I could probably draft a team of these starters, who are drafted after the 150 mark in mock drafts, and win your league’s pitching stats. In this post last year was Ricky Romero, Hellickson, Kuroda, Gio Gonzalez, Zimmermann, Chacin, Cueto, and Daniel Hudson. I had those guys on multiple teams. I don’t say this to brag, but I’m really good at targeting starters to, um, target. Well, I’m good with hitters too, but starters I’m really good. I’d like to say it’s because I’m smart, but since I’m sorta dumb I’m not sure what it is. Maybe I’m an idiot savant, who I believe was Doug Savant’s cousin that had a walk-on part on Melrose Place, the Original. And with all of that said, you should still draft a starter or two before you see any of these names on the top of your draft list. Well, you know what to do from my top 20 starters for 2012 fantasy baseball. It’s good to have a safe starter or two before you go upside. In the immortal words of some drunk tightrope walker, “I don’t need the net under the trapeze but I want it there. Burp.” There’s also a pitchers pairings post to help you along with your staff. That’s what she said! Wait, what? Finally, you can check out APPLES. Anyway, here’s some starters to target in your 2012 fantasy baseball drafts:
Ubaldo Jimenez – Under that link is my projections and thoughts. To read a less optimistic man’s thoughts on Ubaldo, click on the thing that says “thoughts on Ubaldo.” Though that might’ve been clear. I need a mentee to seamlessly link to shizz.
Brandon Morrow – I’ve put years of love into Morrow (that sounds like the start to a cheesy poem). This is all I ask, one good year for Morrow (that’s an even cheesier poem start). I can almost guarantee if he’s good this year, everyone else will like him next year and I’ll end up going the other way (cause I think if Morrow’s going to be good, it’s gonna take some luck (that sounds more like song lyrics)).
Derek Holland – My heart’s saying Holland is a potential bargain where he’s currently being drafted, but my brain is saying watch out for pitchers in Arlington. I guess my heart and my brain are going Dutch with my excitement for Holland.
Jaime Garcia – Does he enter games to Funkytown, but his first name is substituted in for Funky? He should. Give the ADL something to get worked up about.
Trevor Cahill – It’s nice when you can forget BABIP, xFIP, MESHUGAS and you can fall back on simpler times like, “He was traded to the NL, that’s good for his value.”
Doug Fister - Fister, but I hardly remember placing him in a favorable tier! Hmm, that didn’t work so well. But it is true. I haven’t changed my opinion on him, but he’s also being drafted later than I think he should be, so there’s that.
Jhoulys Chacin – Know what it means when a pitcher ends up on this list two years in a row, even after producing solid results the year before? He pitches his home games in Colorado.
Brandon McCarthy – If the last few names above McCarthy could’ve been called, “Look at the top 60 starters post.” This next plouping could be called, “Top 80 starters.” Two points for those that remember my use of plouping. Better yet, you’re like a cyclops with a monocle!
Scott Baker – I doubt we see a full season from Baker, but — and this is a J. Lo-sized but — if we do, he could be a top 25 starter. How’s dem apples? Golden Delicious!
Tommy Milone – Is it Tom Milone or Tommy? “Are you my brother Rob or Disco Bob?” A nickel to anyone that gets that reference without the aid of Google. Too late, you cheated. You know someone who’s not cheating, but loving you all slow and low like a good BBQ? Tommy Milone. Yeah, so Peacock didn’t come up aces, but instead dropped a deuce. Milone looks like he’s gonna make the A’s staff and pitch in a park that ends in “co.” That’s good news. Also good news, he doesn’t walk anyone, which will limit the amount he could roofie you. Milone’s 2011 in Triple-A was a 3.22 ERA with a 155/16 K/BB ratio. The not-so-great news, he’s not going to win any games or put up huge Ks. That’s all right; you don’t draft Wins and solid ratio help from a late-round flyer can be helpful. For the season, I’ll give him the line 7-9/3.70/1.18/130. Solid last man on the staff stuff, no bluff, Aubrey Huff. Sorry, got a little Seussian there.
Jake Peavy – See what I said about Scott Baker and add an extra exclamation mark. Now remove a comma. Okay, put a period there. Yeah, that’s about right.
Edinson Volquez – We’re only three years removed from Edinson having 200+ Ks and a 3.21 ERA and now he’s gonna be in Petco. As Pauly D would tell you, you don’t come in with a big banana and expect everything to be peaches, but it’s worth a shot.
Tim Stauffer - I evaluate him as a Hodgepadre with a chance for more. Why am I not a scout for a major league baseball team?! “How does Stauffer look, Grey?” “He’s a Hodgepadre with a chance for more.” “I like when you use made-up words and talk nonsense.” “There’s more where that came from!”
