*takes a long inhale* “You smell that, Roberta? You, with the yellow-stained armpits and sweatpants, I’m calling you Roberta. That’s baseball you smell. In its infinite complexity and finite simplicity. The foul lines whiter than any Lohan mirror. The grass? Manicured better than any Vietnamese lady could. The object of the game? Accumulate the most stats so I win my fantasy league. Simple, yet complex. Like trying to understand Jeff Foxworthy’s appeal. From today forward, this is our Independence Day (from all that other shizz in our life).” The preceding was Bill Pullman visiting the set of Field of Dreams. To that end, Roberta and your long-flowing sideburns, if the idea is to win saves, that difficulty intensifies when you draft Ken Giles and Luke Gregerson becomes the closer. That’s funny, because the Astros beat writer the other day said GILES IS THE CLOSER. Caps his, not mine. I know how to shut off my caps lock. So, now that GILES IS THE SETUP MAN, I would GRAB Gregerson in EVERY league, though, if it’s competitive, he’s likely GONE by NOW. No idea why Giles is NOT the CLOSER. My GUESS is the Astros went OUT and GOT Giles withOUT their manager, A.J. Hinch, agreeing, so Hinch IS now BEING petulANT. I’d prefer if he were petulANT with A closER I DO NOT OWN. Hey, it looks like I’m typing this on a busted Smith-Corona. Fun. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Matt Garza – Won’t start on Wednesday. The bad news for Brewers fans is he may start a game later in the season.
Domingo Santana – 2-for-5, 1 run as he hit leadoff. The other day I said to my maid, “Graciela, if I wasn’t married, I would tryst it up with you.” Graciela said, “Que?” I said, “You make every day feel like a Sunday.” Graciela said, “Domingo?” I replied, “I love him too. You follow baseball?” Then we shared a glance.
Jonathan Villar – 1-for-3 and his 1st home run. You looking at the Brewers offense, “They’re really not that bad of a team.” You looking at their pitching, “If they can win a lot of 11-10 games.”
Wily Peralta – 4 IP, 4 ER. Fo’realsies, no Brewers pitcher could have an ERA under 4.50 ERA this year. I still believe in a place called hope with Jimmy Nelson, but even he’s Iffy Pop.
Scooter Gennett – 2-for-3 and his 1st home run. Not saying this because I own him in one of my more important leagues, and am not saying this because I just bought 1,000 shares of Vespa stock, but I like Scooter.
Madison Bumgarner – 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 6 Ks as he pitched with the flu. It looked more like the balls had the flew! Amiright?!
Matt Duffy – 2-for-5, 4 RBIs and his 1st home run. Duffy was a weird one this preseason. I didn’t think I loved him that much, but I ranked him on average about 50 spots before others, so you should be the recipient of that.
Brandon Belt – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI. Oh, and this guy I ranked about 100 spots before everyone else. Belt or Bust! Which is different than Billy Butler, which is bust touching belt.
Denard Span – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 5 RBIs and his 1st homer. Just who I was expecting power from. Now, c’mon, Chris Carter, steal a base!
Tommy Pham – Hit the DL with a strained oblique. Is it me or do you want to spell his name Thommy Pam? Meh, it’s prolly me because no one else actually spells his name except for him.
Aledmys Diaz – Recalled to help man the Cardinals’ hole at short. It’ll never fill the hole in their heart, only Jack Buck, Stan Musial, Darryl Kile, Oscar Taveras–Damn, the Cardinals are bumming me out.
Robert Stephenson – Will start on Thursday for the Reds. I would’ve thought Robert Stephenson would’ve been a Pirate. Or a totally normal doctor by day and a psychopath at night. Though, I guess the latter could be true. Who knows with white guys?! I already gave you my Robert Stephenson fantasy. I wrote it five months ago, but it’s still accurate. Prescient, snitches!
Raisel Iglesias – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks. Looked like Aroldis on the mound, only when Raisel was throwing bullets, it was with his arm. I watched the better part of this game, and Raisel looked like he could be every bit of the ace I imagined in the preseason. Church!
Zack Cozart – 3-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI as he hit leadoff. I go over Cozart in today’s podcast. Stay tuned! Or not. Your choice.
Dalier Hinojosa – Phils manager, Pete Macktheknife, said that the closer could be one of five guys to open the season. I love Macktheknife’s enthusiasm, but for the Phils to use five closers, it would mean they A) Have five relievers. B) Have five games in which they lead. C) There’s no C. D) David Hernandez gave up three earned runs yesterday as he blew the save and is not likely to get the next save chance. E) Learn how to spell Dalier Hinojosa. F) me for not grabbing Dalier in more leagues for a cheap closer. G) Cheap closer in French is Dalier.
Mark Trumbo – 4-for-5 and his 1st steal. Great, now I just need to get power from Denard Span. Hey, wait a minute!
Rougned Odor – 0-for-3, 1 run and his 1st steal. Odor stealing bases stinks so good. I’m gonna call him Lavender Odor.
Cole Hamels – 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks vs. Felix Hernandez – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners (5 BBs), 6 Ks. This matchup was billed by most major leaguers as F-Her vs. F-Him. “I think Hamels is a good guy.” That was Jonathan Papelbon, the lone voice in favor of Hamels.
