Gonna look back at my ESPN fantasy baseball rankings comparison from last year, as I did with the Yahoo fantasy baseball rankings the other day, because it’s so helpful. Not for this year, but in general to humble myself. To make me hungrier than I’ve ever been. I have to eat. Then I make that spoon-to-mouth hand gesture, then I pat my stomach, making a hand gesture that I ate too fast, then I make the hand gesture that I need a nap, then I point to a watch-less wrist to ask you to wake me up, then I point to my diploma on the wall from Mime School. So, here’s the guys I told you to avoid in ESPN’s fantasy baseball rankings last year:
As we saw with my Yahoo rankings comparison, I was wrongly out on Aaron Judge, Starling Marte and Jose Altuve last year. Obviously, I don’t like to tilt my head too high or low, and, secondly (were we counting something?), I don’t trust steals from older players. Never have, never will.
Then, regarding some of the others, I have hated Anthony Rendon, Michael Brantley and Corey Seager for many years. For better or worse, and two of them were worse, and one was better. Though, not even better enough to warrant my ranking, let alone ESPN’s. Corey Seager: Even When Good, Not Really That Good.
Okay, let’s look at guys I wanted last year, that they didn’t:
Cody Bellinger will haunt me like he’s wearing a sheet, and I’m Scooby Doo. Actually, in all the leagues where I drafted Cody Bellinger, I was the one wearing his sheet. One sheet after another that he dropped on my teams all year long. My love for Kyle Lewis was so batshizz crazy, but I’m pleading the 5th. Pleading the 5th in this case was “looking at the fifth-of-a-season stats from 2020 and putting too much weight on them.” Also, this is the 2nd time I’m seeing Nick Solak in one of these, and I wonder if I’m not overlooking him too much this year. Then, that’s followed by me thinking, “Please don’t tell me you’re falling for Nick Solak again.”
So, onto this year, and some of the biggest discrepancies I’m seeing at ESPN. Hmm, let’s use this time to point out how much I love Shane Baz, and the folx at ESPN didn’t read my Shane Baz fantasy. They have him at 152, and I have him up at 91. Yahoo has him at 148 and Rudy has him at 147 and, something’s gotta give, huh? Am I way off to love a pitcher with a 12+ K/9 and 2 BB/9? As far as I’m concerned, Baz is the meow’s cat and I want him in every league. Sure, maybe he only throws 130-ish IP, but I’ll figure out the other 40 IP off waivers and plug-in Baz for all his goodness. I am Baz Lurveman. Put me on a moon, singing Elton John songs in a janky Romeo & Juliet musical, because my lurve is true for Baz.
Now, Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s ESPN ranking is throwing me a Wainwright curve, and my Beltran knees are buckling. I thought I was going to be the low-man on Jazz. After 14 hours of Ken Burns filming the Wikipedia page for jazz, I had enough! Also, I’m concerned Chisholm will hit .220 and become this year’s Keston Hiura. I should love Jazz. I can snap my fingers! I can bob my head! I do not love Jazz though. It sucks. But the Wainwright curve, buckling my Beltran knees, is ESPN has him almost 60 spots in their rankings later than me. I’m supposed to be Head & Shoulders below everyone, and this has me scratching my head more than this metaphor.
Finally (before I give you all these guys again in a chart), ESPN has Adalberto Mondesi ranked 137th overall. This is an arrow through my heart, and, as I die, I whisper, “Dubya tee eff.” Can you imagine the chagrin of your last words being “Dubya tee eff?” Talk about an insult to injury. I have Mondesi at 56th overall, and Rudy has him at 40th overall; ESPN almost a hundred picks later. Here’s my defense, “Your honor Mondesi can steal 70 bags and hit 20 homers.” Then, to the judge, “Can I also ask the jury to raise their hands for who is gonna vote to acquit? Might save us some time, and I can know how long I have for lunch.” Gavel bangs. “What?!”
