From this post, life emerges. *toadstool morphs into frog, frog morphs into person, person types up this post* See! Darwinism at its most basic, and ‘basic’ like your girl who just wants a pumpkin spice latte and to play Candy Crush. It’s how basic is defined, yo. For these pitcher pairings, I’m going to be using our (my) 2019 fantasy baseball rankings. Notably, the top 20 starters for 2019 fantasy baseball, top 40 starters for 2019, top 60 starters for 2019, the top 80 starters for 2019 and top 100 starters. You can also just go to our Fantasy Baseball War Room. Okay, formalities out of the way. *rolls up sleeves, makes farting noise with hand under armpit, rolls down sleeve* Let’s get busy! Now, what is a pitcher pairing? It’s your plan for putting together a fantasy staff. A course of action, of course — of acoursion, naturally. If you have A pitcher, which B, C, D, E and F pitcher goes with him? Which is different than ‘F this pitcher,’ that’s what you say in May. You should have six starters. The sixth starter is Jimmy Nelson or take whoever you want. I suggest an upside pick. Nelson comes to mind. Or Ross Stripling. Touki Toussaint also comes to mind. Dereck Rodriguez anyone? I’m going to assume you’re in a 12 team, 5×5 and some variation of 9 pitcher leagues like the Razzball Commenter Leagues. Speaking of which, the RCL league signups will begin on Monday. (NOTE: What you are about to read is massively confusing. If it were found scribbled in a notebook, the FBI would be watching me. If Ed Kemper stood up and read this at the next prison Meet N’ Greet, no one would blink an eye.) Anyway, here’s pitcher pairings for pitching staffs for 2019 fantasy baseball drafts:
If your first pitcher is from the tiers: “Dan Hartman’s Greatest Hit,” or “Butter deodorant”
These tiers are from Scherzer to Nola. If you draft someone from these tiers, you’ll probably lose your league or get lucky with your hitters. If you do draft one, I wouldn’t take another pitcher until the tiers, “Just put the cap of toothpaste on without mentioning it” and “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon Snapchat Filter.” Take one pitcher from one of those two tiers, then grab another starter from one of those two tiers or, “Sideways bosom.” Then grab another starter from, “Sideways Bosom,” “Drinking fizzy drinks that lift you off the ground,” or “An obstetrician screaming, ‘Talk about a hole in one!'” or “Dollar Store condoms.” Then one starter from Condoms or “A mountain of microscopic goose pimples.” Finally, draft one more starter from Goose Pimples. So, you’d have a rotation something like Blake Snell, Jameson Taillon, Shane Bieber, Kyle Hendricks, Matt Shoemaker and Jimmy Nelson. Or you could have Justin Verlander, Zack Wheeler, Luis Castillo, Nathan Eovaldi, Ross Stripling and Touki Toussaint. Either of those staffs will probably net you 13’s in every pitching category in a 12 team league.
If your first pitcher is from the tiers: “The Foaming Lips”
This tier goes from Trevor Bauer to Carlos Carrasco. I’d pair any of them with anyone in their same tier or in the tier, “Adulting,” “Just put the cap of toothpaste on without mentioning it” or “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon Snapchat Filter,” but it’s not mandatory you grab two in the first two tiers. In other words, if I drafted Trevor Bauer, I could see taking Carlos Carrasco or Patrick Corbin or Strasburg or anyone from any of those tiers, but I wouldn’t reach either. If you do take two guys from those first two tiers, then move to “Just put the cap of toothpaste on without mentioning it” or “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon Snapchat Filter,” and take one guy. You will also be fine taking Bauer and moving right to toothpaste cap and the Hammurabi Snapchat filter. If you skip a 2nd starter in Foaming Lips and Adulting, then draft two guys in the toothpaste cap and Hammurabi. So, you could have either something like Bauer, Carrasco and Joey Lucchesi or Bauer, Glasnow and Wheeler. Either way, you then move along to Sideways bosom, fizzy drinks and an obstetrician screaming and grab a guy, then an obstetrician screaming, a condom or a goose pimple. Finally, one guy from the goose pimples. So, you’ll have something like Bauer, Carrasco, Lucchesi, Pivetta, McHugh and Stripling. Don’t mind if I do! Or you could have something like Bauer, Glasnow, Wheeler, Porcello, Stripling and Jimmy Nelson. That’s straight gorge. As in engorged.
If your first pitcher is from the tiers: “Adulting”
This tier goes from Jack Flaherty to German Marquez. This is likely the way I’m going in 12-team leagues and shallower. This would be ideal (and just as convoluted. Anyone that actually reads AND understands this post deserves a gold star and a head exam. “You, sir, are fit for the looney bin.”) My first pitcher will be from the Adulting, then two starters from toothpaste or Hammurabi’s Snapchat filter, then one starter from Sideways bosom, fizzy drinks, an obstetrician screaming and one starter from an obstetrician screaming, condoms and goose pimples. Finally, a goose pimple. So, you could have something like Marquez, Wheeler, Bieber, Hendricks, Eflin and Freddy Peralta. You just won your league and games haven’t even started. You’re welcome. Could this post become more confusing? Short answer: no. Long answer: nooooooooooo. But let’s try…
Overall Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with a lot of different sets of pitchers. Shoot (not you, deranged white man), you probably could do fine with drafting only 3 starters and 3 great relievers and streaming. If you stick to the pitchers I like, then you’ll do well matching them up any way you see fit. For unstints, I could see a lot of people saying Woodruff is being drafted close to Urias, so is it okay if he’s your goose pimple? Yeah, of course. If you draft only pitchers that I like, then I have no quarrel with you. Wanna reach for Pivetta in the area when the Hammurabi’s are coming off the board? That’s cool with me.
