I was jazzed to draft Phil Hughes this year like I was from New Orleans and I was smoking doobs with Kermit Ruffins. Then Hughes hurt his back and someone played the sad trombone. That’s yay upside down, which looks like a fire between two teepees. Hughes is now out with a bulging disk in his back. Hey, Hughes, is that a banana in your spine or you happy to see me? I’m not a doctor (no kidding!), but none of this sounds good for Hughes. I’m lowering my projections on him and dropping him out of my favorable tier. It’s early, and there’s still a lot of time, but I’d be lying if I said I was still drafting him with confidence. I’ll draft some players that are mildly injured, but the injury needs to sound a lot better than “may not be ready for the start of the season.” Then there’s Matt Garza, who will be starting the year on the DL. This news comes just days after we freakin’ drafted him. I will now call him Matt Grrza. Whenever I say his name, I will say it like I’m a frustrated Lisa Simpson. Well, if you wanna ride the Garza Strip, be prepared for some bombshells. I’ve updated the top 40 and top 60 starters to reflect Hughes and Grrza’s inability to keep me happy. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Curtis Granderson – Out for 10 weeks with a fracture in his forearm. Man, you can’t play with a three-arm and a one-arm patched together with duct tape! This is old news, but just wanted to alert people I moved him in my 2013 fantasy baseball rankings and changed his projections in the top 40 outfielders for 2013 fantasy baseball.
Shaun Marcum – Taking time off to strengthen his shoulder. He needs to take about seven years off. Snap in an inverted W formation!
Javier Vazquez – Ends comeback due to knee injury. You think he’s now on the Biogenesis clinic’s mailing list? “Javy, you don’t have to retire! We have estrogen from Bartolo Colon’s moobs ready to pump into your sphincter.” (I don’t know the exact procedure, but I like to think that’s what it involves since A-Rod loves him some PEDs.)
Brett Anderson – Will be the A’s Opening Day starter. If there is an Opening Day (just trying to reach more Mayan readers).
Jedd Gyorko – Showing power in the spring like he’s nobody’s business! Which is a phrase I don’t understand. As I said yesterday, ignore spring training stats, but there is something to guys winning starting jobs. The Lord knows the Friars need hitting help, because they talk.
Will Middlebrooks – Diagnosed with a sore wrist, but should be fine to go today or tomorrow. A hitter with sore wrists worries me, so if he has one more setback, I’m ready to drop him lower in my rankings. Don’t make me go back there, 3rd base rankings!
Felix Doubront – Cleared to start next Monday after some shoulder soreness. Here’s my Doubront fantasy. I wrote it after losing a bet to Don Ameche.
Matt Adams – Right now, the Cardinals are saying Adams could have a chance to get on the Opening Day roster. They said it’ll be a tight squeeze. They could have been referring to him putting on his pants.
Chris Carter – The Astros manager/composer/songwriter, Bo Porter, said Carter will play left field for them. Just yesterday there was a Chris Carter sleeper post. Prescient ain’t just a word you need to spell check!
Ian Stewart – Might not be ready for Opening Day. That hasn’t stopped him before, so we’ll see. If Stewart can’t go, it would leave an opening for Luis Valbuena, who is Malbuena.
Travis Wood – Should be in the Cubs rotation to start the year. He’s an interesting name to look at late in deep leagues. His K-rate was a hair under seven with a usable walk rate. He just needs to cut his homers allowed. On the Cubs, there will be no wins, and, in Wrigley, homers could be a problem once the weather warms up. For a 5th or 6th starter in NL-Only leagues, I’d look at him. I bet he’s a name that pops up again in an early Buy/Sell.
Kyle Lohse – This news headline cracked me up, “Yanks, Indians Still Not Interested in Lohse.” Here’s another headline for you, “Grey Still Handsome.”
Zack Wheeler – Mild oblique strain. I have a theory. Only baseball players have obliques, therefore if you have an oblique and you are not a baseball player, you’re missing out on your life’s true calling. No matter your age, pick up a baseball and hit the diamond. Watch The Rookie with Dennis Quaid prior, just to get yourself pumped up. On a side sidenote, I wonder if there’s an actor in the Middle East named Dennis Quadi.
Elvis Andrus – He’s out with a sore tattoo. Reminds me of the Halloween I went out as Elvis and my little friend was sore that I didn’t go as Ricardo Montalban.
“We have estrogen from Bartolo Colon’s moobs ready to pump into your sphincter.” Classic!
Any news re: the Razzball leagues? Or have I missed the announcement? I have a crown to defend!
@DrEasy: RE: razzball leagues Dr I may have to bail from the one I joined, the draft date is a conflict for me. Let me know if you’re looking to get in one.
@DrEasy: http://razzball.com/2013-razzball-commenter-leagues/
@DrEasy: Believe we are talking about Razzball leagues were Ronny Cedeno is elite, not the RCL’s.
@DonSlaughtOnslaught: *where
@DonSlaughtOnslaught: Ah, right, forgot about those. Haven’t been announced yet.
@DonSlaughtOnslaught: Yes, that’s the one I was referring to.
Grey, Alexi Ogando has struggling early in this spring.
some experts are saying his FB velocity decreased, and it can be related to any injury.
i know it’s only beginning of March, but nervous as an Ogando owner.
like Hughes and Garza, he should be lowered in your fantasy ranking for now?