Okay, here’s a chart of the biggest values from ESPN to me (Thank you!) and the players that ESPN is much higher on (No thank you!). NOTE: Since I did this chart a few days ago, some of the numbers might be slightly different in my rankings and theirs:
THANK YOU
| Player | Grey’s Ranking | ESPN’s Ranking | Overall Difference | |
| Ronald Acuña Jr. | 5 | 18 | 13 | |
| Luis Robert | 8 | 23 | 15 | |
| Wander Franco |
19 | 49 | 30 | |
| Tyler O’Neill | 26 | 56 | 30 | |
| Jose Abreu | 42 | 72 | 30 | |
| Jonathan India | 43 | 76 | 33 | |
| Jorge Polanco |
47 | 101 | 54 | |
| Adalberto Mondesi |
56 | 137 | 81 | |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | 57 | 115 | 58 | |
| Ryan Mountcastle | 82 | 139 | 57 | |
| Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | 83 | 133 | 50 | |
| Tommy Edman | 84 | 130 | 46 | |
| Sean Manaea |
87 | 153 | 66 | |
| Shane Baz | 91 | 152 | 61 | |
| Nathan Eovaldi |
105 | 157 | 52 | |
| Marcell Ozuna | 110 | 255 | 145 | |
| Adolis Garcia |
119 | 189 | 70 | |
| Eddie Rosario |
125 | 229 | 104 | |
| Myles Straw | 136 | 224 | 88 | |
| Jesus Sanchez | 147 | 289 | 142 | |
| Tanner Houck | 160 | 270 | 110 | |
| Jordan Montgomery | 165 | 291 | 126 | |
| Luis Severino |
181 | unranked | — | |
| Oneil Cruz |
211 | unranked | — | |
| Jose Barrero |
215 | unranked | — | |
| Jose Miranda | 239 | unranked | — | |
NO THANK YOU
| Player | Grey’s Ranking | ESPN’s Ranking | Overall Difference | |
| Walker Buehler | 37 | 11 | 26 | |
| Sandy Alcantara | 61 | 39 | 22 | |
| Julio Urias | 65 | 35 | 30 | |
| Shane Bieber |
66 | 27 | 39 | |
| J.D. Martinez | 80 | 52 | 28 | |
| Nolan Arenado |
86 | 41 | 45 | |
| Whit Merrifield | 93 | 26 | 67 | |
| Corey Seager |
94 | 58 | 36 | |
| George Springer |
95 | 45 | 50 | |
| Jose Altuve |
99 | 44 | 55 | |
| Alex Bregman |
102 | 36 | 66 | |
| Bryan Reynolds | 128 | 82 | 46 | |
| Carlos Correa |
138 | 69 | 69 | |
| Matt Chapman | 140 | 103 | 37 | |
| Carlos Rodon |
146 | 80 | 66 | |
| DJ LeMahieu | 159 | 99 | 60 | |
| Sonny Gray | 164 | 81 | 83 | |
| C.J. Cron | 176 | 121 | 55 | |
| Clayton Kershaw |
200 | 73 | 127 | |
| Lance McCullers | 203 | 97 | 106 | |
Sorry, but I got so excited there will be baseball that I launched a draft without doing all my homework while using your cheat sheets! Anyhow, Y!12-team 5×5 roto, and your feedback would be greatly appreciated:
C – S Murphy
1B – Alonso
2B – India
SS – Bichette
3B – Machado
OF – Teoscar, TO’N, Suzuki
Ut – Kelenic, Adolis
Bn – E Escobar, Torkelson
SP – Berrios, Cease, Manaea, Eovaldi, Ranger, J Ryan, J Montgomery
RP – Chapman, Treinen, T Rogers, J Barlow
Hitting looks solid, maybe a tad low on speed…You look solid on pitching too…I like the team tbh…Don’t study more!
You’ll hate this RCL team from the 12 spot haha.
C
1B Bell
2B Baez
3B Hayes
SS Bogaerts
MI India
CI Belt
OF Robert
OF Trout
OF Giancarlo
OF Suzuki
OF Benintendi
UT Voit
BN Julio
P Castillo Bassitt ERod Stroman DeSclafani Urquidy Hader Chapman Knebel Colome Lamet
What did you do, Grimey? That hitting…did you only draft pitch—wait there’s no pitching either…oh Grimey! Kidding the hitting looks decent but low on speed but not terrible…pitching will need some help I think
Haha.
Grey, Correa or Story in a keeper league OBP?
Story
Hey Grey! Keeper lock coming up this week for one of my leagues. I’m keeping 6 hitters and have 2 keeper spots open. Keep forever with minimal inflation. In light of Sale (who I can keep for $4), I have $4 Clevinger and $3 Bassitt penciled in to fill the last 2 spots (over $4 Sale $4 Houck + $9 Kelenic).
Does that sound right to you?
(Meant to say that I see Sale is still above Clevinger in the top 500, which is why I’m asking). Thanks!
Duda interested in joining the FCL?
No one comments more than you haha.
Sure
Hi Grey, I am in a 10-team keeper league, 5×5 OBP
I am choosing keepers to carry to this year, we can select 6 keepers.
My players,
Bo Bichette (no doubt), Tim Anderson, Javier Baez, Matt Olson, Luis Robert. JD Martinez, Whit Merrifield, Brandon Woodruff, Jose Berrios
I think I should reserve at least 1 SP and the rest 5 for hitter.
Could you advise which 6 players I should keep? Thanks.
And I have Bregman too.
Bo Bichette (no doubt), Tim Anderson, Javier Baez, Matt Olson, Luis Robert. JD Martinez, Whit Merrifield, Brandon Woodruff, Jose Berrios, Alex Bregman
Bo Bichette, Tim Anderson, Matt Olson, Luis Robert, Brandon Woodruff, Jose Berrios
Story to Red Sox – I like that landing spot for him. nice lineup, should help the AVG + have green light to steal generally….
