareth: You can, yes… But you don’t want a full bench of bats either… Prado, Frazier, Lawrie and Hosmer isn’t helpful… http://razzball.com/peds-performance-enhancing-draft-strategy-peds/
20-man dynasty H2H league… who would you pick?
Brad Peacock, Jhoulys Chacin, Rick Porcello or Jake Arrieta?
@ichirosan: Chacin
Grey,
I’ll take the over on 70 games played for Drew. What are the stakes?
-Oldman
@oldman: One dollar
@oldman: A gentleman’s bet!
@Grey: you’ve got yourself a deal!
Grey I know this probably takes a long time to you to go through so i’ll make it quick, I had the bookend picks 12 & 13 in our RCL draft we did last night (12 Teams):
C – Wilin Rosario (181)
1B – Paul Goldschmidt ( 36)
2B – Dan Uggla (180)
SS – Josh Rutledge (108)
3B – Evan Longoria (13)
2B/SS – E- Cabrera (229)
1B/3B – Pablo Sandoval (85)
OF – Giancarlo Stanton (12)
OF – Desmond Jennings (60)
OF – Andre Either (132)
OF – Starlin Marte (204)
OF – Jayson Werth (228)
UTIL – Todd Frazier (157)
SP – David Price (37)
SP – Zack Greinke (61)
SP – Jonathan Niese (133)
SP – Ryan Vogelsong (205)
SP – Mike Fiers (252)
SP – Chris Tillman (277)
RP – Aroldis Chapman (84)
RP – Fernando Rodney (109)- AUTOPICKED!!
RP – Sergio Romo (156)
RP – Al Alburque… (253)
Bench: Ryan Ludwick (276)
Bench: David Murphy (300)
I was pumped that I could go Stanton & Longo 12-13
I think I might want to improve on that 2B/SS or at least reinforce my MI and I have the 1st waiver pick- Jhonny Peralta, Kelly Johnson, Chris Nelson are out there. Thoughts on the team and any idea what I should improve on?
Team name is Mustachioed Bandits, I thought you’d appreciate that. Thank you Grey!
Man, if it weren’t for Andre Ethier’s presence, I’d swear Grey drafted this team himself.
Looks like a solid draft to me. I can see dumping Everth at some point in April for a better R/RBI producer since Marte/Jennings/Goldy should keep you competitive in SBs. I’d swap Everth for Bonifacio if he is on waivers and use him as your bench guy. He’ll have 2B/OF eligibility by mid-April – factoring in you’ve got Frazier who can backup 1B/3B and Rutledge will be 2B/SS, you’ve got just about every position backed up. I’d dump Ludwick and/or Murphy for relievers. Remember it’s 180 GS so all relief innings are ‘free’. Some potential MRs on waivers that I like are David Robertson, David Hernandez, Luke Gregerson, and Carter Capps.
One other note for in-season – the Hittertron will highlight this but Andre Ethier is great against RHP and awful vs. LHP. I’d rotate him out whenever possible against LHP.
@Rudy Gamble: Thanks for the awesome response Rudy, needless to say I got nervous trying to fill those 5 OF spots and pulled the trigger on Either. I think I have to keep Murphy to cover while Werth is out. Dump Ludwick and grab Gregerson or Venters, both are available, you’d still go Gregerson?
Wow I had no idea how bad Either was vs LHP – http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=ethiean01&year=&t=b#total
I’ve never played Roto before, Im a H2H guy, so I appreciate the feedback!
Prefer Gregerson over Venters because he is more likely to move to closer. I think Venters might be slowing down from over-use. Really hard to be an excellent MR with 70+ appearances for 3-4 consecutive years. The most durable ‘excellent’ MR I can recall was Scot Shields and – without checking a reference site – I feel like he got 5 in. Also, check out Carter Capps. I think he’ll be at 10+ K/9.
Murphy is also awful vs. LHP but, yeah, worth keeping an extra OF if Werth is going to be out. I probably prefer Ludwick a bit more than Murphy though…
@Rudy Gamble: Thanks Rudy, it hurts giving up the 1st Waiver pick. But I guess with such a deep league its going to be hard to find a gem thats worth it later. I just checked out C Capps, woah guy has some good peripherals, sounds like he has a big arm. I’ll keep him in mind when I can stash Werth on the DL spot. You da man Rudy
No prob. Good luck.
@Rudy Gamble: any thoughts on heath bell this year?
yo, what happen to jwert?
So we are using the new “NA” roster spot now available on yahoo. If you could grab one minor leaguer Grey and stash him there in a keeper league, who would you take? Taveras, Myers, Profar, someone else?
@Joey: Anyone?
Ha – hadn’t heard about the ‘NA’ spot. That’s really a thing? They can’t call it ‘Minor Leaguer’ or something like that?
For 2013, I like Myers and Taveras…and that’s about it on hitters. Myers has an easier path to playing time. Where the hell is Profar playing? Don’t understand people wasting a spot on him outside of super deep leagues. My 3rd choice for hitters would be Yelich on Miami. Big bat and no one is blocking him from earning a 2H promotion. From SPs, I like Gerrit Cole (2H promotion?) and Tony Cingrani (Reds don’t have SP depth with Leake now #5).
@Rudy Gamble: Yeah it just got added today, its like a DL spot but for guys in the minors. Who looks the best long term as a keeper? I know keeping Trout/Harper last year would have been awesome, but anyone project to be a superstar? Thinking long term, my keepers are aging fast.
Scott Evans, the prospect guy, is a better evaluator of prospects than me. Off the top of my head, I’d say Taveras, Profar, Myers, Yelich, Jose Hernandez (MIA pitcher). I’m less bullish than most on Billy Hamilton. I think the Cardinals have a potential SP stud by the name of Michael Wacha
@Rudy Gamble: I think I can wait on most of those guys, will target Taveras, Profar, Myers…everyone else my leaguemates dont really know about.
@Joey:
if they are in yahoo, they are a noteworthy prospect (they only add about 50 or so each year).
The question is how far into the future do you want to look.
This year Myers is by far the best, followed by tavares, cole and profar.
Long term the only guy i know in the minors with 80 power is Sano. Starling could be a 5 tool OF in a few years. Baez and Soler are both still a little raw.
Personally i like to look for teenagers that make it to AA. So last year that was Tavares and Walker.
The commentary on Braun’s injections
+
I drafted of Hanley in the 3rd round in my last draft
=
My butt hurts
@tenaciousdeucer: Ouch
Parnell, Hellickson and AJ Burnett for Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz?
I’m taking Seager/Cruz side any day of the week assuming this is a shallow league. All three of those pitchers could end up on the waiver wire by May whereas Nelson Cruz is a solid OF (good R/HR/RBI, doesn’t kill you on AVG) and Seager is serviceable in ESPN format and a sweet MI in Yahoo format.
Thanks Rudy.
Its a CBS format, where Seager doesn’t qualify at 2nd base (missed the cut off by a couple of games – which sucks). I’m also worried about the Cruz PED link and his injury history. He’s not young either (33).
But yeah, I agree. The hitter side is better. Wether the owner will go for it?………..
Hi Grey, so I traded my 4th pick away for the 8th pick since I think the 4-9 guys are about the same.
It’s a snake draft so I get the 13th instead of 17th. Since we use Yahoo and many people in the league rely on their rankings, I hope to get Pujols at 8 and would like Stanton at 13, but he’s ranked 12 so I may not get him.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the disparity between your rankings and Yahoo are large for some 1B, like Goldschmitt and Agon. But having traded down to 8, Pujols/Votto/Fielder will probably be the best available picks, so I can’t take advantage of the value of Goldy or Agon in the 3rd or 4th rounds (we don’t have utility spots). Would you consider taking Stanton or Upton at 8 then get a value 1B later instead of Pujols/Votto/Fielder?
@Fungus: Sure, you can do that, make sure you get a 1B…
Here’s a question for Grey or Rudy… when I click on the “top 400″ it shows Grey’s rankings and projections… LOVE IT (Super helpful)
But at the top of that page, if I click to get the auction dollar value of each player (based on 5×5 standard and the option is ESPN or Yahoo with various league sizes) it flips to what appears to be yahoo’s rankings/dollar values… suddenly Trout is worth more than Braun etc…
What’s going on here that I’m not understanding?
My $ estimates aren’t always going to agree with Grey’s. My $ have Trout #1 in just about every format. I joked on Twitter that I have him #1 in every format except NL-only where I think he’ll struggle to even deliver 3rd round value.
(Un)lucky for us, we didn’t get a #1 or #2 pick in any snake draft this year so we never had to duke it out for Trout vs. Braun (i would’ve relented and taken Miggy 1st).
@Rudy Gamble: Ah, gotcha, didn’t realize one was you and the other was grey… I thought you did the math that implemented his projections into auction values.
Thanks for the clarification.
And thanks for all the hard work delivered with humor!
Mr. Gray… I was one of those who tied myself to the mast with ears plugged and did not hear your sirens song on Hanley… I was wise enough to back him with a SS “ELI” at 2B/SS
6 weeks out – is not a season.. IF IF IF, Hanley returns OK….. I am feeling OK with my target replacements for those few weeks…
One just got hauled out of the puddle – Peralta… But, Kelly “Mr. April” Johnson was thrown back for him…. Yum Yum – if the ABs are there
I’m one rooting for Nunez to get some FT play in April… He could put on a show for a few weeks..
Then there is Drew – who a good bump on the head might have helped… Think a bunch of his injury is the NEW focus on the injury…. He will be fine…
There always is Keppinger for 6 weeks of decent – boring BA..
And there is that someone who gets hot … Nelson continues on where he left off last year – If Arenado is slipping backwards now???
It will just be a good early exercise in the Plug on – Plug off – Miyagi System FBB
I will most like use 5 or 6 players there
My problem is Morrison is hurt too to start the year… Here’s hop’n, he only misses 2 weeks..
PLAY BALL!!!
@T Moore: @T Moore:
Should have added on PED… If MLB was serious about them, they would test every week… Yeah, they blame it on the so-called player’s union position that they can’t – sure – I believe that…
Drugs and baseball have always held hands…
I just don’t care anymore – what a bunch of highly paid privileged idiots choose to do to their bodies to make even more money…
@T Moore: If Morrison is your problem, we’re gonna be all right T Moore, hold me hand like drugs and baseball and we’re gonna make it…
@Grey:
Mr. Gray: Thanks.. It is heartwarmingly wonderful and means so much to me to know you will be there for me this season…
Should have pointed out my inner voice’s warning on the Cruz-Gordon thingy..
It reeks of a tick-tock starts stat killing battle to me…
Cruz made some cameo appearances for me last year… He can be streaky good at times… I think, he is the better pickup … As he may play both SS/3B
Gordon is a hack in real BB… He is FBB player… I wonder if he makes the team even with Hanley out… Limited starts and ABs at best… Not to be touched until he has proven he is really the guy at SS even for the short term…
@T Moore:
O yeah… Nakahoma in Oakland is quickly turning heads the wrong way..
He has under impressed… Struggling with the transition to MLB and its culture… He may need time in minors..
The throwing is the problem in the field – Oakland was aware of this… How big a problem is the ????… And his bat is not in tune yet to MLB either… Tiny steps…
Long term he should be fine… But, alarm bells should be ringing on him right now… “Stay clear” in drafts before the lineup is set in Oakland
Yeah, he’s nothing outside of AL-Only leagues…
Cruz is very streaky… And injury prone… He’s good for a few weeks a year, sometimes a month… Gordon is a real baseball hack, but love to see him get 4 starts a week… Not like Uribe is anything special…
Do you still like Cabrera over Braun? I lurv (a Grey term) those SBs with the power…..but sometimes safety is an issue. Is Braun more likely to be suspended than Cabrera is too drive a car into a tree during a slump?
@Jangles: A philosophical question… Yeah, Braun is more likely, but still unlikely… I like Miggy better…
“Banksy spraypainted Aroldis on a wall peeing on hitters in the 9th inning.”
this made me sit up and OBEY
@Phil Brody: Ha
12 team mixed points auction. 1 each infield + MI and CI 4 OF. 2 off bench. 7 SP 2 RP 1 P 1 P bench. Keep 4 players.