TROUBLE AREAS
WHIP Issues – For every pitcher who is projected over a 1.23 WHIP, take one below. The quicker you do this, the better off you’ll be. For unstints, if you take Eduardo Rodriguez, who I have projected for 1.24, you need to pair him with someone I have projected below a 1.23. Don’t pair Ed-Rod with Pivetta. Pair him with someone like Ryu. Remember, the further you get into the rankings, the harder it becomes to find lower WHIPs. Side note: WHIP can be helped by closers and MRs… Or hurt by them.
What about the tier “The penultimate tier,” or any starter listed in the top 100 starters who are in tiers not listed above. They are 7th starters or DL-bound or minor league-bound who you’re stashing. I wouldn’t count on any of them for anything. I like me some Domingo German or a bunch of those guys, but are you really starting any of them every time out in April and risking a huge blow up, which would lead to a crushing April that leaves you in your fantasy baseball basement and a chance to start trading for keepers in May? You take a flyer on someone like Domingo German, hope he works out and if he doesn’t, you decide whether to drop him in redraft leagues. He’s not your 6th starter.
K ISSUES – For drafters who follow my lead, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. You’re shooting for around 150/starter.
Overall Pitching Issues – Just about everyone, including yours truly, drops at least one of their starters by May 1st. Obviously, you want the best team coming out the draft, but it’s a marathon not a sprint. Starters always come out of nowhere on waivers to become productive. Always. Even in deep leagues.
BONUS FEATURE
Because we both know everything above this point was the gibberish of a mad mind, here’s an easy to use shortcut. Just click the pitcher you draft, then you’ll get a short list of the next pitcher you’re supposed to draft. Frank Voila, snitches! Now, have at it:
My personal note to new Razzball readers: If you are looking through Grey’s rankings and recommendations and wondering how to use them, I would tell you that for position players, his recommendations are worth following, but if you like a few players better than Grey does, you can go ahead and substitute your intuition for a few picks – it is your team after all and Grey’s position player recommendations are not infallible.
But pitchers? Grey’s recommendations for pitchers are straight butta. If Grey likes someone you do not, or does not like someone you do, you should be *very* reluctant to use your own intuition over Grey’s recommendation. His pitching recommendations lead to nirvana.
@LenFuego:
I agree Lou. I definitely follow the SP ranks, especially the guys Grey doesn’t like.
Grey has pointed out the with bats sometimes it comes down to team needs at some point. In snake drafts a guy can get sniped and as a manager you have to zag when you wanted to zig. In other words be able to adjust your picks on the fly. Knowing the player pool is invaluable.
@Packers: Thanks!
@LenFuego:
plus one on that
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Thanks!
@LenFuego: Ha, thanks!
You can pick Josh James twice… works for me!!
@Nathan: Depending on league rules, take him three times
@Grey:
I’m just glad I have the option of drafting Shoehi the hitter but don’t have to mess around with drafting the frail armed Shoehi. It’ll be interesting if he ever returns to both but Im hoping he does so well as a hitter this year that he doesn’t become a SP again. Maybe bullpen or some shizz like that if he must pitch.
True shizz, from your mouth to the babes of ears
Grey, who am I keeping? 10 team, 5×5 head to head categories with OPS. Pick 3
JD Martinez – $23
Baez- $15
Realmuto – $2
Mondesi – $4
@DomiNate:
Throw back realamuto and keep the other 3.
@Malicious Phenoms: That is my true debate. I think I’m keeping Realmuto as he’s the number 1 catcher, and 2nd/SS is pretty deep.
@DomiNate: 1 catcher league? Wait it doesn’t matter drop JT.
@Peacecoast: I’d bet I can draft Mondesi for cheaper than I could draft Realmuto for.
@DomiNate: Lose JT
Hey Grey,
My keepers are ALBIES, ARENADO, BREGMAN, SEAGER, TROUT, ACUNA, SOTO, SNELL. We keep 10. Probably keep Ozuna and Paxton/Marquez with the other two. Would you deal Soto straight up for Freeman? Id love to have a stud first baseman but dont want to move soto. Do you think its worth it?
@dubjay:
I would package the sp you don’t keep and OZUNA for Freddy F. and see if he would take it.
@Malicious Phenoms:
I tried that. Hes a huge Nats fan. Also seems to overvalue Freeman.
@dubjay:
Is this a dynasty league? How long can you keep players for?
@dubjay: Paxton and Seagar for Freddy.
@dubjay: Nah
Grey!
Awesome pitcher pairs report.
a. I thought it couldn’t get any better than yesterday’s Magna Carta sighting, but lo and behold, it does get better. Great work.
b. Subdued Norm MacDonald quote for February 8
1. A Michigan man has been arrested for the murder of a co-worker following their joint appearance on the Jenny Jones show. Jenny Jones said she’s very upset over the incident. How upset? Find out on the next Jenny Jones show!
2. F. Lee Bailey said this week that if the defense only knew what Ron Goldman’s last words were they might be able to find the real killer. You know, if you ask me, Goldman’s last words were probably..’Hey, your O.J. Simpson!!’
3. And Bailey insists he’s talked to potential witness Maximo Cordoba. I have not talked to F. Lee Bailey says Maximo Cordoba. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Find out on the next episode of the Cordoba show.
4. Some teenagers are snorting or injecting Ritalin, a drug prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder in children. Drug abuse experts warn that Ritalin can cause accelerated blood pressure along with enhanced mental alertness, a surge of energy and an increased sense of self confidence. And remember kids, those are bad things.
5. Well, tests got under way this week to see if those new outlawed bullets are really as dangerous as everyone says.
6. According to a controversial new biography, Elizabeth Taylor likes her lovemaking loud, rough and frequent. Coincidentally that’s also how she likes to eat!
7. The 5th O.J. Juror has been axed! Oh, no! O.J. strikes again!
8. A recent study shows that the number of sexually active teenagers is leveling off at 53% and another study shows the number of teenagers who tell their friends they are sexually active is holding steady at 100%!
