Psst! This post is gonna list 2nd basemen that you should target in your 2017 fantasy baseball drafts. I’m whispering because you don’t want everyone to see this post. No, I can’t whisper louder, then it WOULDN’T BE WHISPERING! Okay, gig’s up (or maybe that’s jig’s up), the love I’m about to reiterately (Made Up Word of the Day!) confirm is on these guys I love later in drafts. I’m not going to mention Rougned Odor other than this one mention of him where I say I’m not going to mention him. I love Odor, and not just because when he chops a 3-2 pitch into the dugout the announcer says, “Foul…Odor stays alive. Hey, Bill, change your shirt.” I’m not mentioning Odor other than this mention of not mentioning him because these are players that you’re looking at later and all of them have ADPs after 200. Some could be the 2nd baseman on your team, they are more than likely MIs. This is a (legal-in-all-countries-except-Croatia) supplement to the top 20 2nd basemen for 2017 fantasy baseball. Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2017 projections. Anyway, here’s some 2nd basemen to target for 2017 fantasy baseball:
Devon Travis (ESPN 227) I already gave you my Devon Travis sleeper. I don’t like the Jays this year, but I’m in goofy love with Travis. I want to Photoshop me and Travis together in one of those boats that you peddle, just laughing without a care, but then he’ll likely hurt his knee. Stupid peddle boat! I know, I know, the injury. Yesterday, he took some cuts, which is swings, not cuts like Chris Sale, and Travis said he felt good. For his price, I think it’s worth the gamble on his health.
Cesar Hernandez (ESPN 261, Yahoo NR) Slotted into the leadoff spot and should stay there, because I don’t really see the Phils making hay this year. Not to mention, I don’t know how to make hay. Do you knife a scarecrow when it’s not looking? You hold a magnifying glass up to some freshly cut grass? Do you mug an extra on Hee Haw for the thing they’re chewing on? I’m a city boy, y’all! By the way, I Googled Hee Haw and that shizz was on for 21 years! That’s like the hillbilly Law & Order. Oh my God, million dollar idea! They should do Law & Order: Alabama. Instead of Jerry Orbach you have Boss Hogg, and instead of Sam Waterson you have Kid Rock.
Ryan Schimpf (ESPN NR, Yahoo 242) In 89 games last year, he hit how many homers? Why are you nodding? I’m asking you to guess. He hit 20 homers. They averaged over 400 feet, and further than guys like Rizzo, Freeman, Votto and Springer, to name a few. Of course, Schimpf’s strikeouts are trayf and he might only hit .189. In fact (Grey’s got more!), he hit .189 in Triple-A in 2014. Oy. Fun fact! I’m the first fantasy baseball blogger to use the word trayf. What do I win? A bedazzled yarmulke!
Jose Peraza (Yahoo 209) ESPN has him ranked at 195, but as of now he doesn’t have 2nd base eligibility. Peraza feels like a guy that will be drafted as high as 75 overall by the time we get to April, right? He’s got ‘sleeper-who-is-not-really-a-sleeper’ written all over him. It’s written in 8 point font to help it fit. I even fell victim to this, and have recently moved him into my top 100, and up in the top 20 shortstops, top 20 2nd basemen and top 40 outfielders. When I originally ranked him, he appeared destined for the eight hole, but he’s since moved up to the two hole, which is a boon for his value. Boon, boon, shake shake the draft room!
Starlin Castro (Yahoo 249) I avoided listing any of the old boring guys in this post. Ya know, the Neil Walker-types. Starlin has that feel, but he’s only 26 years old and is coming off his best season by far. Couldn’t he still be getting better? Rhetorical! That’s not the black woman in The Matrix, by the way. That’s the Oracle.
Hernan Perez (Yahoo 320) Here’s an interesting factoid that’s not that interesting or really even a factoid. Javier Baez is being drafted about 100 to 150 spots before Hernan Perez. Let’s list some reasons why this is crazy: neither guy has a starting job, Perez might actually get a starting job without an injury because the Brewers suck dog balls, Perez was over 100 spots more valuable than Baez last year on our Fantasy Baseball Player Rater, and Baez actually had more at-bats than Perez last year. Any of this make sense? No, nuh-uh, noppers.
Raul Mondesi (ESPN/Yahoo NR) Looks like a super cheap Jose Peraza. I will call him Raul Saveyourmoneysee. Hmm, maybe I won’t call him that. Jose Perdiem? Blech! Jose Can You See A Bargain? Okay, not getting better! If Mondesi hits .270, he could hit 10 homers and steal 40 bases. Unfortch, he might not hit .215. He’s a solid flyer for reward, but the risk is most prevalent as the Royals have options in front of him. By the way, Mos Prevalent is Mos Def’s cousin. Interesting cat, puts tiny ships into tiny bottles.
Tyler Saladino (ESPN/Yahoo NR) When Brett Lawrie got CTRL+ALT+DEL’d from the White Sox roster, Yolmer Sanchez moved into the lead for the 2nd base job for a few days, but then the White Sox responded to Earth, when Earth reached out with its patented, “Earth to White Sox, come in, White Sox,” and now Saladino’s the lead 2B candidate.
Brandon Drury (ESPN/Yahoo NR) Ooh, law enforcement idea! In Arizona, when they pull over people for a DUI stop, they should ask them to get out of the car and say ‘Drury’ without sounding drunk. Rack up the DUIs which means more money for the state! I should run for councilman in Arizona. Grey Albright, Fantasy Master Lothario and Councilman. That has a nice ring to it. As for Drury (damn, drinking so early?), he doesn’t have huge power, but he should approach 18 homers without killing you in any other categories, except the category Driving While Drury.
Thought I would post this ‘shawker’ about Kershaw.
Of the top 47 finishers in RCL last year, 3 drafted him in the second round.
The 15th pick netted an 11th place finish.
The 19th pick netted a 7th place finish.
The 22nd pick netted a 1st! Yea!!
That leaves the balance of the 44 top finishers that drafted him in the first round. Of those…
ONE, only ONE, WON their league.
The other 43 that drafted had an average, well slightly less than average, 6.7 finish in their leagues.
Cust Kayin’
@simply fred: Good stuff. Took him first in one league. Ended up 11th.
Care to elaborate on who piloted that Kershaw team to victory? He was autodrafted 4th overall by that team that someone took over.
Wait, can you actually elaborate on your data here? “Top 47 finishers in RCL” you mean the top 47 in the Master Standings? That can’t be since someone that finished in 11th place in their league couldn’t be in the top 47…and the 11th overall team was Magoo who didn’t draft Kershaw. Just having trouble following the numbers here.
@MattTruss: Sorry I meant 11/12 In my league. It wasn’t pretty
@MattTruss: Aren’t you the coy boy. :-)
A detailed analysis reveals that the owner who guided the one team that drafted Kershaw in the first round and went on to win was…wait for it…
YOU…MATT TRUSS! Please advise others on what it takes to accomplish this feat. (Sorry, the draft recap does not indicate if a team was auto-drafted.)
Yes, this indeed is an accurate rendering of the top 47 in the Master Standings. I simply opened the draft for each league winner, one by one, down the list, noting where the Kershaw-drafter finished in that league.
Yes, the 11th overall team in the Master Standings was managed by
Big Magoo (who drafted Donaldson #1 from the sixth slot). The team that drafted Kershaw (form the 11th slot) finished 3rd in that league. (I did not record the slot in which each manager picked Kershaw. Just recorded where that team finished in the league.)
So, let’s keep things in perspective. One, and only ONE, of the top 47 finishers in the Master Standings for 2016, drafted Kershaw in round 1, and that team WON their league.
How DID YOU MANAGE it…when not a single other manager could?