Randall Delgado – I could’ve also put Teheran here. Tim Hudson is out for a month. I do think he returns and bumps someone from the rotation, but it doesn’t mean if Delgado or Teheran are pitching well they will definitely be the ones bumped. Jar-Jar isn’t the bill of good health and Hanson’s got a shoulder issue… Let’s just say Teheran and Delgado could both be in the rotation by May 1st. Here’s a reason to be optimistic about Delgado. Here’s a reason to be optimistic about Teheran: 2.55 ERA in Triple-A last year in 144 2/3 IP.
Vance Worley – In 131 2/3 innings last year, he had the stats of 11-3/3.01/1.23/119. In the top 60 starters post, I gave Worley the projections of 12-9/3.75/1.27/130. I’ll tell you what, those numbers are crazy conservative. February Grey must’ve had his shorts on too tight that day. Worley is only getting 11 Ks more from last year when he could throw 200 innings without being in danger? He’s only winning one more game? I said in that rankings post that I was worried about a sophomore slump, I must’ve been really worried. I kinda want to go in, give Worley 30 more Ks, three more wins and ask February Grey what he was thinking. February Grey, “Don’t believe me at your own risk. See you next year… Muahahahahahaha…”
Jonathan Sanchez – I don’t buy that a guy like Filthy Sanchez, who walks everyone no matter the batter, will benefit much from the league switch and having hitters less familiar with him. He still strikes out more than a hitter per inning and can luck into an ERA and WHIP anywhere from 3.07/1.23 (2010 numbers) to 4.26/144 (2011 numbers). It’s worth taking the chance on that late.
Bud Norris – In drafts, when you see Bud, I would add a bid. I think there was a pun in there, but I’m not entirely sure.
Mike Minor – On one hand, the Braves don’t seem to share my love of Mike Minor. On the other hand, Hudson’s out for at least a month so they have room. On the third hand that is actually a foot wearing a mitten, you’re late in your draft, take the flyer. On the fourth hand that is actually one of this Hulk Hogan #1 foam hands, he’s having a great spring.
Shelby Miller – In the Cards’ minor league review, Scott said, “By all accounts, Miller has the repertoire and mental makeup of a big league ace. With an effortless mid-90s fastball, a plus curveball, and a plus changeup, to go along with solid command, the 21-year-old should work his way into the St. Louis rotation at some point during twelve after twenty.” Okay, he didn’t use twelve after twenty, but he should’ve.
Chris Sale – Rather than posting the Awolnation song in the Verlander overrated post, I probably should’ve put it in Chris’s sleeper post. SALE!
Homer Bailey – In a draft recently, I told Rudy I liked Homer Bailey this year. He said, “The Homer Bailey that pitches in major league baseball?” Yeah, so Bailey hasn’t given much reason to trust him in his major league career, but his xFIP last year was respectable and he’s so overdue for a breakout. And there’s the most scientific and least scientific reason jammed into one sentence.
Overall, great list. I really love Morrow, Holland and Minor. Norris, Ubaldo and Sanchez are too whipping post for me. I actually also like Pomeranz, Nicasio and Noesi as very late fliers. Thoughts? I play mostly in K/BB leagues though
Ubaldo’s velocity loss has become a serious issue. Evidently it is still really low. Even if he bounces back his WHIP might still be a nightmare. I don’t like him. He is still too pricey for my taste. I would prefer Holland, Wandy and Morrow, who are all going after him. Around 150 overall for a guy with diminishing velocity?
Thanks! I like Nicasio… Noesi feels like a Marginer… Pomeranz I’m not trusting at this point, don’t want to be roofied in Coors.
@Grey, I’m feeling the Nicasio love. Chacin too. I dig the Ubaldo clones they develop at Mile High.
Makes me think of a good article I read: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-next-michael-pineda-part-1-of-2/
Yeah, who knew ten years ago Rox pitchers would be exciting…
No love for Luebke or Liriano on this list…? Figured those two would be the types that you usually buy into. Especially Liriano who seems to have fallen pretty far in drafts.
BTW, i’m very happy that you changed your tune on Worley. Not that you projected him to be terrible, but I definitely feel like your updated projections are a better representation of his skill level.
Nice post overall.
Thanks!
Thanks! I don’t think Luebke falls into my criteria of late. Liriano I’m not touching this year, which will mean he’s great.
Grey what about Niese I think he’s gonna have a solid year?
I like Niese too: http://razzball.com/top-80-starters-for-2012-fantasy-baseball/
I feel better about my RCL staff now after this post: Haren, Shields, Beckett, Minor, Holland, Volquez.
Incidently Grey, would you rather have Cahill over any of those guys above in an RCL league?
Cahill over Volquez…
Fwiw Holland went 139 and Minor went 150 in my draft. (both to the same manager. I have since found out the manager was a loyal Razzball reader)
@Former Skeptic, Ps Cahill is fat and I don’t trust him so I went with niese as my #6 instead.
