Hunter Greene is the best person you ever dated. The one that got away. Not necessarily, hot and crazy while they’re keying your car. They were, like, super awesome. You guys used have a ton of fun, and your friends would be like, “How’d you ever snag them?” And you’d say wistfully, “I don’t know.” Real corny crap! Then you went to school/had to move/fell down a flight of stairs and woke thinking you were a chicken. Just some circumstances separated you. You remained friends, but you had to go your separate ways. A love lost. The stuff of songs and poems and gentle reflection of what could’ve been. But ya know, deep down, beauty fades, and they were the wrong match for you anyway. The right match was Kyle Bradish or Jacob deGrom or Chris Sale or anyone else in the top 20 starters who I still like. If your Hunter’s Brown, it’s 200 innings you can mark him down. If your Hunter’s Greene, don’t like how this sounds, nah’mean? The Hunter Greene timetable for his elbow bone spurs is currently June/July, but you know how I feel about drafting dinged-up starters. I moved him into the top 60 starters and I would never draft him. Alas, it was fun while it lasted. When we were younger (two weeks ago) and had so much promise. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this offseason for 2026 fantasy baseball:
PSYCHE! So, regarding the site’s funkiness the last few days. We had to migrate servers on Sunday. Sunday turned to Monday and into Tuesday. Sorry about that. Was out of our control. For your understanding, we are now real friends, and not fake friends like Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh! I’m going broke paying for people to fix our site so get the War Room! Quick infomercial voice, “Rudy’s War Room is updated multiple times per day, and in-season subscriptions are open for business. Buy a subscription and save a cowboy. Just no elbow spurs!” Oh, and we’re not quite at the point where we can announce it yet, but Rudy’s about to release his biggest tool (uhh) to date. It’s on the level of the Streamonator and Hittertron. Honestly, it might be better. I was playing with it the last few days and it’s a brand new world for all of youse. Anyway II, the roundup:
Jeremy Pena – Small fracture in his finger. Eddie Vedder, “Jeremy’s broken…” Astros have never lied about an injury. If they say Pena will be back by April, he will be back by April. They don’t say what year for a reason. Those lying son of a guns! Did the Astros say a few weeks? Okay, [enters a few weeks into Astros IL Calculator] hmm, says here that he’ll be back in 2029 as a DH. Could that be right? So, I moved him in the shortstop rankings, docking him two weeks.
Corbin Carroll – Rumored to be back today (or shortly). I hate, hate, harve moving guys down in the rankings, then back up. I know people are using the rankings and they want consistency. I want consistency! The worst thing you can do is overreact to every single thing. Does more harm than good. With that said, I think I overcorrected for the hamate bone injury on Corbin. Not Lindor — emdash, this isn’t AI; he doesn’t have 50-steal speed like Corbin, that makes up for a lot. So, I moved Corbin up a bit and his projections, not quite to where he was, and now above Tatis in my top 20 overall.
Jonah Tong – Reassigned to minor league camp. That was always the plan, so he wasn’t moved in my top 100 starters. We’ll have to wait for Bizarro Lincecum.
Kyle Teel – Looked like he got himself a banged-up hammy. Aw, call him Kermy Teel. Some day we’ll find it, the rainbow connection…So, Teel might miss a week or two, but he’s already borderline top 250-300 catcher and that ranking still seems right, so I’m leaving him untouched for now in the catchers rankings.
Zack Littell – Signed with the Nationals. Littell did you know! No, really, I’m asking. So, Littell is one of those extremely valuable vets for real baseball that could walk into a live fantasy draft, offer to wash one of the leaguemate’s cars and they still wouldn’t draft him. He was updated in my top 100 starters.
Joshua Baez – Reassigned to Cardinals’ minor league camp. Lot of people were excited about Baez, and all I have to say, did you not live through Jordan Walker? Lars Nootbar? Nolan Gorman? Brendan Donovan? Have the Cards developed a great hitter since Pujols or simply shipped out future All-Stars they couldn’t develop? Like a teamster smoking, leaning on the latter.