Yeah, seems solid for AVG, prolly down a little on power
Want to improve either 3B or SS (Wander SS/3B ; and Candelaria)
BTW, you were right. I’m really liking the site’s format changes.
3 RCLs yesterday and it looks like Trea is the consensus #1.
First rounds:
1 Trea Turner – LAD
2 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – TOR
3 Bo Bichette – TOR
4 Jose Ramirez – CLE
5 Juan Soto – WSH
6 Ronald Acuna Jr. – ATL
7 Shohei Ohtani – LAA
8 Gerrit Cole – NYY
9 Rafael Devers – BOS
10 Luis Robert – CHW
11 Kyle Tucker – HOU
12 Bryce Harper – PHI
1 Trea Turner – LAD
2 Juan Soto – WSH
3 Jose Ramirez – CLE
4 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – TOR
5 Bo Bichette – TOR
6 Gerrit Cole – NYY
7 Ronald Acuna Jr. – ATL
8 Shohei Ohtani – LAA
9 Corbin Burnes – MIL
10 Mookie Betts – LAD
11 Kyle Tucker – HOU
12 Bryce Harper – PHI
1 Trea Turner – LAD
2 Bo Bichette – TOR
3 Juan Soto – WSH
4 Shohei Ohtani – LAA
5 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – TOR
6 Jose Ramirez – CLE
7 Mookie Betts – LAD
8 Ronald Acuna Jr. – ATL
9 Corbin Burnes – MIL
10 Luis Robert – CHW
11 Kyle Tucker – HOU
12 Bryce Harper – PHI
Interesting that Bo was the guy last year, and I guess everyone expects Trea to be better or safer…Vlad I get not being higher even though he was last year, bc he has no speed, but Bo is great and could get better…Trea is great and could get worse
All these fools will regret passing on Trout!
Haha
Still 6 openings in a $20 RCL featuring B_Don drafting at 10 ET tonight. JOIN
Alright, last chance for me to make any changes to my keeper roster. Draft/keeper budget of $325. Here’s what I’ve got:
C Smith $5
1B Abreu $28
2B Lowe $15
3B Bregman $26
SS Lindor $30
MI Swanson $5
CI Chapman $15
OF Acuna $15
OF Betts $35
OF O’Neill $4
OF Winker $2
DH Grisham $5
Bench – Kirilloff $3, EMPTY, EMPTY
SP Cole $39
SP Woodruff $16
SP Peralta $4
SP Berrios $25
SP Lopez $6
SP EMPTY
SP EMPTY
SP EMPTY
SP EMPTY
SP EMPTY
RP Pressly $7
RP Gallegos $6
RP Scott Barlow $2
RP EMPTY
RP EMPTY
That leaves me with $32 to fill 9 spots in the draft. Not ideal, but it’ll work.
CUTS: Wisdom, Lux, Wong, B Crawford, Duvall, Avisail Garcia (all $2), plus more that are clearly overpriced.
Iffy ones for me are Chapman and Gallegos on the keep side and Lux on the cut side. I had Lux as a keeper until Freeman signed in LA. Thoughts? Anything you’d change in either direction (keep or cut)?
Wouldn’t change anything, I’d focus most of the money on SPs
Hello weekend Grey!
Keeper question. 12 team H2H points league keep 10. Trying to sort out my SP keepers.
Need 3 keepers from these Options:
McClanahan $7
Trevor Rogers $1
deGrom $63
Snell $17
Framber $3
Bassit $1
Stroman $3
Joe Ryan $5
PabLo $16
Leaning McClanahan, Rogers aaaaand…. Bassit? But in a keeper should I lean younger with Framber or Ryan as the third?
Hello weekend mr. Papagiorgio! McClanahan, Rogers and framber
Thank you!
No problem
Hi Grey,
For context, this is a 12 team, keep 10 roto league. My current keepers would be (probably): Semien, T. Anderson, Story, Albies, T. O’Neill, Springer, Gausman, L. Castillo, Fried, and a TBD that could be Bassitt, someone else I trade a pick for this offseason, or no one and just getting an extra pick in the final round of keepers.
I don’t love the offer, because I don’t think I’m getting much of an upgrade in pitching, Muncy has injury questions, and Bryant doesn’t justify sending Albies. That said, do you agree? I could keep four MIs and use one as utility, because those guys are all awesome, but I like the idea of locking up a top CI one way or another.
2. Alternatively, I could send Story for some similar package, but I think Albies and Story aren’t that different.
3. Would you swap Anderson for Alonso 1-1 if that was an option?
Thank you, and thank you for the great rankings.