$260 to spend. Number is () is years remaining including 2013.
I’m keeping 3 P have to keep 1 position player. Who would you keep?
Wieters $18 (2), wilin Rosario $4 (1), teixiera $26 (2), morneau $12 (2), berkman $6 (2), Rollins $15 (2), cozart $1 (2), headley $14 (1), m young $18 (2), Holliday $31 (1), choo $24 (2), swisher $4 (2), David Murphy $1
@Jvh4: None are good… Rollins…
@Grey:
That’s what I was afraid of. Might just roll with Rodario or Cozart and take the extra cash into the draft yet. I’ve also been offered Goldy or Gio for Wil Myers, but I can keep him for free til he’s called up then he’s $3 per year. Seems to good to give up.
Agreed…
Hey Rudy,
Im in a 11 team CBS dynasty roto league. We start 5 OF, CI, MI, 1 UT & 9P, with 4 bench spots (so 22 starters and 26 total roster spots). Which of your $ auction value projections would you consider to most closely reflect the actual values in a league like this? I’m not sure how espn/yahoo scoring translates over to CBS…and then consider the fact that we have a funky 11 team league…
Thanks!
I would think 12 team ESPN would be slightly closer than 10 team ESPN. You could average the two as well.
Looks like you have Craig ranked 60th overall and Gordon ranked 72nd, but much better projections for Gordon. Would you prefer Gordon to Craig if you’d be playing both in the OF almost all of the time since I already have Votto for 1B and there is no CI spot in this league?
@KB: I would
I’m at that horrible stage of my draft where all my position spots are full but Todd Frazier is still out their. Do I pick Frazier and stash him or select my first closer? Thoughts.
@PhillyYorker: Closer
I have this friend…He was crazy enough to keep Hanley this year, and my friend, is now asking me what sorta Pitcher he could get for Hanley now, post thumb injury. My friend, he’s in a keeper league…so, don’t worry, he didn’t actually draft him, he just kept him…I wouldn’t be friends with anybody like that, not with someone who would draft Hanley anyways, not me…So, what type of SP should, my friend, be shooting for?
@Wake Up: kind of unrelated…my friend also is a big fan of the Nippon League….he lives in Yokohama and is a diehard fan of the Bay Stars…so, for his birthday I made him a shirt that reads, “Nyger Lover” that he wears to every game even though he doesn’t speak or read any English…
@Wake Up: Sounds like a good friend… In a keeper league, I’d shoot for a #2… Try for a Moore type…
@Grey: He is a good friend. The problem is me. I’m a terrible friend. Thanks friend.
No problem, friend.
@Wake Up: I see nothing wrong with you as a friend
Which combo do you prefer: Moore + Pence OR Gordon + Harvey?
Also, can you rank these pitchers for the next 3 years? Lester, Bailey, Minor, Milone, Harvey
Thanks!
@Jon: Moore… Harvey, Milone, Homer….
12 Team League, would appreciate thoughts on live draft completed last night.
C – AJ Ellis
1B – Votto
2B – Zobrist
SS – A.Escobar
3b – Gyorko Store
MI – Prado
CI – Fielder
OF – Heyward
OF – Bruce
OF – Choo
OF – Gordon
OF – Eaton
U – Kubel
U – Konerko
SP – MadBum
SP – Latos
SP – B.Anderson
SP – Vogelsong
SP – Estrada
SP – Wei-Meng Chen
RP – Soriano
RP – Nathan
RP – Grilli
I am a little light on speed I think, but otherwise thoughts?
@quimmy: Yeah, you’re a little light on speed, but like great in power… Your pitching could be okay, but Chen and Anderson don’t give me any confidence…
Thanks, Grey. I’m on a diet and now I’m really god damn hungry. If I wasn’t in my pajamas, I’d be in peeling the car out of the driveway and speeding down to In-N-Out.
@Trini: Sorry, girl.
I’m in a 20 team h2h dynasty league. Do I trade fielder morse for billy butler and jay Bruce?
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: Sounds solid…
On the topic of Brewer outfielders, you clearly like Aoki to have a better season than Gomez, is that right?
@Dominic: Yup
I just got off a binge with the Olsen twins and I just remembered my draft is tonight.
If you value Rollins in the 40′s, but he’s being taken 7th-8th round, are you taking him where you think he belongs (4th round), waiting until the 7th round and hoping he’s still there, or taking him somewhere in between?
6th to 7th round…
@Grey: Thank you, kindly.
I have 4th pick in my draft 10-team H2h 6×5 league w/ snake draft. Keepers: Votto, J-Upton, Bruce, and Mad Bum. There are some top pitchers available: Kershaw will get picked 1st, next 2 picks are a toss up, but would you take Hamels/Greinke/Gio as your first pick or go with hitting like Phillips/Zobrist/Choo/Sandoval/BJ Upton? I already have 2 reds and like to diversify so maybe not Choo.
Hitting… Zobrist, Phillips or Sandoval…
@Grey: <3
Hey Grey, wanted to get your thoughts on my team in a standard H2H 12 team league
Carlos Santana
Ike Davis
Ian Kinsler
Brett Lawrie
Josh Rutledge
Andrew McCutchen
Adam Jones
Shin-Soo Choo
Todd Frazier
Kendrys Morales
David Murphy
Bumgarner
Scherzer
Wilhelmsen
Casey Janssen
Samardzija
Peavy
Niese
JarroD Parker
Tommy Milone
Dan Straily
Johan Santana
Joaquin Benoit
Team looks weak on average, and a tad high on pitching… Not a bad team though…
Can Stanton, B.J., Jennings, Gardner and Marte be a good enough OF (start 4) in a 10-team league?
Yup
Does Matt Carpenter’s projection change if he gets the majority of time at 2B?
Nope… He’s a 10-ish homer, barely any speed guy…
When or if do you think Adrian Gonzalez plays 20 games in the OF this year?
Never…
@Grey: How about Kinsler?
@kalone: Maybe by Sept, pretty doubtful too…
I keep thinking the risk with Braun is not that he’ll get suspended but that he’ll get off the juice and be crappy. I would kind of love that though. I think a huge drop off in performance would be just deserts and peg him as a guy that succeeded only through cheating. Cheaters- they never prosper, you know.
Wouldn’t have been the risk last year? He did fine then…
@Grey:
Possibly yes, but maybe with the increase heat he’ll be all like…I don’t need the juice…I can do it all on my own…I’m more than just a chemistry set…I’m a human being damn it…I’ll show them all…I’ll show ‘em….look at me, ‘Ma I’m the king of the world…
and then he’ll hit .250 and I’ll be in my front yard grilling and and drinking High Life sometime in August and a deep satisfaction will suddenly settle upon me, as though something is right with the universe.
Or maybe the guys with the new type of juice that no one can test for yet seek out Braun and make him a deal…
@Grey:
But maybe it turns out the new juice makes people go crosseyed like the Navin R Johnson Opti-Grab.
Maybe the new juice people pitch their juice to Jamba Juice, Jamba Juice agrees and everyone gets on the “juice” which negates it for everyone, leaving Braun nothing but a Punto….
@Grey:
But maybe a side effect of the Jamba Juice is that it also tends to turn you into an on the go urban female office worker and Braun starts showing up wearing his tennies but carrying his cleats in a purse and pretty soon he starts skipping Friday games because he has to stay home and take care of his three bassett hounds and watch JAG reruns.
Then him and Mark Harmon marry in Hawaii…
@OaktownSteve: he’s jewish, he’s going to start playing mahjong
Tried my best to be you while drafting. 10 team ESPN standard. What do you think?
Picking 6th (top 5 off board were same as your ranks)
c-Sal Perez
1b–Pujols
2b–Altuve
3b–Zimmerman
ss–Rollins
of-giancarlo, adam jones, choo, beltran, aoki
CI-au shizz
MI–Rutledge
Util Rizzo
P: Greinke, Scherzer, Samardzja, Homer, Burnett, J Parker, Romo, Wilhelmsen, Perkins
Bench–Boneface, Shebly Miller, Taveras
Naturally, ESPN projections have me finishing last, but War Room sez:
R 104
HR 112
RBI 104
SB 93
AVG 105
W 91
K 112
ERA 102
Whip 103
Sv 92.
Thinking I done good. You?
Thinking you did real well… I’m baffled ESPN has that team coming in last… But my ESPN team is supposed to finish last, too…
Am I totally nuts for thinking Dotel is a possible saves speculation at this point. Al Al bombed yesterday and Leyland seems very, very against using Rondon. Dotel has 102 career saves and had a 22 save season just a couple years ago. I think committee is the likely model to start but if Dotel puts a couple on the board and looks good, I could see him being the grizzled veteran choice for a conservative manager.
I don’t think it’s nuts… In fact, I’ll pick up Dotel right now in my RCL since I have free spots….
grey,
I know you said you arent a fan of Zobrist…but going into the 1st round of draft (Which is 7th round – everyone keeps 6), would you consider zobrist if you didnt have a 2b or a SS?
Rollins is available…and there are a bunch of guys available for 2b (like prado, weeks, seager) etc, but i get the feeling you dont like them.
i guess what im asking is zobrist and rollins (who you also dont seem to like) are out there, and thats a need for me, but so are guys you LOVE like hamels, C.lee, scherzer, holliday, choo, etc…
fill the need, or take the superior player?
or are you more inclined to wait and fill 2b/SS cheaply
Lee in the 7th is really good value, gotta take him…
Thanks – so lee over hamels and holliday?
Be nice to know who your keepers are…
sorry.
I kept 2 1b, 2 OF, 3b, and util only. so all hitting
Theres C.lee, hamels, wainwright, scherzer, darvish, sabathia, sale, scherzer, jordan zimm all still available. i think i can grab a SP from that group with my 2nd pick if i dont take C. lee with my first pick.
idk. why me! why me!
You can’t tell me the players’ names?
I can. I dont want to be found out as im paranoid about leaguemates!
Votto, Fielder, Zimmerman, Heyward, Adam jones, and frazier (my util)
Take Lee…
alllllllright albright ill take lee.
thanks!!!
You like my Ryan Zimmerman + Teheran for his Aaron Hill + Price/Darvish/Adverb?
I already have Beltre at third and my starting pitching is weak….
Thanks!
Sounds solid… Price or Adverb…
hey grey, had our draft last week and was wondering if you could give me a little feedback. I’m a little skeptical about the back end of my rotation. its a 12 team mixed league, 5×5 roto
c – Miguel Montero
1b – Goldshmidt
2b – brandon phillips
ss – everith cabrera
3b – zimmerman
OF – McCutchen
OF – J Upton
OF – Jose Bautista
Util- Michael bourn
Util – Adam Eaton
SP- Bumgarner
SP – James Shields
SP – Dan Haren
SP – Matt Harvey
SP – AJ Griffin/Fiers
RP – Houston Street
RP – Steve Cisheck
Your rotation looks decent, your league is shallow enough that you’ll be able to stream guys easily enough… I do worry about Shields… Your hitting looks okay, don’t love Bourn and Everth looks bad for this team…
Grey,
If you wouldn’t mind, could you answer my first question. My fellow Razzballers were nice enough to answer but they each gave me a different answer haha. Its basically comes down to which you prefer in the 1st and 4th round: McCutchen/Goldschmidt or Fielder/Jones. Thanks.
Fielder/Jones
@Grey – Pop Quiz time (from that old teacher no one likes)
I get the “skip the high end catchers” theory and subscribe to it myself. However, I’ve noticed a few mocks where higher end guys (namely Santana & Wieters) continue to linger well past their ranking and even past your rank in the top 400. If you were to find yourself ion the clock with pick #84 and Santana was still on the board – a player you have ranked at #59 – would you consider taking him?
The question speaks to the larger issue of wondering how much stock should be placed on a ranking list if it takes into account the general trend of over-evaluating positions, like C or 2nd base.
me no know
Heard kind of a funny story on the radio the other day. Some So Cal journalist was talking about trying to get an interview with Puig. Went something like this:
“Hey I’m so and so from such and such media outlet. Pleasure to meet you. I was hoping I could get a few minutes with you.”
and here’s the response he got:
“PUIG!”