Hehe
@Grey, He does look like Moob’s brother. Cahill done me good in the past. Being on the best team in the NL West can only help.
I have 5 of these dude’s so yeah…awesome sleeper list.
Thanks!
Michael Wuertz is throwing for teams. He was hurt last year though I’m not sure why he also sucked in 2010. Does he become intriguing in your eyes from a deep league perspective if he signs somewhere where the current closer is Matt Capps or Jim Johnson? I’d have to throw a blind dart and pick him up tonight off waivers because I think I’d miss out on him if he signs with Batimore tomorrow. thanks Grey.
If he signs with Twins it makes him a bit more viable… If he’s an O, it would have to be a very deep league…
Is the 3rd round too early to pick Uggla if he is the best 2nd baseman on the board? 10 team league.
@Ronkonkoma, Pick Kendrick.
@Former Skeptic, our league uses MI too, I was planning on picking kendrick a couple rounds later….
@Ronkonkoma, depends on what format, but Kendrick is almost always there for me in the 7th in yahoo, rarely does someone reach for him. I’ll take Uggla in the 4th if he falls.
My staff is made up almost entirely of guys on this list… and I don’t think that is a good thing. I didn’t draft a pitching until the 11th round.
Anibal Sanchez
Ubaldo Jimenez
Jhoulys Chacin
Derek Holland
Jonathan Sanchez
Edinson Volquez
It’s a very risky staff… Depends on the depth of your league…
@Grey, 12 team, fairly normal roster spots for Yahoo. Just hoping my ridiculous offense makes up for it
Starters:
Miguel Montero
Joey Votto
Robinson Cano
Ryan Zimmerman
Elvis Andrus
Ryan Braun
Lance Berkman
Jayson Werth
Colby Rasmus
Bench:
Gaby Sanchez
Lorenzo Cain
We keep 5 guys and I made a pre draft trade for Braun, so thats why it seems impossible to be able to get all these guys on the same team. Didn’t get a pick until the 9th (4th after keepers) and was very happy to see Berkman and Werth sitting there, had to take them over starting off my pitching staff.
@Miedus, Yeah, is a great hitting lineup…
Compared to ADP/projections I have seen I could also end up with Minor, Baker, Stauffer, Worley, Cahill or Bailey on my team . . . roughly in that order of likelihood.
Minor (and Baker, if he looks healthy) are actually among my favorite targets along with Greinke (I have him #1 among pitchers . . . someone stopped reading right there), Darvish (I don’t know if he’s top a 20 starter . . . but I’d be willing to grab within the first 30 starters taken and he looks to be slotted between 50 and 60), A Sanchez (going a bit after Darvish and I have him top 45 with some upside).
@JEH, Darvish has been falling a bit, but does come with some risk and in Arlington…
Oh, I also like Danny Duffy if he can bump the Ks a little and regain some control. He could have a K/BB of 3+ if he trims the walks from last year. Good frame for a pitcher, 6 ft 3. Added a cutter.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/content/article/danny-duffy-pitchf-x/
@Tom Thumb, Yeah, for AL-Only leagues…
I just traded my Kendrys for Dee Gordon to address a middle infield problem caused by Glass Utley. Now someone is offering me Choo for my newly-acquired Gordon. Should I take that?
Do you need an 17/17 outfielder more than steals at SS?
Grey with Morse looking doubtfull to start the year should I keep Jesus Montero over him or stay put?
Don’t really know anything about your team, but in a vacuum, Morse over Montero…
Hola Grey –
Nice post – had my 14 team, 6×6 (OPS, HOLDS), mixed league, 29 man roster draft yesterday. Several of those guys are on my squad. Would love your thoughts when you get a minute. Punting saves.
C- Matt Wieters
1B – Albert Pujols
2B – Jason Kipnis
3B – Ryan Zimmerman
SS – Alcides Escobar
CI – Mike Morse
MI – Aaron Hill
OF – Andrew McCutchen
OF – Desmond Jennings
OF – Alex Rios
OF – Delmon Young
UTL – Adam Lind
UTL – Ike Davis
Bench – Will Venable
SP (7) – Gio Gonzalez, Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez, Max Scherzer, Mike Minor, Bud Norris, Edison Volquez
RP (5) – Kenley Jansen, Aroldis Chapman, Sergio Romo, Glen Perkins, Kerry Wood
Bench – Shelby Miller, Julio Teheran, Trevor Bauer
Gracias…
Other than punting saves, looks like a great pitching staff… Looks better than your hitting. You have average issues, but there is a decent amount of power and speed. You obviously need your middle infield to come up big…
@Grey, Yup – figured as much regarding Avg… Speaking of, I passed on Bruce for Zimmerman in the 3rd, which may come back to sting — but 3B was flying off the board early and didnt want to get stuck with Aramis or Youk.