1. Not good 2. Nah 3. Sounds fine
Thanks! What is your best guess on when Muncy plays again? And does he have a spot in the lineup with Freeman on board?
Muncy will play if he’s healthy…I don’t trust him to stay healthy
Hey Grey – been enjoying your work as usual this spring!
In my 10-tm 6×6 (OPS added) H2H league we get 3 keepers (keep forever w no penalty). I was set on Tatis, Devers and wavering between Freeman and Betts. My initial reaction to the Tatis news earlier this week was to not keep him, but now think I need to keep him. What do you think?
Thanks-
Thanks! Gotta keep Tatis in a keep forever
Fantasy draft completed last night. Standard 10 team 5×5 roto league with the standard ten scoring categories. Tell me what looks good and what needs work, Sir Grey:
OF – Castellanos
OF – Trout
OF – Buxton
OF – Adell
OF – Myers
C – Contreras
1B – Abreu
2B – Chisholm
SS – Story
3B – Moncada
UI – O Cruz
UI – Schoop
UI – Am Rosario
Bench – A Vaughn, A Bohm, N Senzel
SP – Woodruff
SP – Urias
SP – I Anderson
SP – Clevinger
SP – Stroman
SP – DeSclafani
SP – Jos Gray
SP – A Wood
SP – Gonsolin
SP – J Montgomery
RP – Jansen
RP – Iglesias
RP – McGee
RP – Giles
It’s a daily transaction league so most managers have 10-12 starting pitchers and rotate them active while keeping the closers active all the time.
Thanks
Your pitching is a chef’s kiss, lovely…I think the hitting is decent, hopefully good enough but not as solid as pitching
Thanks. Last season I had an outstanding pitching staff and watched many of them get drafted before I picked this year. Gausman and Logan Webb went very early.
Yeah, that’s drawback to knowing what you’re doing
Grey,
would you trade thor ($23)to get Ryan Pressly ($14)
Yes
ok i proposed me giving up Thor to get Pressly
Cool
since the braves signed Jansen, Will “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” Smith is now a setup guy
That is true
I have a chance to get Jasson Dominguez. He is asking for Luke Jackson and minor league prospect Colten Cowser. Would you trade for him?
Sounds decent I’d ask Itch
who is itch?
Prospect guy: https://razzball.com/top-50-prospects-for-2022-fantasy-baseball/
is he available now?
Hey grey! In an OBP OPS (not avg) keeper league, would you keep a $31 albies (not great obp) over a $9 alcantara or $5 Riley ?
Thanks!
Yeah
Grey!! Thanks for always giving fantasy life meaning. You’re the wind beneath my wings.
Yahoo 6×6 dynasty dilemma – I can keep 6 forever, no cost. I was thinking 3 each hitters and pitchers, but now that Nick signed with Philly, I think he needs to be kept as well, which leaves me with only 2 slots for the pitchers below.
-Soto
-Albies
-Tim Anderson
-Castellanos
Giolito
Gausman – regression?
Flaherty – DEAD?
Castillo – DEAD TEAM?
Trevor Rogers
Shane Baz (xoxo)
If I keep Gio, am I nuts to keep Baz? Baz makes me swoon. Help me obi-wan!
Thank you!!!
Haha, No problem!
-Soto
-Albies
-Tim Anderson
-Castellanos
Giolito
Gausman
Thank you mighty Grey! Any thoughts that Gausman at 30 maybe too old for keeper or regress in a tougher division? I’m all in on Baz but maybe I’m a year early keeping him?
I like Baz a lot…Gausman is fine in TOR
Grey! I have a dilemma, I have an opportunity to trade Ryan Mountcastle and receive Dylan Cease. I love Cease, but value Mountcastle high as well.
It’s a 12 tm AL only keeper league
Mountcastle is $5 and needs to be extended next year, so i’ll have him 3 more years for $20
Cease is $15 and I’d have him for the next 2 years.
what do you think?
I’d take Cease
SAVES only. Would you drop Smith (Atl) for Colome? Not planning it yet but interested if you think it might be reasonable.
Particularly interesting this season since who knows how long SPs will go — probably more Win opportunities for good middle relievers. Also wonder if Jansen = old Jansen?
I just talked myself into another possibility. Devon Williams is available — vv early season mid-reliever value, would you consider him for Smith?
I’d go Colome for saves; Williams is a middle reliever
Sounds fine
Hey Grey!
Getting close to draft time for the long time keeper league I’m in, wondering about a few keepers.
League is a 10 tm 7×7 (OPS, SLG, QS, H) with $340 to spend. Keep 8 ESPN rosters
Will be keeping for sure
Tildaddy – $31
Albies – $25
Sexy Dr Pepper – $20
Ohtani – $13
For arms I’ve got
Biebs – $12
Giolito – $10
Nola – $19
Gausman – $9
Other maybe keepers
Mondesi – $20
Jesus Sanchez – $10
Cody – $25
Franmil – $12
Leaning Giolito, Gausman, Franmil, Nola or Mondesi. Might be able to get some of these back cheaper, tough choices! Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks Grey!