Robinson Cano – 1-for-4 and his 1st home run. Between this guy and Tulo, you can set your watch by when I’m gonna tell you to sell them in June. Assuming you have a watch with a little hand that reads “Sell Cano” and a big hand that reads “Sell Tulo.”
Kyle Seager – 1-for-4 and his 1st homer. Seager’s likelihood to have 25 to 26 homers and between a .266 and .268 average is about 99.9%.
Drew Smyly – 6 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks. Fifteen minute ump delay followed by Smyly getting crushed by a lefty. Unrelated? Please. It was a tough matchup and Smyly’s lack of baserunners say I’m still buying. I’m Buyly! Hmm, needs work.
Danny Farquhar – 1 IP, 0 ER, and came into the 6th inning in a losing game. That doesn’t scream Farquhar’s the closer. It doesn’t even whisper it with dragon breath. The hold on Colome got stronger.
Steven Souza – 1-for-4 and his 1st home run. Play that funky music, Souza!
Desmond Jennings – 2-for-4, 1 run, one steal and his 1st decent game in three years. Someone has to come out of nowhere and be a hot schmotato. Still too early to say it’s Jennings, but he’s on the right path.
Michael Saunders – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 1st home run. I have Saunders on one team. I loved him last year; I liked that he looked good in the spring. Still, he’s in a one-week-at-a-time holding pattern on my team. This homer bought him his 2nd week on my team.
Josh Thole – 1-for-4 and his 1st home run. Thole? I thought he was just a writer for this site with a mancrush on Domonic Brown.
Tyson Ross – 5 1/3 IP, 7 ER. I’ll chalk it up to a bad outing, but a few more and Ross may become a chalk outline on my teams.
Chase Utley – 3-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBIs and one slide into home that didn’t cause any rule changes. Everyone on the Dodgers gets a hit in a 15-0 drubbing and Utley is the guy I mention? Well, as you’ll see, I tend to talk about guys that aren’t owned. Adrian Gonzalez (3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs) had a great game, but where is he not owned? 3-team leagues? Utley hit leadoff yesterday, and could get a week or two of games while Kendrick is out.
Carl Crawford – 1-for-3, 1 run. Establishing himself on the strong side of the left field platoon while Ethier’s out. Establishing shot of Crawford’s bathroom sink: Metamucil, fiber pills, a picture of Ethier’s leg with an X thru it. Crawford evilly rubs his hands together.
Clayton Kershaw – 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 baserunners, 9 Ks vs. the Padres. Lincecum would’ve no hit them. Cust kayin’.
Zack Greinke – 4 IP, 7 ER vs. the Rockies. This game wasn’t in Coors, which doesn’t matter for Arizona. Chase The Pitcher Field is nearly as bad. As I said repeatedly this preseason, it was not a year to get back in on Greinke.
Jake Lamb – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his first homer. He’s a baaaaaaaaahd man.
Jean Segura – 2-for-5, 1 run, which comes out of a spring when he hit over .500. I’ve been a fan of Segura for a while with mixed results on my fandom. Hitting leadoff in a great stadium with a solid team behind him? Wouldn’t shock me if we see the Segura again that was the best shortstop in baseball.
Trevor Story – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and two home runs. The last story with that many dongs and cruelty to the mound was Fifty Shades of Me.
Carlos Gonzalez – 2-for-5, 2 runs and his 1st home run. CarGo then sent the Vine of his home run to the Indians, titling the message, “Does Salazar, Carrasco or Kluber want offense?”
Gerardo Parra – 3-for-5, 1 run and his 1st steal. Remind me again why I didn’t just draft all Rockies hitters.
Nolan Arenado – 2-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 1st home run. Even though last year I drafted him in the 2nd round and this year the first, it’s not as rewarding. Why is that? Where’s my Psych 101 terms when I need them?
Ben Revere – Day-to-day with a rib cage injury. Dusty Baker said the injury wasn’t serious and that Revere could “probably throw 12 innings if we needed it.” Michael Taylor would be the add if Revere is out a while, and a pretty sexy add at that.
Bryce Harper – 1-for-3 and the first slam & legs of the season. Is it 2029 yet so he can be overrated?
Daniel Murphy – 2-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. Murphy added, “That’s a home run not a homosexual.”
Anthony Rendon – 1-for-5 and a caught stealing. I know, whoopie-doo, but Rendon attempting a steal in the first game is a great sign. Fun Fact! Whoopie-doo is Shin-Soo Choo’s brother’s name.
Max Scherzer – 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks as he gave homers to Freddie Freeman (1-for-3) and Adonis Garcia (1-for-3, 2 RBIs). Apparently, Scherzer missed the memo to avoid pitching to those two guys and focus on the other seven. Hmm, do I pitch to Markakis who has, like, five homers in his last 12,000 at-bats or pitch to the guy with power?
Jason Grilli – 1 IP, 1 ER and the blown save. Fredi Gonzalez, the breaker of bullpen arms, said Arodys Vizcaino is his number one closer option, which, of course, is why he sent Grilli out there for the save in the ninth. I own Vizcaino in a few leagues and Grilli nowhere, so I hope Fredo doesn’t turn on the SAGNOF family.
Julio Teheran – 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks. Could be his last season in the majors since Trump has said he will ban all Muslims and people with Muslimy-sounding last names.