@OaktownSteve: have you heard where he might end up to start the year?
I heard they might see if he can play 3rd base
@Jack Full of Hate: Go to Rudy’s new post and tell him you’ll never beat Grey Albright with that team!
@Grey: where is your team?
Imagine it! My post about the draft will come next week (prolly)….
@Grey: I did it but I felt shameful, dirty. What has he done to me beside shoot down every glossary term I have ever come up with…Now I’m mad because I love Bichetter. I had to come clean like sky did. Rudy will see right through me and I’ve already cried once today. I can’t handle the pressure.
*glossing up*
I’ll protect you!
@Grey: a man with a mustache needs no cape
Nope, just a donut…
@Grey: i got you locked in. I hope i haven’t put the Hosmer expectations on these delicous treat?. will they deliver a Homer response?
You’ve definitely built them up, no more than Rutledge for me…
@Grey: Royce has my back and he use to live in Echo Park. That guy is gangster
A bohemian gangster!
@Grey: are you saying he was one of those gentrification hipster fixed gear bike riding guys. Say it ain’t so….say it ain’t so.
Well, I did go out for sushi with royce! one time… So… Well… Nah, he’s full gangster!
@Grey: Chali!
are you a whore for man dates from razzballers?
I am, I wear Drakkar and feather my hair all special.
@Grey: my pants are already around my ankles
Sounds like me after malt liquor…
@Jack Full of Hate:
According to that same radio interview he’s for sure minor league bound, but that was before Hamley went down.
@OaktownSteve: I know that, but which level. i have heard high A or AA. The Dodgers have always hid their real talent in AA and they know the PCL is a joke for evaluation. They might put him n high A to keep him close to LA so they can keep tabs on him. imagine that bat being 3B/OF eligible next year….you have to excuse me while I go throw haymakers on the rainmaker
@Jack Full of Hate:
Pretty sure AA. Which does not preclude a jump past a level to MLB if he destroys AA and they have a need with the big club. If there’s no need with big club and he plays well he’s in AAA at the all star break and gets a September call up.
@OaktownSteve: Kemp and kershaw both skipped AAA. If Ethier gets dealt or Crawford re-injures, then yes that can happen. If everyone does their job at the big league level then we don’t see him till next year when Ethier ends up in another time zone
So he’s Hodor from Game of Thrones… Nice!
I’m struggling with what my best play is in my 16-team league (6×5 H2H each cat, with OPS and count Saves+Holds as one cat). We keep 5 players. I have A-Gonz, Kinsler, Goldschmidt, Felix Hernandez and Aroldis Chapman as my guys.
I traded my first five picks in this year’s draft to try and get last year’s jellybean prize pool, so I’ve been climbing uphill since the league opened a month ago. I’ve made a lot of trades to get here and shed CC, Grandy and Bourn for some picks and Goldy, but I don’t have anyone else to sacrifice other than my keepers.
What do you think is better from here?
Trade Kinsler for Choo + picks?
Trade A-Gonz for picks and keep Aramis Ramirez?
Trade Felix for Tier 2/3 pitcher + picks?
Do nothing even though that means I won’t have any first-, third- or fourth-rounders?
I won’t get value for Goldy, and Chapman was a risk I took on but his value is shot since we count holds, too.
Felix trade depending on what Tier 2/3 pitcher we’re talking about…
@Grey: You recommend keeping A-Gonz even though I have Goldy? Or do you just hate Ramirez that much?
I don’t like trading for picks…
@Grey: What if I could bring over Austin Jackson in an A-Gonz deal?
Also, when you and Sam Elliott see each other in line at the pharmacy, do you fight or hug?
Fight… I’d take Jackson there…
Hi Grey,
This is my first post just want to say thanks for all the great writing and advice on the site!
Just drafted in my 10 team mixed H2H 7×7 league last night…was wondering if you had any advice, thanks!
C Jesus Montero
1B Paul Goldschmidt
2B Robinson Cano
3B Evan Longoria
SS Alcides Escobar
LF Matt Holiday
CF Austin Jackson
RF Alex Rios
UTIL Anthony Rizzo
UTIL David Ortis
BE Manny Machado
BE Kendrys Morales
BE Alfonso Soriano
BE Wil Myers
P Dave Robertson
P David Hernandez
SP David Price
SP Zack Greinke
SP Max Scherzer
SP Hiroki Kuroda
SP Marco Estrada
RP Mariano Rivera
RP Rafael Soriano
RP John Axford
BE Andrew Cashner
@Alex:
That’s David “Otti-z,’ oops.
@Alex:
Not very good with the keyboard today.
Thanks for the kind words! Your team looks a bit weak on average and light on speed… The pitching looks very solid… Overall, the team is solid…
@Grey:
Cool, I will keep that in mind thanks!
How does my rotation look to you Grey? Think its solid to start the year?
SP1 Strasburg
SP2 Sale
SP3 Burnett
SP4 Cobb
SP5 Milone
SP6 Hughes
SP7 Beckett
SP8 Cashner
SP9 Doubront
Wei Yin Chen and Bud Norris on waivers… make any moves? Thanks.
It looks pretty high on risk, but have no idea how many teams… Chen and Norris aren’t helping things right now on your team…
@Grey: 10 team dynasty league so rosters are a little expanded with bench spots. Id say the avg number of SP teams have is about 9-10 SP. I think I definitely need to add another solid SP for depth. I have Morse to trade…
Yeah, you need some pitching… There will be guys on waivers though to add…
@Grey: Yeah thats what I figure every year going into the season. My offense is completely stacked and I figure if I go into the season light in any one area I prefer it to be SP. Guys seem to pop up every yr… def going to work the wire. Thanks man.
Yup, agreed… No problem…
When will Texas trade Andrus to the Dodgers for Ethier, a starter (Capuano? Harang?), and $50 mill or so? Profar and Puig get their openings. Hanley (once healthy) moves over to third.
Spring? Next winter? Never?
Winter… Or July 30th…
Santos pitched an inning with a walk and struck out the side. Janssen pitched a clean inning with 2 ks. Looks like Janssen is tracking to be ready for the season. He’s actually pretty good. Could see Santos ending up a really good holds guy. Hope not. Would love to see him get the closer job but Janssen is going to have to fail for Santos to get it.
@OaktownSteve:
Oh yeah…Coke is the most recent guy to get roughed up in the Tigers pen. Vote for Ocatvio!
And Veras is all over the place in Houston. Ambriz or Wright are the CIWs there. For save speculators (like yours truly) could be a long ugly carrosel of Astro closers this year.
I hope Veras holds the job, for my RCL team’s sake…
Or get hurt, but yeah… You’re right…
I get the “skip the high end catchers” theory and subscribe to it myself. However, I’ve noticed a few mocks where higher end guys (namely Santana & Wieters) continue to linger well past their ranking and even past your rank in the top 400. If you were to find yourself ion the clock with pick #84 and Santana was still on the board – a player you have ranked at #59 – would you consider taking him?
Not until after pick 100 would I consider him…
Alright Grey or anyone else who may register in,
I draft 10th in a 16 team mixed 4 x 4 (no runs or K’s). I have a pretty good idea that Cargo and Fielder are going to be available (if not I know what to do). My plan had been Cargo and hope for Hanley or whoever dropped too far at 23. Now I don’t love my options. Which of these 4 scenerios do you think makes for the best start.
Fielder/ A Jones
Cargo/ A Gonzalez
Cargo/ A Jones
Cargo/ Kinsler
Do I dare go outfield with my 1st 2 picks?
Thanks in Advance
Fielder/Jones
Hey Grey, you’re sorta creative! Can you help with a team name involving Cano? And please don’t say Cano Soup For You!
Next! I mean thanks!
Ha… What part of Cano don’t you understand?
@B.o.B: Cano Whoop Azz
What’s your current level of concern for Greinke now that he’s preparing for making his first start? I had 10th pick last night in a keep 6 and with 6 bats kept he was the best option although I gritted my teeth pushing that draft button. Thanks in advance.
I’ve drafted him numerous leagues… I’m at a 3 for concern…
Darn, Adam Eaton out 6-8 weeks with elbow strain.
Haven’t drafted him anywhere, but I sure as hell was going to.
That is a shame, would’ve liked to see what he can do… Then to see how cheaply the Diamondbacks would trade him away…
@Eddy: This site had him ranked out in no-man’s land. America’s funniest fantasy videos part 2 I guess.
@Fungazi: Now that I think about it, that was a solid on-base in front of Goldy. Dam!
Ryu is currently in your Samardzija tier (#30)
But in the Rankings list hes at #65
I moved him last week…
@Grey:
ok. thanks. So he belongs in the Estrada Tier?
Yes, sir…
Sup Grey, doing one of my more important drafts this weekend and just found out I get to pick out of the oh-so-shitty 12th spot. Having a tough time deciding on my first 2 picks. Assuming everyone makes the generally expected picks in the 1st, I’m leaning toward Beltre and Harper at picks 12&13. Beltre is safe and should be a lock for around .300/30/100, and I think Harper goes 25/25 with a .270 avg and a ton of runs in his sophomore campaign. Have any thoughts? Is there another position player you like around there, should I grab an ace?
League settings – H2H, 12 teams, standard scoring plus hits, OPS, k/bb, k/9, QS
Thanks for any imput!
@Mike: I’d go Longo and Jones… Beltre and Harper isn’t terrible… I’d even consider Beltre, Reyes then grab Goldschmidt for the next pick… 12th pick isn’t bad, lots of fun options…
Why isn’t Khris Davis an option for the Brewer’s 1B issues? I keep hearing he is limited defensively to LF because of his arm, which wouldn’t seem to implicate 1B… Thanks Grey!!
@Kaj: Maybe he doesn’t know the 1st base position, are you saying there’s nothing to it because Adam Dunn can play first? Honestly, I’m not sure, good question…
Hi Grey, thoughts on this team? Thanks.
Yahoo 12 team roto:
C – Perez
1B – Ortiz
2B – Phillips
3B – Longoria
SS – Castro
OF – McCutchen
OF – Jones
OF – Choo
UTL – Jackson
UTL – Aoki
SP – Scherzer
SP – Zimmermann
SP – Neise
SP – Bailey
SP – Miley
SP – Estrada
RP – Wilhelmsen
RP – Perkins
RP – Cishek
1B is a bit of mess, but your team looks solid otherwise… Nice pitching staff…
I have my first ever auction draft tomorrow with AM. here are my cats:
its a 6×6 stats
R, HR, RBI, SB, K, OPS
era, whip, QS, SV, K, K/BB
any thoughts, simple strategies, musings you can contribute to help
@Jack Full of Hate: Don’t spend more than low $30s on any player. Don’t spend more than mid-$20s on any pitcher. (And, even then, you only need one that expensive.) That’s just how I do.
@Carnac: thanks, good advice, but what else should I expect from Carnac. If it helps i have Machado, Rizzo, and Frazier as $4 keepers.
@Jack Full of Hate: Those are excellent $4 keepers. Especially Rizzo, “I’m walking here!” However, just because you have Frazier and Rizzo in your corners, don’t be afraid to spend money on another ~$30 corner man.
Also, I didn’t realize it was a keeper… in which case, inflation may be inevitable. That low-$30s amount I said could easily go up several bucks. In my experience wandering camel auctions in the desert, it’s still not worth spending more than $25 on a pitcher. But, inflation, guys you were hoping to get for $15 may go for $3-5 bucks more.
@Carnac: There is inflation and you can’t keep your three highest amount drafted players. next year my keepers go up to $11 per. I don’t plan on going high on the arms and instead focus on offense and a solid small staff…hey now!
streaming QS is easy as gravy on a sunday
@Jack Full of Hate: Keepers up to 11!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVKWCpNFhY
@Carnac: thats great i always pronounce 1′s when I’m alone with an english accent because of this movie
@Jack Full of Hate: *11′s
@Jack Full of Hate: Nice.