@Piranhaman: and more.
i also have Hughes on my rotation. and Hammel is on ww.
should i drop Hughes for Hammel? wonder your opinion
@Piranhaman: I’d hold for now, and Ogando needs some time to get up to speed…
@Piranhaman: i hope you’re not referring to that fangraphs article…
You can’t predict injuries. I’m still a member of the Grey’s Church of Pitching Omnopitence. Although would you put your Top Chef-predictions at better or even with your starting pitching analysis? I don’t know how (OK, too lazy) to check how long ago you called “the winner will be Brooke or the Asian chick” but to nail the finale like that…very impressive. On another Top Chef-search note, if I ever need to check how long I’ve been reading Razzball I just need to google the year Angelo was a contestant. F that Rolly-Fingers-looking-absentee-father-fat dude, they just don’t make kitchen-foils like they used to.
12 team H2H CBS point league, I can keep Aroldis or Goldschmidt for a 6th rounder? Mind you 20 pitchers were drafted in the first five rounds last year, and Aroldis maintains his RP status. Thanks, and great work as always.
@Jef: I predict pitchers like I predict Top Chef… I look at the clock and if there’s only 5 minutes left to go I know they can’t cook dessert so I know how’s the best… I’d go with Goldy…
@Grey: Yeah, that whole episode was a disaster if you ask me. The suspense-build fail at the end was the cherry on top.
@Fooch: I really thought my DVR forgot to record the first fifteen minutes when they laid out who the sous chefs would be and what everyone was cooking…
@Grey: Nope. Like the live audience and studio guests, they explained it poorly with badly mixed VO and a few quick lines during the sit down interviews. This whole season was kind of a mess (the new woosh-pan shot?!), but that’s what happens when you’ve been doing a show for however many years and get bored in the bay.
But it’s okay, Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad are coming.
Yeah, the judges’ table swish pans were obnoxious… And they went out of their way to justify that stupid Last Chance Kitchen… The show’s a mess, and not sure if they can save it… Never saw Game of Thrones, but have heard good things…
@Grey: not to distract you from doling out baseball opinion, but what’s your take on hugh acheson? i can’t figure out why they think he’s good on camera.
My first proper draft in an albeit free league last night. My team:
1 Miguel Cabrera, Det 3B
24 Adam Jones, Bal OF
25 Dustin Pedroia, Bos 2B
48 Ryan Zimmerman, Wsh 3B
49 B.J. Upton, Atl OF
72 Jimmy Rollins, Phi SS
73 Mat Latos, Cin SP
96 Max Scherzer, Det SP
97 Freddie Freeman, Atl 1B
120 Shane Victorino, Bos OF
121 Jake Peavy, CWS SP
144 Jeff Samardzija, ChC SP
145 Jim Johnson, Bal RP
168 Ichiro Suzuki, NYY OF
169 Dan Uggla, Atl 2B
192 Jesus Montero, Sea C
193 Tom Wilhelmsen, Sea RP
216 Starling Marte, Pit OF
217 Glen Perkins, Min RP
240 Jason Hammel, Bal SP
241 Marco Estrada, Mil SP
264 Brandon Belt, SF 1B
265 Wil Myers, TB OF
288 Shelby Miller, StL RP
289 Frank Francisco, NYM RP
Pretty happy with it, if only my money leagues also go this well! Thoughts on the team?
@TheNewGuy: i approve… maybe could have waited on SS for a better 1B (nitpicking)…
I have the 3rd overall pick…. How risky is Braun with suspension looming?
1 trout 2 miggy (figure)
@Ryan: The Hebrew Hammer is not allowed to be suspended. Think about it dude…when you’re done thinking about it, draft him and watch him go 35/25/.317 minimum. The Hammer is straight tits.
@Carns: I hope so, but cant he be suspended in the “best interest for baseball clause” I think there is a huge drop off after top 3. Cano has zero protection, as a yankee fan its scary after top 5 in the line up, As for the irish pirate, just hard for me to trust him with no one around him. Kemp maybe but gets injured often
@Ryan: as a yankee fan its scary after top 5? Haha try being a pirates fan where all I’m hoping for is our first season above 500 in 20 straight YEARS! Now that’s scary. There’s going to be atleast one negative thing about every player that you can come up with. Go with the top guy in Braun
@Ryan: McCutchen has the same guys around him this year that he did last year when he put up big numbers: Walker, Jones, Alvarez – not world-beaters or anything but decent enough… possibly even an improved lineup with Marte.
But anyway, protection is over-rated. Elite guys will hit in any lineup and at worst they suffer a bit in R/RBIs.
@Jon: I agree with Jon, these line-up questions always seem to get blown out of proportion. At the start of the season there’s no way of knowing what teams are going to step up and play beyond their projections or those that might tank for a whole season. All teams have major league players that will get on base around the elite ones.
In search for saves before the auction so I don’t have to bid all my money on Motte or Soriano (likely $30-40) I am down to these options.. make a minor trade for League $10, Parnell $1, or Grilli $10 in an NL Only 4×4 12-team keeper. How would you rank them? I tried landing Axford on a 2-yr contract and the other guy wanted way too much, maybe that’s a blessing.
@Elwood Blues: Or should I even bother with a trade? Someone like Marmol may be available in the auction too, though he’s on someone’s roster right now at $26. Yeah, crazy prices for closers.
@Elwood Blues: I’m in a similar league. NL only 4 x 4, 12 team keeper. We have same problem with crazy prices on closers. I’d try for Grilli and Parnell and if that doesn’t work, load up at auction on next-in-line closers and wait for the inevitable blow up or injury. I rarely pay the premium price for closers at the auction.
@Elwood Blues: I wouldn’t trade for saves… Grilli, Parnell…
When I logged in and saw what appears to be a regular season post I thought I had overslept by like 30 days or so…
It is nice to see Grey rounding in to regular season form!
@MrMojoRisin: Ha… Figured I’d throw a little ketchup on the news…
Hey Grey,
In an OBP league you still going Pujols, Fielder then Votto?
And is Teix still at #20?