Interesting that you think the pitching staff is better than the hitting cause I feel sorta the opposite, but mainly cause I have serious issues with taking AL pitching at all. Ubaldo and Scherzer I got in the 150-170 overall range, so was OK with it.
Here’s to Aaron Hill, Alex Rios and Adam Lind reliving the glory years!
Appreciate the take. Gracias…
@El Burro, No problem… Amen to Lind, Rios and Hill…
What’s your thoughts on Jeff Samardzija? Throws 95-97, and can run a button hook like no-bodies business.
http://razzball.com/yankees-firmed-up-staff-when-andy-pettitte/
Haha great list Grey. Guys im highest on are Holland, Minor (think it should be compulsory for everyone here to be high on Minor) and Worley. Hollands looking an absolute steal so far in drafts, dude had an ERA barely over 3 in the Texas heat 2nd half last year! Brought the K’s 2nd half too, im all in.
Minor! That is all.
a little tip on Derek Holland. He gave up an inordinate amount of infield hits last year: 31. That’s about double the normal rate and more than all TX pitchers. Colby Lewis gave up 7, Ogando 9, CJ had 24 tho. Better luck on the groundballs and a slightly lower walk rate/higher k rate and you have a 1.25 or lower WHIP.
@jac, Interesting… Thanks!
Grey, what do you think about this team? H2H, 10 teams, 8×8 (OPS, FPCT, XPH, Holds, Wins, Losses, K/9…)
C- Mike Napoli
1B- Mark Teixera
2B- Dan Uggla
3B- Jose Bautista
SS- JJ Hardy
MI- Michael Morse
CI- Danny Espinosa
OF- Lance Berkman
OF- Adam Jones
OF- Nick Swisher
OF- Vernon Wells
UTI- Gaby Sanchez
UTI- Adam Lind
BN- Justin Morneau
BN- Jason Kubel
SP- Clayton Kershaw
SP- Ian Kennedy
SP- Michael Pineda
SP- Anibal Sanchez
SP- Ervin Santana
SP- Colby Lewis
SP- Vance Worley
RP- John Axford
RP- David Robertson
RP- Frank Francisco
RP- Mike Adams
@Moscowitz, I think your pitching isn’t very good and your hitting should be better for 10 teams… You look weak on average and speed, which isn’t that bad in H2H….
@Grey, Thanks a lot. Its interessting…the other teams dont look much better than mine and there are not many usefull options left on the wire… its actually a very balanced league.
Gotta love the ol’ school anti-Semitic Jesse Jackson reference. Impressive, sir.
@Colton, Thanks!
Alright, how’d I do?
C-
1B-Konerko
2B-Cuddyer
3B-Longoria
SS-Hanley
OF-CarGo
OF-Braun
OF-Berkman
Util-Lawrie
Bn-Lind
Bn-Krispie
SP-Sabathia
SP-Greinke
SP-J Zimmermann
SP-Lewis
SP-Wandy
SP-McCarthy
SP-Stauffer
RP-Putz
RP-Santos
RP-Motte
RP-Johnson
12 team keeper 6×6(OPS, QS)
Planning on picking up a catcher before the start of the season but who do I drop?
Isssaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Saul Berenson, Drop Johnson… Your league’s very shallow. With that said, your hitting is very solid and your pitching could give you issues, but you can work waivers there.
@Grey, You would drop a closer for a catcher? It’s a 12 team keeper. Curious, what issues? I know Stauffer, but any others? Just finished a Homeland marathon…gotta love Inigo Montoya!
@Saul Berenson, I should say it is H2H not roto, if that matters.
@Saul Berenson, Can drop Stauffer, like I said your league’s shallow, you’re gonna be playing match-ups all year. You need a catcher though… Love Inigo!
Grey,
Question about drafting at the end of the snake. I have the 11 spot and am having a hard time figuring out when to draft my 1B. I’m thinking Longoria may fall to me at 11 and I’d have to take him there (Yahoo has him 13th and a lot of my leaguemates will be using Yahoo rankings). When I pick at the beginning of the 2nd round I’m guessing Miggy, Pujols, Votto, Fielder, and Gonzalez will be gone. I really don’t want to reach for Teixeira there and would prefer to take Reyes or Upton. Then by the time it comes back Teixeira is gone, but it seems too early for Konerko, Berkman, and Hosmer. Is taking Sandoval in the late 3rd to play 1B not wise? I’d be taking him 35th overall there. Would you prefer to wait at that point on 1B? I think I have a good chance to get Berkman/Howard in the 7th/8th rounds or Butler/Lind in the 9th/10th.