Brandon Sproat – I’m closely watching the Logan Henderson/Brandon Sproat Brewers’ rotation battle. Prefer Henderson, but my feelings for Sproat might sprout, and Henderson is talking about elbow pain. Could see moving Logan Henderson down in the next day or so if he’s not throwing again soon.
Michael Massey – Tweaked his calf. Get that baby cow off the meth, tweaker!
Andrew McCutchen – Signed a minor league deal with the Rangers. If a guy wants to continue to play baseball, who am I to say he shouldn’t? Would I retire and do nothing if I had roughly $150 million? Sure, but that is just me.
Julio Teheran – Retired from baseball. He was like, “I allow bombs and, with my last name? I need to get out of the US before a terrible bit of miscommunication happens.”
Hey Grey!
My league drafted last night. I wanted to get your take on my results. It’s a 12-team, roto, 6×6, Saves+Holds league. I’m the only female in my league. I’ve won 4 times (the most in the league), but I haven’t won since 2020. It’s PAST time that I reclaim my crown!
C – A. Kirk
1B – B. Harper
2B – J. Altuve
3B = J. Ramirez
SS – T. Story
CI – L. Arraez
MI – M. Rojas
OF. Y. Alvarez, R. Arozarena, C. Yelich, S. Frelick
U – G. Stanton & J. Beck
BN – J. Mangum
SP – G. Kirby, S. Ohtani, S. Alcantara, M. King, T. Bibee, A. Nola
RP – R. Iglesias, E. Pagan, J. Hoffman, G. Whitlock, T. Rogers,
BN – S. Armstrong
I didn’t get to prep for the draft like usual, so if you think there are players I can improve upon, by all means, feel free to comment.
Lastly, I genuinely appreciate the time and effort that you put into this throughout the year. Incredible work and usually on point, which is why I ALWAYS consult with you!
With much respect,
Lady Scorpio
Gotta get you back in the winner’s circle! Team looks solid, I like the hitting and pitching, with a few iffy spots…Rojas and Nola…I don’t mind holding Nola for now but Miguel Rojas is terrible, unless it’s a typo…strong team tho!
10-team keeper league, 6×6 Yahoo (OBP, SLG / WHIP, SV+HLD). I can keep five, this is where I’m at:
These are the other options, any reason to consider one of these over the above?
Hey Grey.
Which side would you prefer to keep:
PCA and Harris or Rooker and Wilson Contreras
R H Hr RBI Sb K slg obp
Thanks again
McLain or Okamoto for a 7×7 roto (AVG, OBP, SLG).
Okamoto
I’m trying to trade from MI and/or SP depth to acquire a 1B in a dynasty. I’ve discussed $29 Olson and $7 Busch with an owner, and I have $12 Abrams, $22 Adames, $16 Albies, and $12 McLain. For SP, I could deal $17 Strider or $12 Pivetta. See any obvious match-ups in terms of value?
Strider or Pivetta and McLain? Strider or Pivetta and Olson?
Who do you like as a UTL bat in an 16-team OPS keeper league: Murakami, B. Reynolds, or Burger?
Murakami
Hello Grey, I have the 2nd pick in my draft this weekend. Am I really crazy to take Witt. Never had him on my team and would love to have him for once.
I wouldn’t
I can keep as a last round pick either Drake Baldwin or Shane Baz. Which one?
Baldwin
Hey Grey, keeper league question…how would you rank the following SPs if you are weighting them for 20% for the last few months of 2026, and 80% for 2027? Wheeler, Greene, Corbin Burnes, G Cole
Wheeler, Cole, Greene
hey Greymond, if you were in a keeper….and you were keeping Soto already….would you keep Henderson with a 6th round value (lose the pick) or Nick Kurtz with your last round value (28th round or something)…6×6 with OPS
thanks bruh
Kurtz
Ok so here’s a question from someone who has gotten burned by 1st rounders not living up to their potential for the past couple of seasons. I’m in a 12 player 5×5 roto keeper league with OBP instead of Avg. I am currently picking #5 but I have a good amount of keepers in the later rounds.