@Eddy: I’d keep the first three the same, I’d move Tex up to about 12…
@Eddy: Fielder first, then a toss-up between Pujols and Votto. Pujols’ OBP the last three years – .414/.366/.343. Fielder’s had an OBP over .400 each of the last four years and he’s still in his prime. Votto’s an OBP beast too, but the knee is enough of a question mark to put him even with (and probably a little behind) Pujols.
What do you think about cold Carl? Carl Crawford. He had a setback also. I drafted him in one league already and now starting to think he’s never going to be fully right again.
@Fungazi: His setback wasn’t serious… Still plenty of time for him…
I feel for Andrus. There is literally nothing worse than a sore tramp stamp.
@Cole: Ha
Hey, Grey, are you concerned with Felix’s dip in fastball velocity the last few years, or his recent workload?
@Kalone: I’m not, but I also won’t be drafting him…
@Grey: Unless you’re in a 16-team league, right? Then you’re saying there’s a chance?
Anything can happen, if he falls to around 50th overall then it’s possible, but seems highly unlikely… If he were there in the 50′s, I’d draft him…
Grey, quick question.. In a 100 dollar budget auction league, strictly looking for value, would you keep Trevor Cahill(.25), Mike Fiers(.25), Paul Maholm(.25), Matt Cain(7.25) or Yu Darvish(5.50). It is a 13 team league with 9 pitching slots so all of these guys would be used anyway. Thanks
@Ryan: if anyone wants to leave feedback that would be great, thanks.
@Ryan: In that setup I don’t think I’d keep a pitcher who was $7 or greater. Therefore, Cain would be too expensive. I would keep Darvish.
@Wallpaper Paterson: I’m giving a lot of though to Cahill for 25 cents.. I mean why not he’ll put up decent numbers for the basement price.. Better than most other 25 cent guys.
@Ryan: i like fiers>cahill…
a) middlebrooks’ sore wrist is the SAME one … could be worse than initially feared .
b) granderson’s fracture is on his THROWING arm … watch out now , take care , beware .
c)
@costaricanchata: A) Yup, could be B) Lucky he doesn’t pitch C)
I’m thinking of dropping Philly for Jamie Garcia.
Garcia had two really good season and last season sucked, possibly due to injury?
Do you see a bounce back for Mr. Garcia?
@thomasnv: garcia had a shoulder injury that he decided to rehab instead of having surgery… so most likelly he’ll be injured again this year…
I have a theory on spring training injuries, it is the guranteed money. These guys have no fear of being cut because they are getting paid any way so might as well tell the truth and take a few days of because you hurt yourself buying sandwiches ( joel peralta ) please go ahead make sure you heal up after you forgot to take your short off while ironing it (john smoltz) or take a month of rest and relaxation due to a violent sneeze (every player ever). These guys know worst case scenario they get cut and up playing beer leauge softball well getting paid a couple million dollars a year anyway (eric byrnes). god knows this would not fly in the nfl and just one of the many reasons baseball is the best sport in the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlFq9v0fT8E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Could watch this gem alllll day
@Eric W: Great comment, I tend to agree… Oh, and Byrnesie!
Question for anybody to answer-
Do you prefer keeper leagues with a snake draft or an auction?
@Wallpaper Paterson:
Auctions better in any format. Can’t do stars & scrubs in a “window wiper” draft.
@Wallpaper Paterson:
Auction is the better format for all leagues, keeper or not. Once you go auction, you’ll never go back(-tion). Wait, that doesn’t work at all. Never mind; just go with auction; you’ll be glad you did. Then the key will be how you want to limit how long someone can be kept for (if you do). Something like a maximum of three years of being kept (inclusive of the first year bought) works pretty well.
@Rabbit: Thanks. Going to go with auction which was originally how I set up the league. I will put the finishing touches on the settings this weekend.
The only thing I do not like about online auctions is when somebody does not show up for it.
Lat, back, shoulder? who knows what the real injury is anymore…
1,350 inning cap league; Roto 12 team
Please evaluate these 2 staffs in terms of the cap.
1. (SP) Greinke, Latos, Anderson, Parker, Niese, Ogando, Iwakuma (RP) Rodney & Casey Janssen
2. (SP) Wainright, Scherzer, Morrow, Peavy, Parker, Griffin, Iwakuma (RP) Rafael Soriano Soriano & Wilhelmsen
Are either strong enough???
@sanfran1966: 2>1…
@sanfran1966: They’re both strong enough… I like 2 slightly better too…
got the 12, 13 pick in my mixed league 12 team roto dynasty league. Here are my choices please help keepers due by sunday. We keep 6. 4 are easy its the last 2 i am having trouble with. I think in the 12,13 slot, I will have a choice of adam jones, tulo, kinsler, beltre, david wright, zimmerman, a gon, pedroia, bruce , holiday, hamilton. I am probably not taking a pitcher with my first 4 picks unless somebody drops
I am definitely keeping
5.12 Justin Upton
10.1 Bumgarmer
23.12 Allen Craig
28.1 Joey Bats
I have to keep two of the following.
3.12 Verlander
11.12 Elvis andrus
30.12 Smjardzia
31.1 Todd Frazier.
I am thinking at 6.1, i may be able to get frazier or smjardzia back but not sure. Who would you keep? I wasn’t planning on keeping andrus but at 11.12 it is so tempting, also tempting to keep verlander since I drew the last pick but not huge value just good value. What do you do here keep the best players or best value. I appreciate your input.
@marti: Verlander and Elvis…
Grey better keepers for this year Rizzo or Austin Jackson also Medlen or Morrow?
@mikey boy324: Rizzo, Medlen…
Hey Grey, are you worried about Giancarlo Stanton’s counting stats?