Dexter Fowler – 3-for-4, 3 runs. You ever get to about a game into the season and think to yourself, “Why didn’t I like that guy more in the preseason?” Fowler always seems to elicit that response in me.
Jake Arrieta – 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 6 Ks. 108 years down, 5 months and 30 days to go…
Garrett Richards – 5 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 7 Ks. The Cubs hitters were impressed with Richards’s improved velocity. When he was chased from the game, he went real fast.
Chris Sale – 7 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks. His ERA last April was 5.32. His three-average ERA in April is 3.84. Sales heat up around Memorial Day.
Felix Doubront – Hit the DL with an elbow sprain. Only a matter of time until Jesse Hahn returns. “Oh goodie.” Take it easy, Jim Bakker.
Rich Hill – 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER. Don’t worry, if he reaches his seven-year-average for innings pitched in a year, he still has a good 34 innings in him.
Sonny Gray – Could potentially start today after being scratched yesterday with food poisoning. For what it’s worth, Gray’s ability to keep it down did him no good with the seafood stew.
Drop Hernandez or hold and see if he recovers with another save chance later this week?
Other options:
Soria
Romo
N Jones
Herrera
@Steve: still better than those if saves are what is wanted.
@Steve: Hold
Grey!
MLB is back! What a rush!
a. In a seasonal H2H points league, who has more value this year?
1. Doolittle
2. Gregerson
b. Here’s hoping Dalier gets the next save for the Phils (could be potentially in 3 or 4 weeks even though I think they could be better this year) and runs with the CL job. I need a lot of good luck in my RCL.
c. Am with you on trading Tulo by June 1! I have him and am already trying to engineer something. Will depend on his health and stats on or around May 20 (aka roughly 50 games played). Gonna gone for a top pitcher and add something off the waiver wire.
d. On MadBum, he battled. He was finished up the 4th and 5th more efficiently and think he’ll do better in his next start.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: A. Doolittle B. Agreed C. Yup D. Yeah E. What happened with CSI?
@Grey: Grey!!!
Wow! Nothing gets passed you, huh?
Horatio Caine (aka CSI Miami) quote of the day (April 4)
Tripp: ‘It’s a mob hit, Horatio.’
Horatio: ‘Yes, and we (queue the sunglasses) are going to hit back.’
Horatio Caine (aka CSI Miami) quote of the day (April 5)
Tripp: ‘The verdict is already in, Horatio.’
Horatio: ‘The verdict is in Frank, but the jury (queue the sunglasses) is out.’
There, all caught up! Thank you for caring.
Cheers,
Ante
Didn’t think you could drop the ball!
@Grey: Ha! Thanks, jefe!
a. Been fighting a bout of depression mixed with sadness but now MUCH better. I thought I screwed up our Bosch soft close stove (which is only something of material value). Ended up okay, i.e., stove is okay.
b. I have a problem. I have good intentions and a good heart, but that’s not enough. Outcomes and results are more important and it’s missing in my repertoire. I’ve been scouring the web for self-help in this regard. Any and everything you know about the subject would be great.
c. Long story short, my father was a shepherd, his father and his grandfather too. Me? I was born in a concrete jungle and wish I was a shepherd. Unfortch, am just a baller. How to sons of shepherds cope better?
Cheers,
Ante
A. Glad to hear your stove is okay, I was praying for it B. Dale Carnegie’s How To Win Friends and Influence People C. What does your shepherd dad think of Jake Lamb?
@Grey: Haha! Has no clue. He is the anti-Christ of sports except the national soccer team and hockey. Everything else is for the birds. I guess he’d like him if he were a baller. Why not?
Thanks for the book idea. I have it some where, never read it. Am on it like herpes and the clap.
Cheers,
Ante
“For the birds” is classic dad talk
start martin perez v.s. SEA in a 20 team h2h league?
@newbvick: 20 team? I’d say hell ya. I’m starting him in a 12 team just for shiz and giggz. Love that little Venezuelan bundle of joy
@newbvick: Sure
How much do you like Vizcaino?
@Darreillo: ALOT! Just needs the opportunity to close. If you play in a deeper rotisserie he should be owned for his K/9 and ratios alone.
@Darreillo: Agree with Chicken
“I think Hamels is a good guy.”
True story time. After Hamels was outduelled by Matt Cain in game 3 of the 2010 NLCS at AT&T Park to give the Giants a 2-1 series lead, a buddy and I retired for refreshments to a hotel bar.
A while later I saw a guy who looked like that afternoon’s starting pitcher at the bar. Lo and behold, it was indeed Hamels. I got chatting with him and he could not have been nicer in a goofy teenager sort of way. He was a sweet guy, but a bit dumb and a bit odd. Kicker is that I bought him a Jack. Why am I buying the guy with a gajillion dollar contract a drink? An enduring mystery.
@Gareth-come-lately:
You didn’t have to stop the story there but we can read between the lines.
Hamels pitched twice that night and you’re telling us you got to be a catcher.
So… how was he?
@Moneyball: If I saw Cole Hamels in a bar I might go full Ben Stiller on Don Henley, too. The H…is O.
@Moneyball: Hah! I would totally receive some heat from the left side coming out of ole Rustin Cohle Hamels *swoon*
@Gareth-come-lately: Was he wearing a purple velvet suit?