Which way would you go? Sandoval in the 3rd/4th, Berkman or Howard in the 7th/8th, or wait real long and go Butler or Lind in the 9th/10th?
My league is H2H, uses OPS, does not use CI, and only has 1 Util spot.
Thanks!
@Mark, Hosmer or Sandoval in the 4th to 5th isn’t bad… Otherwise Butler or Lind in the 10th…
@Mark, I was in a similar situation myself with my H2H draft when I had the #10 pick.
I took Longo, hoping A-Gonz or Fielder would come back. They didn’t. I took Car-Go instead.
I have, however, seen a ton of teams posted here with a stud 1B AND Longo, which suggests he is lasting until the early picks of the second round. You’re taking a risk hoping he gets back to you, but that 1B-3B combo would be pretty sweet.
@Steve,
When did you end up taking your 1B then?
@Mark, I reached a smidge and took Konerko at #39.
@Mark, I was in the same spot in my last draft and took JUp and Longo at the 12/13 turn. I took Panda at 36; it really comes down to who is available, right? 35 is right around where Grey has him ranked overall, and he could be great value for OPS.
@DonSlaughtOnslaught, @Steve, @Grey
thanks for the advice all 3 of you. I was just thinking Sandoval’s 35 ranking by Grey was largely influenced by him playing 3B at that ranking (similar to how Kendrick gets ranked above Holiday but you wouldn’t draft Kendrick above Holiday if you needed an OF).
I’m really hoping A-Gon or Fielder slip to me at 14th overall so I don’t have to worry about it. Hosmer in the 5th or Lind in the 11th seem like decent backup plans.
@Mark, After taking Panda, Konerko was there at the 5/6 turn for me, so I took him as my first Util. If I knew that would happen I might have taken another OF where I took Panda.
Grey! I am surprised…nay….shocked that Jon Niese is not in this post.
Exhibit A (aka, “The baseball stuff”)
None of his FIP, xFIP, SIERA, DIC, POP, or FLAB (okay I made those last three up) were above 3.42. His ground ball rate crept north of 50%, his BB/9 crept down to 2.52, and his K/9 up to 7.89. None of this numbers is world beating in itself, but in tandem with the potential for a positive ERA and neutral to positive WHIP, he’s got some serious solid #3 potential at almost no cost, and while he may have had a bit of Morrlascoitis* in terms of actual results so far in his career, the sample isn’t really large enough to start worrying about that yet, and he was still only 24 last year.
*if this word is unclear, it is a portmanteau of Morrow, Nolasco, and the thing that happens when you eat to many ribs.
Exhibit B (aka “the funny stuff”)
HE GOT A FREAKING NOSE JOB FROM CARLOS BELTRAN! AND HE SAID ITS GOING TO MAKE HIM A BETTER PITCHER. How could you possibly pass this opportunity? The crazy thing is, I really want to believe him. That thing was two schnozzes and a half and whenever he talked it sounded mucus might start gushing out of that thing at any moment. He may have legitimately have had some breathing issues that affected his conditioning.
@MH, I really gotta start rereading my posts from the beginning, and not just the last sentence. His FIP/xFIP/SIERA rates were all below 3.42, not above.
@MH, Damn, and then when I do reread, I gotta reread every word.
@MH, HA! I like Niese…. I didn’t list every single pitcher I like. Also: http://razzball.com/getting-a-little-nosey-about-niese/
@Grey, Ahh missed that one. Yeah I wouldn’t expect you to go through every one, just seemed like that this was the case the Greydar was built for.
In my 8 team H2Her my rotation is: Doc, MadBum, Lester, Garza, Luebke, Hellickson, Storen, Marmol, Farns, Myers, Balfour. Would you say that was overkill for saves? 5 of the 8 teams have 3 or less. I’m one of 3 teams that has 5, and you can play 5 closers at a time.
Would you drop one of those closer-ish guys for Yo-lease, Cahill, Fister, McCarthy? I was thinking about doing it, but didn’t know with the recent Storen and Marmol injuries if I should just yet…and I’ve also been unable to swing a trade with anyone to get rid of some closers.
@Wilsonian, Hold for now…
@Grey,
Thanks. I was leaning that way with the possible injuries. Assuming Storen and Marmol are OK and start the season healthy, and I’m unable to swing a deal, would you lose one of Myers or Balfour for one of those upsidey SPs?
@Wilsonian, Yup
@Wilsonian,
you have some closers who might not be garnering saves by the
all-star break .
get what you can , now , while you can ,
and re-evaluate mid-season .
nothing wrong with building up a lead in saves , if possible .
also , consider this :
some of those teams , that only have 3 closers , lose one .
then , how much more valuable (trade bait) do yours’ become ?