Tildaddy – $31
Albies – $25
Sexy Dr Pepper – $20
Ohtani – $13
Biebs – $12
Giolito – $10
Nola – $19
Gausman – $9
Thanks buddy, have a great weekend!
You too!
Mondesi with a HR. I’ve got one share of him so far and might try for a couple more
20/70 season incoming!
Do you like Voit in SD? With an everyday role, he could flourish there. Does he move up your rankings for 1B?
Thanks
https://razzball.com/top-20-1st-basemen-for-2022-fantasy-baseball/
Grey,
Wanted to thank you again for sharing your wisdom with me. Won the Urias bid (dropped Burjan) beating a $1 offer and the Vaughn bid (dropped Dalbec) beating a $0 offer. I am in awe of your foresight. I hope my premium subscription + ad free viewing can serve as a repayment.
I’m a little worried that Dalbec is going to pop off this year. Age 26 is the best year for baseball players (in my humble opinion), and happens to be my lucky number.
Sincerely,
Your Mondesi Milk Loving Son
Haha, No problem! Hope it works
Hi Grey….keepers are due tonight. It’s a 12 team auction. Give me three:
Bogaerts $38
Franmil. 6
Bellinger. 10
Kelenic. 10
Cease. 10
Raisel. 10
Dansby. 4
Baz. 10
Lourdes. 10
Already keeping Burnes,Robert,Tucker,Chisholm,and Riley. Can keep 8. Thank you for all your help. Love your input and that of others.
Cease, Dansby, Cody
Dansby over Franmil and Kelenic? Just double checking. Thanks again.
They’re all kinda same diff…Figure that finishes your MI and you draft OF
Thanks Grey. Love these comparisons with other ranking entities. I have a keeper question. 8 team espn league. I need to choose 8 players from listed with 2022 salaries. Turner $13. Ramirez $17. Xander $15. Betts $18. Stanton $4. JD Martinez $5. Devers $8. Bregman $13. Scherzer $25. If I keep Bregman I realize I’m keeping three 3rd baseman but 3rd seems shallow this year so trading one during season is possible. Stanto is also intriguing at his salary. Thanks Grey
No Bregman
Thanks Grey
No problem
Loved seeing you so much higher on Bobby Witt than espn. You’re still low! 30/30 shortstop. Look at this “opening day” lineup from today. Mmm tasty.
Just keeping up my 8 month vigil to get everyone to draft Bobby Witt Jr.
Keeper question, keep up to four in the round you drafted them the year before, 12 team mixed, OPS. Once you keep a guy, he’s a first round keeper the next year, so not a true dynasty set up, here are my options with rounds:
Acuna-1
Woodruff-3
Yordan Alvarez – 5
Ohtani pitcher only – 11
Freddy Peralta – 12
Kelenic – 16
Bobby Witt Jr. – 19.
Thinking Acuna (1), Peralta (12), and BWJR (19) for sure. Lean Alvarez (5) over Woodruff (3) and Kelenic (16)… but curious how you see it. Thanks Grey.
I love Witt, I wanna move him up but don’t trust Royals
Acuna (1), Peralta (12), and BWJR (19), Alvarez
Hey Grey,
Did my first RCL and used Rudy’s War Room so just want your feed back on the team:
Bichette (1,4)
Olson (2,21)
E Jimenez (3,28)
India (6,69)
Yelich (7,76)
S Suzuki (10,117)
M Chapman (11,124)
T Stephenson (13,148)
Grossman (14,165)
Kirilloff (15,172)
Candelario (18,213)
Gimenez (21,244)
L Thomas 22,261)
Nimmo (23,268)
Tsutsugo (24,285)
Santander (25,292)
Ray (4,45)
Gausman (5,52)
McClanahan (8,93)
A Chapman (9,100)
Bauer (12,141) Accidentally clicked on him could have been worse…
Knebel (16,189)
Montgomery (17,196)
Gonsolin (19,220)
Floro (20,237)
War Room Scores
R HR RBI SB AVG W SV ERA WHIP K
27.2 30.6 22.1 30 20.3 10.9 17.7 18.3 16.2 13.4
Obviously missed in a few areas but feeling ok about it.
People crazy letting Bo fall…I love the hitting a lot…You’re solid on power and speed, will be interesting to see what you get from Yelich…
I like the pitching too…You have a solid team!
Couldn’t believe he fell but I’ll take Bo because Bo Know’s
Yeah I like Yelich for bounce back but the draft was going fast and trying to update the war room I fell behind a couple of times and panicked picked haha
Bo knows he likes that price!