I’m in a 5×5 league (Avg, HR, RBI, R, SB), and I fear that the lack of lineup help will lower his opportunities for RBI’s and R’s. I think pitchers will tend to throw around him, and the rise in OBP will not help in a league like mine…
@Jake: His team last year wasn’t very good, I’m not worried…
Question:
I’m in a 12 team mixed league. We get 5 keepers. Someone offered to give me Andrew McCutchen for Buster Posey and Paul Goldschmidt. I can’t keep Goldie anyway (my keepers are Kemp, Cain, Zimmerman, Posey, and B.Butler).
I know McCutchen is great, but so is Posey, and C is a pretty thin position.
So: McCutchen for Posey: Yea? Nay?
shoulda added “points” league
@Mark: I’d want McCutchen…
@Mark:
You’re also giving away whatever opportunity you might have to draft Goldschimdt, fwiw.
Oh honorable Grey, for a 12 team NL only keeper league, who do you like this year and long term better ??
$ 5 Jean Segura or $ 5 Everth Cabrera
Thanks Diamondoug
@forgot we use OBP over BA Diamondoug:
@Diamondoug: Segura…
Grey, awesome site! Hoping you can help with my keepers.
16 teams H2H mixed league – Whom should I keep from list below? Thanks!
Stanton
Longoria
S.Castro
A. Jackson
Headley
C. Santana
Rosario
Chapman
Halladay
Medlen
@Mrakoo: Thanks! Keep them all…
@Grey:
Sorry, I forgot to mention I can only keep 6.
Please advise.
Thanks
To continue last night’s thread on Top Chef, yeah, it was put together poorly. Seems that they might be struggling like Project Runway, so maybe they wanted to make something that took lass $ to produce? Sure didn’t think it through; again, there’s no suspense in a “first to three” format where you know what time the show is ending.
And what was with the back story, “why I want to win Top Chef” BS? “I want to win it for my 4 year old”?? No you don’t. You want to win it for yourself. You’re a freaking chef. “I want to win it because I’m adopted and want to go to Korea”??? Yeah, no you don’t. You want to win it because you’re a chef and it wil be good for your career. Reminds me of when I was interviewing for corporate law gigs in NY. I could never think of anything good to say to their “Why do you want this job”? Honestly, the starting salary is 160k and you’re wondering why someone would want the job?
@royce!: Ha…. Yeah, the show was a bit of a mess throughout… Not sure if you read my comment a few weeks ago, but I went to Stefan’s restaurant… Not only was it bad, but two of three dishes were inedible, and it wasn’t because they forgot the sauce or it was overcooked… I believe the dishes were prepared the way Stefan meant for them to be, they were just bad… Then he sat down at our table and was blitzed. Started screaming to others in the restaurant while seated at our table… I told him he wasn’t coming off as well this season due to his inconsistency and not being as funny, and he said, “Just wait.” Like he was going to make a comeback… He was off the show the following week…
@Grey: Damn, what a mess. I think his telling you “just wait” is probably the funniest thing he’s done for years. Too bad they didn’t include that on Top Chef this year…
I think I might have asked you about this, but have you or Rudy been to Paul Qui’s restaurant?(The one he was working at before working on his own jam, which is not so cleverly named, “Qui.”) That seems like the sort of place I would enjoy. I’d also like to hit up one of Brooke’s places, but I doubt I’ll ever find myself anywhere near them.
When I went to Austin in November, we went to Uchiko… It was really good… You can find excellent sushi in LA though… I’d like to check out one of Brooke’s places… Next time you’re in town…
@Grey: There are a few excellent sushi places down here as well, so holler if you ever want to catch a Padres game and grab some sushi. I gotta get back up to LA soon, though. It’s been too long.
Yeah, that might be nice, maybe I’ll bring the cougar…
I’ve been to a couple of Paul’s restaurants/food trucks. Grey and I took the cougar/Mrs. Gamble to Uchiko which was his first big shot. Soooo good. That and it’s big sister restaurant (Uchi) are both up there in the top echelon of Japanese restaurants in America (not just Texas).
Paul has a chain of food trucks called East Side Kings. I took Grey to one when he was in town. He opened one a couple miles from my house behind a dive bar that I’ve been to a couple times. Really good ramen and brussels sprouts.
He’s had a restaurant in the works for a while – latest update is March (http://austin.culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-29-13-13-56-paul-qui-shares-updates-on-upcoming-qui-restaurant-slated-for-pre-sxsw-opening/).
@Rudy Gamble: Damn, that all sounds awesome. Makes me wish that I lived in a town with a more active food scene. San Diego has a few interesting things going on, but nothing like Austin (or Seattle…or Portland…or most cities…). Not that I would be able to take advantage of it right now anyway…With a now 1 year old daughter, we haven’t been able to get out very much. But we’re gonna try to have the kid stay with her grandma later this month so we can go see Jeff Mangum. Looking at Uchi has made me really want to go to this sushi joint called Hane before the show.
@royce!: I want this job because if I’m happy with what I do then I never have to work.
@Jack Full of Hate: Damn, I’m not sure if you meant that as a joke or not, but if I’m ever in an interview like that again, I’m using that line. Confuses ‘em enough that they will move on, but sounds something like wisdom. Of course, there would be a chance that they would come back with, “You won’t be happy with what you’re doing.”
@royce!: its that old adage they tell you in junior high to not squash all the hope you have for life. Original quote: “If you love what you do you never have to work”
@Jack Full of Hate: Oh yeah… I’m familiar with it, but in the context of interviewing for a job that will undoubtedly suck for the first 5 years or so, I think it would be hilarious.