How hard should I push to move from 5 to 3 so I can keep my Witt’s about me this season…… (it’s not funny but I laughed and after my last few seasons I needed a laugh). Am I making too big of a deal of the drop off between 3 & 5?
Witt’s clearly better, it’s why he’s at 3
10-Team Dynasty 6 x 6/40 Players/$260 Salary Cap – OBP/SLG and QS/K-BB. I do not have a place for Zach Neto. Should I just let him sit on my bench until an injury opens a spot or would you trade any of my UT/SS to create a place to put him? We play five OF, two UT, two C, one MI and one CI. I do not want to trade Neto because he is only $5. Where would you upgrade my team if you think I should make a trade?
UT – Ohtani; Y.Alvarez
OF – Judge; JRod; Chourio; Wood; Springer; Collins
3B – Chisholm; Lewis; Murakami
SS – Witt Jr; Henderson; Neto; McGonigle
2B – B.Lowe
1B – Naylor; Stewart; Casas; Eldridge
C – Rice; Goodman
SP – Skubal; Crochet; Sanchez; Woo; Ragans; Bradish; Misorowski; Weathers; Bieber; Wheeler; G.Rodriguez; Melton; Painter; Sasaki; Schwellenbach; Ashcraft
RP – E.Diaz; C.Smith
Can hold him, Lowe is obviously a weak link
Thank you – would you move Chisholm to 2B and play Lewis or Murakami at 3B or leave Chisholm at 3B and Lowe at 2B. I can obviously make changes dependent upon how they start the season but where do you think I should put Chisholm for week one?
Yes, Murakami or Lewis but there’s not games for weeks
Thank you – true – things can definitely change before that time. Do you see any weaknesses in this team besides 2B?
Nope
FML
New league joined is roto with the extra categories of hits and total bases, then losses and holds. Is there anything different to look at for rankings for these other hitting stats?
Starting with Kurtz Caminero and Wood and have 3rd pick Hoping Carroll or Rooker there.
I’d use Points rankings, we have some of those specific categories rankings https://razzball.com/playerrater-preseason-hittercategories-espn/
Corbin or Rooker would be awesome
Saw Corbin moved to 11th. Coincidentally have the 11th pick in my upcoming 12 team home league. Barring setbacks, will definitely consider calling his name if he falls to me. Supposed to play today.
Yeah, think he’s gonna be fine minus a little power
Got a question for you Grey (and others, if anyone else wants to chime in!)
I’m in a Fantrax league that has college players in it. Normally I would totally disregard but there appears to be a “generational” prospect that many say will be a top 10 prospect from the moment he’s drafted by the name of Roch Cholowsky.
Philosophy-wise, would you lean towards that generational position player prospect when drafting a minor leaguer, knowing he’s not helping you this year? Or would you lean towards drafting a Connelly Early/Payton Tolle type that you figure may impact you this season?
I’d lean Roch but it’s a question of how bad you need a guy this year
I’m a bit light on pitching keepers going into that draft but really strong hitting. I kept 7 hitters out of 8 keepers but do have a 2-way Ohtani. I could certainly focus on pitching enough that I can get by without Early/Tolle. I’m nearly always in contention in this league, but I guess Roch could help ensure that continues or be a really valuable asset.
I think Roch is the way
if N. Marte does hit 8th, how far out of your top 100 would he fall? Thanks, also I know you and Rudy are really Navy Seals and had to do a bad ass covert mission in Iran, I know the server glitch thing is a red herring. pfft’
Haha, prolly to around 150-170 overall
So…I’ve drafted my first RCL, ranked about the top 120 guys using your lists and others, used Rudy’s war room, got guys I really like, but usually play points league so I just don’t know how to feel about the squad.