9. Newlyweds Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson had their first argument this week. He wants kids while she wants fake kids.
10. Well, it’s official. Michael Jordan is leaving baseball to return to basketball. It is unclear whether the media will now refer to him by his old basketball nickname ‘Air Jordan’ or his more recent baseball nickname ‘Senor Crappy’.
c. Have a nice weekend!
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante Galic:
Some funny stuff there with the subdude Norm quotes!!
@Fanciful Basesball: @Ante Galic:
Grey’s posts are more fun than a twice divorced woman with a new set of cans!
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: ha ha. Love it
@Ante Galic: A. Thanks! B. 6. Ha! 7. Haha C. You too!
Everyone drafting Scherzer, Sale, etc…
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L3N77J2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_WXwxCbJM3S7H2
I discovered this shirt when I saw it on a middle aged woman at the movie theater once and it just made me cringe.
@Crime Dog: Haha
I’d like to suggest a new title for this annual post:
“You’re Gonna Want a Second Monitor for this One, Folks!”
A great follow-up to yesterday’s “Good Luck Scrolling Down to the Comments Section!”
Another fantastic post, and one of my favorites every year. If Grey’s top 600 is the Napoleon Hill of fantasy baseball guides, this post is the Dale Carnegie. I’d make more self-help references, but I won’t.
Thank you, Grey, for doing what delusional and unstable crazy people do on the internet constantly, but and for doing it so incredibly well, and for an audience of a bunch of dudes and 5 dudettes.
No lie, in the mornings my girlfriend hears me giggle at your funnier combinations of words. If she asks what I’m laughing at, I read her the passage, to which she says “That’s not as funny as his ‘Torenado’ bit.” So you’ve even got praise for a shtick from a woman that doesn’t fastasy sport blog, fantasy sport, or even sport.
What I’m trying to say is: thank you.
@Fanciful Basesball: Haha, nice title posts! No problem, thanks!
Does your advice on drafting starters change in leagues where there is a severe transaction limit? We only allow 40 pickups for the year, so streaming is not really much of an option
@Darren: Yes, need to adjust your drafting
Like any of these deals in a keep forever league?
A: Giving up Matt Chapman, Carrasco, getting Springer, Cano
B: Giving up Yelich, Carrasco, getting Altuve, Springer
C: Giving up Chapman, Yelich, Carrasco, getting Altuve, Springer, Cano
@Jon:
I personally don’t like any of the trades. I would not trade Yelich, and I would not want Cano in a keep forever league. How about carassco for Springer or Altuve..
@Malicious Phenoms: Yeah, I have similar thoughts.
Gray?
D) Giving up Carrasco, getting Altuve
@Jon: yes do this
@Jon: Carrasco for Altuve sounds solid
@Jon: Jon!
Just my $0.02. None of those are good for you. Let’s wait for our Messiah, but in my books Yelich, Carrasco and Chapman are better than those other three for this year and probably beyond. Chapman will hit 40 HRs soon with a .300 AVG, Yelich is the real deal, Carrasco is still butter. Altuve – the jury is out, we’ll see this year what his value is. Springer could be 30/10/.265 which is not far from Gallo (paraphrasing Grey!), more or less, and Cano is on his last legs so this year and possibly next and then adios Cano for fantasy baseball purposes.
Cheers,
Ante
@Jon: These are not good
I would say someone that drafted a starter within the first 20-23 picks are normally top 3 in the league. Where did your dislike for early starters …well..start!? You can find cheap bats all over free agency. Pitchers that go deep enough to get consistent quality starts are tough to find in the draft alone. Wins can be found. But I’d argue there are less breakout starters on free agency as opposed to batters (that’s what the end of your rotations should be filled with) With that being said, I’ve been drafting batter heavy this year, but past years not so much
@Christian Herman: There’s a really cool thing with pitchers called streaming. Hard to stream a replacement for Nolan Arenado.
They’ve actually done an analysis of this in in RCLs a few years back. Who took Kershaw or Scherzer in first round and where did they finish. (Hint: most of them were not at the top half of their leagues)
@Christian Herman: s
I used to think that as well but since i found Razzball I changed my thinking. I always did well but i have been in the Championship every year since I switched to Grey’s strategy. It is tough to streams some of these shaky pitchers week to week but over the season you end up ahead.
You can’t replace a big consistent bat but you can always find a pitcher on a short term hot streak or with a good matchup. Hell last year you could just stream who ever was starting against Tampa Bay.
@Christian Herman: I always finish in top 3 in my pitching using this strat. Last year I picked up guys like Stripling, Derek Holland etc. You just have to know how to pick up pitching during the year. I drafted Quintana as my SP1 in the 5th round and he sucked. Took a flyer on Mikolas. Taillon also anchored my staff.
@Christian Herman: Gotcha
@Christian Herman: The biggest selling point for me of waiting on SP is that there is more injury risk with a pitcher than any other position. It happens to any of them more frequently than a season ender for a hitter. Speed guys can tweak a hammy, but it’s a few weeks. Power guys can pull a lat, but it’s a few weeks. But Tommy John takes the rest of the season and then some. Or a lingering arm issue can lower MPH or make them not throw the slider.
Knocke is right though. There was some analysis done on this in the past. I forget who did it (Lance? I don’t think it was Grey), but another point was the turnover in the top tier was higher for pitchers than for hitters. IIRC, the separation from top hitters and mid-tier hitters was greater than it was for SPs too.
Grey,
Will Realmuto be elible for short stop at some point? It is only a matter of time before Kaplar’s analytics crystal 8 ball tells him the situation calls for Realmuto to play shortstop and bat 9th.
I like that trade arguably the best catcher in the league for alfaro, dirty Sexto Sanchez and wilson.
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Haha, Kapler’s throwing Realmuto in the 7th by May 1st
Any advice on using this as a guide in a NFBC style league? Which tiers do you grab depth from?