Oh, I see, you took the 47 top RCL LEAGUES, not teams and looked at where Kershaw was drafted in each of them and where that team finished. I follow now. At least I think I do. Hopefully not the top 47 in the Master Standings since their are members of the same league that finished inside the top 47, which would duplicate data. I might take on a pet project and look at each of the 85 leagues and where the Kershaw drafter finished in each. I think I can do that.
*Blows on knuckles* Shrewd management I suppose. I did almost have a clean sweep of the pitching categories. There’s more than one way to win a league.
@MattTruss: Matt, your ‘good seasoning’ is demonstrated by your catch that I did not select the top 47 leagues. I did what I said I did, went down the list of top 47 RCL finishers. And, yes, that meant that a few leagues had multiple teams in the top 47. (BTW: the team that placed 2nd in the league you won with Kershaw, well he placed…
#212 overall
…way to outsmart that tough competition! :-)
Please run the 85 leagues. If you can, report the results for any player picked in the first round (shouldn’t be that many). That will give us perspective on, say, how drafters of Trout, Goldy, Arenado, etc. performed…comparatively to Kershaw (and others).
Don’t let VinWins hear you say that!
Ran the numbers, will post the results below
@MattTruss: BTW: the 2nd and 3rd place teams in the league that won picking Kershaw from the 22 slot finished:
89th and 243rd
@simply fred: For comparison, our league, ECFBL had six teams place above that third round 243rd. (There Fred goes again, puffing up… :-) )
@simply fred: Was it also their offenses that were lacking?
@Grey: or that and 11th place finish means they gave up in April? I would bet a seasoned rcl player could take him in the first and win their league if they commit to the system. It’s possible but ill advised. Like you could take a row boat around the world and make it but it’s going to be some rough boating
@J-FOH: Matt Truss is ‘seasoned’ and yes, you are correct, it not only could be done, it was: once in 43 tries.
Of course not every winner of the top 47 is ‘seasoned’, but by nature of the fact that they finished in the top, don’t you think they should be credited with some skill.
Accept, your ‘ill advised’ as recognition of the results. :-)
Actually makes it more unlikely to draft Kershaw and win if only Truss was able to do it, b/c he is seasoned
@Grey: my takeaway is people still try to play these leagues like any other. You must commit to the format!
Please, your takeaway is Moo Shu Pork and fried rice
@Grey: damn! I love the moo shu pork but I stay away from the fried rice. I’ve been a quest lately to find the perfect egg foo yung. So far it all sucks.
You need some SGV
@Grey: you know that’s a gang?
You plus anyone is a gang
@Grey: Eh, too much work. 2.3% chance of winning if I pick Kershaw in round 1, is enough evidence for me. :-)
True
bout to buy the new book, when sending just send all formats, just in case i end up possibly wanting to jam it into my brain in different ways, pdf probably the most likely way in there.
heard the 2nd to newest podcast, with reference to some completely ridiculous claim of votto intentionally not hitting for a high average early last year to “set up the pitchers for his 2nd half”. i’d love to read the source of this utter garbage, but there is one thing that in theory could’ve caused it, votto doesn’t like playing in the all star game?
@goodfold2: I’m just sending all formats to everyone now. Too many people were asking for one or the other. I think JB was the source to that story b/c I never heard it before
@Grey: i’ll ask him then, cause it’s so batshit i actually want to read about where that even came from.
money coming just now.
@goodfold2: had to scrape change out of coach/floor/street and then give that money to somebody who’d transfer me paypal money. kidding.
Haha
@Grey: do you give that “pro tip” about if you read it in different ways it’ll still be the same to everybody or only me since i mentioned “possibly wanting to jam it into my brain in different ways”
either way good tip
Haha, it goes out to everyone the same way, automated email after my book is bought
I am pretty sure they already made Law & Order: Alabama – it was called Justified.
@LenFuego: I’m pretty sure it was called Blazing Saddles.
@Tweak: I call it Duck Dynasty, the episode where Duck goes hunting for ethnics
@LenFuego: Haha
Hi Grey
Dynasty team, received offers , mainly for Swanson (i have 3 SS !)
i think i need speed and SP
my 3 OF are a +100HRs combo ! and i can add Renfroe from my rookie team!
1. Joc Perderson for Swanson –> interesting but i’d prefer Renfroe instead
2. Carpenter + Roark for Swanson –> interesting cause i need SP
3.TJ Walker for Cotton –> Cotton is heating up , when TJ is …nowhere yet!
Dunno-sty team is:
C. Contreras
1B. Abreu
2B. Villar
3B. Rendon
SS. Lindor
OF1. JDMart
OF2. Trumbo
OF3. KDavis
Util. Schoop (dropped HPerez)
Bench Enciarte + J.Turner + Swanson
(avb on FA : Rajai / Margot / Jankow for speed)
SP1. Cueto
SP2. Tanaka
SP3. Gio
SP4. Cotton
SP5. iNova
RP1. Maurer
RP2. Kintzler
RP3. Glover
Bench. Capps / Shae Simmons (DL?)
DL. Desclafani
(SP avb on FA: Gsellman / Montgomery )
SO? stay put or do trade?
keep team as it is ? or add speed? i like Margot to combo with Renfroe in SD
i’d take Gsell when DL spots are open in Y!
thanks, Nick
@Nick: I’d take trade #2
@Nick: Agree w/ F
@Grey:
no worries about Carpy ‘s back?
should i drop Desclafani? Shae?
What’s a Shae?
@Grey: It’s when you try to throw shade but your arms aren’t strong enough.
Hilarious
Prolly will steal that
@Robert:
50 Shae of Grey ^^
@Grey:
Shae Simmons, RP in Seattle
@Nick: I’d lose Shae, and I’d drop
Desclafani if I didn’t have a DL spot
Grey, you are the man. It’s not just the stories, but the volume of comments is insane. Thanks to you, Rudy, Ralph and the rest of the gang for everything. I’m in a long time 9 team, NL only 5×5 keeper 23/260 w 12 man snake reserve squad (1st four at $15 , 2nd four at $10, last four at $5), 1 c, 2 U. I’m a stars and scrubs guy so I can dump if I’m losing or add to win. Starting pitching always deep. Hitters not so much since change to 1 C. First, general strategy in your opinion? Am I on the right path? I won 2 years ago but not as much as I used to. I’m also a dinosaur. No computer program for me. Just pen and paper. To me that’s the fun of the game. If you’re still awake, we can keep 11. I have 3 of your above 2b, peraza 5, drury 5, Hernandez 1. Also have Myers 17, belt 20, story 9, Reyes 7, Kemp 23, Margot 5. Pitchers fit your pairings pretty well. Lackey 13, C Mart 12, Taillon 5, Rodney 1 (please just 1 more year). Need to lose 2 and was going to drop Margot (starts in minors) and Hernandez since I have some wheels and aside from avg he’s just meh. Agree or who would you drop, and any strategy tips would be much appreciated. Thanks again for everything you guys do.
@56 and still in it to win it: Ah, no problem, thanks for the kind words! I don’t like stars and scrubs, leaves too many open spots, and if one of your ‘stars’ gets injured, your season is over. With that said, your keepers don’t sound like stars and scrubs, that’s a solid squad… Margot has a starting job with the Padres, I’d lose Belt (expensive) and Hernandez
Grey,
Thanks for your writeup as always.
So I have the 2nd overall pick, and Trout will go first. Would it be absolutely crazy for me to take Arenado? I totally get that Betts is a stud who also provides solid speed, but I’ve always felt more comfortable building my infield first (and I think COL offense is scary even with Desmond and Murphy out). I also find OF easier to replace mid-season in general. I’ve thought about Altuve/Goldschmidt, but I get to keep Cano & Freeman at the costs of 39th & 42th picks. If, even after reading all this, you’re not convinced, please bring me back to my senses.