20 team dynasty with holds and relief appearances and relief wins and K/9. team is based around TEX (and glad i grabbed diekman earlier today as last RP, he went ahead of dyson, and even kela today).
giles/tolleson/diekman/robles/kela/salas/hatcher. drop anybody for farq, recently dropped?
2. 12 teamer redraft, it appears grilli already lost his job, stick with him or grab one of: jumbo, madson, romo, farq, quack, maurer, hino. i have allen/osuna/casilla/grilli
this looks like time to pull a hino.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: I’m in a similar situation with an almost all Texas team in a 15 team AL only dynasty with saves+holds. Hold on to Diek! Bannister is gonna use him anytime he’s scared of a lefty (in this case, Cano who had homered earlier)
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: 1. Meh 2. Quack
Joined a league that was thrown together quickly…
7×7 (usual stats) plus total bases, OBP, holds, and K/Walks IP ratio
Ideas on roster management for this team? Should I drop Park on my bench? Other thoughts are stream the “nola” position? Depending on my opponent, I may need to grab holds or other pitching categories
C- realmuto
1b – abreu
2b – odor
3b – donaldson
ss – seager
OF – marte, yelich, dickerson
Util – puljos
Uitl – castro
bench – deshields, piscotty, and b. park
SP – cole, carassco, matz, rodon, walker, ventura, nola
RP – robertson, f. rod, rodney, o’day (holds)
Free agents are Nicasio, colome, heaney, aaron sanchez
thanks!
12 teams
@Like Jordans on Tuesday: You can lose Park, you can stream Nola, you need to matchup to your opponent, team looks fine for now
Would you start Sanchez versus the Rays today or just keep him on the bench? Shallow 10 team league. Actually going to the game today and I have both Sanchez and Odorizzi in different leagues. Should be nerve wrecking!
@bossmanjunior333:
If you’re not starting Sanchez against the Rays then why is he on your roster at all?
@bossmanjunior333: I just picked him up to start
12 team dynasty keep forever, 6th with ops the added category. Which side?
Iglesias, Rendon, and Mazara or Jup and Solarte. Thanks and I enjoy the daily round ups.
@I’mgettingsomeHeadley: Iglesias side. Not even close.
@Cram It: Mazara is gonna be a perennial MVP
@Old School Brother: That’s what I’m being led to believe. You’re the Texas guy. What about Brinson? Seems like a 20/20 Michael Brantley type?
@Cram It: Everyone is really high on Brinson too, although i think his biggest contribution will be his CF defense. He does have the speed for 20/20, and had a great spring. Rangers are so stacked with minor league outfielders that he’s starting the year in AA, but he should be ready by September. Now if we could only dump Choo and roll with DeShizz in left Brinson in Center and Mazara and right
@Old School Brother: Yeah they’re doing some good things over there. By the time that young offense comes together though, they might have no pitching to support it.
@Cram It: Gonna be a sad day in Arlington if Yu signs a mega deal somewhere else
@I’mgettingsomeHeadley: Agree with Cram
Poetic, as USUAL young G.
I’m EazyE I got pitchers galore, you might have bad pitchers, but I got much more….
I’m starting to worry about Tyson Ross… I had enough of this crap last year! Think he can turn this around?
Also, what are the odds Porcello turns out around? I was forced to take him in a trade list seasom, but I can drop him now.
I’m in a 12 team h2h points league, thanks Grey
@EazyE: Thanks! I like the flyer on Porcello, but real short leash
Wow what an opening day! Story mollywhopping Grienke like that, my goodness. Looks like there’s another quality shortstop in town, gah I never got him anywhere!
Murphy doing what I expected, he changed to become a power hitter last year, I fully expect 20+ bombs this year so lucky me.
Start Stephenson on thursday against the fightless Phils in a 12 teamer? Same league is Rickard even worth a look as a hot schmo?
@Swfcdan: Murph will not hit 20 HR’s.
Sure, start Stephenson.
Sure, look at him. Anyone hitting is worth it.
@Cram It: You got a bet Cram if you’re still reading this. What we betting?
@Swfcdan:
If you’re carrying a pitcher and not starting them vs. the Philles, why are you carrying them at all? I’m starting every pitcher I carry against:
Phillies
Rays
Braves
Reds
Padres
@Swfcdan: I’d wait and see on Stephenson and Rickard in 12 team leagues
Baseball is back YAY! I had Hernandez as a RP yesterday. Less yay. 8th inning + ineffective = dropped already. Oh, and btw, TREVOR STORY! Looking forward to all the recaps this yr Grey!
@Tigres: Nice!
Do you like Segura better than Ketel Marte and Trevor Story ROS? Fowler over Priscotty and Alex Gordon? Thx!
@Bringdaruckus:
Story, Segura, Marte in that order for me
@Bringdaruckus: What is this… amateur hour?!?
Me quoting me from Magoo’s Treasure/Trash post:
“Some of these questions be crazy!!! Jose Reyes isn’t in the picture at all right now. You don’t trade a Rockies Shortstop for some crummy closer or go with Jean Segura or Brandon Crawford or Stalin Castro over him. You’ll see.”