There’s this: http://razzball.com/fantasy-baseball-auction-draft-fake-cash-values-rule-everything-around-me/
Also, for your league I’d focus on OBP (Rudy has OBP auction values at the top of the page in a drop down)…. If also grab a couple cheap MRs that give solid K/9…
@Grey: dude, are you getting into the devil’s dandruff again. it’s K/BB and OPS
Sorry, was on my iPhone… I blame Apple. MRs can help with K/BB for cheap, not nearly as easy though
@Grey: no tablet? you should get a company phone, like a samsung galaxy note for razzball. would be way better than the little tiny i phone
I’m on my mini now… Was in the car…
@Grey: this conversation is turning into a facebook updates
Carnac has emerged from his camel auction (12 team h2h). Shred your hermitically sealed envelopes and make it rain on my turban:
C – Avila
1B – Ike Davis
2B – Hill
SS – Rutledge
MI – Altuve
3B – Longoria
CI – Morales
OF – Kemp
OF – (BJ) Upton
OF – Gordon
OF – Gardner
Ut – Wallace
SP: Wainwright, Zimmermann, Peavy, Morrow, Cahill, Gee, Harrison, Norris, Iwakuma
RP: Nathan, Janssen, Rondon (I can grab Al-Al or whomever)
Would’ve like more power, but there wasn’t much available. (Camel Keeper League.)
@Carnac: Is there a bench?
gardner has more ?’s than the riddler and Wallace, well lets just say he’s a franks and beans guy. Outside of classic SAGNOF, both ways, then you look good.
@Jack Full of Hate: Ha! Yes, and I love The Riddler’s onesie. Wallace’ll be the first guy I drop for a hot bat. (That’s what she said.) I used my bench spots on extra SP because, why not? Nothing’s set in stone except the wisdom passed down by Carnac’s elders unto his herd of omnipotent goats.
@Carnac: your herd sounds delicous. i need a kabob. Zanku’s!
I had Zanku on Tuesday… Zanku!
@Grey: you like a the sauce?
The garlic sauce? I take an extra ten of them home and out them on everything for a week… I put it on pizza today… Do you know about this: http://www.lamag.com/features/2008/04/01/the-zankou-chicken-murders
@Grey: wow, what a story i got a couple paragraphs in and will have to finish later. i love that place. it is the closest to the Lebanese place i would eat at every day when i lived in london. Exact same sauce. been going to the one in Pasadena for years. Damn, razzball makes me hungry!
Next time you’re at that one ask them about the one in Hollywood, they’ll look at you like they want you dead…
@Grey: sounds good, i get that look a lot
@Jack Full of Hate: That’s going to be my new regular feature for Razzball: Carnac’s Kebabs, where all kinds of meat gets skewered.
@Carnac: Nice!
I like the team, lots of balanced power/speed guys… Pitching looks solid, as well… How much did you pay for Kemp?
@Grey: He was a keeper for $35. Not a lot of blue chip free agents available from year to year (also inevitable market inflation), so… just gotta put the turban down and push forward. Btw, the feeling of being comfortable with your offense while simultaneously thinking you might have SP overkill is a good buzz. But maybe it’s just these envelopes I’ve been licking…
Either way, you’ve earned that buzz… If only there was an envelope marked, “A fantasy championship for Carnac.”
@Grey: *rips open envelope, blows into it* “”What doesn’t happen again until 2016?”
What???
Let’s re-seal it and open again in October…
How did I do in my 15 teamer? Just finished the draft
(R,H,RBI,SB,K,OBP,SLG, and W,L,K,ERA,WHIP,SV,K/9 and QS )
Keep 9 this year
C – Ellis
1B – Pujols (K)
2B – Kinsler (K)
3B – Middlebrooks
SS – Rollins
LF – Marte
CF – Kemp (K)
RF – Bruce (K)
U – Rizzo (K)
BN – B Hamilton
SP – Dickey (K), Medlen (K), Niese, Bailey, Hughes, Milone, Luekbe (DL)
RP – Perkins, Cishek, Santos, Robertson
Not happy with my 3B just missed on Frazier and Gyorko.
Should I give Santos the boot? Veras is available also Fiers, Cashner, and Griffin.
Bit of a reactionary pick with Hamilton as my upside guy, after Taveres, Myers, Gyorko, Cole run. Is Hultzen, Cingrani or Yelich better?
I was gonna say Hamilton seems unnecessary… Hultzen’s not a bad stash… I’d go with Cashner over Santos… Team looks great though, your keepers don’t hurt that’s for sure… I don’t mind Middlebrooks… It’s not ideal, not terrible though…
Yahoo roto league
Hey Grey,
Looking through your updated 400 and I see that Romo and Janssen are back up. Didn’t you lower them a couple of weeks ago? Or is my brain totally fried in trying to get ready for my draft this Sunday?
The 400 was updated today, so that is the most current… Barring Eaton’s injury…
@Grey: thank you, thank you
Would you trade Wright and Kipnis for Kinsler and Lawrie? 15 team roto league, standard except OPS instead of AVG.
Thanks!
I’d want the Kinsler side, but it’s totally fair and a ballsy trade…
@Grey: Yeah I kind of feel the same way. Asked him to throw in Frieri for Leonys Martin. Hope he says yes. You agree that sweetens it?
It would, yeah…
2nd base option ellis, johnson, beckham or infante?
i have bone face and need to wait till he gets 2B eligible. also looks like there might be a platoon going on in Toronto for the time being
Is there another deep 2B sleeper emerging that I don’t know about.
@Jack Full of Hate: weeks and solano are also there. i wish i knew some of the batting orders, that would make this easy
I’d go Carpenter if he’s there…
@Grey: I noticed that weeks has a 4:1 walk to strikeout ratio….Interesting *scratches chin*
Yeah, but doesn’t have an everyday job…
@Grey: yet! it sucks that I have to wait ten games in espn for him to play
I’d go Beckham, none are great until games start and someone emerges with a hot bat…
@Grey: I’m pissing into the wind at this point and hoping not to get wet
Come on grey…. Lets go get some colts and burn our sacks.. *sigh*
@prezii: Is that code for shooting guns and burning pubes or slamming 40′s and blazing spliffs….both sound fun
@Jack Full of Hate: haaa! That made me el oh el! It could go both ways..
Just like you!! Ohhhh
@prezii: You are right, i like big boobs and big butts
@Jack Full of Hate: haha nice save, man! You ready to get smashed in the RCL or wat??
And by RCL, i mean Rear Collateral Ligament.
@prezii: I thought it was the day spa we were going to for a man-i-peti called the Rectal Cleanout Lounge.
@Jack Full of Hate: haha after the shit i just ate today, id be ALL for that man.. no donuts tho. Hey, btw, i stopped at a “donut bar” on the way to the casino today. Seriously, one half bar, the other half donuts.. like full on glass, pick ur donut type shit.. it was awesome. I just got captain morgan, no donut.
Not the greatest mixture, but awesome none-the-less…
@prezii: so you had Indian food too, i call that my poor man’s enema
@Jack Full of Hate: where the did you get indian food?? I dont eat curry!
@prezii: I thought all you bay area peeps are sophisticated like
Nah son… We eat burgers and fries.. occasionally some chinese…
@prezii: yeah, Ive been with an asian chick before
Yeah, im sure she showed you the ropes, nothin like bay asians.. you gotta go to San Fran for the whole “ethnic grouping” shit tho..
Hahahaha…
I’m there, bra…
@Grey: its probably helping all of us in the long run tho.. he doesnt throw his arm to home plate, dusty doesnt swallow his toothpick and croke, and you and i…. Well we dont have to wear patoto sacks all year long…
Yeah, I’m fine with it… This sack is scratchy…
@Grey: i feel ya… And everybody looks at me funny…
They don’t know how bad we itch…
@Grey: they just dont understand us..
Trying to go by the Razzball standard this year, this is a 14 team 6×6 league (doubles and innings as the extra categories). I kept Pujols, Beltre and Adam Jones. Here’s how I ended up and I’m pretty happy with my team, what say you Grey?
C: Lucroy
1B: Pujols
2B: Seager
SS: Rollins
3B: Beltre
OF1: Jones
OF2: Alex Gordon
OF3: Aoki
UTIL: Swisher
Bench: Ichiro, Rutledge
SP: Cain, Moore, Morrow, Niese, Milone
RP: Cishek, Grilli
Bench: Doubront, Gee, Marmol, Alburquerque
Just missed getting Bumgarner as my #2 SP (settled on Moore) and Crawford as my #3 OF (took Aoki instead).
@Your Mom: PS I drank four vodka/Frescas and made ten jokes about masturbating into coffee cans while drafting this team.
You did good, Your Mom…
Team looks decent, you look very weak on speed… Pitching looks totally fine…
@Grey: Thanks Grey. SB’s are even less of a premium in this league, with 2B being an additional hitting category.
Also, this is a weekly head-to-head league, so I figure I can still sneak-win the steals category some weeks anyway if I have Ichiro, Rollins, Aoki in there and also maybe grab cheap speed off of the wire.
Just finished my draft. 10 team H2H snake draft. How did I do?
C Avila, Alex(C) DET
1B Votto, Joey(1B) CIN
2B Zobrist, Ben(2B,OF,SS) TB
3B Sandoval, Pablo(3B) SF
SS Andrus, Elvis(SS) TEX
OF Bruce, Jay(OF) CIN
OF Choo, Shin-Soo(OF) CIN
OF Upton, Justin(OF) ATL
U Davis, Ike(1B) NYM
U Jackson, Austin(OF) DET
Bench (2B) Kendrick, Howard(2B) LAA
Bench (OF) Suzuki, Ichiro(OF) NYY
SP Bumgarner, Madison(SP) SF
SP Estrada, Marco(SP) MIL
SP Moore, Matt(SP) TB
SP Niese, Jonathon(SP) NYM
SP Zimmermann, Jordan(SP) WAS
RP Holland, Greg(RP) KC
RP Rivera, Mariano(RP) NYY
Bench (SP) Beckett, Josh(SP) LAD
Bench (SP) Hughes, Phil(SP) NYY
Bench (SP) Ryu, Hyun-Jin(SP) LAD
Bench (SP) Vogelsong, Ryan(SP) SF
You look a little heavy in speed and pitching… You don’t need Ichiro… Team doesn’t look bad though, I’m being hypercritical…
Picking 9th in a 12-team 6×6 (OBP) H2H league Sunday night. Using your hitting pairs, what do you think of these possible scenarios for picks 9/16? Thanks!
a) Pujols/Longo
b) Votto/Bautista
c) Fielder/Harper
d) Bautista (assuming all 3 top 1B’s are gone)/Longo
They all look solid, I like B a lot…
You like Parra now better for a Util spot than Colvin?
Colvin at home, otherwise parra. Wouldn’t switch unless ari commits more to parra as the starter with eaton out
Yeah, barely…
Good morning hungover Grey, in a 20 team league that goes 28 rounds, would you take a flyer on Carlos Lee late?
@2 Giant rings: this is the last round. If I don’t take Carlos Lee I will likely take Ervin Santana or a reliever. Thanks! P.S. going 400 deep this year with your rankings really helped me a ton. I hope you continue doing that in the future. Thanks.
Depends what reliever… Sure, take Lee…
Bleh
Is there a way to get the top 300 as an excel document on the computer ? I have a draft later on tonight
Just highlight, cut, and paste
10 team 5×5 on Yahoo.
C – Matt Wieters
1B – Prince Fielder
2B – Danny Espinosa
3B – Evan Longoria
SS – Starlin Castro
OF – Adam Jones
OF – Shin-Soo Choo
OF – Alex Gordon
Util – Paul Goldschmidt
Util – Hunter Pence
Bench – Nelson Cruz
Bench – Jose Altuve
Bench – Jesus Montero
SP – Madison Bumgarner
SP – Jordan Zimmerman
P – Jon Niese
P – Hyun-Jin Ryu
P – Phil Hughes
P – Tommy Milone
RP – Mariano Rivera
RP – Glen Perkins
Bench – Felix Doubront
Bench – Trevor Bauer
Bench – David Robertson
Thanks in advance Grey. I appreciate all the help on here.