@royce!: I like to headf**k in interviews when they do it to me
@royce!:
That’s funny (and accurate) on corproate law firm interviews. Of course, the people at those firms don’t really want to know why you want that job (they know people want it for the money), they really just want you to kiss their ass a bunch. “Well of course, your firm has the best M&A practice in the City, and you do the most interesting work with the best clients, blah blah blah” as if there is anything good or interesting about being a first-year associate in a big NYC firm–here kid, go spend four months reviewing 1200 boxes of documents for due diligence on a deal that will fall through at the last minute.
@Rabbit: Ha! Exactly. Coming from a law and philosophy background, I would always say that I was interested in finding the proper balance of regulation and freedom in corporate law (which wasn’t entirely untrue- it is interesting), to which they would respond, “well, you won’t have much time to think about that while slogging through document reviews…” I should have just gone with, “Oh, and I love reviewing documents! It’s the best! And I love your tie!”
I was probably lucky to have not been hired. I was interviewing near the peak of the securitization boom, and would have soon been out of a job anyway.
I’m about to do a draft in a fresh, 12 man H2H keeper league. We will keep 3 players per season with a 3 round pick penalty (12th rounder would cost you a 9th rnd pick next year). Can’t keep anyone in the first 3 rounds. How early is too early to draft Oscar Taveras?
@Joe: 13th round
Grey,
Do you modify the overall 400 rankings list when you make these changes?
Nevermind, I see that Hughes was moved from 142 to 161, which answers my question. Thanks.
Per my buddies advice, I reading up on the Razzball darling Rutledge, should I be concerned that they are talking up EYJ as some super utility guy? My buddy claimed that he read that Weiss is considering making him a starter? I never found the article, but that would suck if true.
@Jack Full of Hate: Young hasn’t cracked 200 ABs in his career, I’m not concerned…
@Grey: granted but doesnt their love of EYJ make Rutledge someone who won’t get 600 ab’s? or should we assume Tulo will get hurt
They have no love for EYJ, otherwise they would’ve started him over the last 3 years…
@Grey: new manager this year
Guess we’ll see, but I’m not concerned…
@Grey: The point i was trying to get to was that if you draft Rutledge I would make sure I had a back-up in some form, hopefully multi position flexible
Yeah, our hopefully Tulo just gets injured again…
@Grey: call it one of my crazy hunches, and no not the ones the kids use to yease me about in school, but the Rockies know they suck and moving EYJ makes a lot of sense. I can could see them trying to showcase him for deadline deals to contenders.
They should’ve traded him 3 years ago for his and their sake…
@Grey: do you ever look at the comments on sky’s articles?
Once in a while, haven’t recently… Why?
@Grey: no big deal, just a conversation about answering questions with a magic eight ball regardless of relevance
Outcome cloudy…
@Grey: awhhh. I wanted an excuse to buy one, my mom never let me have one as a kid…Thanks alot Magic Grey Ball
Reply hazy, try again….
@Grey: Dammnit! one last chance, would I make better decisions if i had one?
I think any questions put into the comments section should get redirected here:
http://magic8ballonline.com/8ball/
@Jack Full of Hate: only you would know, but it saves me the money of buying
@Jack Full of Hate: Very doubtful.
@Grey: thats reassuring but not fun….I’m smarter than the magic Eight ball!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s best if you shake again.
But I was told past two shakes and you’re playing with yourself.
Michael J. Fox would not find that funny.
Nor would he find it funny you wanted him to do his own Harlem Shake vid with Ali. Don’t worry, I won’t tell him you said that.
Nor would he find it funny if you asked him if he has a problem oversalting his food.
I asked him to DJ for me once. He’s a great scratcher…but that’s all he does…
See, that’s just too far!
Well now I can’t do the one about how he plays a mean set of maracas…
I wouldn’t… Or how his finger paintings look like a Jackson Pollock. I’d avoid that too.
@Grey: i’ve shaked more than twice today
It’s BEST if you shake again.*
*I apologize for the 8 ball, that tone is not necessary.
@Grey: Eight ball is out of control
@Grey: Eight ball is out of control
@Grey: now I’m doing everything two times – Jackie two times
@Grey: now I’m doing everything two times – Jackie two times…
Eight ball is napping. Outcome drowsy.
That’s where the speedball comes in handy. Outcome awake for 72 straight hours.
Grey, I think you lost your ($1) bet to Ralph Bellamy, not to Don Ameche. Ralph will thank you when he’s accepting the Nobel Prize.
@Rabbit: Ha… I was trying to remember which way it went…
Question regarding what to do with the 6th pick overall in a 12 team snake draft…we do a dynasty/holdover league, so I am bringing in Trout, McCutchen and Longoria already…..and have Sale, Darvish, and J Zimmerman heldover too….
With the players who will be available 1-8 or so being Bruce, Tulowitzki, Reyes, Gar-Go, Cliff Lee, King Felix, Holliday, and Adrian Gonzalez….would you take another hitter at that point, or take King Felix or Cliff Lee to arm myself with a heck of a rotation?
I’d take a hitter…
I’m in a 10-team league with 30-man rosters (plus 4 DL spots and 5 minor league spots), so it’s not particularly deep. We’re moving to a set number of keepers (rather than values and a cap) and intent is to have more of a dynasty league than not – what do you think is a reasonable amount of keepers? 60% = 18?
I’m leaning towards something like min 10-12, 15-18 without penalty, above that you’re forfeiting draft picks. Thoughts?
@Jon: minor league guys wouldn’t count toward the keeper cap, btw.
18 sounds about right…
And so it begin’s. Open up your bitterness window before it get’s bitter,bitter cold in here. Let some of the warm confidence you had before spring training injuries flow back in Grey.
The many shades of Grey are starting to rise and this shade is a ugly Grey. Pretty soon you’ll be wanting to draft Hosmer on all your teams and than it’s a trip right to the dark side. Much to early for bitterness Grey.Open the bitterness window wide.