Haha, I hear ya
Is Rudy’s War Room now only available as a spreadsheet? I miss the old java script (or whatever) one, glitches and all.
Yeah, sorry, but spreadsheet is much better — far far superior
Extension time in AL- and NL-only keepers. I can keep this year at current salary or extend at $5 per additional year. Here’s where I’m leaning with mine–could you tell me if I’m off on any of them?
AL:
Ohtani $22 (can move between OF/U & P on weekly basis) – 3 yr extension, bringing him to $37
Franimal $16 – 1 yr extension at $21
Semien $14 – 1 yr extension at $19
Eloy $7 – 3 yr extension at $22
Fletcher $1 – probably not keeping, but if I do just for this year staying at $1
NL:
Edman $1 – 2 yr extension at $11
Darvish $17 – just this year staying at $17
I almost won AL last year and both teams have a solid enough foundation that with a good auction I can be competitive this year.
Fletcher for a $1 makes sense for one year
The rest make sense
Thanks. Yeah I know he makes sense but I can only keep 10 and he’s like my #12. He’d have to take the spot of Franimal or like a $3 Ed-Rod
Ah, then maybe leave him off
So, after reading this I did a ESPN public league draft. The first 4 rounds went like this:
Juan Soto
Shohei Ohtani
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Trea Turner
Jose Ramirez
Gerrit Cole
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Bo Bichette
Mike Trout
Bryce Harper
Walker Buehler
Freddie Freeman
Mookie Betts
Rafael Devers
Corbin Burnes
Max Scherzer
Wander Franco
Brandon Woodruff
Jacob deGrom
Manny Machado
Matt Olson
Ozzie Albies
Yordan Alvarez
Kyle Tucker
Shane Bieber
Aaron Judge
Luis Robert
Pete Alonso
Julio Urias
Marcus Semien
Austin Riley
Xander Bogaerts
Teoscar Hernandez
Aaron Nola
Zack Wheeler
Jose Abreu
Lucas Giolito
Robbie Ray
Josh Hader
Jose Berrios
That doesn’t look that off from my rankings, tbh
Yeah, very disappointing. Must have had too many serious players.
Though Mondesi went very late, but I didn’t notice he was still available so I missed out.
You gotta get that Mondesi!
Haha, damn!
No wonder I missed Mondesi. In the draft room he’s listed at 335.
Haha, damn…Seriously?
Yep. Maybe they don’t update that when they update their rankings. Except, Tatis isn’t still near the top, so who knows.
I love a good ranklings! the rankling I want the most this year is India especially for the OBP league. I have a question about speed and OBP leagues… why is it that everyone who has speed has crappy OBP???? you would think these guys would want to get on base more especially since there are only a few first round picks that hit for both! Looking at Rudy’s rankings for yahoo OBP he has Trea at 7 and BO at 13 I think trea had a .360 OBP and bichette a .345. So anyway last year I became a bit of a rank slave and I took guys with power and OBP early on and spent the season looking for speed. Any suggestions on who I should be going after? In this set of rankings it has wander ranked in the 70s overall so I guess I’m lookin for some guidance so I don’t make the same mistake again.
Speed + OBP makes my brain hurt! Thanks man! I been listening to the podcasts btw and enjoy them a lot. What a musical voice! I think we would enjoy each other in real life but that sounds weird and could be taken creepily so I will end my message now
keep fit and have fun
Trea…I think we’d enjoy each other too! Thanks for the kind words! And I want India everywhere!
Keep three:
Castellanos round 2
Franimal rd 10
Adames 15
Varsho 21
Freddy P 22
Cease 25
Freddy, Cease, Franmil
Did you get to TLK yet?
I’m most likely staring this weekend.
It’s so good, I finished it last night
I want more!
Nice!
Hullo Grey – Need some help with my keepers for this year… Deets:
a. Standard 5×5 yahoo roto league w/ auction draft ($260 salary cap)
b. Each team can keep 2 guys, and the price is based on an average of 2021 draft value and their 2022 AAV.
c. Here are my best options along with cost to keep:
Logan Webb — $7 ($7 savings)
Julio Urias — $20 ($7 savings)
Jonathan India — $8 ($7 savings)
Eloy Jimenez — $12 ($10 savings)
Luis Robert — $35 ($0 savings)
Cedric Mullins — $13 ($12 savings)
Thank you!
India, Robert
Always a great article to make some trades with ESPN rankers! Ha.
In a 10 Team NL Only Dynasty roto. Have a few trade offers to get feedback on:
A) I give Jazz/Mahle – I get J.Urias/Grisham
B) I give Jazz/ARiley/Brennan Davis – I get Tatis/W.Miley
C) I give Jazz/B.Crawford/Mahle – I get Machado
Any worth accepting?
Appreciate the help and looking forward to a great season of insight and laughs!
I’d go Jazz B) is this for this year? Jazz C) machado
It is a salary full keeper.