I like your team a lot, but you probably know that from reading the site… Obviously it’s a shallow leagues so you’re gonna have to work the waiver wire, but the team looks great to start… Small thing, Doubront probably isn’t rosterable in this shallow of a league, but you can keep him for now…
@Grey: Seriously, your war room download to my draft was like steroids to Barry Bonds. Best drug I’ve ever used. Just did some post-draft analysis and it says I should win, with much thanks to you.
Awesome!
Grey. Just wondering what your thoughts are on my 12 team head to head yahoo league team.
C -v mart
1 – Ryan Howard
2 – utley
Ss – cozart
3 – Lawrie
OF – trout
OF – cespedes
OF – Stanton
UTL – Frazier
Bench – gyorko
SP – price
SP – bumgarner
SP – wainwright
SP – sale
SP – halladay
SP – teheran
Cl – Soriano
Bench – beachy
Aybar is on waivers. With aybar batting second in the Angels line up should I drop cozart for him?
Also, I was offered granderson and billingsley for beachy and halladay. Should I pull the trigger?
I just recently stumbled across your site. Keep up the good work, you’re one funny mustachioed bastard.
I think your pitching is a lot stronger than your hitting, which isn’t a great thing… Utley, Howard and Cozart aren’t good in this shallow of a league… Yeah, go with Aybar… I’d take Halladay, but I don’t like either players… Thanks for the kind words!
What’s the issue with Howard? Should I target a guy like trumbo for one of my pitchers? Halladay maybe? I didn’t want utley but I waited til the second last round to get a 2B. Thought that was good value for him. Well if the old prick stays healthy.
Yeah, try and get Trumbo with Halladay…
Do you think I should target a power hitter or a more reliable second basemen? I thought I had a pretty strong team, you have me second guessing myself. Will Rutledge save all? What does a horseshoe do? Are there horse socks? Is anyone listening to me?
HA! Great questions… No, your team is fine for now, it’s not that bad, need to see how things shake out…
I ended up trading beachy and halladay for granderson and Brandon morrow. Here’s hoping. I have strong pitching so i fogured why not. I appreciate that you take time to answer all the questions from us greasy pricks. You’re alright
Okay, Grandy’s hurt though…
So is beachy ? Granderson is back before beachy too.
Mr. Albright,
Do you recall last season when I used to bring up some of the incredibly lopsided trades that the commish of my league would offer? I surprisingly just got this one, in a 12 team dynasty league…
I give: Willin Rosario
I get: Salvador Perez, Trevor Bauer, and Dylan Bundy
I took it and ran, but is there something I’m missing here?
Pool Holes! What’s up, man? Looks like a great trade for you, maybe he offered the trade in his sleep by accident? Not sure…
@Grey: Well, he allowed it so it looks like he got his guy! This means I basically traded Pujols or Kinsler, Perez, Olt, Bauer, and Bundy, because I was willin’ to flip Willin.
@Poo Holes: Sorry, that should be for Kinsler*
Weird…
But good for you!
@Poo Holes: somebody forgot to take their meds
Hey I got the 3rd pick in my RCL draft, now let’s see if I can avoid blowing it. I keep ending up in 6th place in these things, could be worse I guess.
Good luck – that was my pick too. the 2nd/3rd picks can be tough…
Good luck, Elijah!
@Grey:
Got Miggy at #3, great start!
@Elijah:
#22 I gladly scoop up Adam Jones
@Elijah:
Wanted a 1b here, but Kinsler at #27 hard to resist
Well played!
Nice!
@Grey:
Chose Soo-Choo and Bumgardner 4th and 5th rds
@Elijah:
Bit of a run on SP’s, which was ok with me. Grabbed Ike Davis to make sure I had a decent 1b, and Andrus for some Steals, 6th and 7th
@Elijah:
r8 I decide to grab Peavy (thanks apples), and Trumbo adds more power and can play 2 positions r9.
@Elijah:
Beltran adds to the OF r10, then Joe Nathan r11 because sometimes there is a run on closers in these razzball leagues.
I think this is easily the best RCL team I’ve drafted. Now if my top picks just don’t go to the DL again…
C Jesus Montero (195)
1b Ike Davis (70)
2b Ian Kinsler (27)
3b Swiggy Cabrera (3)
Ss Elvis Andrus (75)
Mi Zack Cozart (238)
Ci Mark Trumbo (99)
O1 Adam Jones (22)
O2 Shin Soo-Choo (46)
O3 Carlos Beltran (118)
O4 Ichiro Suzuki (190)
O5 Emilo Bonafacio (214)
Util Mini-Donkey (243)
Bench: Jurickson Profar (267)
S1 Madison Bumgardner (51)
S2 Jake Peavy (94)
S3 Jarrod Parker (166)
S4 Homer Bailey (171)
S5 Phil Hughes (219)
S6 Johan Santana (291)
Bullpen:
Joe Nathan (123)
Sergio Romo (142)
Greg Holland (147)
Bobby Parnell (262)
Jonathan Broxton (286)
Your a bit heavy on speed and light on power which isn’t great… But the team does look solid…
@Grey:
War room projections:
1096/1050 Runs 105%
290/261 HR 111%
1077/1008 RBI 107%
188/189 SB 99%
.275/.267 Avg 103%
Well, there ya go…
Nice!
I’m in a Yahoo 15-team 5×5 league (keep any 6, and boy, am I glad I didn’t keep Headley!). My team:
C – S. Perez
1B – A. Gonzalez (K)
2B – B. Zobrist (K)
3B – Longoria (K)
SS – Rutledge
OF – J. Upton (K)
OF – A. Craig (K)
OF – A. Jackson
U – B. Gardener
Bench – M. Machado
Bench – K. Morales
Bench – M. Carpenter
SP – J. Weaver (K)
SP – J. Samardzija
SP – J. Niese
SP – M. Minor
SP – A. Griffin
SP – C. Tillman
SP – A. Cashman
RP – S. Cishek
RP – B. Parnell
I was already advised by Grey to look into trading Zobrist and a bench bat for another good pitcher. I’m looking into that, but was wondering if maybe offering Jackson would be better, so that way I can move Gardner into the OF spot AJax would vacate and pick up anyone that will help me with steals, regardless of position, while Carpenter moves into my 2B position once he’s eligible. If I trade Zobrist, I lose more steals, which I’m already below average in, and moving Carpenter into that position won’t get me many back.
To throw another wrench in, I’ve been offered M. Trout & T. Hanson in exchange for Upton & Weaver. Should I try to get a better pitcher out of him, but take the trade? His other pitchers are C. Wilson, J. Parker, W. Miley, R. Halladay, T. Hudson, & C. Buchholz. Not sure if going after Wilson or Parker makes the trade worth taking or not. Definitely tempting being offered Trout and getting rid of Weaver, but I don’t have great pitching beyond that. If I take the trade, I may be great offensively, but there are no guarantees people will trade me pitchers….any help would be appreciated!
I didn’t say Jackson originally, because I really like him and don’t think he commands as much in trade value as Zobrist… If you can get as much for Jackson, then go for it… I love Trout, but you can’t make that trade… He doesn’t have a pitcher that makes it worthwhile…. Offer him Weaver and Jackson… He obviously needs pitching…
any news on the Panda’s elbow/ nerve thing?
Haven’t heard anything since last update…
@Grey: Just saw the Motte news, if I’m deep save fishing then who else could be a candidate?
Rosenthal, Mujica… It’s Boggs, though…
@Grey: Thanks for the Gravatar help, jay wrong renamed me last night, i like it
http://www.hark.com/clips/jpzfkhqlyq-hey-now
Ha… Very nice on the avatar…
@Grey: thank you, it reflects my love of food and hank kingsley
@Jack Full of Hey Now: Check out my avatar in the forums…
@Grey: is the moderator napping?
New closer alert: Mitchell Boggs.
Motte’s elbow is toast, which isn’t good for someone with such a violent delivery.
Yeah, bad news… Grab Boggs…
Motte is a converted catcher. I know Santos was a converted infielder. Not sure there’s any correlation but watch out Doolittle
Breaking trade offer occurence! This is back to my keeper league, id been hunting a 3B and have reeled one in, though theres a caveat (if this is the correct use of caveat, sounds like caviar) to it.
Trade:
C Santana ($8) and M Moustakas ($6) FOR: D Wright ($38)
Now I’m trading away my catcher excess (due to autodraft) as I have Yadi too so that part seems great, and im upgrading from Moose to Wright (no brainer). BUT the problem is this, Wrights salary. He crazily gave Wright a 3 year $38 contract, and theres still 2 years left on it. If I cut Wright at the end of the year and noone claims him then i pay a penalty of half ($19) for the broken contract. So it seems like this is an “all in this year” type of deal, ideal for me this year, but not next. I could maybe try and be really clever and cut Wright with a few days of the season to go, to hope someone claims him and takes on the contract.
Question is is (stutterer!) it worth the risk?
Don’t love it…
@Grey: Purely due to next years cost right? Cos surely for this year its the wright idea this kinda trade.
I don’t get the feeling i’m gonna find any other trade partners that fit the deal this well (need a C, willing to trade a big 3B) though so tempted to gamble for this year.
It’s not good, friend… Wouldn’t do it…
Parra over Hicks for a utility spot?
Bleh
Recently I asked if I had messed up my brother in law’s draft, and you said that his team wasn’t bad, but likely needed SP. So I gave him a list of guys on the wire to check out, and told him that once some of his players are placed on the DL (Beachy, Grandy), he should grab some pitching. So he dropped Gee (who I drafted for him) to pick up Vargas…nice of him to give me the chance to wash my hands of this so quickly!
Yeah, out of your control now…
@Grey: Guess it’s time to push him out of the nest…fly, little fantasy baseballer, fly! [Splat!] Err…[walks away whistling]…
Ha… Yeah, as long as you’re not the one swatting, you can’t do anything…
@Grey: Well, now that that’s over, I guess I’ll be dropping Hammell for Gee…
Something’s fishy!
@royce!: HA! love the walks away whistling
Had my strawberry donut on Friday…..so good. i will let you know when the peach ones are in for your wife. Oh and grey is down for a donut shop parking lot pow wow
@Jack Full of Hey Now: Awesome! I’m waiting on some LA friends to figure out when they’ll be free to hang…apparently 7 year olds have busier schedules than lawyers…
@royce!: The only attorneys I know have represented me
@Grey
Here’s my yahoo pro100 league. 12tm 5×5. drafted this morning. any areas of concern? thanks
C Wieters
1B Votto
2B Boneface
3B Longo
SS Aybar
OF A Jones
OF Holliday
OF Pence
Util Ike
Util Gardner
BN Frazier
SP Greinke
SP Zimmermann
SP Matt Moore
SP Niese
SP Milone
SP Ogando
RP Romo
RP Parnell
RP D Robertson
RP D Hernandez
DL Luebke
DL Beachy
Bit light on power, but not awful… Your pitching looks a little too good, so you might be able to trade some of that, but not yet…
@Grey: thanks, btw posts with tables look good on iphone5 now…appreciate that
No problem….
I drafted Beckett late in a shallow league and Teheran is sitting on waivers. He’s struck out 9…scratch that…10 Astros today and has been (as you know) destroying people this spring. Should I be seduced by the bright lights and big city and drop Beckett and pick up Teheran or stand pat? Thanks.
Hold
@Papaya Johnny: Find someone else to drop for Teheran, he’s gotta be owned the way hes looking right now. And if it has to be Beckett, then id do it. He’s not been good for years, despite his move to Dodgertown.
@TheNewGuy: not sure I completely agree with Beckett not being good for years. In 2011 he was great, 175 k, 2.89 era and 1.03 whip. His career at dodger stadium is a very small sample size (5 starts), but his era there is under 2.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VQucE4sLzkc/THtS_tzY-7I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/uYqEXuLhHSA/s1600/P5230005.jpg
I wonder if this is the Gee family business?