Deep breathe, there ya go. All is right in the world except for Hosmer. ( Windoow Slamming Shut)
Ha, thanks, Al… You are my fantasy yogi…
I know he’s not a DL worry but since we’re talking about players who could be missing time. Any concern that Jeff Samardjza will be shut down again late in season? I love that guy as much as you do but when they shut him down last year it hurttt especially since i had Strasburg too. I haven’t heard anything about the Cubs doing that but because he’s their future ace and they will be 100 games out of playoffs. Any cause for concern? Thanks
I’m not concerned…
Heyo Grey,
Keeper question. I have to keep four players, including one pitcher because life isn’t fair. The only keeper worthy pitcher I have is wainwright, and I would keep Pujols and Votto, too. What do you think for my fourth keeper Harper, Heyward or Reyes? Thanks!
Harper
Hey all, there’s still 10 spots left in a a $50 buy-in razzball league. It’s sure to be more fun than wondering if Phil Hughes is DL worthy!
E-mail me for league details: joshua_eastman@yahoo.com
Quick question.
6×6 keeper with OBP
My keepers: Pedrioa, Harper, Holliday, and Jennings (not great).
With my first pick (all will be available), would you take:
Bautista, Hamilton, AGonz, Reyes, Wright, or Beltre?
I’m tormented over this first pick. All these choices have significant risk!
I know what the ranks say – but adding in OBP and my questionable keepers – change anything?
A-Gon
Cruz injured already. Nice!
Yeah, that didn’t take long…
Chris Perez out for 3-4 weeks. The closerousel awakens!
Stirring the SAGNOF Gods…
@Grey: RELEASE THE THORNTON!!!
(eh, would’ve been funnier if it was Reed that got hurt, but you get the point)
@royce!: You need to get Grey on to the Green Flash.
@Steve: Eh, he’s more of a daiquiri sort of “guy”…Burn!
Hehe
@Grey: Drink Green Flash beer. This message has been brought to you by beer and Steve.
Keeper question: 12 team H2H, we play 7×7 with hits/OPS and L/WHIP. This is my team and I can keep 3:
Elvis Andrus
Norichika Aoki
Jay Bruce
Adrian Beltre
Paul Goldschmidt
Andrew McCutchen
Chirs Nelson
Salvador Perez
Aramis Ramirez
Justin Upton
Rickie Weeks
Madison Bumgarner
Steve Cishek
Tyler Clippard
Ernesto Frieri
Gio Gonzalez
Kris Medlen
Addison Reed
Jordan Zimmermann
McCutchen and Upton seem like no brainers, but I can’t decide between Goldschmidt and Beltre. Goldschmidt has the upside obviously, but 3B feels pretty scarce. What do you think?
Goldy
I know you say not to judge spring training stats but its pretty positive that brian roberts had another solid day. 3-3 hitting 545 now. Does he make a slowclimb up the list if he can continue a strong spring?
Not at all
10 team H2H 7X7 (OPS, TB). Keeping Votto, A-Gon, Holliday. Need two out of Granderson, Choo, and Headley. We have three DL spots. Is Grandy worth the stash in H2H formats or go with the other two? Thanks
The other two
You would take Austin Jackson ($1) over Alex Gordon ($2) in a five year keeper, right? You feel like Jackson could push over that 20 hr threshold or no?
I’d take Gordon…
Keeping Braun votto longo Cain hamels. 5×5 H2H. Have some one interested in Braun or votto. Working deal where I move one for Hanley, strasburg, and possibly the first pick of the draft. Probable players available include heyward Encarnacion cespedes grienke wainwright.
Would you move one if Braun or votto for that return? Which one? Ok to do move without getting back pick? That would cause me to have to throw back either Cain or hamels or I can trade one.
I’d trade Votto for Hanley, Strasburg and Encarnacion…
@Grey: @Grey: would you do it without getting the pick back? Would then have to rely onoving Cain or hamels ? Guy thinks adding the pick is too much from him. Encarnacion is on my current roster of which I can select keepers from. I offered to include him on the deal as seeing as I probably wouldn’t keep him. If I get the pick I would then target heyward. Thoughts?
No, the pick back is key…
@Grey: thanks that’s my thinking too.
Trying to finalize keepers for my 5×5 OBP 13-team Roto League and feel like I’m running in circles. We use the ESPN rosters with CI, MI, 5 OFs, etc. These are my current options:
Niese – $4
Sale – $5
Altuve – $6
Jennings – $14
Rizzo – $11
Myers – 0 (Minor leaguers are kept for zero against the $260 auction pot. He will take an $8 value once he joins the majors so could be kept in 2014 for $11)
Here’s the curveball. I have the option to trade Sale for Goldschmidt (who could be kept for $19).
A) Do I make the deal to acquire Au-Shizz for Sale?
B) If I make the deal, who are my keepers? Can I roll with Au-Shizz, Rizzo, Altuve and Jennings? Or do I keep Niese or Myers in there somewhere?
Thanks in advance. You and your mustache have taken this whole fake baseball thing to a new level…
Ha, thanks! Maybe I’m missing it, but how many keepers do you get?
@Grey: Sorry – it’s a max of 4 keepers. Tried to get every detail and missed the most important one!
A) Nope B) Rizzo, Sale, Altuve, Jennings…
@Grey: If you don’t mind me digging a little further, is it that you don’t like Goldchmidt @ $19 or that you really like Sale @ $5?
Or, does Rizzo offers better value at $11 and it doesn’t make sense to occupy both a 1B and CI with keepers…
I think Rizzo offers better value at $11 and that’ll lock up your 1B slot… Save your corner slot for the draft…
@Grey: Thank you and may the SAGNOF god’s shine light upon you.