@Sleve McDichael: In a 15 team league, you mean? I make sure to grab a #1 in the Foaming Lips tier
Hot stove is so bad this year people literally blowing their loads about a catcher finally getting traded> OMGZ he is gonna hit 25 homers this year, HE WAS SO GOOD AWAY FROM HOME LAST YEAR @1!!!111
He doesn’t even steal anymore, that was his big value bit right there. If the Phillies also get Harper will you raise Hoskins ranking? I love him too. Oh wait you already have him at 23 lol.
Very high on Shaw after listening to podcast! Def gonna nab him even if it means a round or two earlier than his ADP.
Something bothers me about Bryant. I mean his whole season was fucked up by a shoulder injury that was never really diagnosed and treated except with rest? I almost would have rather he had surgery or something.
The acting in Danemora is top notch. I mean unbelievable. How come no one talks about this show? Shouldn’t it win awards?
If you could get the official 2019 stats on ONE player this year right now who would it be? Mondesi?
@Peacecoast:
Mondesi is a great choice.
I’ll say J. Ramirez.
I would like to know all the one and 2 cat guys, like Gordon, M. Smith, Hamilton. Taking a chance as it is, would be nice to know final numbers.
Gallo is another.
@Peacecoast:
I don’t care about catchers in fantasy i always punt but for the real phillies i think that is a great deal. You don’t like it?
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Great real life move for Philly. Esp if they get Harper too!
@Peacecoast:
I like all their moves so far. in my opinion they are contending for the division already been awhile since we could say that with a straight face
Hopefully they are not done yet i bet the pick up keuchel and that free agen t from the Nationals. whatever the hell his name is.
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: For real baseball, Realmuto for that package is solid
@LennyDykstraIsJustMisunderstood: Dood. Your name gets me everytime. There was a Nails writeup in my local paper this week… Lots of “misunderstanding”, for sure.
@Peacecoast: Backwards forwards — Mondesi, I know on Dannemora, even Arquette’s husband was incredible, what was his name? Lyle? Damn he was good… Yeah, maybe on Bryant, I hope not, he’s not that old, think he can bounce back… I love Shaw this year… Bleh on Realmuto, he’s still a 18-20 HR, 3 SB, .280 hitter… It’s super boring
@Grey:
Lyle was a home wrecker tho
Oh, yeah, in the backstory… He was a damn good actor tho, I have no idea who he was
@Grey:
you’re right he was great.
He’s bald! Haha. Only thing I remember him in was a show called the Bridge which was ok.
The Bridge show in Sweden — think it’s one Prime — is great…
US one wasn’t great
Holy crap, it’s the guy from Narcos, that’s insane, I did not recognize him at all
@Grey:
oh yea that too!
Have you seen/heard bout Suburra or 4 blocks?
Never heard, asking Cougs
@Grey:
Is she in love with Gomorra as much as us?
Yeah, she’s crazy about Gomorra
Cougs said, “I asked you about Suburra and you said you hadn’t heard.” So, when I just asked her again, now she knows I wasn’t paying attention, thanks!
@Grey:
HA!
You put me on shout!
Sadly, you left out our favorite ace, so I figured I’d provide an addendum due to your unfortunate oversight:
If you take
A. Clayton Kershaw
go next with…
B. Bumgarner or Greinke
then your choice of
C. Chris Archer or Yu Darvish
follow with
D. John Lester or Jose Quintana
add emphasis with
E. Jake Arrieta or Alex Wood
swing for the fences with
F. Sonny Gray or Mike Minor
take a final stand with
G. Matt Harvey or Vince Velasquez
This should result in no less than a 12th place finish. Rejoice in each choice!!!
@Dave D: Ha! Good call
Grey,
I know it’s super early, but I am wanting your thoughts on these 5 prospects as to whether they will make the Opening day rosters:
C – Francisco Mejia (SD)
2B/ SS – Garrett Hampson (COL)
2B – Luis Arias (SD)
3B – Vlad Jr (TOR)
SS – Nick Senzel
@Scott Kimmel: I go over them: https://razzball.com/2019-fantasy-baseball-rankings/
Grey,
10 Team league with up to 6 keepers. 5×5 with OPS instead of AVG and QS instead of Ws. Our keepers are based on a tier ranking system (some weird formula) that correlates to their round in which they can be drafted. For example, Kris Bryant is ranked 23rd overall so he would equal your 3rd round draft pick if you wanted to keep him. So obviously you want to select the best players but you also have to take into account value for the round the Keeper can be selected. Out of the below, who would your 6 selections be. The number in parentheses = the round they would count as my draft pick.
Nolan Arenado (1)
Trea Turner (2)
Carlos Correa (3)
Andrew Benintendi (3)
Anthony Rizzo (3)
Aaron Judge (4)
Patrick Corbin (9)
Jack Flaherty (11)
David Dahl (13)
Zach Wheeler (15)
Gracias.
@MarionBusby:
Nolan Arenado (1)
Trea Turner (2)
Andrew Benintendi (3)
Aaron Judge (4)
Jack Flaherty (11)
David Dahl (13)
Awesome Lmao That’s all i have to say about this post
@Skip Mcgillicuddy: Thanks!
Keep forever OBP dynasty league…
Should I trade
Kris Bryant, Jose Altuve and Michel Baez
for
Javier Baez, Ozzie Albies and 1st rd prospect pick(3rd overall)?
@Bucktail30: Works for me
Grey, I followed your post today to a “T” and am quite pleased!! Woodruff went to me in the FINAL round, FYI.
Looking for advice for this league (weaknesses) in Yahoo 12 Team H2H mixed:
SP: Flaherty, Happ, E. Rodriguez, Luchessi, Eovaldi, Heaney, Anderson, Woodruff
RP: Alvarado, Givens
1B: Encarnacion, Gallo
2B: Baez, Schoop
3B: Rendon, E. Escobar
SS: Story, Peraza
OF: Betts, Springer, Dahl, Conforto
C: Kelly
Thinking Springer for Rizzo trade, but any suggestions for Pre-season trades?