Basallo/Naylor/Keaschall/Garcia/Elly/Yordan
Tatis/Caglianone/Carpenter/Wallner/Benge
Okamoto/Mclain/Stewart
Woo/Eury/Pepiot/Gore/Imai/Cabrera/Wacha/Abel/Weathers
Duran/Helsley
I mean, I feel like I’m looking for some OF help, but overall it seems pretty strong. Any advice for a first time RCL guy?
Your OF is a little bit of a mess but you can fix that in-season, instead of Gore or Imai prolly should’ve went OF and Wacha’s kinda whatever in RCL but that’s all kinda nitpicking, the team looks solid otherwise!
Thanks! It always felt shaky, should have jumped back into OF instead of helsley in the 9th. OF on the board when I took Imai/Gore were (in order drafted) Trout/Caglione(rd13.11)/Varsho/N.Marte/Adolis
lesson learned. I doubled up on duran/helsley at the turn round 8/9 instead of grabbing Marsee/adell/Loubob/Teo/Kwan.
Thanks for taking a second to check it out!
Yeah, agreed…No problem
You think dropping Wacha for Robles or Mullins moves the needle?
Nope, I think you should drop Wacha for a good MR then once a hot hitter emerges in April, drop that MR for that hitter
beautiful advice. thanks again.
No problem
6×6 roto with OBP and SVHLD, we get 7 keepers, each keeper gets a $5 increase in salary from previous year. Currently Barger is my 7th guy…Barger for $6, Abner for $6 or Jax for $7. 3B is so weak. Think he gets 500 at-bats? I’d like to rebuy the two unkept guys so not sure who gets me the best spread by being kept.
Barger
Roto Keeper League: 200GS Limit
Scoring: IP, K, QS, ERA, WHIP, K/BB
Current Staff:
Kirby
Framber
Freddy P
Cease
Emmet Sheehan
Cade Horton
Jack Leiter
Shane Smith
Braxton Ashcraft
These guys are available:
Cantillo
Sproat
Kyle Harrison
Cody Ponce
Robby Snelling
Messick
Ryne Nelson
Mike Burrows
You dropping any guys from the current staff to pick up any of the guys available?
Sproat or Cantillo over Ashcraft
I’ve had Royce Lewis in a dynasty keep forever league for a long time. I know the drill with him. He usually is productive when he plays, but not really last year. He is 27. If you had 3b and CI covered, woukd you move him for a pitcher like Robbie Ray who is 34. 16 teams. Thanks
If I needed a pitcher, I’d take Robbie
I guess I should qualify that my other 3b is Riley who hasn’t exactly been a bastion of health. I also have Durbin.
I like Durbin and Riley could be a stud still, maybe, outside chance, maybe
Well I did the thing and drafted Mr. Griffin in round 14 of a 12 teamer today..
LFG!
Looking more and more like he might break camp with the big club.
ive gone from 6 to about 9, and about to be at midnight(Forgetting Sarah Marshall Refrence), if he breaks camp
That would be sweet
Might FUCK AROUND and take JJ in round 15.. ALL UPSIDE MI haha.
I am ready to be hurt lmfao!
Might not hate it!
Grey
Very glad you guys are back up and running. I suffered from some severe Razzdrawel for the past 2 days.
14 team mixed auction. $260 .Standard cats. 1 Catcher 5 Outfielders. can keep up to 11.
I will be losing guys like Witt Jr. ( can only keep a player for 5 years ) , Jazz, Bellinger, ( values increase a few $$$ then double after year 3 and these guys are out of keeper price range )
Anyways, My keepers are due by Friday and was hoping for some advice.