And to you and yours!
Free league, drafting today if I can fill it. Details: http://razzball.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=31636
@VinWins: Ok, thanks, it is full.
Sorry another question, but I value your input.
Keeping Braun votto longo Cain hamels. 5×5 H2H.
First Cain or hamels?
Next as I have Encarnacion but not currently keeping. Move him and either Cain or hamels for verlander. Would get a pick back too. Still working on pick though. Looking at possibly a 10th round. Trying for a 7th. Go get verlander? Or too much?
Cain… Sure, move Edwin and Hamels for Verlander…
Logan Forsythe about to start at shortstop for second time. Things are getting interesting in the Gyorko chronicles.
They should bench Everth… It does make sense…
CBS Mock Draft. Ignored your advice about Catchers and Pitchers and this is the result. Oh and I booted Outfielders and 1st Basemen till late in the draft bacause of the depth. Thoughts?
C Posey, Buster (C SF) 1B · C · U ACT
C Santana, Carlos (C CLE) 1B · C · U ACT
1B Howard, Ryan (1B PHI) 1B · U ACT
2B Cano, Robinson (2B NYY) 2B · U ACT
3B Frazier, Todd (3B CIN) 1B · 3B · U ACT
SS Zobrist, Ben (OF TB) 2B · OF · SS · U ACT
OF Bautista, Jose (OF TOR) OF · U ACT
OF Swisher, Nick (OF CLE) 1B · OF · U ACT
OF Pagan, Angel (OF SF) OF · U ACT
OF Werth, Jayson (OF WAS) OF · U ACT
OF Ludwick, Ryan (OF CIN) OF · U ACT
U LaRoche, Adam (1B WAS) 1B · U ACT
U Dunn, Adam (1B CHW) 1B · U ACT
P Strasburg, Stephen (P WAS) P ACT
P Price, David (P TB) P ACT
P Lee, Cliff (P PHI) P ACT
P Greinke, Zack (P LAD) P ACT
P Sabathia, CC (P NYY) P ACT
P Bumgarner, Madison (P SF) P ACT
P Gonzalez, Gio (P WAS) P ACT
P Latos, Mat (P CIN) P ACT
P Peavy, Jake (P CHW) P ACT
RES Darvish, Yu (P TEX) P ACT
RES Quentin, Carlos (OF SD)
Your team looks very weak on average, and pretty awful in the outfield… The pitching is way too good…
PS – Anyone doing CBS target Darvish. He is way hidden for some reason.
Some jerk left my RCL. Theres an open spot now…draft is late 03/26 (11pm ET).
@ThE sHiT: Probably realized he was in over his head against you.
@Grey; @everyone else;
Just for s’s & g’s, please rank these 5 rosters’ keeper lists for this season only in a 12 team 6×6 H2H league (w/ OBP and QS). And just FYI, there are some rules/penalties in place to curb streaming pitchers, which is often a problem in devaluing H2H SPs. 11 keepers, no draft pick loss, each matchup is just 1 W and 1 L. Usual Yahoo rosters (3 OF, 2 UTIL, 4 SP, 2 RP, 2 P, etc).
Team A:
Prince Fielder
Jason Kipnis
Starlin Castro
Evan Longoria
Carlos Gonzalez
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jose Reyes
Anthony Rizzo
-
Max Scherzer
Zack Greinke
Ian Kennedy
Team B:
Matt Wieters
Allen Craig
Ben Zobrist
Brett Lawrie
Ryan Zimmerman
Giancarlo Stanton
-
RA Dickey
Stephen Strasburg
Felix Hernandez
Madison Bumgarner
Craig Kimbrel
Team C:
Carlos Santana
Paul Konerko
Billy Butler
Ian Kinsler
Pablo Sandoval
Andrew McCutchen
Bryce Harper
Carl Crawford
-
Roy Halladay
Chris Sale
Jake Peavy
Team D:
Miguel Montero
Albert Pujols
Adrian Gonzalez
Mark Teixiera
Miguel Cabrera
Troy Tulowitzki
Yoenis Cespedes
Desmond Jennings
-
Cole Hamels
Jordan Zimmerman
Mat Moore
Team E:
Salvador Perez
Adrian Beltre
Ryan Braun
Mike Trout
Austin Jackson
Shin Soo-Choo
-
Clayton Kershaw
Matt Cain
Yu Darvish
Dan Haren
Joe Nathan
We have pre-season power rankings every year, and I’m just curious to hear some unbiased opinions! If ranking all top 5 is too much work, I’ll also take just the top team overall. Thanks!
@Razz: A & D are the two best
@Jack Full of Hate:
Yeah, I personally thought those were the 2 best. Team D is actually my #1, but I’ve received some disagreement from the league on that.
Thanks for the input.
A
@Grey:
Much appreciated. Selleck’s got nothin’ on you.
@Razz: A D E C B
@AdamH:
Appreciate the full ranking. Thanks!
Unfortunately my team ended up as 1 of the bottom ones (again), lol.
NL-only draft later today where you have to own a player from each team. Thinking of looking for a 2B from San Diego. Can you rank EverCab, Forsythe and Gyorko in order of preference?
Thanks!
They’re ranked in my rankings… Gyorko has the most upside… Could see EverCab losing a job…
Ok. I just did a Grey draft. I punted catching and didn’t pick up a starter until later on. I even took Estrada with the penultimate pick in honor of the Greymeister. What do you think of the Grey recommended draft?