THANKS!
I LOVE the smell of mustachio wax in the morning!
Nice pitching! You look low on AVG and speed, not as bad on speed… Solid team tho, not bad by any means
@Hepcat13:
“………THANKS! I LOVE the smell of mustachio wax in the morning! …”
LOL That’s some serios man crush going on there brother!……not that there’s anything wrong with that……….:)
Haha
Assuming I have Corbin and Nola as keepers (14 teams 3 SP 2RP, 3P), from last year, who should I be targeting to round out my rotation? I usually roster 7/8 SP.
I was thinking Beiber, Glassnow, Reyes (because I think I can afford the risk), Musgrove Pineda/Nelson?
You see any shortfalls there?
Works for me
I know you said to avoid him, is that why Syndergaard doesn’t appear to show up in the tool at all?
That is why
Hi Grey! Love reading your stuff! Thank you for all your info.
In a Keepers league:
I’ve been offered Benintendi and either Wheeler, Quintana, Flaherty, or Buehler for Guerrero. Would you make this trade? If so, which SP would you pick.
Thanks!
Thanks! Buehler
What are your thoughts so far on this 12 team $50 NFBC squad? I’m up in a few picks. Thinkin’ I should keep hitting the pitching with my #136 overall pick?
1B- Hoskins
2B- Shaw
3B- ?
SS- Machado
CI- Gallo
MI- Mondesi
OF- Yelich
OF- Springer
OF-?
OF-?
OF-?
UT-?
SPs- Flaherty, Happ
RPs- Raisel, Leclerc
Here are a few guys in the queue… Ed-Rod, Bieber or maybe Mazara, Eloy, Victor Robles.
You need an SP and OF, and I love all of those guys… Hard to argue the SP move
@Grey: Locked and loaded on Domingo Santana in a few rounds too for OF. So I’ll prob just start by grabbing as many of your SPs (EdRod, Bieber, Glasnow, Lucchessi, etc) in the next few rounds, while seeing if I can still scoop Mazara and Domingo somewhere. I’ve got eyes for Eduardo Escobar soon too, so I can slide him in that 3B spot.
Thanks for all your help breh! Have a good weekend.
No problem! You too!
@knucks:
What’s the roster looking like and what round you in?
@Dave D:
Got it. Missed the first post. As usual Grey has good advice. Id try and get a strikeout picher (Glasnow?) and a good contact/.BA OF to offest potentially low BAs from Gallo/Mondesi.
@Dave D: Thanks Dave! Since the post I’ve grabbed Bieber, with eyes for Eduardo or Glasnow. THen Lucchessi. Good point about the AVG, I’m gonna look into that now.
Harper has it figured out.
https://snewsi.com/id/19186068212/Bryce-Harper-Asks-If-Phillies-Willing-To-Move-To-Another-City
In a 10-team, h2h category league where each team can keep up to 6 players without penalty.
Just made a deal for Acuna. How did I make out?
His Acuna and 115th overall draft pick for Arenado, Kimbrel, and my 67th overall draft pick.
The first pick in the draft is 61st overall. I still have 4 of the top 17 draft picks (62, 69, 72, and 77).
My 5 other keepers, in no particular order are, Sale, JD, Bryant, Correa, and Bellinger.
Looks good!
@Grey: Thanks, I’m pumped to own Tildaddy.
Looking at maybe making another move…
What do you think of Judge and #68 for JD and #112?
Sounds even to me
Harper has it all figured out.
https://snewsi.com/id/19186068212/Bryce-Harper-Asks-If-Phillies-Willing-To-Move-To-Another-City
Lindor out 7-9 weeks
Ouch
@Grey: that’s what he said!
Why did he say that?
@Grey: to get to the other side!
Haha
@Grey: calf strain….nooooo. guess we’ll see how he progresses but if it’s me I’m probably not taking the chance at 3 overall, that’s something that could linger
I updated the top 10
Updated https://razzball.com/top-10-for-2019-fantasy-baseball/
weekend plans?
Going to see Mike Tyson today!
@Grey: deets
Some Chinese New Year celebration where they’re honoring Mike Tyson (HUH?)… I don’t know either, it’s what I’m told by Cougs…
@Grey: watch out for the chinese water spaghetti
Vietnamese!
@Grey:
Is he performing ballet or what? Stand up comedy? Stripping? Making animal balloons?
I think accepting an award…Maybe… Cougs has true deets
@Grey:
Oh. Id definitely take my kids to see him if he was making animal ballons. Long flight from CT to LA though.
You’re in CT? I always thought you were an Angels fan in Anaheim
@Grey:
I grew up in the South Bay. My parents, sister and most friends still there. I last visited in October. My wife is from NY and dragged me back here three years ago. If I had an extra three million to buy a house where I grew up She’d consider moving back.
Ah…gotcha, where are you in CT then?
@Grey:
Old Saybrook. Katherine Hepburns later life home. Its like a much cheaper, colder version of Malibu/Pt. Dume
Nice! Don’t know that area that well but I trust Katherine Hepburn!
@Dave D: I didn’t know shizznit about the east coast until we started exploring the move. I don’t need to lnow that much other than its colder, more humid with lots of mosquitoes in summer, like .01 percent of the homeless population of CA, beach houses are affordable for non celebrities/CEO types. That is most of what I’ve realized that affects everyday life.
.01 of the homeless bc mosquitos, humidity and colder! I like the east coast, but I’m spoiled by the weather now
In a 15 teamer I’m taking 8 players and then going eRod and Bieber.
Now you’re on board with Ed-Rod and Bieber? Nice! You see what I said about another commenter was at your grocery convention?
@Grey:
I did. Went back and looked at the comment. He wasn’t there. He works for the company that was throwing the party.