My no brainer keepers are:
Rooker – $9
Hoener – $13
Lile – $10
J Ryan – $17
Gausman – $17
Bradish – $10
Lodolo – $11
The others I am considering:
I Herrera – $7 ( only eligible at DH to start season )
Stanton – $10 ( actually available at OF this year )
Steer – $8
B Abreu – $10 ( Hader will be available in the draft this year so I may target him if I keep Abreu and if he is injury discounted )
R Weathers – $10
W Warren – $10
S Smith – $10
My question is, which 4 ( if any at all ) would you add to the keeper list if this was your team.
I really like the three $10 pitchers but I already have imo and according to your rankings a good staff in the top 4 and I tend to stream the bottom of the staff.
I know that Stanton makes Buxton look like a bastion of good health, but with Hoener and Lile on the team I could use his possible power numbers.
I also think Steer is underrated and will get more playing time than people think.
Anyways, these are my thoughts but I am here asking you for yours.
As always thanks in advance.
Ha, me too! Ivan, Abreu (you don’t have closers) then I’m between the pitchers…Smith or Warren or Weathers…inclined to go upside since you have solid guys anyway and go Ivan, Abreu, Weathers, Smith…Warren instead of Weathers works for me…just redraft Stanton if you want him
Are u worried about Noevi Martes situation. Looks like hes slotted to bat 8th and might lose playing time?
Yes, I’m concerned…
For this year, and a 3 yr keeper window:
Devries or Made?
Made
Thomas Saggese has excellent exit velo… But only like 2 home runs last year. Even his launch angle was good.
Anything this spring indicate he’s going to break out or severely undervalued?
I like the flyer in an Only, don’t think it’s anything else yet for mixed
DCI Hanstings would never blow a cracked out gangster fella… Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey!
HAHA, YES
You like my team so far don’t you? Haha
One of the best teams of all time
Haha of course you hate it I know you!
I like the double UTIL to start, we call that a Grimey
hey Ohtani pitches and Yordong will play OF!
but I was thinking of the DC one lol
Oh, let me look…damn, I wanted to make fun, but that’s a really solid team
Solid! I’ll take it. Those young arms could really back fire. I wanted burns too but he was taken so early.
Nah I really like your team…Better than Oaktown’s (ooh, shots fired)
Haha I think so too
he wanted the Skenes Greene’s rhyme scheme too much
lol @ Teheran, I need the season to start yesterday.
Please don’t overreact when Carroll only swings with one hand when he plays today.
Hahahahaha
6×6 Roto (Avg, HR, OBP, R, RBI, SB/ERA, WHIP, W, QS, K, SAVES)
12 teams
12 hitters – C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, MI, CI, 4 OF, UT
8 pitchers – 6 SP, 2 RP
4 Bench
I have 3 keepers – post round 10 drafted or acquired via trade/waiver (before Sept.)
I’m keeping Eury and Bubba Chandler
I have Busch, Agustin Ramirez, and JJ Wetherholt
Which hitter would you keep (or talk me into 2 hitters and one pitcher)?
Thanks
Eury, Busch, Agustin…Bubba’s way more than a WIP, he’s not Skenes, at least not yet
or even Eury, Busch and JJ…Bubba would be last guy I’d keep there
Thanks
No problem
In my NL Only auction league, I can only keep 5.
Keeper rules: A players – players you drafted or picked up the previous season – can be kept at current salary for 1 additional season. B players – players that were kept the previous season – have to be extended, add $5 for each season you extend, and become automatic cuts following final year of ‘contract’. E.g., I draft Ohtani for $1 in 2024 (A), I can keep him for $1 in 2025 (B), for 2026 keeper list, I have to decide how many years to extend him and add $5 for every year – so I decide to keep him for two years and he becomes $11 C2, and a forced cut after 2027 (you can really tell how hypothetical this is since I’m talking about the fabled 2027 season which certainly will 100% happen as normal).