I forgot about this place…
Never heard of it, I thought it was gonna be a picture of ghee from India’s Sweets and Spices… FYI, you don’t need to put the gravatar link in when you comment… Shouldn’t have to at least…
@Grey: I took it out
Grey, going to do my second auction league ever in a couple of days. Still pretty new to the format, so I was wondering how you go about valuing injured guys that can provide some value.
How do I figure out what the following guys are worth?
Hanley, Grandy, Teix, Headley
@Eddy: Oh, and 12-team H2h OBP instead of AVG.
@Eddy: Gah. Roto, not H2H.
I wouldn’t draft them unless they’re less than $5 and you have money to burn… They are properly labeled for auction values in here:
http://razzball.com/playerrater-preseason-espnmlb12/
Is this any better? Wouls still have to keep Pedroia for another year but his price isnt as ghastly as Wright’s.
C Santana ($8) and Altuve ($8) for Pedroia ($28)
Doesn’t look great…
Was up until 3:30 this AM… not prepping for my draft, which is tonight, but taking in a marathon of the original The Real World on MTV. Not sure I ever realized that Julie was the only person who wasn’t already living in NYC. The real social experiment was about how an innocent 19 year old from Alabama would deal with life in the Big Apple.
Anyway, had me jonesing for some Kurt Loder MTV News Breaks and Jimmy the Cab Driver ads. That would have been spectacular… not as spectacular as me having Trout, Harper, and Cespedes as $4 keepers in tonight’s draft, but still pretty amazing.
@Awesomus Maximus: can we hear about it one more time
I was draft prepping by watching a Storage Wars marathon the other day
@Jack Full of Hey Now: Yep, one more time… in about 51 minutes when our draft begins!
@Awesomus Maximus: I hate you and your long flowing locks and boyish jesus good looks
@Jack Full of Hey Now: Hey now!
@Awesomus Maximus: http://www.hark.com/clips/jpzfkhqlyq-hey-now
Jack Full of Hey Now has his work cut out for him if you have those keepers… Was that the first occurrence of reality TV’s angry black man?
@Grey: I have Rizzo, frazier and the Macho Man at $4 a piece
Hey now! Not bad, not Trout, but solid…
@Grey: AM totally screwed this draft up, I’m publicly putting him on blast
@Jack Full of Hey Now: Jack fell asleep at the keyboard… need to change your name to Jack Full of Excuses.
@Grey: yeah but i was not in the league yet when he acquired those three, never would have happened on my watch.
Yeah, you need to get him drunk and have him trade away his keepers…
@Grey: he’s in NY, am i suppose to Skype him and challenge him to a drinking contest?
Yes, do what needs to be done!
@Grey: So angry… really forgot how unbelievably angry he was for the entire season. And then ‘Los was almost equally as angry on the first Road Rules. Blacks were not represented well by early reality MTV.
You watched the first Road Rules last night too? Are you sure you didn’t time travel…
@Grey: Heh… no, I just remember how angry ‘Los was. Watching a marathon of the first RW Vegas right now. Had to miss the first half for a stupid draft…
Really hoping there’s a San Fran marathon coming soon.
You missed the first half of the draft to re-watch a Real World from ten years ago? I’d like to see a Los Angeles marathon… “I’m gonna pull off her towel for fun!” “That’s rape, good bye!”
@Grey: damn, I forgot about that and would watch a marathon of LA. Did you see Beth in Playboy?
Yeah, I think they have her in the ‘pose behind the chair’ shot…
@Grey: I thought you got to see the nips
They should’ve had the pic be David pulling a towel off of her…
@Grey: Nah man, missed the first half of the marathon to attend the draft. My wish came true and they re-aired SF in its entirety today. LA would have been a good one, too. Jon and his Kool-Aid addiction, the Dommer… I believe Beth’s quote was, “That’s what a rapist says, ‘You wanted it baby.’” And then Tami, of course, yelling, “It wasn’t not funny!”
Why are they re-airing these? Is the new one coming soon? Did it add to anything knowing Judd and the doctor marry afterward? That Puck doesn’t go on to make anything of his annoying-ness?
@Grey: Yeah, re-airing them to promote RW Portland… starting next week, I think.
Pudd is one of my favorite RW losers of all time. The fact that he married the caveman from Scooby-Doo just adds to his mystique, but not to the re-viewing of the season. Puck is in prison now for stalking a woman… shocker.
In prison? Seriously? HA! Oh, man… So fitting…
Hey now!
@Awesomus Maximus: http://www.hark.com/clips/jpzfkhqlyq-hey-now
@Jack Full of Hey Now: I think I could watch that show on an endless loop.
RCL, I have a good offense but wonky pitching staff, looking to make a move
C Avila
1B Goldy
2B Cano
3B Fraiser
SS Aybar
MI Segura
CI Machado
OF Bautista
OF BJ Upton
OF Desmond Jennings
OF Pence
OF Aoki
U Dunn
P JZ
P Scherzer
P Vogelsong
P J. Parker
P Ryu
P Garza
P R. Soriano
P Axford
P Cishek
P Pestano
P Robertson
I’m thinking Upton or Jennings for Moore. Think that would solve my SP weakness?
I wouldn’t make any move just yet… Streaming is an option in the RCL… Hold your offense for now…
@Grey: Cool, Thanks man!
Grey your comments please. Anyone’s advice is appreciated too. I’ll be chasing saves and my bench is all pitching. Maybe I should just hold for a while but wondering your thoughts? Podcast is too short!
H2H 12 teams 6×6
My staff looks weak I was last to grab a pitcher, 2B and C …picked 2nd overall
regret halfway thru I decided to punt saves. I have too many starters dont I?
One U spot and 4 B.
Pitchers: Moore, Samardzija, Harvey, Beckett, Lincecum, Estrada, Cobb, Ryu, Teheran, Cashner
Relief: Jensen, Rondon, Fujikawa
IF: Doumit, Goldy, Rutledge, Miguel, Desmond
OF: JUp, AJones, AJackson
U Frazier
Bn Gyorko
I don’t like Lincecum but your pitching doesn’t look that bad… It’s H2H so I wouldn’t sweat the pitching…
From one gloriously mustachioed man to another, would you order these keepers differently (or drop one altogether)? 12 team league with slightly expanded rosters.
Gordon $4 (3+1)
Goldschmidt $16 (14+2)
Votto $33 (30+3)
Kipnis $9 (5+4)
Medlen $6 (1+5)
Middlebrooks $7 (1+6)
I’d go with what you have…
@CriscoDisco: yo crisco, where can i get a serial killer avatar like yours? Shit is badass!
Finished my first draft today using Grey’s Tiers cheat sheet. I had the 6th spot of 10. Punted C even though it was 2 C’s… and RP unintentionally.
C – M, Montero, McCann
1- Pujols
2-Beckham (filler), Rutledge
3-Zimmerman, Gyorko
SS-Reyes, Hanley
OF-Jones, Marte, J. Upton, Pence, Bonifacio, Maybin, Fowler
P – Greinke, Zimmerman, Latos Intolerant, CU-t-Morrow, Niese, Samardzija, Parker, Leave-me-Milone, Shelby Cobra, League, Jansen
Team looks decent, your pitching looks better than your hitting, but the latter doesn’t look bad… OF gets a little wonky and Beckham might be tough to own in a ten team league…
I’m back.
Just hope like hell I don’t face the decision whether to draft Braun or not. Guilty or not (and I think he is) the level of heat around all this has to affect him I reckon.
It didn’t affect him last year…
@Grey: No, but I guess my point is that this latest business is just piled on top of last year’s. If he can play through it perhaps he really is innocent. Be surprised if he is though.
I don’t think there was anyway he was innocent last year… He’s already onto better undetectable drugs…
Bucking fullshit. Drafted Motte as my #1 closer in the big o 14 team keeper.
@Steve: And I damn near grabbed Boggs wi my very last pick, went Rosenthal instead…
@Steve:
nice of you to give me credit at the 1st sign of your team going the least bit side-ways .
as you are aware , after 10 keepers , i had no closers , so i took wilhelmsen in the 13th
and broxton in the 16th !!
(my only hope , now , is to have the tigers trade for broxton .)
i prolly should have opted for addison reed or huston street , both of whom were selected
in the 14th round after i opted for jonathon lucroy , but i felt that i had to cover my azz after decling your pre-draft trade suggestion of wilin rosario for 24 year old elvis .
i know .
let’s call it vinko’s league …. he’s still has holland and cishek scheduled for 9th inning duty .
tambien ,
if my memory serves me correctly , in YOUR rcl league last year , some manager hoarded up
on closers and finished 75 saves ahead of the 2nd place finisher in that category … all the while triumphantly waving the Razzball colors .
cust .
@Steve: love how your attempt to avoid expletives completely fails.
But hopefully Motte will be back soon.
closers: frieri, boggs, perkins, parnell, league
2nd/SS Epsinosa/Rutledge
Trying to trade a closer and one of those shmucks for starlin castro
Or does your cystal ball think im going to get about the same from castro v rutledge
(same tier)
I could see trading one of those closers and Espinosa or Rutledge for Castro… It’s an upgrade, yeah…
worth the trade and if so which closer is best to package with
Any of those closers are fine to trade…
Grey,
I’m in a 5×5 head to head that drafts tonight and I noticed that it has a IP minimum of 7 IP. What is your opinion of drafting 5-6 CL and no SP? Seems like punting Wins and Ks might be a good strategy there. What say you?
I don’t think it’s a good strategy to punt anything… I’d go a bit lighter on SPs… Maybe 3… One decent one…
Hello Grey good sir!
I completed a three and a half hour auction draft last night and would love to hear your thoughts. It is a standard, head-to-head, 12-team yahoo league:
C: Alex Avila (15 catchers picked before him, what gives! who needs 2 catchers?!)
1b: Prince Fielder
2b: Dustin Pedroia
3b: Will Middlebrooks
ss: Josh Rutledge
if: Ike Davis
lf: Yoenis Cespedes
cf: Desmond Jennings
rf: Giancarlo Stanton
of: Shin-Soo Choo
util: Nelson Cruz
util: Michael Cuddyer
sp: Matt Moore
sp: Jordan Zimmerman
rp: Huston Street
rp: Grant Balfour
p: Jonathan Niese
p: Homer Bailey
p: Marco Estrada
bench (5 bench spots!):
Josh Beckett
Mike Fiers
A.J. Griffin
Chris Tillman
Dillon Gee
The way I see it, the team seems to be low on average and speed, though it has strong starting pitching. Because there are five bench spots, do you recommend picking up some high K set-up men or a solid hitter like Denard Span (available in my league), or stick with what I have?
All thoiughts appreciated. Thanks Grey; as they said in the ’90s: YOU DA BOMMMMB
@Jake:
Also, very hungover for my one-day-early passover meal coming up later. Would you drink more manischewitz to get over it or just stick to brisket to sponge up everything in my belly?
Brisket it up…
@Jake: possibly the best question for grey ive seen…
Ha, thanks! I agree with your assessment… Your pitching is very strong… You’re decent on power, you’re light on speed… I’d stick for right now… Could see picking up a Span type the first week if you can win steals (or tie it)…
Where would you now rank Boggs? Behind Axford?
Top of the Brain Freezes…
Regarding the earlier Zankou discussion, I have been trying for a while to make the garlic sauce at home, bc we don’t have anything truly comparable in SD. How they make it so pasty is still a mystery…tried potato, which seems close, but not quite there. So I’ll probably follow your lead and just grab a ton of it next time I’m in the area and slowly dole it out until I make it back again. So freaking good.
I don’t understand the potato addition… So you throw a junk load of garlic in with a quarter of potato for consistency? It seems to me to be a really dry alioli…
@Grey: you have to add some sort of starch to give it that pasty consistency. Otherwise, it’s just garlic and oil, which ends up too garlicky and not as spreadable. Like I said, though, I learned from experience that it wasn’t potatoes I was missing; it was good, but not perfect.
Hmm… Wondra flour? I’m guessing, obviously…
@Grey: maybe if I roasted garlic cloves and puréed them…
The spread doesn’t seem like it uses roasted garlic… Doesn’t have that sweetness…
@Grey: did some further research, and the consensus seems to be that it’s just garlic, oil, salt and lemon juice. Maybe I have to leave it longer to emulsify. Anyhow, that shizz is delicious.