@chata, very true. That’s why I like to snag a few of the bottom feeders in this league. They end up having some trade value, regardless of how shitty they are. I probably should hang on to them for now, based upon that. But the one thing about this league being so small, is that no handcuffs are taken, well besides Jansen and Reed and Venters. So if someone gets hurt, it’s the quickest hand to the waiver wire to snag one. Which does diminsh some value a bit.
You like Milone better than Cahill or Peavy?
I’m assuming not…
@Steve, Nah…
you like venable ,revere or bouregeois till crawford returns
@bob, Bourgie for right now…
Grey,
How do you value Howard now that the “boot is off”. I realize it’s small news but (mu)stashing him on the DL could pay off big.
He go up/down/stay the same?
@Arod’s Frost, Stay the same…
@Grey, The boot’s off, but he’s taking grounders sitting on a stool…
@Steve, Yeah, saw…
@Grey, My ellipsis there was more deliberate than normal…
Ha!
Hey Grey,
Just had our 14 team h2h draft yesterday. Here’s this year’s squad:
C-Soto
1b- Poo Holes
2b- Cuddyer
SS- Alexei Ram
3b- Panda
OF- Dread Pirate
OF- Gabe Bruce
UTL- Werth
UTL- Lind
UTL- Delmon Young
BN- Espinosa, Ibanez
SP’s- Bumgarner, Wilson, Garza, Jurrjens, Cahill
RP’s- Walden, Guerra, Chapman, Melancon
BN- J Sanchez
What’s wrong with this picture? 4 starting RP’s and a 10×10 category league… found that out 5 minutes before the draft. Needless to say I wanted to walk over to the Commish’s house and punch him square in his No No Place.
I had the 5th overall pick and Pujoles fell. I was thinking about taking Crazy, Sexy, Cool Joey Votto, but had to go with The Machine.
I know I am weak on RP’s (SAGNOF), but any other critiques? Thanks!
P.S. Love the podcast!
@Blue Crew, Thanks! I think you’re also weak on SPs after Garza… I like the hitting a lot though, lots of pop, a bit weak on speed…
@Grey, Thanks! I will try and beef a bit, buts its a little shallow with such a deep league. And the Jurrjens pick was a internet glitch that drafted him and not who I wanted…oh well
Can you give me your opinion on the SP I drafted in a 12-team ESPN mock? Rounds in parenthesis.
I usually go with more pitchers in the Beachy tier but this time I ended up going high and low – Halladay at 18th pick overall and then Bumgarner in the 6th seemed like good value and then after that I wanted to wait.
Halladay (2)
Bumgarner (6)
Beachy (11)
Jonathan Sanchez (19)
Jonathon Niese (20)
Derek Holland (21)
Ryan Vogelsong (23)
Jake Peavy (24)
Too many top SPs…
great, now im at work with “wont you take me to, Jaime town” stuck in my head, great post as usual Grey!
Ha… Thanks!
I asked a guy what he wanted for Scherzer, simply because I have man-love for him and his different colored eyes, and he said the only guy he would deal him for would be Garza and then possibly an exchange of closers. What would be fair here?
My rotation again: Doc, Lester, MadBum, Garza, Luebke, Hellickson, Storen, Marmol, Farns, Myers, Balfour
His rotation: Lee, Haren, Shields, Anibal, Scherzer, Dempster, Minor, Darvish, Axford, Hanrahan, Perez
I’m also debating on doing something to sneak Minor into the deal. What do you think? Any fair offers to be had? Or just pass?
@Wilsonian,
if this guy is offering you a chance to up-grade one of your closers ,
(balfour) , for hanrahan , i’d jump at it .
if he’s thinking of sticking you with perez , i’d pass .
when perez loses his closer job , this owner will come back at you .
@chata,
I told him no to Perez. He wanted Garza and Marmol for Scherzer and Perez. Not sure if he’d actually do it for Hanrahan. I think Garza/Farns for Scherzer/Hanrahan is fair. What do you think?
@Wilsonian,
i think you might be under-valuing garza .
@chata, ya think? I think it’s because I’m a Cubs fan and, by nature, I’m pessimistic about anything Cubs. I don’t really even like them on my teams.
@Wilsonian, I’m not sure there’s that much in it. Point Shares has Garza and Scherzer almost dead even, while Grey has Garza higher, but not by a huge amount.
And when you’re dealing with that level of closer, as long as they’re getting saves, their value is pretty much the same.
If you’d rather have Scherzer on your team than Garza because he’s not a Cub, then do it, but it kinda feels like you’re trading like for like there.
@Steve, it’s not really that I’m a Cubs fan, I just honestly don’t see him out performing Scherzer. And the closer argument, while true in most senses, I think changes a little bit in a Ks and Ks/9 league. I think Hanrahan has a better chance at putting up more strikeouts than Farns, thus increasing his value. I also think Hanrahan has a better hold on the job, making him slightly more valuable. And when taking that in conjunction with Storen and Marmol already on my team (and already being injury risks – Storen is apparently going for tests), I like Hanrahan as some insurance.