@Bringdaruckus: Story over them, Fowler and Piscotty are a toss up right now, Fowler will likely end up being more valuable
Hey Grey,
I’m in a H2H points league, where we award 2 points for putouts (although -2.5 for errors). Am I wrong that this makes first baseman insanely more valuable? For example, Chris Davis would’ve had 2 points yesterday, but he had 8 putouts so he ended with 16 points. I have a 1B slot, a 1B/3B slot, and a UTL slot, should they all be filled with first basemen? Thanks!
@Fantasy Newb: That’s stupid scoring. But sure, why wouldn’t you?
@Fantasy Newb: Agree with Cram
Lavender Odor ?? that might stick.
Couple of questions, do I need both Marte and Starlin? Segura is also available people seemed scared of him.
Pick 2 from Maeda, Ventura, Lackey, Shields, Gio, Zimmerman <—- season long. We have a max for drafted SP's so the first few weeks everyone scrambles to set up their starters. 10 starts a week.
Thanks always great!
@Ryan T Swizzle: Ha…. To make one name? Ventura, Maeda
So you were saying arrieta was a bust???? You are like the only man on earth that said that
@Robert: you showed him! It was truly a great 2016 season that wrapped up yesterday.
@Donslaughtonslaught: Plano East High School mothaaaaa Arrieta is god
@Robert: I never said that
@Robert: Don’t be putting words in his mouth, um article, whatever.
10 team ESPN H2H Points (weekly 12 start pitcher limit)
Hitter Scoring: HIT (+1), RUN (+1), RBI (+1), 2B (+1), 3B (+2), HR (+3), BB (+1) SB (+1)
Pitcher Scoring: WIN (+3), LOSS (-3), IP (+3), K (+1), BB (-1), SAVE (+3), ER (-2), HIT (-1), NH (+10) PF (+15)
(1) C: Posey
(1) 1B: Abreu
(1) 2B: Odor
(1) SS: Correa
(1) 3B: Seager
(3) OF: Trout, J.D. Martinez, K. Davis
(1) UT: DeShields
Bench: (n/a)
(1) DL: Brantley
(4) SP: Scherzer, Matz, Rodon, Walker
(3) RP: K. Jansen, Familia, Gregerson
Bench: (R. Iglesias, Odorizzi, Corbin, Ventura, Severino)
Is it too much of an overreaction to drop Khris Davis for Story? Or make any other moves for that matter?
Available Bats: Story, Ozuna, Myers, Murphy…
@ebudz: I think it’s an overreaction. Hold.
@ebudz: I would drop Davis for Story. Then shop Story and player X for an upgrade elsewhere.
@ebudz: Has to be a fake league if Story is sitting on waivers.
@Moneyball: No, it’s probably a standard FREE league.
@Chicken Dinner:
Same thing ;)
@ebudz: I’d try Story over Davis
@ebudz: Thanks, I appreciate all the input dudes! I figure Davis probably won’t get picked up by anyone anytime soon so I quickly grabbed Story. I almost picked up Story a week ago and was surprised he was never picked up! My league obviously isn’t the brightest bunch and thankfully no one in my league reads Razzball! And believe it or not, this is a paid league… only $25 buy in but I’m going for my 2nd consecutive title in this 2nd annual keeper league.
Grey!
Great write-up once again… you’re a funny guy just like me! Please clap…Any how, just drafted in my 10 team H2H Category League and looking for your approval…
C-JT Realmuto
1B-Albert Pujols
3B-Kris Bryant
CI-Eric Hosmer
2B-Schoop
SS-Addison Russell
MI-Brett Lawrie
OF-Giancarlo Stanton
OF-J.D. Martinez
OF-Starling Marte
OF-Gregory Polanco
OF-David Peralta
UT-DeShizz!
BN-Piscotty, Semien
SP-Strasburg
SP-Jose Fernandez
SP-Wainwright
SP-Patrick Corbin
SP-Carlos Rodon
SP-Lance McCullers (DL)
RP-Roberto Osuna
RP-Papelbon
RP-Brad Ziegler
RP-Jason Grilli
What do you think Grey, does it at least merit a painfully awkward high five? Also, Castellanos and Ozuna available on waivers, worth a pick-up over any of these?
@Low Energy Jeb!: I’d awkwardly high five the hell out of that…Ozuna over Piscotty
Hi Grey,
Would you prefer Fowler or Choo in a dynasty league with the following categories:
R H HR RBI BB K SB AVG OPS TB
I need a CF since AJ Pollock got hurt and I’m looking to acquire a new CF…go for Fowler or stand pat with Choo?
@Jason: Fowler
Fowler really slipped in my draft. I took Eaton more than 100 spots before Fowler finally got taken after he signed with CHC… Smurf regrets. Yep, first world probs.
@papasmurf: Damn, Smurfie
Am I crazy for dropping Yelich in a 10-team mixed for pitching? He’s a bench piece that I won’t use unless someone gets hurt. Other bench bats are Delino and C Hernandez, who I’m wanting to hold as my Story back-up.
@Sayzar: Yelich over Hernandez.
@Sayzar: Agree with Chicken
A lot of people don’t know this, but “Correa” means “Belt” in Spanish. So, you know, it’s probably no coincidence that Brandon Belt is going to have a big year.
@Pousse-Pousse: My kind of logic!
Thanks Grey for the hard work you put into this site/community!