@royce!: Maybe a little cornflour and water?
@Steve: I think if its not heated up then it will leave a weird taste
Ah… Yeah, that’s what I would think…
@royce!: http://www.mamaslebanesekitchen.com/dips/lebanese-garlic-dip/#recipe
saw this online, remember it’s lebanese style.
another starch idea would be some white beans or chickpeas if it’s too loose. You need a food processor. The recipe reminds you to scrape and then go again, scrape and do it again
@Grey:
being of armenian descent (mother’s side) , i appreciated the Zankou link .
@ royce : not being able to see or taste it , i really have no idea what i’m talking about ,
but have you tried bulgur wheat ?
would tend to think that it would turn the paste brown , however .
fresh top sirloin (ground) , bulgur , mint and maybe some finely minced onion … yum
@costaricanchata:
http://www.thegutsygourmet.net/kheyma.html
You’d appreciate it even more if you ever ate there… It’s excellent…
@Grey: we need to stop all this, I’m itching to get stinky
@Grey: It’s awesome that I get cooking advice from a FBB blog. Seriously. Thanks to all those who chimed in. I, like JFOH, am itching to get stinky.
@royce!: Chickpeas is a really good call. I’ve made my own hummus a couple of times (and it’s awesome) and this sauce sounds like a sloppier version of that…
@Steve: And I know you want to thicken it up, but you know what I mean…
@Steve: http://www.hark.com/clips/jpzfkhqlyq-hey-now
@royce!: this site isn’t just for a game. its a lifestyle….that is heavily dictated by the interests of the mustached messiah, we are lucky because we all like to eat good food, watch crappy TV, listen to dated and obscure music, laugh at dumb video clips, etc….
when is the razzball social networking site opening? Seriously how many of us are openly fantasy sports junkies?
Watcha Think Grey
12 team mixed h2h
Andrew McCutchen
Justin Upton
Carlos Gonzalez
Jay Bruce
Madison Bumgarner
Ike Davis
Ian Desmond
Matt Moore
Nelson Cruz
Jake Peavy
Josh Rutledge
Jonathon Niese
Dan Uggla
Dexter Fowler
Huston Street
Michael Cuddyer
Will Middlebrooks
Jonathan Lucroy
Johan Santana
A.J. Griffin
Matt Harvey
Grant Balfour
Adam Eaton
Leonys Martin
Travis D’arnaud
Team looks fine… Bit high on upside and injury risk…
TEAM 2 (diffrent league)
12 team mixed h2h
lucroy
P. Golds
Ian Kinsler
Frazier
Rutledge
Cargo
Austin Jackson
Stanton
Moustakes
Seager
Bonifacio
Duda
Fowler
Segura
Simmons
Gallardo
Harvey
Peavey
Scherzer
Teheran
Holland
Nathan
Ryu
Parnell
Looks way too high on speed and low on power…
@Grey: Does it make a difference that my starting line up is the following
lucroy
P. Golds
Ian Kinsler
Frazier
Rutledge
Cargo
Austin Jackson
Stanton
Moustakes
Gallardo
Harvey
Peavey
Scherzer
Teheran
Holland
Nathan
the other guys are bench players
Yup…
Grey what do you think about my team this year (10 team, H2H)
C: Perez
1b: Ike Davis
2b: Phillips
3b: Longoria
SS: Castro
OF: Braun
OF: J. Upton
OF: A. Jones
U: R. Zimmerman
BN: Chris Davis
BN: Headley
BN: Ethier
SP: Scherzer
SP: J. Zimmerman
SP: Moore
SP: Ryu
SP: Morrow
RP: Nathan
RP: Romo
BN: Millone
BN: Garza
Team looks excellent… Bit low on speed but nothing to worry about with that at all…
Good Afternoon Grey,
Was hoping for a feedback on the following 5×5 keeper draft I just went through(keep in mind this is year 10 so player pool can be light). This is Yahoo standard with only 3 OF and OBP/QS :
1. (2) Adrian Beltre (Tex – 3B)
2. (19) Jordan Zimmermann (Was – SP)
3. (22) Carlos Beltran (StL – OF)
4. (39) Martin Prado (Ari – 2B,3B,SS,OF)
5. (42) Homer Bailey (Cin – SP)
6. (59) Josh Hamilton (LAA – OF) – Keeper
7. (62) Mariano Rivera (NYY – RP)
8. (78) Mike Napoli (Bos – C,1B)
9. (79) Max Scherzer (Det – SP) – Keeper
10. (82) Hyun-Jin Ryu (LAD – SP)
11. (99) Glen Perkins (Min – RP)
12. (102) Steve Cishek (Mia – RP)
13. (119) Tommy Milone (Oak – SP)
14. (122) A.J. Griffin (Oak – SP)
15. (139) James Shields (KC – SP) – Keeper
16. (142) Vinnie Pestano (Cle – RP)
17. (159) Ryan Dempster (Bos – SP)
18. (162) Felix Doubront (Bos – SP)
19. (179) Brandon Phillips (Cin – 2B) – Keeper
20. (199) Todd Frazier (Cin – 1B,3B,OF)
21. (202) Austin Jackson (Det – OF) – Keeper
22. (219) Jose Bautista (Tor – OF) – Keeper
23. (222) Ian Desmond (Was – SS) – Keeper
24. (239) Anthony Rizzo (ChC – 1B) – Keeper
Un-Drafted players to fill holes are as follows :
Bats
Norichika Aoki
Alejandro De Aza
Angel Pagan
Ichiro Suzuk
Danny Espinosa
Ben Revere
Coco Crisp
Michael Cuddyer
Arms
Andrew Cashner
Kyuji Fujikawa
James McDonald
Johan Santana
Ricky Romero
Sergio Santos
Al Alburquerque
Paul Maholm
Scott Baker
How many teams?
@Grey:
10 teams
Team looks pretty stacked but it’s also a very shallow league so it’ll come down to waiver wire grabs during the season…
@Grey: Thats what I like to hear as it always does.
Question…I could have grabbed Perez instead of Napoli but liked that Nap has 1B eligibility and will get some Util time. Would you have gone Perez in the 8th/9th instead of Napoli?
Nah, Napoli is fine there…
Grey, what do you think of this 8-team Roto team?
Hitting Categories: R, RBI, SB, OBP, SLG
Pitching Categories: SV, K, ERA, WHIP, QS
Hosmer and Brown are my only offensive bench players. If they suck early I can always drop them, just taking a chance on them both in case they pan out. Really like my offense and I think my pitching is decent too. Thoughts?
1. (3) Ryan Braun
(Mil – OF)
2. (14) Adrian Beltre
(Tex – 3B)
3. (19) Bryce Harper
(Was – OF)
4. (30) Adam Jones
(Bal – OF)
5. (35) Paul Goldschmidt
(Ari – 1B)
6. (46) Allen Craig
(StL – 1B,OF)
7. (51) Madison Bumgarner
(SF – SP)
8. (62) Aaron Hill
(Ari – 2B)
9. (67) Matt Moore
(TB – SP)
10. (78) Alex Rios
(CWS – OF)
11. (83) Ike Davis
(NYM – 1B)
12. (94) Jeff Samardzija
(ChC – SP)
13. (99) Chase Utley
(Phi – 2B)
14. (110) Wilin Rosario
(Col – C)
15. (115) Jake Peavy
(CWS – SP)
16. (126) Anibal Sanchez
(Det – SP)
17. (131) Eric Hosmer
(KC – 1B)
18. (142) Huston Street
(SD – RP)
19. (147) Danny Espinosa
(Was – 2B,SS)
20. (158) Jonathon Niese
(NYM – SP)
21. (163) Steve Cishek
(Mia – RP)
22. (174) Ernesto Frieri
(LAA – RP)
23. (179) Bobby Parnell
(NYM – RP)
24. (190) Alex Cobb
(TB – SP)
25. (195) Domonic Brown
(Phi – OF)
Team looks solid, in a league as shallo0w of yours it’ll come down to what you do with waivers…
@Grey: A couple questions:
1) If Bruce is available in the 4th round of my 12 team H2H league (first 3 rounds are keepers) is he worth grabbing? I already have Stanton and I know he’s frustrating for H2H. The alternative would be Bumgarder-quality SP1 or a 1B like Butler or Goldy.
2) Is it safe to draft Greinke again? Would you draft Bumgarner instead if both were available?
1) Yup… Goldy or Butler are fine too… 2) Yup… I’d go with Bum to be safe…
Med’s ERA this spring… 7.23!
That is all…
@prezii: Hopefully he’s just pulling a Cliff Lee and working on pitches during spring before he starting using locking in his control during the regular season.
@SwaggerJackers: im not too worried. Still like a 17/3 K/BB ratio.. girly man is just bored and wants to play real baseball.
@prezii: I think 2 of his 3 walks came today, actually. Any idea how his velocity has been this spring compared to last year?
@SwaggerJackers: i havent heard of any regression there, but medlen has never really been a flamethrower. I think last year he was only averaging 91-93 on his fastball.
Without Medlen…
@Grey: “another clutch hit from Martinn, while Chipper Jones sips Daiquiri’s”
*2013 version.
Yeah, we need someone to get on an updated remix…
@Grey: i agree. But i went over to check out that guys youtube channel, cuz he had some really good ones… And i found one you might like… Put a pillow on ur lap… Cover cougs eyes… Here we go..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs_lUkC2Oyc
I already have tickets!
@Grey: i can only imagine how many you have! Haha hes got an Adam Dunn the donkey one on there too but it wasnt good enuff to post… His vids are pretty funny tho…
@Grey, wow forgive me Selig i have sinned… I missed the best one..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFf5Ip9HxEw
HAHAHA… Awesome…
@prezii: thats awesome
I bought out the theater so I can watch it with just me and Giancarlo… Yeah, his videos aren’t bad at all…
@Grey: you should have bought out the theater so you and the whole marlins team could watch!! Oh wait… Thats what you did.. (sad trombone)
Hehe… Sad indeed…
http://www.mamaslebanesekitchen.com/dips/lebanese-garlic-dip/#recipe
saw this online, remember it’s lebanese style.
You need a food processor. The recipe reminds you to scrape and then go again, scrape and do it again. Its about the process, not the ingredients
That looks like it… I’d try that, royce!….
@Grey: Shizz, I will…and I plan on using that quote in many contexts…”it’s about the process, not the ingredients”…first thing that comes to mind is unmentionable. Second thing is when you inevitably disapprove of my RCL team. Ha! Third is…when I make my first batch of meth?
HA! In some variation or another… I’ve been using that quote in the bedroom for as long as I can remember…
@Grey: mine is its not the quantity(size) but the quality(quick and satisfy….I hope, never asked)
Yeah, I’ve learned the less I ask the better (for me)…
@Grey: its best to go to sleep after….ignorance is bliss
Agreed!
Hi Grey -
In a 12 team league w/OBP instead of AVG. (non-keeper) would you rather own Manny Machado or Mark Reynolds this year?
Either one would occupy a bench spot on my roster.
Thanks!
http://razzball.com/playerrater-preseason-espnmlb12-5X5OBP
Bourjos still at your 55/11/60/20 line with guaranteed playing time after the Wells trade?
That’s his line…
Good news, Gardenhire officially names Hicks his starting CF!
Nice!
keeper league draft coming up – I’m keeping Stanton, Hamilton, Kinsler, Rizzo, Bumgarner, and Price.
The best available player by the time I have my first pick will probably be Sandoval or Bruce but Sandoval’s elbow thing worries me and I’m not sure that I need Bruce when I’m keeping Stanton and Hamilton.
Next best options would appear to be in the outfield (Choo or BJ Upton) or SS (Rollins or Desmond).
Who would you take?
Bruce
Alright Grey,
Last draft of the day, this is for a 10 team Keeper 6×6 that uses that OBP/SLG and IP, K/9, QS. Also has 2 Util spots but standard otherwise.
