In our 131st episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer discuss the latest MLB transactions and baseball card news before previewing the NL West with Taylor Corso of the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast and Prospects Live.
You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social, @mcouill7.bsky.social, and @jbrewer17.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].
Links to things discussed in the pod:
- Jurickson Profar suspended for season due to second PED violation
- Hunter Greene out through July due to surgery to remove bone chips in elbow
- Josh Hader to begin season on IL
- Kyle Teel blows out hammy in WBC, out 4-6 weeks
- Blue Jays re-unite with Max Scherzer
- Starling Marte signs deal with Royals
- Zack Littell joins the Nationals
Upcoming baseball card release schedule:
- March 11: 2025 Bowman’s Best
- March 18: 2026 Topps Heritage
- April 1: 2025 Topps Transcendent
- April 3: 2026 Panini USA Baseball
- April 29: 2026 Panini Donruss
- TBD: 2025 Topps Chrome Platinum ‘55
NL West Preview (30:20)
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Buy: Jordan Lawlar, Ryan Waldschmidt
- Sell: Geraldo Perdomo, Corbin Carroll
- Colorado Rockies
- Buy: Brenton Doyle, Zac Veen, Willi Castro, Jake McCarthy
- Sell: All Pitching, Hunter Goodman
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Buy: Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy, Mookie Betts
- Sell: Roki Sasaki, Andy Pages
- San Diego Padres
- Buy: Jackson Merrill, Gavin Sheets, Xander Bogaerts
- Sell: Nick Castellanos, Mason Miller, Michael King
- San Francisco Giants
- Buy: Bryce Eldridge, Rafael Devers, Harrison Bader
- Sell: Logan Webb, Luis Arraez, Ryan Walker
Podcast (cards-and-categories): Play in new window | Download
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Good morning Mike,
just completed my real draft.
1. What are your initial thoughts?
2. Where do I need to make upgrades?
C: William Contreras
1B: Pete Alonso
2B: Jose Altuve
3B: Matt Chapman
SS: Gunnar Henderson
LF: Kyle Stowers (DTD)
CF: Jackson Merrill
RF: Ronald Acuna
DH: Freddie Freeman
Bench:
Daulton Varsho (LF,CF)
Wilyer Abreu (LF,CF,RF)
Max Muncy (2B,3B,SS) of A’s
Stanton (LF,RF)
Trout (CF, RF)
SP:
Logan Gilbert
Jacob deGrom
Framber Valdez
Cam Schlitter
MacKenzie Gore
Tatduya Imai
Shane Baz
Parker Messick
Mich Abel
Carlos Rodon DTD
RP: Griffen Jax
I am so grateful for your support!!!
That’s a crazy good team. I’d maybe try to move one of your bench OFs (anyone that draws interest) for another infielder, but otherwise you are set to compete in ’26!
Thank you so much!!
I made a move last night and cut Max Muncy of the A’s to pick up Grant Holmes.
I like your idea of moving a Bench OF for another IF besides Altuve and Chapman. There are several options:
Option one:
On the wire is Max Muncy of the Dodgers and Isaac Paredes. Would you cut one of the following to get Paredes or Muncy;
Daulton Varsho (LF,CF)
Wilyer Abreu (LF,CF,RF)
Stanton (LF,RF)
Trout (CF, RF)
Option 2;
Cut Parker Messick and pick up Muncy or Paredes
Option 3:
Trade for a better IF
Would you offer Mike Trout or Wilyer Abreu to get Maikel Garcia?
Thoughts?
Thanks!!
Hi Mike,
I really appreciate all your help!!
If you eliminate the big three SPs of Skenes and Crochet:
1. how would rank the following pitchers in a 10 point 10 manager Yahoo League
Woo
Brown
Gilbert
Yamamoto
Sanchez
Fried
Webb
Valdez
2.Are any of the following must adds?
Glasnow, Lodolo, Bradish and Schlitter?
Thanks!
1- This is going to be verrrrry league dependent on what your exact scoring setup is, but roughly for me it’s:
WooWebbYamamotoBrownFriedSaleSanchezGilbertValdez
2 – No – draft those guys at the prices the projections tell you. All have enough question marks volume-wise, that I’m not juicing them up more than what the projections spit out.
Thanks so much! great insight!
Hi Mike,
Welcome back!!!!
I saw this list of high achievers in spring training.
Yankees – Carlos Lagrange Rays – Joe Boyle Red Sox – Johan Oviedo Orioles – Coby Mayo Blue Jays – Eloy Jimenez Guardians – Parker Messick Angels – Oswald Peraza Astros – Mike Burrows Rangers – Aaron Zavala Tigers – Jace Jung Twins – Mick Abel Royals – Mason Black White Sox – Miguel Vargas Athletics – Tommy White Mariners – Brennen Davis Mets – A.J. Ewing Braves – Reynaldo Lopez Phillies – Andrew Painter Cubs – Jefferson Rojas Giants – Bryce Eldridge Padres – Nick Castellanos Diamondbacks – Jordan Lawlar Reds – Matt McLain Cardinals – Joshua Baez Brewers – Kyle Harrison Pirates – Jhonstynxon Garcia Nationals – Brady House Marlins – Graham Pauley Rockies – Charlie Condon Dodgers – Hyeseong Kim
2.I am in a Yahoo points 10 team league, does your strategy change depending on your drafting position?
3.I have fumbled in my mock drafts in the latter rounds. Do you have any specific players to draft or a strategy?
Thank you!!!
Hey Martin – good to see ya!
From that list, you’ll want to focus on dudes that have major-league roles carved out already. Here are some of my faves:
Bats (in order of preference): Matt McLain, Jordan Lawlar (covered him in the pod above, huge up arrow guy for all of us), Bryce Eldridge (also covered in detail in the pod), Miguel Vargas, Coby Mayo, Brady House, Hyesong Kim
Watchlist bats (likely won’t debut on Opening Day but could be up early): Joshua Baez, A.J. Ewing, Charlie Condon
Arms (again, in order of preference): Mike Burrows, Parker Messick, Mick Abel, Kyle Harrison, John Oviedo
Honestly don’t like Reynaldo Lopez and Andrew Painter. Their stuff has not looked good despite the results being solid.
#2 – Draft order doesn’t really move the needle for me in points leagues. Just draft the most points. The FanGraphs auction calculator (https://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy-tools/auction-calculator) is customizable for any league and will project the points totals for you (I prefer using the ATC projections).
#3 – Draft points and players with roles. When you are using the auction calculator, guys will start to pop out towards the end of the draft as being values. I usually keep drafting best value I can until I reach the last pick or two, then might roll the dice on someone I like the skills for without a certain role like Joshua Baez or Colt Emerson.
Great advice!