Scoring cats are: H, HR, R, RBI, AVG, OPS, K, SB (10 teams)
Much appreciated as always
@Clay: Btw, whoever I draft 2nd overall can’t be kept for the following year.
@Clay: I prefer Arenado to Betts overall, but if you have Freeman and Cano already i’d want Betts/Goldy/Altuve to get you some speed along with everything else they bring.
@Clay: Not crazy, but you’re getting no SBs, need to make that up later
Great article, though I just can’t help wanting to avoid Travis – love his potential but I can’t remember the last time he played regularly without injury, and he’s already not 100% now. Though maybe he’s a good one to draft it you have a Drury or Hernandez type available on the back end in reserves or on the wire.
Speaking of Drury, his line looks very similar to Schoop, with about 10 less HR and 10-20 points more AVG. I love Schoop, but curious why Drury is 20 spots lower…
Thanks!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Playing time.
@Cram It: Roster resource has Drury as starting 2B full time also . . . though you’re right that there’s definitely more risk to his PT than Schoop.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: and Rotochamp has Owings starting. Either way, I doubt he’s playing everyday. Probably why Grey has him for less than 500 AB’s.
@Cram It: Yup, Owings could steal ABs
@Cram It: Ah, thanks. Didn’t see.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Agree w/ Cram…
@Grey: Thanks
No problem!
I’m in a 10 team, 5×5 roto, 10-player keeper league.
My infield is set with Votto, Cano, Correa, Story and Bryant. I have one OF with Harper. SP are Darvish and Carrasco with Jansen and Giles as RP.
In the draft it looks like I’m going to have a choice between Odor and JD Martinez.
I know you love Odor, but do you take him over JD knowing that you have to slot him at Utility?
Who would you then target in the 2nd round between Kylse Seager, Polanco, and Rendon… knowing if I go 3B, I can move Bryant to the OF?
@Dom: Is there anyone else you can keep besides Cano? Then it would make sense to take odor but if not you have enough MI so id go with JD
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Or can you move Cano after the draft? If trading cano got you someone better than JD in return, go Odor and move cano for an OF
@JR: I just trade for Cano. I gave up Adam Jones and 2 non-keepers for him.
No one trades much in this league for the first few months after the draft. Plus the other owners are pissed that I got Votto straight up for Dahl.
@Dom: You have one OF out of…? 3? 5?
@Grey: we start 5 outfielders and 2 utility players
Congrats on the book, Grey! Good stuff. We set our deadlines last evening in our 8 player 12 team 5×5 roto league. We use 1 C, 3OF, 2UTIL, with no MI or CI slots.
5 SP, 2RP slots 1400 innings cap
Keepers : Goldy, Rizzo, C Seager, Cutch, J Up, Moncada, Bumgarner, Cole
I’m picking 5th overall in the first round and was wondering which players to target. Best players available : All the closers, Justin Verlander, Byron Buxton, Matt Kemp, Adam Jones, Lucroy, Cole Hamels, Franco, Porcello, Longoria, Taillon, Velasquez, Hosmer, Eaton and Rich Hill.
I’m thinking I have to go Verlander if he’s there. But my team is light on speed and was wondering if my first pick is too early to target Buxton. Or maybe try to get Chapman or Jansen. THoughts? thanks!!
@Oppo Taco: Thanks! Think you can go Verlander and fill OF next round
@Grey: I’m hoping he’s there. Fall back option if he’s not. Jansen/Chapman/Buxton? (I like the idea of Buxton in a keeper)
Then go Buxton, you don’t need a top closer
Hello, picking at #195 in my OBP league and not sure which route to go. OF Broxton, SP Shoemaker, or RP D Robertson?
12 team mixed, 5×5 (OBP instead of AVG) weekly head-to-head, shallow-dynasty (only keep 8)
1. We start 5 SP but depth is always needed (& 2-start/matchup tweaking) & they go quite early in this league; I have some risk too, but will likely draft 9 total SP. I have 5: Arrieta/Archer/Verlander/McCullers/Gausman; Other best available to me: Pineda (not as high on him)/J Ross/R Ray/D Smyly/D Pomeranz/I Kennedy/C McHugh/Eickhoff/Snell/D Norris/Skaggs/E Rodriguez
2. We start 2 RP but I have only drafted 1, Kenley Jansen. I usually draft my 2nd starter RP late, then waiver wire during the season. However, at #195 maybe D Robertson is value. Other best available: Bedrosian (love)/Feliz/Dyson/Ottavino?/Rodney/Madson/Johnson/Gomez
3. OBP Lineup is: C?/C Santana/Altuve/C Seager/Rendon/Springer/OF2 J Upton/OF3 O Herrera/Util J Pederson; RES: 2B/SS/OF J Peraza. Love the long-term (dynasty) outlook of OF Broxton (especially in OBP) but I already have some similar players. Still might be too good in h2h OBP to pass up here. Other best available: Kepler/Duvall/L Martin/C Gomez/B Miller/Ozuna/T Joseph/Thames
Given those best available, which route would you go? SP6 Shoemaker, RP2 starter Robertson, OF5/6 Broxton high upside reserve that would allow me to trade other assets? Thanks
@Matt B: Broxton
Couple spots open in our $100 rcl league. Email me for info [email protected]
Grey,
Seems like Brad Miller is going to make the move to 2b for the Rays, where would you rank him at the position? Thanks!
@Sano Chance in Hell: He’s ranked here: https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2017-fantasy-baseball/ You can just see a 2B he’s by
This article was a list of my NFBC desperation MI queue.
@Dr. Kenneth Noisewater: I’d be content with most of these guys as my NFBC MI.
@Cram It: Actually just got Dansby to fill that role at pick 200.
@The Great Knoche: Nice, I was looking at him for my starting SS, but he went in round 12. Settled for Semien a round later.
@Cram It: For sure, but we are down to about only having the last 4 listed available. My squad has the speed of beer league softball team.
@Dr. Kenneth Noisewater: Okay yeah, not exactly confident choices there.
@Dr. Kenneth Noisewater: This article was written with my NFBC queue open in my other browser
@Grey: Haha. Can you do pick 250 and later SP sleepers?
Haha… I’m looking down at Wainwright, Sonny Gray and DeSclafani right now
@Grey: You’re deeper in than I am. Go with pizzazz!
I went with Vogt — so unpizzazzy
@Grey: Knowing you’re taking a catcher in that draft is the most unsatisfying thing. I have Rupp. Looking at Vogt for my 2nd actually. But I’m waiting at least another 2 or 3 rounds.
What round are you in? Vogt went in 15th of Rudy’s
@Grey: 16. Actually Vogt just went this round. Must have happened overnight.
@Grey: How many SPs do you have through how many rounds?
19 rounds, 5 SPs
@Cram It: Took Cotton in round 15, Pick 11. Was worried I jumped gun a little bit.
@Grey: Just Picked Cotton.
Where’d he go in yours?
Early 16
@The Great Knoche: Where’d he go in yours?
@Grey: Where’d Soler go, if he’s gone? He’s super intriguing to me.
@Cram It: Early 16. Figured I’d help, it’s either that or work.
Mid-16
where would you feel good about drafting Peraza?
also wondering where you would feel comfortable drafting Keon Broxton?
@Billy: I can’t see myself drafting Peraza anymore. My first RCL I got him at end of 12th round. Last RCL he went end of 7, and I don’t see myself taking him there.
I have been on Broxton in every league, and have been taking him around 12-13th round. If he hits 2nd he could have a floor of .230/70/10/55/30, with a potential .260/90/15/70/50 ceiling. Which outside of BA is kind Treaish. Yum. I’m moving up drafting him as his value rises.