I was high on eRod last year. I spotted some mechanical fixes in ST. Higher still on him and could see a top 20 with some luck. Bieber I think the Indians analytics team will make some tactical adjustments with him and he could be huge. Probably looked at more film on him than any player this off season.
I’m late pitching every year. Think my first pitcher last year was Castillo in our NFBC. But I do trust Magoo. He always puts together good teams.
I’ve been talking about this a lot this off season, but I’d really like to see somebody put some numbers together in an effort to quantify various draft strategies like early SPs vs wait. Is it possible even to quantify draft strategies? Or is it just a matter of all are equal in theory and only subject to better or worse execution?
It’s so hard to quantify any strategy because how do you say this guy who drafted pitching late did well without factoring in how he grabbed Walker Buehler off waivers?
Glad I’m not alone on Bieber and Ed-Rod! Now to get you to come around on Lucchesi!
Just offered kershaw for ozuna and glasnow.
10 team 6×6 roto dynasty.
Thoughts?
Ozuna side
Hey Grey!! You recommended that I keep Degrom and Buehler in a keeper league I am in. Would you wait a while in the draft before selecting another pitcher?
I would
I am always most comfortable in the Looney bin apparently….
Thanks for these posts…. Getting ready… Err I mean “Loading…..”
Bryce as a Philly push him up your ranks?
Did Bryce sign?
@Grey: I’ll re-ask after it’s no longer “hypothetical”
Cool
@Grey: @Grey
Well, if he does just make it easy on yourself and just flip his slot with Lindor.
The Indians’ bats feel like an avoid this year
@Grey:
Yeah. I own none so far. It will likely stay that way unless I get super premium discounts.
Totally
Grey, this questions probably been asked before, but when do the commenter leagues open for 2019?
Monday!
Saw your updated ranks of lindor. Would you honestly even touch him in the first rd now? Calf injuries are tricky especially for a guy who you were expecting to get 25-30 an and so many other good options available. I remember the Donaldson calf injury and what it did to him and kept being aggravated. Do you even want to deal with this potential headache? I know what he is capable of doing but is the risk worth it?
25-30 sb. How the F does my phone turn sb into an
If there’s one setback, I will move him further back but where I put him feels fine for now… information is scant right now… if he’s back last week of spring or first week of May is up in the air still… he’s also now in an avoid tier
Hey Culligan Man!
Flukazy!
@Grey: you able to finally see a Smok Nord yet?
Actually, no, but maybe this weekend if I get over there…. It threw me off when the place near me was out of business… No I have to recalibrate… I wonder if Grimey still vapes…
Grey: Trade my Story ($21) & Taillon ($10) for his Soto ($6). 12 team 5×5 keeper auction with $300 budget and OPS instead of AVG. Unlimited keepers with $5 annual salary inflation factor. Love Soto and him being so young and so cheap – would only be $35 in his age 26 season!!?
Sounds fine to me
Grey: Trade my Story ($21) & Taillon ($10) for his Soto ($6). 12 team 5×5 keeper auction with $300 budget and OPS instead of AVG. Unlimited keepers with $5 annual salary inflation factor. Love Soto and him being so young and so cheap – would only be $35 in his age 26 season!!?
Yup, that works
Do you think Lindors injury will effect his SB totals?
Secondly Lindor at $28 or Betts at $38
Yup — Betts
Harper will sign with the Phillies
https://sports.theonion.com/bryce-harper-asks-if-phillies-willing-to-move-to-anothe-1832462398
Ha
I get most my fantasy baseball advice from Razzball, but I can’t emphasize enough how excellent the pitching picks have worked out for me of late. My staff last year featured nola, corbin, clevinger, folty and wheeler thanks to these rankings. Actually makes me enjoy drafting pitchers. So, thank you Grey and Razz fam!
Keeper question.
10 team H2H, 6×6 OPS/Qs.
Keep 2.
Obvious: Story (8)
Other choices:
Severino (8, bumps Story to 7)
Corbin, Folty, or Clevinger (10)
Nola (5)
Ozuna (9)
E Rosario (10)
Nice to keep an Ace SP late, so I have been leaning Corbin, since Severino was scary last year and bumps Story up a round.
But, the ADP and ranks on Yahoo are such that maybe I should keep Ozuna instead and just target some of these pitchers in rounds 6-9. (Y! Ranks have Ozuna at 53, Corbin at 68).
Thoughts?? Thanks as always!
Thanks! Story and Corbin works for me… Can just re-draft those other guys
Can you recommend a few players who are slated to open the season on the DL who will be productive fantasy players in 2019. My league permits stashing in 2 DL slots.
Lindor? Ask again in about a month when people start getting injured — if you need it now, Dinelson Lamet and Taijuan Walker
wese got an interesting problem, BOTH of bour/otani present bad lefty side splits. this might help bour’s at bats. i had no idea otani’s last year OPS vs L were .654 vs R 1043. that’s an insane split level. so pujols and ONE of the turrible against lefty guys will be playing every day (unless new manager notices this then it gets much worse for the non-pujols’ guys). good projections systems have otani as actually WORSE this year against lefties than .654. SOB, that’s gonna leave a mark.
That is a pretty extreme split, I wonder how he was in Japan vs. lefties
Very shallow league 16 teams H2H 13 keepers;
DeGrom SP
Carrasco SP
Severino SP
L Castillo SP
Wheeler SP
Machado
Renfroe
Mondesi
Encarnacion
Votto
Soto
Blackmon
Arenado
I don’t pick until 3rd round. Needs RP, C and 2B
My strategy load up on RP and I can probably ignore SP until late rounds. Agree or disagree. Max is 7 starts per week
Agree!