1. (4) Miguel Cabrera (Det – 3B)- Keeper
2. (17) Andrew McCutchen (Pit – OF)- Keeper
3. (24) Adrian Gonzalez (LAD – 1B,OF)
4. (37) Zack Greinke (LAD – SP)
5. (44) Brandon Phillips (Cin – 2B)
6. (57) Anthony Rizzo (ChC – 1B)
7. (64) Gio Gonzalez (Was – SP)- Keeper
8. (77) Jake Peavy (CWS – SP)
9. (84) Carlos Beltran (StL – OF)
10. (97) Nelson Cruz (Tex – OF)
11. (104) Mariano Rivera (NYY – RP)
12. (117) Todd Frazier (Cin – 1B,3B,OF)
13. (124) Steve Cishek (Mia – RP)
14. (137) A.J. Burnett (Pit – SP)
15. (144) Josh Rutledge (Col – 2B,SS)
16. (157) Jason Grilli (Pit – RP)
17. (164) Jesus Montero (Sea – C)
18. (177) Grant Balfour (Oak – RP)
19. (184) Tommy Milone (Oak – SP)
20. (197) Mike Fiers (Mil – SP)
21. (204) Desmond Jennings (TB – OF)- Keeper
22. (217) Kris Medlen (Atl – SP,RP)- Keeper
23. (224) Ian Desmond (Was – SS) – Keeper
Do you see any major holes or guys I should swap out? I kept trying to find a place to plug in Gardner but couldn’t do it anywhere.
Players left on the board are as follows:
Bats
Nick Markakis
Carl Crawford
Brian McCann
Michael Cuddyer
Brett Gardner
Erick Aybar
Alcides Escobar
Josh Reddick
Arms
Bobby Parnell
Brandon League
Tim Hudson
Edwin Jackson
Alexi Ogando
Matt Harrison
Clay Buchholz
Shaun Marcum
Andy Pettitte
Team looks solid… I’d go with Crawford over Burnett…
Grey! Great site.
Please rate my team. Yahoo H2h, Standard 5X5, 10 teams
C-Weiters
1b- Pujols
2b- Cano
3b- Freese
SS- A. Cabrera
IF- F. Freeman
OF- Bruce, Holliday, D. Jennings, Bourne
Util- Willingham
Bench- Frazier, Youk
SP- Latos, Peavy, Kuroda, H Bailey, J. Niese, Burnett, M. Estrada, A Pettite
RP- Balfour
Every year I work the waiver wire for saves while my starters sort themselves out.
What do you think??
Thanks! I don’t love steals in H2H, prefer to treat them the same as saves…You’re pretty steals heavy, so don’t love your team… We depend on how well you can stay close in power each week…
@Grey:
It’s funny you say that, I got well over 100% in homeruns on the war room generator, but only 62% of steals. I think the generator is off?
Nah… You just have Bourn who I don’t like in H2H leagues… Not about totals in H2H… http://razzball.com/fantasy-baseball-auction-draft-fake-cash-values-rule-everything-around-me/
10 team (Hippo) keeper, grabbed Marte for a speed boost, but Alcides has hit the wire. You prefer him over Marte?
PS prefers Alcides but only by 0.6…
I’d hold…
Looks like a powerhouse draft in my 10 team 7×7 league (OPS, Total Bases, Losses, BAA ,Usual Suspects)
C Jesus Montero
1b Prince Fielder
2b Daniel Espinosa
3b Paul Sandoval
Ss Starlin Castro
Mi Joshua Rutledge
Ci Paul Goldsmidt
O1 Mike Stanton
O2 Adam Jones
O3 Shin-Soo Choo
O4 Hunter Pence
O5 Nickolas Markakis
Util David Ortiz
Bench:
Corey Hart
Jurickson Profar
Starters:
S1 Yu Darvish (accidental click, but I wanted a SP here anyways)
S2 Mat Latos
S3 Matt Moore
S4 Brandon Morrow
S5 C.J. Wilson
S6 H.J. Ryu
Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera
Rafael Betancourt
Tom Wilhelmsen
Steve Cishek
Kenley Jansen
Team looks solid… Don’t love Markakis and Wilson, but those are small things… Your team should be plenty competitive…
How this League Works:
1. DISPERSAL: At the end of each month, two teams are eliminated, and their players are dispersed and made available to the remaining teams. Usually the teams eliminated are the bottom two teams (see item 6 however). Note also that the Commissioner cannot be eliminated. Those teams eliminated will be locked by the Commissioner for any future player activity. At the time the players are dispersed, the waiver priority is temporarily reset, such that the worst surviving team gets first choice of dispersal players, the next worst gets second choice,etc. At the end of each subsequent month, two teams are again eliminated. By giving first choice to the remaining worst team allows teams who are doing poorly every opportunity to catch up and compete for the rest of the year.
Some managers in the past have forgotten to participate in the dispersal draft on the first of each month, and / or have not read pertinent messages regarding the draft. Remember, you snooze, you lose!
2. TIE BREAKERS: Where two or more teams are tied at the end of each month, an H2H match between the affected teams will be applied. The team winning the tie-breaker will be deemed to be the better ranked team. If still tied after the H2H match, the following tie-breaker rules will be applied: 1. lower e.r.a. 2. higher rbi’s 3. higher wins.
3: WAIVER PRIORITY: Except for each dispersal draft, the waiver priority will use YAHOO’s standard methodology. When dispersal occurs, I will record what the standard priority is, and then manually reset it in reverse order of standing, i.e. at the end of April, team 18 will have priority 1, team 17 will have priority 2, … team 1 will have priority 18. Dispersal occurs on the first of each month. On the 2nd of each month, the day following dispersal, the waiver priority will be set back to what it was prior to the dispersal.
4: UNDISPERSED PLAYERS: Any players unclaimed in the dispersal draft will become FA’s if they don’t get claimed. They will not return to the eliminated teams’ rosters.
5. TRADES: The league settings say Commissioner approval on trades. In fact, I won’t disallow any trade unless the managers object. The purpose here is that if managers want to veto a trade, they must do so publicly. If four vetoes are posted, I will cancel the trade (three vetoes once we have 12 or fewer teams). The purpose here is that you cannot veto anonymously – if you don’t want a trade to go through, you must say so publicly. Private E-mails to me will be ignored. Also, the two parties to the trade cannot veto their own trade.
6. DEPORTMENT & ACTIVITY: This league will be as active as you want to make it. Intelligent trash talking is encouraged. However, if your only means of communication is foul language, insulting a person’s sexuality, religion, etc., this league is not for you. Also, if you remain inactive, this league is not for you. So while its most likely that the bottom two teams will be eliminated each month, inactivity or boorish behaviour will also be considered.
Here is my roster for THIS 20-man 6×6 r,hr,rbi,sb,obp,slg w,k,s,h,era,whip
C- S PEREZ
1B-GOLDY
2B-RUTLEDGE
SS-SIMMONS
3B- FRAZIER
LF-VICIEDO
CF-A JONES
RF- GIANCARLO
UTIL – IKE
BENCH- MARTE(LF)
SP-GREINKE
SP- NIESE
SP- GEE
RP-PERKINS
RP-CHISHEK
P- RYU
P – FRIERS
P – STROP
P – STAMEN
P- MELANCON
P – BROTHERS
P – C. CAPPS
P – CROW
P – ARRENDANDO
P – DUNN
I did it for S’s and G’s, any thoughts….anyone?
You get eliminated after one month potentially? Huh? That’s bonkers… Your team looks fine, better hope they don’t have a bad first month… You do look low on average and speed…
@Grey: average is not a cat, its obp and slug seperately. i was punting steals being a 20. Not worth it with obp and slug as cats.
Ah… Gotcha… Yeah, the team should be fine, but hard to say when you’re looking from month to month… It’s a league that any team could win because of that…
@Grey: its a fun twist and like I said above its for shizz and giggles
Yeah, hopefully you can make it through the year…
@Grey: I will give updates if i make the cut. Thank god it’s by performance and not popularity, I’d be out the first week on survivor
You just have to do well in the challenges early on and not eat everyone’s rice and beans…
@Grey: but I like franks and beans
Brett Wallace?
@Grey: exactly…that was a name drop from one of my all time player look alike links
Yeah, he’s a special player…
16 team league. Rickie Weeks was just dropped. Now, I don’t love him, and I know you don’t either, but do I make a waiver claim on him? I have the 13th claim, so I probably won’t get him, but I’ll try.
Who’s the drop: Santos, Pestano, Puig?
Ks/9 league, FYI and forever 5 player keeper.
Lose Puig for him…
@Grey: thanks.
Question number 2, 3, and 4 for today:
2. What are your thoughts on Utley? He’s looked healthy this spring (no, I’m not really referencing his 3 HRs in two days, just the fact that he doesn’t look OLD).
3. If you could have 2 of these closer-ish guys in a Ks and Ks/9 league, who would you rather: Al Al, Boggs, Parnell, Marmol?
4. If you could have 1 of these pitchers on your team in a W, QS, Ks, Ks/9, ERA, WHIP league, who would you rather: Bailey, Beckett, Burnett, Ryu?
2. It’s spring training 3. Parnell, Boggs 4. Beckett
@Grey: I know it’s Spring Training, but he’s at least looked a bajillion times healthier than he has in recent years. And I’m not stacked at 2B with Danny Espinooooooosa there as it is.
Espinosa has been better for the last two years…
Grey, what do you think of my team?
10-Team Keeper, H2H, Custom points
C - Sal Perez
1B – Pujols (K)
2B - Rutledge
3B – Lawrie (K)
SS - Segura
MI – Boneface
CI – Goldy
OF – Kemp (K)
OF – Holliday
OF – Harper (K)
OF – Pence
UTIL – Ortiz
UTIL – Craig (K)
BN – Machado
SP – MadMax
SP – Halladay
RP – Chapman
RP – Motte
P – Niese
P – Parker
P – Lester
P – Wilhelmsen
BN- Teheren
BN- Hammel
BN- Ryu
BN- Hughes
Your keepers definitely don’t hurt… Your hitting is much better than your pitching, which isn’t terrible in H2H, but it’s something to keep in mind… Think you’re gonna need to do a lot of streaming…
@Grey: thanks. Yea I hear you on the pitching. I was sandwiched between 2 feckin autodrafters who kept picking pitchers right before me greinke… Wainwright… Gio. I just couldn’t pass on the bats where they were falling and I ended up with Scherzer being my ace. Hopefully Halladay makes some kind of resurgence. That would help.
Grey, how’s this team lookin for the season? Yahoo 11 team roto 5×5 standard w/ OPS and WHIP,,,
C W.Rosario
1B B. Butler
2B D. Pedroia
3B E. Longoria
SS Rollins
OF Braun
OF A. (sorry Miss) Jackson
OF C. Gomez
IF K.Seager
Utilty De Aza
Bnch Doumit
Bnch Fowelr
Bnch M. Young (may move him to utility)
Bnch Anderlton Simmons
SP Bumgarner
SP Scherzer
SP Shields (always a fav of mine)
SP Samasrdizjiazia
SP A. Cobb
SP W. Miley
RP Street
RP Grilli
Bnch Frieri
Your team looks solid, bit low on average and I don’t love Shields but these are small concerns…
Had my draft tonight. Including my keepers, here’s how my roster looks (10-team H2H):
C Posey (K)
1B Goldschmidt (K)
2B Cano (K)
3B Zimmerman (K)
SS Tulo (K)
MI Desmond (K)
CI Lawrie (K)
OF Stanton (K)
OF B.J. Upton
OF Jennings (K)
OF Victorino
DH Frazier
SP Bumgarner (K), Zimmermann (K), Medlen (K), Bailey, Milone, Harvey, Gee, Cobb, Hammel, Cashner
RP Street, Jansen, Frieri, Robertson, Alburquerque
Bench – Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson
DL- Luebke
What do you think?
Your team (keepers) is stacked… The new guys that you did draft are solid… Can’t imagine you won’t be competitive unless you’re besieged by injuries…
@grey: 5×5 weekly roto, which pair do you like better? Cano/Holliday or Stanton/Kinsler? Thanks.
Stanton