@Billy: Where I have them ranked
Grey have 1st pick in 14 team 3year keeper head to head pts league with ridic amount of categories. Kept Votto as 28th of round 2 and Harper as 56th in round 4. Weekly lineup changes is 1 c 1b 2b ss 3b util, 3of, 5sp, 1rp with 5man bench. My dilemma is Kershaw is predicted for 750pts, Arenado top hitter at 530. Know what you say and agree on waiting but what if this big a difference? Thank you oh great FML
@DickeyT: Pitching should go earlier in a points league.
@DickeyT: Agree with F, you have to draft SPs earlier in Points https://razzball.com/category/2017-fantasy-baseball-points-leagues/
@Grey: so Kershaw it is for the next 3. Harper is in last year. Thanks Jef and FML. Any upcoming trips back to ETowm?
Where’s ETowm?
@Grey: damn typo. E-Town, Elizabeth
I never want to go to Elizabeth again, but I go home for the holidays
@Grey: Yeah it is quite ghetto, don’t blame you. I’m only there for work
Now that you have completed your own NL-Only auction,let me know your thoughts:
C- Grandal $12
c-Norris $2
1b- Zimmerman $4
2b- Trea $33
SS- JP Crawford $2
3b-Ad. Garcia $10
MI-Dee Gordon $24 (our biggest disagreement in your rankings–i love dee–.285/90/3/40/60 isn’t a top 30 player?):
CI- Rio Ruiz $3 (adonis protection)
OF- Giancarlo $25
OF-Duvall $17
OF- Pence $17
OF- Peralta $12
OF- Puig $10
Util: Parra $5
P- Oh $22
P- Ri. Hill $16
P- Ge. Cole $15
P- Gray $9
P- Nova $8
P- Gio $8
P- Arodys $3
P- Treinen $2
P- Ar. Bradley $1
Bn: Ahmed
Bn: Alcantara
Bn: Cha D’Arnaud
Bn: Cli. Robinson
Bn: Uehara
Bn: Severino
@NatsFan: Prolly mad at Dee for effing me so bad last year in Tout Wars, I like your team, it’s more stars and scrubs than I’d prefer… If you can find a SS, and your OF holds it together, it could be a solid squad… Pitching looks decent if a tad light on # of SPs
I’m concerned about Carrasco’s arm even though it checked out ok in the MRI. Would you stay away from him for an extra round or two now? I am drafting this weekend and he was one of my targets. Thanks.
@Boomer19: Yeah, I’d lay off him for at least two rounds
Joe Panik?
@FrankGrimes: Yeah. And he plays opening day!
@FrankGrimes: You’re talking like a Giants fan, Grimey
Sent you an FCL invite Grimey, not sure if you saw that from the RCL post
Grimey is drafting Bumgarner in the 1st round
@Grey:
Haha maybe I will.
I’ve never owed him before (sad emoji)
Aw, Grimey, I can’t stand to see you sad emoji!
@MattTruss:
got it!
Grey,
Will you be updating your tiers based on injuries sustained in spring training? For instance – carrasco with a swollen elbow is not good….
@Blake: I update the rankings nearly every day, I haven’t touched Carrasco, because the news is still vague
@Grey:
So in your top 20 pitching post – u move guys in/out of the tiers?
I do, as I’ve moved Price and deGrom since rankings were released
@Grey:
it seems you and malmoney differ in your projections (wins, SO’s, etc). Not sure who I go by? I agree with your logic but how do I get your projections so I can put them in his projections spreadsheet?
Malamoney is our Points guy, I’m talking roto with my rankings
@Grey:
I am in a pts league
batters
1pt-1B,2pt-2B,3pts-3B,4pts-HR,1pt-R, 1pt-RBI, 1pt-BB
Pitchers
15pts-W, 7pts-S, 1pt for SO
@Blake: I’d ask Malamoney https://razzball.com/category/2017-fantasy-baseball-points-leagues/
Grey – thanks for the writeup!
I know you love Carlos Carrasco but he’s getting his brains beat in so far this spring. Does this have you (or any of the other learned folks on this page!) reconsidering where he should be drafted?
@Hawk: Spring Training stats don’t mean anything. Unless they can be correlated with an injury, which it seems they may be. Severity TBD.
@Hawk: Yeah, see above comments
Grey –
I have the last pick in my 16 team dynasty league, and I need to add pitching.
My starters are …
1. deGrom
2. Carrasco (and is barking elbow)
3. Odorizzi
4. Gsellmen
5. Cotton
My bullpen …
1. Kenley
2. Ottavino
3. Maurer
4. Capps
5. Strahm
I normally try and carry 8 starters and 5 relievers (saves & holds), which has me leaning toward Adam Conley, but Daniel Hudson is available.
Who do I take, Conley or Hudson?
As always, thank you!
@Racehorse: Conley
Gyorko?
@The Great Knoche: Hey, what’d you call me?
@Grey: You’re just saving him up for your multi-positional sleeper post.
That’s not a bad idea… Guys that aren’t great, but, man, they aren’t great at a lot of positions
@Grey: Wilmer Flores, Marwin Gonzalez, Tyler Saladino.
Also this could be your one and only opportunity to bestow upon others the greatness of Shawn O’Malley
He sounds like the real name of Kid Dynamite
Quick strategy question:
Have a 12 team H2H points draft coming up on Sunday and in the league we must have 3 keepers and can keep up to 4. I finished 3rd last year so my position is not very high. I’m thinking about not keeping Price to move up into the third round and draft a pitcher (my other pitcher keeper is McCullers.) I’m assuming 4/5 others will be doing the same so I’d be looking at the 6th or so pick. The pitchers that may be available at that spot are Martinez, Darvish, Degrom, Verlander, Tanaka. Think it’s worth ditching Price to move up to get any of these guys? I’d be taking a decent risk by not keeping him, but the potential at Darvish or Verlander is very tempting. What do you think? Keep Price and start him on the DL or take a chance by dropping him?
@You Know Nothing, J.T. Snow: One of my favorite usernames… Do not keep Price
@Grey: Thanks!
No problem!
Missed my RCL draft lastnight and ended up with three catchers.
It’ll be an uphill battle this year no doubt – should be fun though. Never used ESPN before only Yahoo –
Good luck everyone.
@Roger Podacter: Be all that more rewarding if you can make something of it
@Grey: That’s exactly what I’ve done!
It’s baseball, at the end of the day, it will always be a crap-shoot.
Go Severino!?
You keep your dirty ADP rising paws off my boy Peraza. I’ve been enjoying getting him past the 100th pick, ~130. In that RCL draft last night he got sniped from me at 104. He’ll totally have an ADP of 75 by the time April rolls around. Blah. These types of things are the only benefit to drafting early.
@MattTruss: Yeah, except the guy who drafted Carrasco, Desmond and Peraza
Yeah, except for him.
Are we that worried about Carrasco? I’ve got to submit keepers by Friday night and was still planning to keep him. It’s keep 12 forever. If I don’t keep him I’d keep either Miguel Sano or Jose Peraza, probably Peraza based on my team needs (SB, OBP). What do you think?
I’m planning to keep Dahl too. Maybe too much DL risk to keep both?
Is your team managed by Chipper Jones?
Haha, maybe it should be! So you’re saying I have too much injury risk? I’m still a sucker for Dahl’s potential in Coors. It’s keep forever, so I don’t really want to throw him back. Maybe I’ll toss Carrasco back now and keep Peraza though.
Peraza will go before Carrasco in drafts for the foreseeable future until Carrasco has positive injury news
Word, good call. I likely have a better chance to draft Carrasco back if I want him. Besides, screw pitchers! Good talk, thanks.
@MattTruss: Not sure if I would redraft him. C’mon you’re Matt Motherfuckin’ Truss. You Can do it!