Standard Yahoo 12-Team Mock Draft, drafting position 6
1. Christian Yelich (Mil – OF)
2. Manny Machado (LAD – 3B,SS)
3. Trevor Story (Col – SS)
4. Trevor Bauer (Cle – SP)
5. Patrick Corbin (Was – SP)
6. Adalberto Mondesi (KC – 2B,SS)
7. Blake Treinen (Oak – RP)
8. David Dahl (Col – OF)
9. German Márquez (Col – SP)
10. Max Muncy (LAD – 1B,2B,3B)
11. Ender Inciarte (Atl – OF)
12. José Peraza (Cin – SS)
13. David Robertson (Phi – RP)
14. Victor Robles (Was – OF)
15. Shohei Ohtani (Batter) (LAA – Util)
16. Yasmani Grandal (Mil – C)
17. Joey Lucchesi (SD – SP)
18. José Alvarado (TB – RP)
19. Hyun-Jin Ryu (LAD – SP)
20. Mychal Givens (Bal – RP)
21. Hunter Renfroe (SD – OF)
22. Chase Anderson (Mil – SP)
23. Daniel Palka (CWS – OF)
Just looking for some advice through a critical eye. My notes are that to take Bauer I had to pass up Albies and other SS/3B, but already having Story and Machado and knowing Mondesei would be 2B, I went to SP… unfortunately they raped the 1B there or I would have grabbed Rhys, Rizzo, or Belli instead. I wasn’t comfortable on Treinen as I usually close the draft with chump relievers, but I didn’t see anyone amazing and his ratios are tasty by your projections. Ok, in all honesty I do like 1 solid reliever at least for ratios and Ks. Other than that not too much to note. Pretty sure I like Grandal at round 16, doesn’t seem like a reach. I am pretty sure I’d be happy if this was my actual roto team.
I like the team a lot, you have all guys I like but much later than I have them ranked so that’s great… I love Muncy, so not an elite 1B but it’s fine
G
Would you trade Trout for Acuna and Folty? In a dynasty league
Nah
It’s official – CBS Sports has already won the Fantasy Expert Razzie for “Worst Article of the Year”:
https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/fantasy-baseball-rankings-2019-and-busts-model-that-beat-experts-warns-about-howie-kendrick-carlos-santana/
HAHAHAHAHA!!!! So you’re telling me NOT to draft Howie Kendrick??? I didn’t even realize he still plays. And somehow he’s the 3rd player off the board in CBS Leagues. WTF.
In my confusion, I even scrolled to the top to and double check the publication date – surely this was an article for 2018 (or maybe even 2008).
Nope.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA… Wait…WUT… This isn’t serious, is it?
Must keep 10 in a keep-forever league 7×7 roto league, 5×5 plus OPS and K’s for hitters, QS and Holds for pitchers. No salaries or pick penalties, just keep a guy and he’s yours.
Have Betts, Bregman, Bryant, Rizzo, Vladito, Eloy, Scherzer, and Kershaw as my first 8….deciding between a pair of Mazara/Pham/Mallex for the last two spots (unless someone feels like making a real compelling case for Doolittle or Darvish). Who’s the odd man out?
Mazara, Mallex — is sexy, Mazara/Pham is safer… I’d prolly go safer if the league is deep… You didn’t list league depth
@Grey:
Ah, oopsie. 12 teams, 26 man rosters. Nothing too deep.
Andddd im cross eyed
Ha
Wow mondesi had 8 hrs 14 sbs (17 attempts) and 33ks in 110 at bats. What a month. Maybe he can go 25 / 45 or somthing absurd.
He had a game vs cle on sep 27 where he went 1 for 4 with a walk a hr, 2 sb and struck out twice.
He stole almost every time he was on first that month.
Ha
Hey Grey! Where do you think Rhys will go from an auction dollars standpoint in 12 team keeper leagues?
Thinking about letting my $21 Rhys go into the FA pool in favor of $4 Dahl, but given the scarcity at 1B, worried he’d go for something nuts like $40+ in a keeper…
That sounds okay… I’d guess between $28-32
Hey Grey!
Could I get some keeper advice?
I’m in a 12 team, Head-to-Head, Daily
Batting: R, HR, RBI, K, SB, AVG, OPS
Pitching: K, QS, W, SV, ERA, WHIP, K/9
Auction draft with $280 budget.
Which 3 would you keep?
Freddie Freeman $42
Brian Dozier $31
Miguel Andujar $8
Francisco Lindor $40
Mookie Betts $50
Khris Davis $25
Patrick Corbin $9
Kyle Gibson $8
Sean Doolittle $11
Blake Treinen $11
Anthony Rendon $38
Ronald Acuna $19
Ross Stripling $8
Zack Wheeler $8
Mike Clevinger $15
Masahiro Tanaka $24
I’m leaning towards Acuna, Corbin, and Lindor…
Acuna, Corbin… Then prolly Betts
@Grey: Thanks, Grey! Pitchers and catchers report in 3 days!!
Woohoo!
So given ADP is mainly used to know when guys you like may be around for a certain round of the draft, what ADP data do you use? NFABP I assume. But do you use the most recent? How recent? It seems that it only matters what everyone else in the league uses. What do you use? Kinda pointless to use only the last month’s data if the rest of the league just loads up the NFBC page and uses the default list which goes back to November or something!
I just look at the NFBC ADP page… not sure what date it is, will check when I’m by my computer… I think it’s the only one they have tho
@Grey: https://playnfbc.shgn.com/adp
ya that is the default listing that shows all drafts. You can also just select a date range to get the most recent drafts. I am starting to think most people use the default and not the most recent drafts. Ugh it makes a big difference for some players!
Yeah, that’s the link I use… didn’t even realize you could change per dates
@Grey: How was Mike Tyson??
Shorter than I expected!
@Grey: Tyson came through my checkpoint at LAX a few weeks ago. Like you said, shorter than expected, but yolked ass fuck, still looks like he will kill anyone in a fight, very intimidating.