I definitely appreciate the advice. No clue if anything will go down or not. He said he’d take a look at it either tonight or tomorrow morning.
What do you think about trying to get Minor off of him? The only comparable pitcher I have is Hellickson, and you and I both know that Grey does not like him at all this season. I just took him on the off chance he was wrong, or for trade bait to others who see him as last season’s pitcher.
What’s your gut guess on when Shelby Miller hits the bigs? Is he better than Trevor Bauer?
Miller around July… Miller long term I think will be better… This year it could either…
Y’all might find this of interest…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/mar/22/billy-beane-moneyball
Or not. You choose!
Thanks for sharing!
@Grey, The Football Weekly podcast that is mentioned in the article is terrific. The content probably won’t mean much, but it’s worth a listen for research purposes.
Cool…
Eagerly awaiting a Yahoo Friends and Family Draft post… CC and Lee and 4 starters total? Does this bizarre 13 team expert league have any relevance in the real world?
@ Grey :
call it inappropriate , unethical , immoral , … whatever .
i don’t care .
i am now channeling my brain-waves straight into that 4 1/2″ playing field that’s found between ozzie guillen’s wax-filled ears .
emilio IS going to bat in front of reyes this year , whether he knows it
now , or not .
and when he finally comes to that realization , and sticks with it ,
he’ll think himself quite the genius , i suppose .
but , until then , he’s just another jerk-wad , with a high-paying job ,
that needs to get a clue .
Ha…
Is this in order of preference Grey? Say if you drafted Urinepenis (that’s what I like to call Peacock) and a few of these guys were available, would I add the first one listed that is available?
@B.o.B, Depends on your staff…. You can see the order in the rankings…
How do you feel about Cashner as a Sv/H guy in SD? I have been offered him for Josh Reddick. We play in a 16 team league with 28 per roster. Reddick is a bench player for me currently.
Is Gregerson owned? I think he’d get saves first. I don’t think Cashner is a terrible speculative grab for Ks in a deep league… He’ll get Holds too… Not sure saves will go to him when Street get injured…
@Grey, Funny you should mention Gregerson. I have him on my roster. We use SV/H. My pen is Storen, AReed and Gregerson at the moment.
@Public Enemy #1, I’d hold…
Mock draft… 12 team league. I’m thinking about going all hitters through the first 6 rounds or so, then pitching for the next 6. Then fill in the holes with the rest. Good idea??
1. Jose Bautista (Tor – 3B,OF)
2. Giancarlo Stanton (Mia – OF)
3. Starlin Castro (ChC – SS)
4. Desmond Jennings (TB – OF)
5. David Price (TB – SP)
6. Buster Posey (SF – C)
7. Madison Bumgarner (SF – SP)
8. Josh Johnson (Mia – SP)
9. Matt Garza (ChC – SP)
10. Brandon Beachy (Atl – SP)
11. Jordan Zimmermann (Was – SP)
12. Cory Luebke (SD – SP,RP)
13. Jason Kipnis (Cle – 2B)
14. Kyle Farnsworth (TB – RP)
15. Kendrys Morales (LAA – 1B,OF)
16. Matt Thornton (CWS – RP)
17. Yoenis Cespedes (Oak – OF)
18. Mike Aviles (Bos – 2B,3B,SS)
19. Francisco Liriano (Min – SP)
20. Mike Minor (Atl – SP)
21. Yonder Alonso (SD – OF)
22. Jim Johnson (Bal – RP)
23. Jeff Niemann (TB – SP)
I wouldn’t get caught up on 6 of this 6 of the other… Just draft the best team possible… This team’s pitching is way too strong… You don’t need 6 straight arms…
Would you take jay bruce in the 3rd round? 10 teams.
@Ronkonkoma, Yes
Giving Up:
Moustakas
Leake
Hellickson
Getting:
Aramis
Kimbrell
Sale
Before you say yes, I have 5 closers and dont really need Kimbrell and the best availble sp to pick up are Tearhan, Collmenter, Bailey, and Niemann. So should I do it?
It’s in favor of the Aramis side, but if you don’t need a closer, why are you trading for the top one?
@Grey, 2 catcher league – what side do you prefer in this trade:
Wright and Wieters / Kershaw and Minor.
@mcbainus, Kershaw and Minor fo’ sho’
Kershaw, it’s fair… If Wright can come back, it’s in favor of Wright…
@Grey, I guess I am kinda assuming that Wright is starting to look like he’ll come back…but knowing the Mets, anything can happen.