Yea, just saying if hypothetically I wanted him, I could. You’re right though, this is H2H roto too. I typically just keep most if not all my offense and then just go quantity over quality in pitching. See, this is why I have you guys around, keep me honest.
Hey Grey,
Thanks for the write up as always. I’m in a bit of a conundrum for my last keeper in a keep forever H2H 5×5 league. I’m leaning towards Frazier, but also have Pujols, Schoop, K. Davis and Cain as borderline keepers. Other offensive keepers are Machado, Encarnacion, Marte and Aaron Judge (have to keep one rookie). Any thoughts?
In another league (40 man 15 team dynasty – OPS and Holds with a $300 budget), do you think $35 for Frazier and a $17 Ozuna are too expensive. They’re my two most expensive offensive pieces, and I’m thinking I’d be better off with that cap space.
Thanks as always for the insights!
@NickfromtheRoc: They’re expensive, but if you have no other options…
Hey Gray,
hope all is well, just wanted to get your thoughts on which SS to pair up Mike Trout and Freeman. I read your article on top 20 SS but still can’t come to a decision. If Correa or Turner falls at pick 20 or 21 I will certainly take them, but for now I have to be realistic and chose between Seager, Lindor or Story. I play in H2H points league, so please if you can give me your feedback, I’d appreciate it.
@Illuminatty: Story
With Carrasco’s recent elbow soreness, are you cooling off on him at all? Indians are saying an MRI confirmed there’s no damage, but elbow soreness this early is a bit scary. He still above around 13 overall a team SP for you?
@JR: I’ll prolly drop him, but I’d like to hear more news… Definitely not drafting him if I’m drafting today
Hi Grey. I know 5 people have asked about Carrasco’s elbow already. But I need a personalized answer to MY question. Can’t they just pee on his elbow? I mean, it’s worked for some, right?
@Cram It: That was hands. Good for solid grip. Maybe it will grip the elbow tendons tighter?
Golden Shower Medicine
@Cram It: Dear Cram, that’s for jellyfish stings
@Grey: She doesn’t have to know that.
It’s between us
Solo Eff Jef – We’re getting the Frequent Commenter League RCL up and running for this year – You want in?
@MattTruss: Sure…Heres my email…[email protected]…thanks bro
Sent!
@MattTruss: Damn you’re quick
@JeF WiTh 1 F: his wife says the same thing
@J-FOH: Not to me
@JeF WiTh 1 F: ouch
@J-FOH: I might have just got invited and kicked out within a half hour lol
@JeF WiTh 1 F: my work here is done. Thats my dumpster baby
@J-FOH: Ha
Ha! I totally missed this exchange. You’re into Cougs too huh? Right on
@MattTruss: I’m into the “willing to have sex with me”
Keep question:
$328 budget, 2 of 3:
Swanson $8
Sano $6
J Turner $1
@Kendrick Llama: Not Swanson
Jose Practical? But say it like you are the host of a Mexican game show
HA
Grey,
what’s a cooler name for an insurance salesman: Whit Merrifield or Dansby Swanson?
Dansby… Whit is the speaker at the insurance convention who’s never actually done any selling
@Grey: ya good call, he has a little moustache and his pants are too tight, but he thinks he’s a badass.
Dansby is the guy from Fargo season 1 who was a hobbit too
Dansby is the kid in your 3rd grade class that talks with a funny accent and wears suspenders
@Grey: reading the book, enjoying so far. Some background please. was it written slowly over years or cranked out in a weekend of inspiration?
Thanks! Here and there over the last few months…
You as pumped as me to see Beauty and the Beast this weekend without a child?!? I have no say in anything I do :(
Drawback to dating a 17-year-old?
@Grey: That and needing to have her home by 9 on school nights.
Yeah, but….More time for fantasying!
@Grey: Daniel Murphy called, said he wasn’t going
Daniel Murphy only travels to red states this year
@Grey: You mean me and my bros getting our D&D on right?
I got the 8-sided die ready to go!
@Dr. Kenneth Noisewater: I’d pop a couple caps and stems and enjoy the ride. If that’s not possible I’m sure there is a mighty fine brownie or cookie to be had. Either way get fucked up
@J-FOH: Ha, I did tell her that we are at least seeing it in IMAX. Though it would be lovely except for these pesky randoms at work, which I’ve never had in over 3 years but others have had several.
@Dr. Kenneth Noisewater: can’t wait for all the toddlers taken to the movie that you get to deal with. Will be hoping to get an update on Saturday
Grey
14 team mixed auction 5×5 can keep up to 10 keepers at increasing value. My keepers must be announced by Saturday.
My keepers are: S Marte – 31, J Pederson- 14, Kepler – 10, Buxton – 8, Odor – 12, B Miller – 6, Lamb – 3, Grandal – 3, Carrasco – 14, Pineda -11.
My plan was to spend a chunk of $ on another stud hitter ( Goldy, Rizzo, Miggy, Machado, Trout, and Harper should all be available this year ). and at least one reliable closer.
Carrasco and Pineda was going to be my #1 and #2 and I was hoping to get some bargain starters for the next 4 slots via your rankings.
Obviously, I am now concerned with Carrasco. Should I modify my plans and spend some more $ on another pitching anchor? studs like Kershaw, Scherzer and sale should be available, but I usually don’t spend on them types. Not sure who might be available to anchor the staff at reasonable prices right now. Should I even consider not keeping Carrasco ? ( seems like a panic move ). Or should I stay the course with my original plan and roll the dice and cross my fingers?
I also have the option of changing my keepers. I am currently throwing back Shoemaker – 10, Manea -10, R Iglesias -10 and A Miller – 11.
As always, thanks in advance for your advice.
You need a safer pitcher, not necessarily a stud… Like a Quintana type
7×7 H2H Keeper w/ OBP, TB, QS, L added. Goldy/Stanton or Betts/Archer (or Betts/Jansen)
Goldy
Grey,
Would you trade Stroman for Peraza in a 30-team dynasty roto league with std categories? In the early stages of a teardown and rebuild, so overall value matters more to me than specific need. Peraza’s getting a lot of love this preseason. A bit too much, if you ask me.
Yes
I’m in a 10 team Roto with 8 keepers and a $290 budget.
I have to keep Polanco at $17 and Rizzo at $13.
Need 6 more from the following:
Giancarlo Stanton OF | MIA $ 1.00
A.J. Pollock OF | ARI $ 1.00
Kris Bryant 3B,OF | CHC $ 21.00
Mark Trumbo OF | BAL $ 8.00
Maikel Franco 3B | PHI $ 1.00
Billy Hamilton OF | CIN $ 3.00
Xander Bogaerts SS | BOS $ 14.00
Jose Peraza OF,SS | CIN $ 1.00
Chris Davis 1B | BAL $ 8.00
Brandon Belt 1B | SF $ 1.00
Jason Kipnis 2B | CLE $ 13.00
Corey Kluber P | CLE $ 11.00
Jose Quintana P | CHW $ 3.00
Kenta Maeda P | LAD $ 3.00
Rich Hill P | LAD $ 6.00
Kevin Gausman P | BAL $ 1.00
Aaron Sanchez P | TOR $ 6.00
Michael Pineda P | NYY $ 1.00
I’m thinking Stanton, Kluber, Bryant, Hamilton, Pollack and Boegaerts, because I believe that Hamilton, Pollock and Boegarts will probably go for more at auction than Trumbo, F4rance or Peraza. Any thoughts?
Stanton, Kluber, Bryant, Hamilton, Pollack and Bogaerts, works for me
@Grey: Thanks, need two more.
So who is the idiot that drafted Carrasco and Desmond in the middle of March?