Did he have a grey beard when you saw him too? He looked old
@Grey: yeah. Saw Harrison Ford yesterday from afar, he looked old too. Ironically woke up and saw The Fugitive was on tv earlier lol
Other than looking for good in draft software advice I need a lot of help from a master. While I don’t think this is the year yet, I want to go in and try to draft a winner because I have some decent profit, just not a lot of talent. I play in a 12 team AL 5×5 roto auction league with OPB instead of BA that’s been going for over 20 years
Keep min 6 up to 12 roster players. My Minors are fine.
Garver 3C
Mondessi 1B
Gleyber 10B
Gerrit Cole 30B
Carlos Rodon 8B
Diego Castillo 3B
Clint Frazier 4B
Christian Stewart 7A
Ryon Healy 11 second of 3 years
Hunter Dozier 1B
Ohtani 24B
Daniel Norris 2B
Brad Keller 4B
Kyle Tucker 10b ( would need to protect on major roster as I activated him)
Giolito 10B
What 6 or more is worth keeping on my active roster. We play traditional with two catchers and a DH or 10th pitcher as our way of celebrating Ohtani and the incoming 2 way player , Anyone that is a B needs to be signed next year at +5 for 2 years or +10 for 3
Mondesi, Gleyber, Healy, Ohtani, Cole, Dozier, though if I said I 100% understand what you were asking I’d be lying
Putting your tiers into the Rotowire App (Aren’t you affiliated with those guys somehow now? Can’t they put your rankings into a separate tab on their app and sell it for an extra $3 or something. They are based where I live in Madison, WI so let me know if you need a local negotiator)
Anyhoo…And just reading the Andrelton Simmons blurb. I must have missed it. Leading off with “One thing this guy really excels at is plate appearances. Have you ever seen his plate appearances?” That is sooo great.
Ha, thanks!
Hammurabi… hahahahahahaha!
He’s back!!
https://is.gd/dzZ1ko
Hahaha, is that Tehol?
@Grey:
Hahah no brett Lawrie. Is tehol back too?
Haha, no, I don’t think so
so I just gotta ask….I can keep Carpenter in round 8. With keeper inflation he will likely go around round 5 in my league. Versus Voit in round 20 (inflation he would go around 14). I know you hate Carp. I do too. So keep Voit? Or gamble on the 8 round value in Carp since Voit may not have a job after ST.
@Peacecoast: that was a dumb question. Voit obviously.
Haha
I’d just go with Carp, can redraft Voit if you want him
thor appears to be missing from the PPP above. not sure but if he’s missing maybe others are too?
@Mordacious Levator: grey don’t like thor. I do though.
Not missing, I wouldn’t draft him
Grey,
Just a quick question. I am looking for a free website where I can do my player auctions. Do you by chance happen to know of any? My league is on Fantrax. Thanks in advance.
Is Fantrax not free?
i think u r right
Thanks Grey. Trying to take these to heart. 3rd year reading, first title last year, and threes years in paid out.
Trade acuna in May for Goldschmidt so I lost my keeper for the upcoming year and my options feel weak. But I won the league so I’ll deal.
12 team league with OPS and QS. I am pick 12 having won. I expect 7-8 of your top 20 players to be kept.
My Keeper Options:
Freeman in 1
Rizzo in 2
Marte in 3
Carrasco in 4
Mazara in 9
Wade Davis in 11
Robbie Ray in 12
I am thinking Carrasco and Ray could be a good pairing. I’m higher on Ray despite the walks and hoping for continued improvement he showed through July through September last year. But part of me is looking for positive value in keeper vs adp.
Thoughts? I can choose to keep no one and can keep as many as two
Ray and Carrasco seem like the only ones near worth keeping…
@Grey: yes that was my concern and with first pick in the fourth I could draft Carasco there. Time to rebuild.
Swap my Altuve & Kershaw for his Harper? 20 team 5×5 keep 10 players. Archie Bradley would become a repeat for me after trade.
Thanks!
Seems a bit much
@Grey: Thanks for the reality check!
No problem
Was offered $3 Muncy for my $32 Correa in a 12-team 6X6 Roto keeper league (can keep 10) with OPS and QS. U like? Here’s the rest of my squad:
C:
1b: Freeman
2b:
3b: Arenado
SS: Seager
OF: Springer
OF: Khrush
OF: Eloy
U: Devers
U:
SP1: deGrom
SP2: Taillon
SP3: Urias
Also have Tatis as a minors keeper…
Any other thoughts about my team or what I should target in the draft would be appreciated! I need some speed.
Thanks as always grey!
That’s doesn’t sound bad, $32 for Correa isn’t much of a keeper anyway… you have no speed as you know… Mallex Smith for $30, here we come!
Grey, can u please tell me what u think of this mock, 12 team roto. I like it.Hoskins would go to first once eligible and Voit would be util.
C-Alfaro
1B-Voit
2B-Senzel
SS-Segura
3B-Shaw
CI-Muncy
MI-Mondesi
Of-Yelich
Of-Harper
Of-Hoskins
Of-Dahl
Of-Jimenez
Util-Dejong
Sp-Flaherty
Sp-Marquez
Sp-CMart
Sp-Luccesi
Rp-Leclerc
Rp-Knebel
Rp-Greene
Rp-Parker
Rp-Brasier
Rp-Minter
Rp-Boxberger
Rp-Strop
I like it too, I think your pitching is solid and hitting… Solid all around team…Not much to complain about
Sweet thank you
No problem
Where are we taking lindor this year in a redraft with the looming calf injury
What’s good Grey? In a 12-team keeper league where you get to keep 6 players (i.e., at least two pitchers and two hitters, the other two slots are up to you).
I was coming in with the keeper group of Arenado, Turner, Jo-Ram, Rendon, Sale, and Bauer. Had Berrios, Treinen, and Cain waiting in the wings.
Considering I was staring down keeping 3 third basemen and nobody was giving me anything for Rendon, I flipped Jo-Ram for Yelich. Good or bad move?
Much appreciated as always.