I watched the O’s/Twins game yesterday and have a few fantasy takeaways… I’m not saying run out and grab him, but Chris Tillman had 5K’s in a row in 2 IP before getting pulled after the rain delay. And Adam Jones batted second, while Davis batted third. Buck said he wanted to get Davis some more AB’s, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see Davis stick in the 3 hole. If Rickard can continue to hit, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him hit #1, Machado #2, and Jones batting 4th or 5th. JJ Hardy seems like his back is healthier than it’s been in a few years, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see an uptick in power.
Anyone else have some local news with a fantasy perspective?
@bigbear: I’m watching Rickard closey
By moving Trumbo from OF to CI instead of Lind I could add either Burns, Inciarte or Sunday Santana to OF. It’s a 12 teamer with 5 outfielders. Who should I roster of the 4, Lind, Santana, Burns or Inciarte?
@I’mgettingsomeHeadley: I think Santana, Burns, or Inciarte are all improvements over Lind. It depends on your needs. Burns for speed. Santana for upside. Inciarte for highest all-around floor. I would probably go with Santana this early in the season.
@I’mgettingsomeHeadley: Forget Lind. Depends on needs, but forget Lind.
@I’mgettingsomeHeadley: Agree with Cram
@Grey: thanks guys!
No problem
Baaaaah!
@Cram It: Gonna have to lose my streaming spot on my to scoop him up. But I’m not upset about that. Cram, your boy was looking as advertised from Day 1. Nice sleepy pick.
@knucks: It’s only one day, but it’s a start!
@Cram It: Baaaahhhh!! Against Rockies Pitching.
@The Great Knoche: Hey they play Colorado 20x this year. That’s 20 HR’s right there!
@Cram It: Could be! Didnt realize I never reset lineup in Scout after the first time right after draft. Think Michael Brantley is earning me anything this week?
@The Great Knoche: Haha. That’s the worst in a weekly. I didn’t start Story. So we both are experiencing immediate regrets.
@Cram It: Feel much better now!
@Cram It: Just like the bats he is surrounded by and get ‘that feeling’ about him. Which, through the years, I have learned to take that flier and act on this early in a roto season. I’m sure you can relate to that easily and appreciate you talking him up in here.
@knucks: Yeah that offense should be really good. I’d want a piece of it wherever I can.
@Cram It: Not baaaaah
@Grey: Oh, so baaaah. So baaaah it’s good.
I’m baaaaaaah, I’m baaaaaaah, jam on it!
@Jason: Forgot to ask: Byuong Ho Park or Adonis Garcia? 12 Team H2H, standard cats.
@bigbear: Park
@bigbear: Park
The Trevor Ending Storyyyyy
The Trevor Ending Storyyyyy
@Ra’zbahl Al Ghul: that will be in my head all day :(
@Ra’zbahl Al Ghul: ohhhohohohohohhhhhhh
@Ra’zbahl Al Ghul: Awesome
14 team 5×5 roto (OBP). 23 spots.
First ever win last year (after discovering this site in June…!)
Late auction draft, team below.
IF: (Grandal DL)Hundley, Rizzo, Lawrie, Duffy, Correa, Segura, Pujols
OF: Upton, Polanco, Pillar, Peralta, Polanco, De Shields
UT: Morales
Bench: Pillar, Rosario
SP: Syndegaard, Matz, ShMiller, Severino, Kazmir (Darvish DL)
RP: Familia, Perkins, Ramos, Grilli…
2 questions: Is that pitching too light? Any obvious weakness?
Do I replace Rosario with any of Michael Saunders/ Jorge Soler or Karns/Roark/Berrios. Or hold?
Thanks!
@BravesfanintheUK: Yes, the pitching is too light… Saunders…Karns over Kaz
@Grey: @Grey: Fab, thank you kindly!
Confused why Kazmir ranking seems tone plunging suddenly?
Kazmir ended the spring and it seemed like he was hurt
@Grey: ah ok, thanks. I will monitor closely. Kazmir did well last night, shame I had Shelby Miller to balance out my ratios a bit…..
Hinojosa or Colome?
@toneDEAF!: Colome
@toneDEAF!: Agree with Cram
I have Fowler in every league. The lead off hitter on a top 3 offense in baseball w power and speed? Yeah I’ll take that in round 12. Or for $8 in an auction. Pillar too though with his OBP im worried he might be pulled from lead off
@Zeus: Yup, agreed
What do you think of my team? Are there any categories I should be trying to target through free agents or trades?
12 Team H2H Most Categories 6X6 (Average, OPS, Runs, HRs, RBIs, Steals) (Wins, ERA, WHIP, Ks, SV, QS)
C: d’Arnaud
1B: Rizzo
2B: Castro
SS: Lindor
3B: Castellanos
2B/SS: Schoop
1B/3B: Longoria
OF: Betts
OF: Springer
OF: Gomez
OF: Polanco
OF: Khris Davis
Util: Lamb
BE: Ozuna
BE: Shaw
SPs: Archer, Salazar, Tyson Ross, Hamels, Rodon, Kennedy, Iglesias, Nicasio
RPs: Perkins, Casilla
DL: Darvish, Ryu
I normally only carry one bench hitter, but I have hopes for both Shaw and Lamb, but I’m not confident in Longoria or Castellanos giving me the production I need from my corner infield spot.