Raises hand :(
I think I’ll make a few more teams since I’m probably screwed royally in those leagues.
Me too, effin sucks
Grey, I just order your book. Looking forward to it. Thanks for your daily write ups.
I played in the rcl leagues once. My excuse of not playing again is the daily moves and mostly the comments about playing the format. I play in 7 other leagues but all weekly line up sets, with once a week waivers and about half of those we can trade. All money roto 12 teams. Am in JB NFBC league too. I love fantasy bb but I don’t want to be an inactive owner. I’m thinking that goes on however. What do you think the breakdown is? 50/50 on active owners or…..I’m thinking of joining one and see how it goes.
Thanks, homey! You should join one, guys can compete with under 100 moves on the year, that’s about 3-4 moves a week… Just gotta make smart moves vs. non-stop catcher scab itching
12 team keep forever league where we start 6 sps in weekly lineups.
I can probably only justify keeping 4 starters and I currently have: kluber, degrom, Arrieta, a. Sanchez, m. Fulmer, j. Paxton, m. Pineda
I was offered Lindor for Kluber and I could use a SS as well as a stud like Lindor.
Would you deal kluber or try someone else? If so who would you offer for lindor as it will probably have to be a 1 for 1 trade.
Thanks and keep up the great work!
Take Lindor
JB’s team is looking kinda rough. Sorry JB!
@Cram It: the last two years in perts has been the same too. I think he needs to stick to basketball
@J-FOH: Odd. Those pitcher profiles though…
@Cram It: knowledge of players has nothing to do with ability to play the game or draft. I know in the past oaktown and myself both agreed we are so so drafters but great at playing so there are many ways to win. Also that being a good constructor of a team is not known until you actually play against a collection of quality opponents because you can make up for your deficiencies when you are surrounded by stupidity. Take those commenters that run down the laundry list of great adds they made in season and it makes you wonder about the schlubs they play against
@J-FOH: yeah it’s actually a great arbiter of whether or not you should quit a non-money league by the time in which you can add certain players in certain league depth sizes. my best leagues (re: hardest) if i actually waited till a guy was an “add” by grey i’d have lost him by at least 5 days in most instances. whereas in my worst leagues (re:worst competition) those guys are laying around week(s) later unless i grabbed them.
Haha, poor Jbeezy
Grey,
Looking to get JV in an 12team AL only dynasty points league
my pitching staff is maxed out right now with Darvish, Paxton, Shoemaker, McCullers, E-Rod, Liriano, Hammel, Severino, Graveman, and Cessa and Clevinger who are RPs but will be starting for their teams.
would you try trading a combo of E-Rod, Liriano and Clevinger to get JV? JV owner only has 5 major league starters..
thnx!
I’d trade all of them for JV
@Grey: got it done….E Rod, Liriano and $15 FAAB for JV
Nice!
@Roll of SAGNOF, Hear my Cry: alright, after looking at it again, i realize that this offer is a joke
sry!
In an OBP league, Schimpf seems like a pretty good deal to me. Do you agree? Also, I think you are selling yourself short with Jose Perdiem. I think that one is pretty good.
Ha, thanks! Yeah, I like Schimpf
@Rabbit: uggla 2.0
Grey!
Great write-up!
a. Made it back to Farchana, USA as you can see!!!
b. Btw, not to be picky or anything, but you meant SHIFT+DEL – in order to delete a document bypassing the ‘recycling bin’ on your desktop, to delete a file forever. Someone smarter will say that you can never completely remove a file from your computer but that’s for another story! CTRL+ALT+DEL will just shut down your computer but will not remove your Brett Lawrie file.
c. Love this 2B column – especially Mosi. Hopefully he’ll be as good as his pops was in LAD!!
Cheers,
Ante
A. Nice, glad you made it! B. Computer’s off and I no longer have to look at Lawrie’s stupid face C. Yeah
How about Margot? Where’s he been going?
15th
@Cram It: Shhh…….
@The Great Knoche: Maybe you’re right. I didn’t consider this to be the equivalent to talking about undrafted players in the actual draft room. But if guys are sniping players based on who Cram and Knoche are talking about here, then we’ve got some major influence!
@Cram It: Oh its not the same, we’re all in different drafts. More concerned about MY draft que.
Let’s talk about Gorkys Hernandez.
@The Great Knoche: Haha. I’ve heard that name, but don’t think you want to talk about him.
I got Margot. I’m content.
@Cram It: Margot went about 10 picks before it got back to me.
Grey-
I’m in a 14-team 7×7 dynasty league where you can keep as many players as you want ($300 cap, 27 roster spots), but I have too many hitters that I want to keep. There are the typical roster spots (4 OFs) as well as a MI, CI, and Util spot. Keeper prices increase by $5 per year after you have kept a player for 2 years. All players are in year 1 currently.
Out of the list below who would you not keep based on their current and future value?
Todd Frazier $18
Albert Pujols $18
Hanley Ramirez $18
Brandon Belt $10
Xander Bogaerts $15
Francisco Lindor $10
Jonathan Schoop $9
Devon Travis $8
Jose Peraza $5
Justin Upton $21
J.D. Martinez $17
Yoenis Cespedes $14
Joc Pederson $10
Adam Duvall $5
Aaron Judge $5
Thanks for all your help!
Thanks! Not keep Belt, Upton, Pujols, Travis — think you can get any back at or cheaper cost
Per our Kershaw discussion above I ran the numbers for each of the 12 most drafted first rounders last year (there were a total of 23 different players taken in the 1st round, I didn’t feel like running each) and here are their corresponding owner’s average finish position. Also of note, each player had an owner that both won and lost their league. I think the results bear out that Kershaw isn’t the best choice, but you be the judge:
Josh Donaldson – 5.75
Nolan Arenado – 5.75
Kris Bryant – 5.8
Mike Trout – 5.97
Anthony Rizzo – 5.97
Paul Goldschmidt – 6.04
Manny Machado – 6.09
Bryce Harper – 6.22
Giancarlo Stanton – 6.54
Clayton Kershaw – 6.61
Jose Altuve – 6.72
Carlos Correa – 6.76
I do think it’s clear that a power hitting corner man is the way to go in the first round. Makes me feel better about grabbing Rizzo and Goldy so far in my RCL drafts.
There were some issues with the data. For example, my data can’t account for team name changes. So not all 85 leagues are accounted for in each data set. All I have is draft data and final standings data. If a team changed their name in between that time frame, they aren’t included. That could sway some of the numbers, but probably not bigly.
Another random note here are the number of league winners each draftee produced:
Mike Trout – 11
Kris Bryant – 10
Manny Machado – 10
Josh Donaldson – 9
Paul Goldschmidt – 9
Jose Altuve – 9
Nolan Arenado – 8
Giancarlo Stanton – 8
Bryce Harper – 7
Clayton Kershaw – 7
Anthony Rizzo – 5
Carlos Correa – 5
I really should have included this in one of the RCL posts, but oh well.
I’d say Giancarlo, Harper and Kershaw were in spite of pick…. You can still put it in a post…. And should… Not everyone reads these comments…
Cool, I have 3 more before start of the season, I’m sure I can squeeze it into one of them.
@MattTruss: You still can.
@MattTruss: Great stuff, Matt. It’s obviously important to have a 1st rounder that doesn’t underperform expectations (looking at you Harper and Correa) or get hurt (Kershaw), but I wonder how many league winners rostered some of the big breakouts from last season (Villar, Hendricks, etc.). That’s probably just as big of a factor (if not bigger) in winning than nailing your 1st round pick.
Do you have that data available? If not, don’t worry about it. Just thinking out loud while I wait for my first draft of the year.