C McCann, Brian (C ATL) C · U
1B Pujols, Albert (1B LAA) 1B · U
2B Chase, Utley (2B PH) 2B · U
3B Wright, David (3B NYM) 3B · U
SS Ramirez, Hanley (3B LAD) 3B · SS · U
OF Stanton, Giancarlo (OF MIA) OF · U
OF Heyward, Jason (OF ATL) OF · U
OF Upton, B.J. (OF ATL) OF · U
U Gonzalez, Adrian (1B LAD) 1B · U
P Darvish, Yu (P TEX) P
P Samardzija, Jeff (P CHC) P
P Moore, Matt (P TB) P
P Zimmermann, Jordan (P WAS) P
P Anderson, Brett (P OAK) P
P Lester, Jon (P BOS) P
P Putz, J.J. (P ARI) P
RES Holliday, Matt (OF STL) OF · U
RES Choo, Shin-Soo (OF CIN) OF · U
RES Sandoval, Pablo (3B SF) OF · U
RES Davis, Ike (1B NYM) 1B · U
RES Jackson, Austin (OF DET) OF · U
RES Estrada, Marco (SP MB) P
Team looks very solid… I love it!
@Grey: looks like he will need to drop Estrada for another 2B, utley, are you kidding me?
@Jack Full of Hate: Yeah, could see that, but I think it’s just a mock…
@Grey: then i’m mocking him
@Gareth: bench is too strong and you basically punted saves…
@Beardcrabs: you don’t need that many bench bats in a 10 team league… focus more on SP’s after you solidify your hitting… you might want to read grey’s h2h strategy post…
It was a Head to Head CBS Ten Team Draft.
Who you like better, Sandoval ($12) for Carlos Santana ($12)?
Sandoval
I just finished Compliance. That was some messed up film. The sad past is I don’t find it hard to believe people are so gullible and ignorant in this country. And to think if you get a job at a fast food restaurant that they might have to talk to you not being duped by these type of things. Scary. I never cared for scary movies because they are not real, these types of flicks are the scariest movies to watch. I remember when people would talk about their favorite horror movies from the seventies, exorcist, carrie, texas chainsaw massacre, I would always answer All the Presidents Men, because its the real shiz that scares the crap out of me.
Totally agree… Horror films don’t do much for me, but this film had me spooked for days… The really scary thing is if you read the Wikipedia entry about the incident and it reads like an outline for the movie… The film says *based* on a true story, but from the Wikipedia entry it seems pretty faithful to the true story…
@Grey: I read multiple online accounts and the drunk boyfriend got 5 years and the guy who did it got off….twice. Ouch, was that wrong?
For the most part i don’t like horror movies, if i do like one it’s because of a realistic disturbing character, like Annie in Misery. I also like Christine, but I think thats abeing a car guy thing and i saw it when I was 8, nostalgia.
Any idea when you guy will be able to roll out the War Room for the iPad?
That would be awesome!
I saw this restaurant tonight in Claremont and thought it was a sign, actually saw it last season and forgot to post about it.
http://www.darvishrestaurant.com/
any love for Dominic Brown this season? I know spring training means very little, but apparently he changed up his hitting mechanics a little bit…any chance for a post-hype sleeper? I’m thinking a $1 flyer couldn’t hurt…
Can’t hurt to take a $1 flyer, but he doesn’t have an everyday job…
also, sorry to bother you back to back….12 team very competitive 5×5 $260 auction…$5 increment each year on keepers…my keepers have changed since I last asked your opinion…what should my draft strategy be/should I sign any more big boppers or focus on SP, of which many of the best are being kept…
1B Votto $36
2b Kipnis $13
1B/3B Frazier $6
OF McCutchen $22
OF Stanton $16
OF Adam Jones $17
SP Harvey $6
7/$116
what do I go after come draft day? 25 roster spots to fill in total, with 5 OF, one UTIL, one CI, one MI included. The best players usually go for around $40ish…thanks G.
You need a number one and number two starter… I’d focus primarily on starters at the beginning of your draft…
Trumbo has 3B eligibility on Yahoo. Where would you rank him among 3B’s? Is he more valuable there than 1B?
Around 8th…
Hey Grey, I’m in a 6×6 h2h league with holds. How do you approach RP? For example, where would guys like Robertson, Adams, Marshall and other top setup pitchers rank relative to your current RP ranks? Does it significantly impact the value of SP as a whole (all non-discriminative P slots) one way or another?
And to answer your question… No, I wouldn’t mind at all if you wrote an article addressing my question.
Ha. Thanks Grey
I grab one late RP that is cheap… MRs always come into the league…
I’m starting to get sucked into Belt again. Please help push me to one side of the fence or the other.
Spank you for your tyme.
In over 400 ABS last year, he hit 7 homers.
Thanks man. I do this every year with Belt, Krispy and Wieters. Thank god Steven Drew buried me 2 years in a row or he’d be here too.
Preciate your help man. keep up the awesome woik.
No problem…
My 20 team league (1 catcher) drafts catchers much later than other leagues and the trend continues throughout the draft. There is a good chance Posey will be available to me in the 2nd round with my 29th pick. Would you take him there? I’m guessing your answer is no.
I wouldn’t…
$19 Latos for:
a>Frazier $10 and $1 Parnell.;
b> Frazier and $10 League
c> Frazier and $5 Minor
d> or trade Grandal $5 for Parnell
e>none of the above
NL Only 4×4 12-teamer.. with no closer right now. (see way above in the comments)
Best couple options?
C and D, in that order…
Remember (you probably don’t) when I posted a comment about how good he was looking? Um, yeah, about that…
https://twitter.com/Haudricourt/status/308340183634427904
Poor Kelvim…
@Grey: In more news from the ER, Papi not sure about being ready for Opening Day cos of an Achilles injury according to Farrell…
Like he has to run or something, geez…
I know spring stats don’t matter, but Marco went 4 scoreless with 3K’s today…
Nice…