@Salazar Slytherins: Team looks good, I think your bench bats are fine for now to platoon and see if one sticks, but at a certain point you’re gonna start falling behind in other categories
Pick two, Lindor vs price, story vs Shelby Miller, Brito vs hale,Khris Davis vs Quintana
@Giremelli: Story, Davis.
@Giremelli: Agree with Cram
S’up brutha Grey! You make my morning bathroom breaks a little brighter (and well worth my legs falling asleep ).
Would you drop Colome for Hinojosa? No benefits for holds in the league I own Colome.
@Marty Janetty_Was Set Up: Thanks! Hold
Between Giles getting the high-hat and Grilli shizzing the bed on Day One, my scrubs-and-scrubs saves strategy has taken a major hit.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I’m holding tight on Dalier and Vizcaino right now, I could be in your shoes by tomorrow… Your shoes are big on me
@Baron Von Vulturewins: giles wasn’t scrubs ranked closer.
Which 3 OF to start today from these guys:
Cespedes
Span
Cruz
Braun
Granderson
Bonus question: Would any of the non-starters above be better than starting Hosmer at Utility?
@Shin Soo Choo Train: If you don’t care who they’re facing….Cespy, Cruz, Braun
@Shin Soo Choo Train: If you’re going to have this struggle every day, I’d invest in Hitteron.
@Cram It: agree, hittertron is well worth the price of admission
@Shin Soo Choo Train: Agree with others
@Shin Soo Choo Train: go the fanduel $10 route, in which you get EVERYTHING for $10, needs to be new account made through razzball link.
Hey Grey,
Allen, Tolleson, Vizcaino, Rodney, Colome
Loaded up on closers late until the dust settles.
Do you like Hinojosa over anyone?
Also have an extra roster spot atm.
Thinking about grabbing a bench bat. Looking for some power.
Who do you like out of:
Yasmany Tomas, Adonis Garcia, Michael Saunders, Jake Lamb
thanks!
@J: Throw Domingo Santana and Eduardo Escobar in the mix
@J: Rather use empty spot for streamers BUT if that’s what you want Domingo.
@J: I’d stream the spot, because 3 days from now you’ll just be asking again who you’d rather have on the bench. You shouldn’t be holding the same bench bat all year. I’d roll with Saunders while he’s healthy.
@J: Hold what you have…. Domingo
What a great opening day. Having the Rockies in JBs dynasty is going to be…interesting.
Other thought…man is the Padres lineup bad, and not just because they faced Kershaw.
@The Great Knoche: Padres could actually be upgraded with Yonder Alonso
On Span, thank you for that comment. Catharsis!
@Scott: Ha
Sit/start for some of my fringy SPs?
Nelson vs SF
Leake @ PIT
Fiers @ NYY
Conley @ WAS
Thanks!
After the NCAA buzzer beater, I clicked over to the Cubs and Angels. To my surprise I saw Soler and Schwarber in the line up. Thoughts? Hearts? Fade? Would you want Soler over Avisail?
@They Might Be Giants:
Soler was DH cuz that thing called inter league games
@FrankGrimes: Soler is a vs. LP batty call until the Cubs discover that Schwarber is really Joe Blanton.
@de nachos:
Ha yep. I hate shitburger this year.
@They Might Be Giants: Soler was a matchup because Maddon loves matchups
NL DEEP– because after 23 starters we have 15 reserves. 11 teams & 10 KEEPERs/year.( $260). SO OBVIOUS HIGH INFLATION. (McCutch went for 41 & Kershaw was 38 in’14)
Minors stay the salary till activated while all others get a $5/yr raise.
5 X 5 standard roto
Need some Pitching & Want to win NOW- Have a 10 Bryant 15 GolDy- 6 Grishuk & 20 russell.
Should I trade my 10 PEDERSON and a 5 Piscotty For a $2 Story/17 J Fernandez and an 8 Corbin ? ( he also has 10 Matz -R Ray & Eikoff & 15 Familia)
Is this lopsided-YES? Then what is a beter Trade?
@Luvdarooks: Works for me
cozart or neil walker ros?
@bombsaway: Walker
@bombsaway: Cozart
Yo, BB.
I’ll just be over here resisting the urge to panic. Don’t mind me!
Richards actually looked okay, hit 99 on the gun a couple times, fooling guys with his secondary stuff. Just lost the strike zone a bit. I’m still buying.
(locks door, downs bottle of xanax, gets in fetal position).
@Phil of the Future: All of the players haven’t even played yet, need to chill, Phillie
@Grey: Can’t. I’m too High Energy!
And I love that about you!
@Grey: And I love that you love that!
BRB, need more coffee
Grab me some!
@Grey:You got it, bud. Now I just have to figure out how to get it across the country before it gets cold….
Damn, we should’ve figured that our before you got the coffee
Ken Giles was dropped in a shallow league. Would you rather have him over McGee or Perkins?
@Jon:
not at the moment
@Jon: Hold
anybody else experience MLB.tv problems
on iPad last night?
@FrankGrimes: I always have MLB TV problems at the start of every season. ON IPAD and PS. Last night no exception
@The Great Knoche:
no damn video frustrating!
@FrankGrimes: I’ve never not had a problem with MLB.tv
Somehow I ended up with 4 solid-elite closers in my 10 team daily lineup h2h home league–usually I just sagnof, but at auction they all went super underpriced (or they were snagged off the wire after that).