Yea, I think that’d be tough to nail down. Since Villar wasn’t really drafted it’d be tough data to quantify. I might be able to do how many teams had him on final rosters, but not sure that’d tell us much. I agree though, it’s a much bigger deal to get a first rounder that doesn’t suck than to get one that’s great.
Yeah, preaching to choir, I’d always take corner man if it makes sense… Never take Kershaw… It’s obvious, I think…. Finding a power corner man on waivers is nearly impossible, guys don’t just happen into a 1st or 3rd base job, pitchers are readily available
This does sort of put a damper on my Mookie @#2 arguement
I’m taking Goldy at 2
I’m just hoping I never end up with the 2nd pick and I’ll take whoever is left at 3, haha.
So you will draft Betts?
Yea, most likely. For better or worse
Betts or worse… I prolly will too at 3 but Kris Bryant is going to be real tempting there
@Grey: I’d take Goldy, Bryant, Arenado, and Harper (I think) before Betts. Haven’t picked before 11 yet though.
I can’t argue with that… Betts was so sweet at 10-15 last year, but now, it’s steep
Ralph’s been grabbing Bryant at #3. That’s overcoming some serious homerism too!
But who at two?
Yea, no idea what his rankings are like but he’s all-in on Bryant in his RCLs so far. Call me crazy, but I’m not going to be owning any Bryant this year. he scares me too much in the top 5.
What Really? Why?
I just think he’s more of a back end of the first round guy like last year than a top 5. He strikes out a ton. I’m kinda looking at Rudy’s numbers here, but .275 and 9 steals (8 last year w/5 CS) is alright, but top 5…what if those swings and misses (Rudy/Steamer has him projected for 159 Ks) make his average drop even more? Just not feeling top 5 pick and he’s not falling past that, hence, I’m not getting him.
.275 feels low to me, .280 feels like a floor… At 25 years of age, he’s getting better and last year’s Ks show marked improvement
@MattTruss: I’m with you on Bryant. Have him at #9 in my rankings. I think he’ll be just fine, but has some average downside. .275 wouldn’t surprise me.
Boom! Magoo on board. Right, it’s hard to say bust when it’s 4 vs. 8/9, I think he’ll be fine too, just not on my team. The K% showed improvement, but if look closer I think he got a little lucky his K% wasn’t higher last year. Not great contact % numbers. Same numbers are making me a little nervous on Freeman too.
@MattTruss: I’m less concerned about Freeman than Bryant. Not only can you get him later, but his hard hit and line drive rates are always elite. Even with the K%, I think he hits .285+. He actually got a bit unlucky in terms of homers last season too. Not saying he’ll hit 40, but I think he’s a good bet to hit 30 again.
Yea, the jump from 18 HRs to 34 is a little suspicious, but I think 28 or so is probably safe. I’m just a little worried when knocking Bryant for things like SwStr%, Z-Contact % and Contact % and then I look and see Freeman was worse than him in all of them last year. That’s scary.
@Grey: I’d take Bryant over Betts. I’d take Arenado too.
If you take Betts, you’re basically saying you have to be okay with Abreu or Hanley at 1B
@Cram It: Im with you
@Cram It: But aren’t you also having to get one of those 2 if you’re not the guy taking Miggy or Rizzo? If you don’t take Freeman coming back, you’re in the same situation needing a 1B
@Cram It: And why can’t you get E5 or Votto? Hell, maybe Freeman gets back.
@MattTruss: @Grey: Bryant is my two over Mookie. I feel like I need to get a cornerman w/ power that early. I’m nervous Mookie has a good not great season, and doesn’t repeat what he did last year. I’m confident that I can get similar production in 2017 from Bryant that I got in 2016.
@Grey: I’m usually with you on Kershaw, but I think that this is the year to grab him. Not in an RCL, but a weekly format. Between Scherzer (hand), Syndergaard (durability?), Sale (velo drop + Fenway), Kluber (workload + mediocre fastball), and guys like Lester/Arrieta/Verlander (age/workload), Kershaw could provide a huge leg up on the pitching side. Could then attack offense while those other guys are coming off the board.
And you’ll guarantee yourself mediocre 1B or 3B or both — though, I do like Tommy Joseph!
@Grey: Depends how you feel about the player pool. I like Freeman and Myers and think that 3B is deep this year. Wouldn’t have a problem with Seager, Beltre, Rendon, Longo, Franco, Turner, Lamb, etc. as my 3B either.
It also depends what your ultimate goal is. If you’re shooting for the overall prize money in the NFBC, waiting on pitching is a sure way to miss out on that. If you’re playing in an RCL, it’s a different story. Waiting there is probably a good idea.
Since you brought up NFBC, wanna see my team so far?
https://razzball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screen-Shot-2017-03-15-at-2.18.51-PM.png
https://razzball.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screen-Shot-2017-03-15-at-2.18.58-PM.png
@Grey: Look at you drafting Dee Gordon! I like the Lackey and Shark picks. Is this a no transactions league?
Yeah, no transactions
@Grey: Yeah, I definitely like those two in this format. HIgh floor innings eaters. Don’t know if I trust Hanley that high. Probably would’ve gone with a deGrom type to double up on the aces there. I’m a sucker for deGrom though. Looks pretty good. Time to pile up the SPs.
Yup, that’s my objective now, lots of IP
@Big Magoo: The back isn’t a concern? This had led me to lot of Yu and C-Mart led teams.
@Ralph Lifshitz: I do like MadBum and Yu this year. MadBum is about as safe as they come, and Yu looks primed for a dominant season.
I’m not too worried about Kershaw’s back. The Dodgers didn’t need to push him late last season. They just wanted to make sure he was fresh for the playoffs. He’s not completely out of the woods (back issues are always a concern), but he looked great in the postseason and looks sharp so far this spring. Such an advantage on the pitching side.
@MattTruss: i don’t think this sample is even close to large enough to mean much of anything, i’m sure rudy would agree. you’d probably want thousands of leagues for anything to matter here.
@MattTruss: With Trout ranking 2nd in end of year rater, looking for an explanation why he isn’t top dog in this list. Wondering if it might be that drafting first wasn’t the ideal spot?
Hey Grey- 12 team, 2 Catcher league. Down to final 2 keepers out of:
Myers @ $14
Thor @ $19
Gary Sanchez @ $12
This league is keep forever. My other keepers are all bats. Keep which two? Thanks!
Not Sanchez
Keeper query; standard ESPN, 12 team, head to head, 6 man keeper (no limits). Lucky enough to build a solid foundation (thanks in large part to reading your website:), as a result I have some admittedly nice but difficult decisions to make. Here is the list;
No brainers: Betts, Bryant, Goldy (1b), Rizzo (utility)
Need 2 of the following: Odor, Springer, Bogaerts, Syndergaard.
My gut (and your ranks) tell me it’s Odor and Springer. However, I have concerns that in a 12 team/6 man keeper I am going to get shut out of pitching. So maybe I go Syndergaard. Plus I won the league last year, therefore I don’t actually pick until 24th overall (after keepers declared as I traded my 1st round pick last year. THis could impact what pitching is available. I have been back and forth on this … please enlighten me. Thanks in advance.
Odor, Noah
I’m starting to own Hanley more than i’d like, just made this trade in a 12 team Roto standard
I get Hanley and Piscotty
I give Hosmer and Yelich
I like the trade but now i own Hanley on 3 teams so you know whats going to happen….
I like the trade, agree on Hanley, I own him in a league too… If you don’t get a 1B in the 1st two rounds, you’re either taking Abreu or Hanley, no way around it
@Grey: Yeah I had hosmer as my first baseman…We keep 8 in this league, these are my 8 now
1b. Hanley
2b. D.Gordon
3b. M.Franco
SS. C.Seager
OF. G.Springer
OF. Y. Cespedes
OF. JD Martinez
Util. S.Piscotty
Nice balanced offense, assuming Gordon doesn’t get hurt, then you have about 10 steals total from the other 7 guys
@Grey: Agreed thats my worry too
As someone who has Gordon too, I’m there with you
Yo. What’s up?