So get Tatis? Thanks and enjoy the weekend!
Keeper? Then take Tatis
Yes keeper
Then grabbing Tatis makes sense
Hi Grey. When I open the site (https://razzball.com/), I don’t always see the most recent articles under the Recent Articles header. For example, the first two I currently see there are both from yesterday: Collegiate Corner: Early Season Pots o’ Gold and Cubs Seiya To Suzukago). To get to your article of today, I clicked on your name in the Seiya article to bring up your list.
Is this a site problem or a my problem?
The header scrolls, you might be seeing it after my article scrolled away?
It does only scroll three articles I think which on a busy day of articles from other Razzball writers will bury your post. I usually have to click on your name to find the most recent from you as well. Not the end of the world, but your most recent is often not on the landing page by the afternoon.
Ah, yeah, if you come later in the day, I’ve been bumped from the main scroll but I’m right below in the most recent articles section
I see the rotating/scrolling header. Do new articles not also show up under the Recent Articles section right away? If not, I’d think that could be changed for easier navigation to the content than scrolling through the rotating frames.
I don’t mean to be difficult. Just take this as a suggestion. It would be good if there were a single index of content sorted in descending order, if that makes sense.
Anyway, I’m gearing up for #2 pick in a 10-team 6×6 with OPS and Holds. I’m leaning toward Cake Batter with OPS factored in.
New articles don’t show up in recent too, they move to recent after they’re bumped from the scroll (which is 3)
Cake works there for me
Grey
I have already consulted January and February Grey with this question, so forgive the redundancy. I have made a few small tweaks and situations have changed but most importantly, my keeper list is due today. So I ask one last time.
14 team mixed auction ( $260 ) standard 5×5 cats. Can keep up to 11 keepers. Salaries increase yearly and double each year after third year.
My definite keepers with current values:
Sexy Dr. Pepper – 14
Bo Bo Chette – 5
Ozzie Albies – 28
Matt Olson – 5
A Kirilloff – 3
Gausman – 18
Musgrove – 12
McClanahan – 10
Cease – 5
I have room for two more. Out of this list, which , if any, would you also keep:
Gallegos – 9 ( was a definite till about two weeks ago with all of this ‘ not the closer ‘ talk )
Carlos Carrasco – 5 ( a cheap dart throw. Rudy seems to like him more than you do )
Luzardo – 5 ( a meh cheap dart throw part 2 )
Tarik Skubal – 10
Lane Thomas – 10 ( one of your sleepers, but I hear they are looking to use Ceaser Hernandez at lead off now )
Any of these worth adding? or would you just keep the 9
As always, thanks in advance for the brilliant insights and the consistent comedy. I am still laughing about Bake Catter and Coinston from yesterday.
Ha, thanks! Gallegos, Skubal
Grey,
I traded Musgrove for Bryan Reynolds. Would you drop Conforto now, since I have Reynolds coming tomorrow? My OF is stacked with Betts, Ohtani, Trout, Robert, Mullins, K. Tucker, and Alvarez. I don’t think I need either Yaz or Pederson now.
If you have to
Would drop Joc or Yaz 1st
yaz, then pederson then conforto last?
To drop? Yeah
just dropped Yaz. I have until next thursday to make final cuts. Should I wait to see where Conforto goes, or cut Pederson and Conforto now?
I’d wait to see where Conforto signs
and what about pederson?
He’d be next one off the team
Joc signed with SF
I know, he’s the next one off your team
ok thanks as always
No problem
I’m hearing Phillies are going hard to get Nick Castellanos……..they say Harper is pushing them to get the tools now……Rumor is they get him and trade Hoskins
I’d do it if I were Philly
it would be a fun team all offense suspect defense there would be some barn burner games
Yeah true
Hey Grey,
12 team H2H category league. (Pretty much a dynasty league since we keep 10 players)
Trade Buhler, Baz, and next years 2023 #1 pick (which would be the 11th round since we keep 10) for wander franco. Thoughts?
Works for me
Hey there, Grey,
In a 12 team 7×5 roto league (OPS and errors), 1300 innings pitched cap, and each team keeps 4 players in exchange for draft picks. I am keeping deGrom (1st round), Ozzie Albies (2nd round), Matt Olson (4th round), and Juan Soto (6th round). I know I’m giving up some high picks, but my other options are not overwhelming (Gausman at 5th, Franmil at 7th, Schwarber at 17th, Lindor at 3rd). The 48 players kept are all pretty much studs, so the best remaining would be guys like Story, Lindor, Judge, Woodruff, Merrifield, Goldy, Arenado, Bregman, etc. I tend to reach for my targets (i.e., last year I drafted Gausman in the 5th, Franmil in the 7th, Olson in the 4th, etc.).