Planning to keep the first 5 listed, but included a few fringe guys I at least have heartburn about having to throw away to see if Grey/someone has a strong argument to flip them with someone from my current 5. Contract status if I keep in 2026 listed – for Turang, I have a choice but plan to only do 1 year, I’ve found 1 year and maxing the efficiency is the right move in almost all situations (I traded for Elly last year when he was C2). Ketel was $26 B in 2025
B. Turang – $9 C1
E. De La Cruz – $20 C1
J. Crawford – $1 B
N. Lodolo – $13 B
J. Musgrove $3 B
C. Benge $4 B
K. Marte $31 C1
Think you have the right 5
Hi Grey – started off my draft with Bobby Witt and already have Ben Rice as a keeper. Who do you prefer of Rooker, Wood, Alonso, Machado or PCA to compliment them?
Wood
Some of those guys would never compliment anyone.
Haha
Hi Grey,
Final keepers are due soon in my 5×5 auction league, where we use OBP instead of BA. I’m down to Carter Jensen, Daylen Lile, or Carson Benge. All cost the same, and can be kept through 2028 (with keeper costs rising each year). Who would you recommend keeping for this year and/or for the future? Thanks!
Lile
Hey Grey!
Keeper question
12 team keeper league
Keep 10 major and 10 minors(need opinion on major league keepers)
R,SB, OBP, total bases, RBI
K, Whip, era, qs+wins, holds+saves
C,C
1B- Josh Naylor
2B- Ozzie Albies
SS- Trea Turner
3B- Jose Ramirez
CI- Bryce Harper
MI
OF- Julio Rodriguez
OF- Acuna
OF- Jason Wood
OF- Teoscar Hernandez
OF-
U- Junior Caminero
Sp-Skubal
Sp-
Sp-
Sp-
Sp-
Sp-
3rp
Currently at 11 Keepers. Should i drop Teoscar or Albies(or someone else)?
I have first pick in the draft as well!
Also, the Hunter Greene owner is wanting to trade him and a draft pick for Matt King(who i am not keeping). Would you make the move? If so, I would have to drop 2 players(likely Teoscar and Albies)
Thanks
Lose Teoscar…Sure, can take Greene there, then Albies
Do you know if you have an evergreen article on keeper draft strategy? My friendly home league has decided to switch from redraft to a keeper system with yearly drafted 2-round escalators. Im debating when to prioritize rookies or hurt pitchers like Greene, over borderline starting vets.
I’m sure it was written at some point but I don’t know off top of head the link…Prioritizing rookies or hurt players or anything is really a team by team thing, hard to say across the board one thing to do…If you need one piece to put you over top then you want a star for right now…if rebuilding then you want rookies…in a 1st year, try to get a nice mix of both…always try to win this year
You don’t remember this 2009 post??
Ah, very nice! Incredibly applicable!
Haha some nice throwback names in that article.
Amazing stuff
Are your keepers from last year rosters or starting with a clean draft? If it’s the latter it essentially starting up as a new league. Sounds like it’s getting set up with a lot of keepers based on the question.
Kyle Harrison is looking good for the Brewers also. Harrison looks to be lined up as the #4 and Sproat as #5. If you were throwing a dart would you shoot for Harrison or Sproat?
Or hold Logan Henderson for now?
Sproat
Hey Grey! So I had my OBP keeper draft a couple days ago. Got all three of the hyped rookie SS… yay! Ended up with Andrew Vaughn as my 1B… uh… not so yay? I mean, does he have a chance for 275/340/20-70-80? Which is still more CI than 1B material, but the road to hope has gotta start somewhere. And yeah, when I read about Henderson’s elbow a few days back, I crossed him off my late round list. For all we know, Brewers saw this one coming, and that’s why they restocked the young SPs over the winter… I went with Harrison but Sproat or Patrick also fine options. Brew crew has a good touch with pitchers.
Ha, I hear ya…Agree on Brewers having nice touch…I think Vaughn’s pretty boring, which I think you know…Maybe .275/340/20-70-80 is possible, seems best case
Awesome
Indeed!