@SteveNZ: Steve!
@Grey: @J-FOH: What’d I miss?
All Blacks lost in Chicago in October
@Grey: Noooooo!!!!
Good knowledge!
I went out with my other Kiwi friend on Sunday and he was still bummed about it
@Grey:
NICE!
AND, Ireland won in Chicago in October!
Luck o’ the…!
@Grey: Nothing lucky about it. By far the better team won.
Heard you hadn’t lost to them in something like 100 years
@Grey: Prior to that, we had NEVER lost to them.
Oh wow, yeah, my friend’s kid was singing Go Cubs Go, b/c he fell in love with baseball on his trip to Chicago to see the All Blacks
He’s alive! Unless this is Ghost SteveNZ, then what’s the afterlife like?
Steve! Impeccable timing! We’re getting the FCL up and running again if you have interest in rosterbating through an RCL with us. If you want in, let me know.
Which two would you keep out of Dahl, Hosmer, Pederson, Moncada and Contreras?
LEague is 14 team keep 6 forever.
R/ RBI/ HR/ NSB/ OBP/ SLG
I’m also keeping: Harper, Bregman, Benintendi and Mazara.
Thanks
@Ashtray: Dahl and Moncada for me
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Would you take Beltre over either of those? I tend to forget him since he’s old af.
Hosmer
…And Dahl
@Grey: I could keep Beltre or Lamb as well. Keep them over any of those guys?
Meh, coin flip, prolly just go Hosmer — same stats as Beltre, much younger
@Grey: 12 team 5 x 5 roto. which pair would you prefer? rizzo/jd or harper/freeman?
thanks (and congrats on the new book)…
@herschel: Rizzo/JD for me
Harper
You’ll love this. So we haven’t been making many picks during day in NFBC. Today it was a different guy than last 2 days.
He just showed up and makes a pick and comments”Sorry unexpected draft time” It was 5 picks away after the overnight. Sheesh.
Haha, oy
Grey-
I have the 7th pick in my 12-team Yahoo keeper league. I’m currently keeping Correa, Wil Myers, Salazar and Maeda. For my last spot should I keep Dahl or Peraza?
Follow up to that question: With the 7th pick, I expect to have the option of Kershaw, Machado, Harper, and Rizzo. I don’t love the idea of taking Kershaw (and know you would agree), and based on your rankings I know you have it Rizzo, Machado, Harper. However, since I’m already keeping a 1b/OF and SS (and possibly another SS if you say to keep Peraza), should I reach for Harper and hope he gets back to his 2015 ways? Based on those keepers who would you want as your 1st round pick?
Thanks!
Peraza…Go Harper
Thanks for everything you guys do here. Love all the info. Helped me win 2 titles last year.
Weekly Head to head league. 12 teams.
Got offered a pre draft trade. I have 4 overall he has 1 overall. I give up #4, for his 2nd and 3rd round picks. It’s a pitcher heavy league. K’s are 2.5 points each. Usually in the first 2 rounds about 12 pitchers are taken on average.
For hitters RBi’s are worth 2, steals 2.5.
It’s also a keeper league we can 2 each. Probably 7 out of your top 25 are keepers this year.
Is it worth trading #4 overall and Possibly Goldy or Bum for the 2 extra picks?
Thanks! Nope, hold
Hey man
Giving up alex colome to get alex reyes in a dynasty
Pull the trigger?
Thanks
If you’re playing for 2019
@Slimbo: this isn’t close.
I have the 3rd pick in an upcoming 14 team draft. I’m keeping Darvish, Villar and Turner. With that said would it be crazy to take Arenado (provided he’s still available) at 3 over Goldy and Betts since I already have a good start in the sb department? Or should I stay the course with your rankings?
Not crazy, go Arenado
ok, i gambled on not keeping lackey in that 20 team league with 7-9 keepers (i kept 8 after some trades to gain draft picks for young players i couldn’t keep and porcello and a.jones)
OPS and XBH and holds and QS added
C sanchez
1B c-sant
2B cano
SS treat urner (after 5 games into season)
3B carpenter
OF (3) piscotty/cargo 1/dahl
util (1)
SP (none, need only 1250 short innings cap roto)
RP (room for 5, none yet)
so clearly i’ll be targeting a steals guy for the util spot (and while dahl’s out) in probably dyson/rajai or somebody like that. after putting team with jones into war room it spitted out that for 16 team league i was heavy in OPS/HR/RBI/XBH but steals weak.
so i gambled on getting one of mccullers/carmart/maeda over lackey at the 14th pick (out of 14 picks) in supplemental round. but those 3 are gone and i’m left with the hill vs lackey decision. upside and value per game is clearly in hill’s favor, safety in lackey’s. which should i go with? looks like other than some speed all i’ll be drafting for a long time is SP/RP entirely.
Think you have to go Lackey
@Grey: drat, i thought i’d get maeda here. but nope.
RCL opening – Draft is tomorrow, march 16 @ 8:45 PM EST
http://games.espn.com/flb/tools/join?leagueId=13883&inviteKey=bfd5c
password: mayo
I tweeted it out, should fill shortly
Hi Grey,
I have a keeper dilemma that I’d like your advice on. Sorry about the long write-up, but I want to give you the context and dynamics of my league.
NL-Only H2H 5×5 with OBP.
$280 Auction (5 Keepers)
Goldschmidt – 44
Villar – 12
LeMahieu – 9
Hendricks – 14
Franco – 12
Bubble: Cole (17) and Broxton (3)
I am having second thoughts on keeping Franco for my last spot even though he’s a really good value.
I have Broxton for $3. There’s no real speed (25+ SBs) left besides Janikowski, Pollock, and Margot. I think Keon will go for $20-25 because of his HR/SB combo potential. I know, key word is potential, but even Hamilton would probably go for $25+ if he were thrown back.
The following SPs are being kept, so there’s a shortage in big arms. Kershaw, Scherzer, Madbum, Thor, Cueto, Strasburg, deGrom, CMart, Teheran, and Taillon.
Lester, Greinke, and Arrieta will go anywhere from $35 – $45. Cole could get up to that range as well. Keeping Cole would still allow money in my budget for Maeda, and then I could go for lower $ guys like Eickhoff, Nova, Walker, etc.
I can always bid on Franco, and if he goes for too much, Lamb is still available (I could probably get him for the low $20s). I could also pick up Drury for cheap and use the $ elsewhere. Having Villar eligible at 3B also opens up the possibility to get a SS like Diaz.
Thoughts on keeping one of Broxton or Cole over Franco?
Thanks!
Can’t argue too hard against any of the three… Tough choice, Franco is a franchise player though, Broxton might have a good year, not really someone I see having a good career, and Cole could be great for a while, but hitter vs. pitcher… I’d go Franco
@Grey: Yeah, it’s a tough decision. I can always stock my staff with other SPs , and I do have a good amount of SBs to build around if I feel Broxton is too expensive.
Based on your ratings, I’m sure you’d flip any of the three for an $8 Jake Lamb though, wouldn’t you?
Thanks!
I’m also high on Peraza (it’s a nice, clean high!) and am thinking of reaching for him somewhere around the 7th or 8th round. You think that’s a reach around that will result in a happy ending or am I targeting him too soon? It’s a 12 team league where I’m drafting 3rd so figure to pick him somewhere between 75th and 93rd pick overall.
Where would you rank Odor in a 6×6 with OBP? Still worth a top 30 pick?
https://razzball.com/playerrater-preseason-espnmlb12-6X6OBP