How should I approach the draft, particularly early on? Closers are valued highly in this league, historically. I would have the 3rd round, 5th round, and then 7th, 8th round back-to-back, 9th, 10th back-to-back, etc. since I have the 12th pick (last year’s champion gets last pick).
You need everything still, you have your ace, 1B, 2B and OF, so you need SS, #2 SP and OF…I’d prolly grab an OF or SP first, but depends what is available
Happy Friday Grey the White! Can’t honestly say I have ever played in a league at ESPN. Do public leagues draft like they are ranked? If so, maybe I should indulge.
Curious who you would target for a future 3B in a 10 team dynasty league that bats only 10 hitters. I have Arenado, but trying to get younger. One team has Hayes and Urias. Do you have preference between the two for long term?
Thank you!
And you wouldn’t do that Arenado for one of them straight up would you? I clearly need another piece in the deal.
Not straight up, no, you can get more
Or should get more
Yeah, I think they do draft this way
I’d prefer Urias long term…Hayes might be a little bit safer tho
Hayes and Manaea enough? Manaea is 30 but I know you like him. I have several young SP that won’t eat innings so Manaea might be perfect to get more innings per start.
That works for me
Give me the % that Lamet closes for the Pads?
15%
What’s the % chance he has TJ? The other 85%?
Ha just about
As someone in a 14 team league with ESPN ranking Die-hards, this post always has my D-hard (bit of a stretch for a joke, but that’s show biz baby!)
Thank you for continually helping me squash the commonfolk
Haha, No problem
Hey, Grey, sorry to ask a catcher question, but…
20-team 6×6 dynasty. I’m hoping MJ Melendez is my long-term guy, but right now I’m rocking Elias Diaz hoping the 2nd half of last year was somewhat legit. Sean Murphy is on the wire — guess someone got fed up. Would you swap Diaz for Murphy? Thanks!
I’d go Murphy
Asking a few questions.
My league is a keep 1 (where he was drafted previous year), Yahoo 5 x 5. I’m keeping Yordan in the 8th round and picking 3rd overall. My potential options are Soto, Turner, Bichette, Jose Ramirez. What order should I consider the 4 knowing I already have Yordan?
Does it make sense to go after as much speed early as possible knowing not only how little there is, but with the NL adding the DH there will be more power to be had later in the draft?
Mondesi has 3B eligibility in Yahoo and is 70th overall. Knowing how bad 3B is this year would you consider Mondesi much higher in Yahoo?
Bichette, Trea, Soto
I have Mondesi ranked higher than 70th
the worst are whit merrifield at 26 and sonny gray 81
I do like Gray now, but that did surprise me
These lists have always helped me dominate in my ESPN redraft leagues. Good shizz lothario!
Thanks!
OSB are you in the FCL this year?
Yes sir! I was “team 5” Now I’ve got it renamed
We’ll nail down a draft date when we find two more teams
Looks like we actually need 3.
Paging Dr Albright. No one comments more than him!
Haha, Yo Yo Yo, I’m gonna pass
I’m going to call my team “Grey”, and then you’ll be getting lots of negative feedback.
Haha, noooooo
Hey Grey! I got the guy’s old offer wrong – he’s actually offering a $5 Baz (not India) for my $4 Clevinger. Keep forever 12 teams.
Baz side without hesitation?
Thanks!
Duda, maybe you’re overthinking? Clevinger’s the 53rd SP on Grey’s top 500. Baz is 29th SP. Clevinger’s 30 years old. Baz 22.
For $1 extra, I’d be all over it. Knowing that other owner may be high on Clev and low on Baz, maybe try throwing in a swap of his/her 7th round pick for your 8th round pick? I feel you could tack on something like that. It’s not a huge ask and I think it wouldn’t stop them from making the move. In the end, two 7th rounders are better than a 7th and 8th rounder.
Just my 2 cents. Good luck!
Jolt
Yeah good point. Thanks!
Baz side
Thanks!
No problem
Would love to see the reds give Bererro a shot if he looks decent in spring
Me too! Makes no sense why not either…They’re already paying him
Grey!!!!
Awesome!!
a. Really great insight with this report. The ‘no thank you’ list really hits home.
b. ‘I’m a miner for a heart of gold…’
50th anniversary today of this song by Neil Young. Say what you want about Neil, but the song lives on.
c. Best thing Seal ever said…’We’re never gonna survive unless we are a little crazy.’ It’s like he knew what it would be like as an RCL manager, right?
d. Have a nice weekend!!
e. George Carlin quote of the day for March 18, 2022
‘We are a nation of sheep, and someone else owns the grass.’
Cheers,
Ante
A. Thanks!
B. You are!
C. Hahaha
D. You too!
E. He’s so good
So much free agent and trade news yesterday. Oh, wait. That was football.
Haha
The Eagles made two big signings one good one bad Riddick and Howie Roseman