He didn’t sound very confident in the last report I read… Backpedaling and hedging…
@JerseyMike, Fo sho? I was leaning the other way myself. Grey can be the tiebreaker…
grey some help would be appreciated
11 team, 6×6, ave+OBP, no WHIP, Holds and BAA
My team
W Ramos
P Fielder
D Espinosa
A Cabrera
J Bartlett
B Lawrie
P Sandoval
R Braun
J Bruce
S Victorino
A Ethier
B Boesch
I Davis
Mad Bum
R Romero
D Hudson
J Zimmermann
D Holland
B Wilson
H Street
J Johnson
K Rod
L Gregerson
R Brothers
J Crain
130 starts max in the league so only need 5 starters
But I’ve just been offered J Verlander for my A Cabrera and I Davis
Anyway with an opinion please?
Wow, you don’t need Verlander, but you should take him there…
@Grey, Replacement players for asdrubal and Ike are players like JD Martinez (as Ike is in the Utility spot) and for ss it’s coz art, Desmond, a Escobar
Still think the drop in OFF is worth JV? And drop Holland?
@The badger, Yup and drop Gregerson for now…
@Grey, Thanks Grey
First season viewing Razzball and love your work. Regular listener and reader now
Cheers
PS gonna try and flip Verlander for a bat
Thanks for the kind words!
Unfortunately, I have Volquez at $10, so I am going to throw him back, see if I can him cheaper in the auction.
Reliever question. when do I start to worry about Storen? I have him at $15 for 3 years.
I have a guy offering Putz at $18/for 2 yrs and another player, maybe Meso from the Reds at $5, for him.
As you can tell it’s an NL Only 4×4 keeper.
@elwood blues, I’m worried about Storen, I wouldn’t trade him there though…
Recent draft of mine: (14 team, H2H, 5×5, 5 player dynasty)
C Devin Mesoraco
1B Ike Davis
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Evan Longoria (keeper)
SS Emilio Bonifacio
OF Drew Stubbs
OF Giancarlo Stanton (keeper)
OF Justin Upton (keeper)
OF Matt Kemp (keeper)
UTL Mike Trout
BN Zack Cozart
SP Justin Verlander (keeper)
SP Mat Latos
SP Anibal Sanchez
SP Matt Moore
SP Ubaldo Jimenez
SP Trevor Cahill
RP Kenley Jansen
RP Jim Johnson
RP Grant Balfour
RP Brett Myers
RP Mike Adams
RP Jonathan Broxton
Thoughts?
@big gulps huh?, Doesn’t hurt with those keepers, but your team looks very solid, looks much shallower than 14 teams, which is obviously great… At this point not much to complain about.
@Grey, I was kind of hoping you would nit pick… What do I need to do for opening day?
@alright… well, see ya later!, Get, Trout out of your starting lineup…. Should be able to lose Broxton or Adams after a few days when the Royals announce their closer… I wouldn’t insert Cozart though unless he starts off the season hitting… You’re gonna wanna just grab the hottest bat coming out of spring training…
@Grey, Thanks!… am I crazy to think that Adams has more value even if Broxton starts the year as closer?
If you have Holds in your league, it’s not crazy…
On my main fantasy team in a competitive league… no A’s/Mariners. Standard.
On my Razzball Team?
Let’s just say i’ve now got interest in the Japanese opening weekend!
@TQ4M, Ha!
Madson scratched from appearing in minor league game today.
I don’t know what I can say,” Madson told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday evening. “I don’t like to be like that, but…”
@vinko, That doesn’t sound great…
Grey, think you missed my question a little up, thanks!
whats ur opinion on chad billingsley and bruce chen?
@zimbabwe mon, Not good and bad…
In a “Closer Look” where would you put Broxton/Holland?
@Chicago Mike, Broxton, dead last… Holland, middle of the brain freezes…
So Madson and Storen both nursing sore lady parts. Clippard would be the guy in WAS, but who’s the guy in CIN if Madson goes down?
@Wilsonian, Piece I saw from Cincy guys said Marshall.
@Steve, Thanks! For some reason I hadn’t heard anything. But makes sense.
@Wilsonian,
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2012/03/22/setback-for-madson/
@Steve, Thanks again. His reaction didn’t sound too good, either.
With EY Jr out of options do you see colorado exposing him to waivers?
Any speculation on where we lands or HOPE he lands? KC, MIN,PHI,SD,SF all have sketchy situations at 2nd. From the looks of things though he might be better fit to play LF & no one has trouble filling that spot.
I picked up McDonald as my last pick in a super deep league, have been considering picking up milone to take his place. His higher floor seems appealing as the last man on my rotation. Does this sound sensible?
Bumgarner, Beachy, Luebke, and Minor all on my fantasy team.
My team name: Minor’s Luebed Up Beach Bum. Not bad ey?
Ha, nice…