Currently my closers are Jansen, Familia, Gregerson, Miller. Operating under the assumption that I’ll be able to find a SAGNOF eventually, would you trade Jansen for Archer?
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?:
Greg and Miller are not so solid. I’d try to move them first.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Agree with Grimey
@Grey: Thanks, both! Trying Gregerson for Pineda. Might be reaching a little too much, but we’ll see!
No problem
I traded Cano and Longoria for Pollock in the off-season because I could. I want everyone to feel sorry for me.
@Larry David: Ha
Church!
The early doubles and bomb he gave up were a little scary, but he settled down and looked good overall with that 7:0 K:BB. Let us hope we see an ace transform in front of our eyes.
@‘Saul Gooood, Man: Agreed!
Story is sitting on waivers in my league because ESPN got rid of prize-eligible leagues and it’s a crappy free league and more than half the teams are not paying attention. So I might as well beat them while they sleep… I’m only doing ESPN this year because it’s my 20th season doing FLB with them, but I’m likely done after this year.
That said, who should I drop for Story? All set at SS, but you don’t leave value on the wire. 5×5, redraft.
C Travis d’Arnaud, NYM
1B Joey Votto, Cin
2B Josh Harrison, Pit
3B Manny Machado, Bal
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Tor
2B/SS Corey Seager, LAD
1B/3B Maikel Franco, Phi
OF Mookie Betts, Bos
OF George Springer, Hou
OF Mark Trumbo, Bal
OF Gerardo Parra, Col
OF Joc Pederson, LAD
UTIL Freddie Freeman, Atl
Bench Billy Hamilton, Cin
Bench Jonathan Schoop, Bal
DL Evan Gattis*, Hou
And I have JJ Hoover on this team – should I swap him for Gregerson?
@Steve D.: drop billy Hamilton. [email protected]Steve D.:
@Peter guigli: play story at home moves seager to 2nd and bench josh Harrison for that day/ week. Can never have enough Rockies at home.
@Steve D.: Gregerson over Hoover, Story over Hamilton
Odor’s stolen base had my hyphy up in the nosebleeds. Dude behind me was cracking me up, wearing a black wife beater covered in tattoos (one being a red sox B by his eye, another being the red sox socks on his neck). Dude came back with a beer, took a sip, kicked it over. Went back down, waited in the concession line for 30 minutes, then proceeded to kick the new beer over for a second time. winning
@Old School Brother: Haha…Nice!
Yo Yo Grey! Great write up as usual. Its freezing here in NYC so hopefully Springer doesn’t pull a hammy or get frostbite at the Yanks opener. This year, I ride with Springer, and I die with Springer.
I was a little disappointed in Belt’s ticker-tease yesterday. 12 runs and he only had an RBI. Still a very good day out of hime, but I want more, more , more. And Bumgarner got so damn lucky to get our of that first inning with only allowing a single run.
Question, am I an idiot for holding onto Snell & Glasnow on my team? My pitching is awful (Rodon, Upside Down Smyly, Severino, Fiers, V Velasquez, AaSanchez, and Pomeranz), should I drop one or both of these shiny twinkling stars full of wishes and hopes, for someone like a Hinojosa or some MR pitchers to pad K’s and maybe ERA/WHIP?
@HolyGhostClaw: Your K’s should be fine. If you want to, grab a good ratio MR, if you don’t need saves. I don’t think Snell or Glasnow can save that rotation.
@HolyGhostClaw: Agree with Cram
ROS: Drop J Harrison for J Pillar?
Rank order ROS: Karns, Velasquez, Pomerarz
@Eric: Sure… Velasquez, Karns
Batty Call today at 2b.
Utley vs Shields
or
Marwin Gonzalez vs Tanaka
@JoeG414: Utley
Neither…….Marwin
Hey Grey,
Do you think Giles will become the closer this season?
Or Ok to drop?
Thanks!
@Steve: Yeah, he should
Always a great read! I have too many hitters on my bench, would you drop Para, Pence, or Grichuck for Cashner or J Ross? (Have Harper and Puig. 3 OF spots 12tm h2h with ops)
Thanks!
@Rising Son: Nah
anybody throwing :
Martin Perez v Seattle @ Texas
Michael Wacha v St. Louis @ Pittsburgh
@Malicious Phenoms: If I owned them
Drop Herrera for Michael Taylor?
6×6 roto w/ OPS
Thanks
@Munnyshooter: Meh, sure
Should I make the following offer in a 12-team, h2h, 5×5 non keeper? (Would you tweak it in some way?) Is it realistic? My opponent has Beltre at 3B and a slight pitching surplus (he owns Strasburg, Archer, and Price).
I give: Frazier, G. Richards, Cishek
I get: Strasburg/Archer (either/or), Polanco, Britton
I would then pick up Valencia to play at 3B or move Machado to 3B and pick up Alcides.
My team: C – Ramos, 1B – Abreu, 2B – Odor, 3B – Frazier, SS – Machado – OF – Martinez, Heyward, Belt, Util – DeShields, Bench – Pederson; SP – Carrasco, Richards, Corbin, Kazmir, J-Zim, Smyly, Wood; RP – Rondon, Cishek, Rodney, Chapman.
@Joe:
I thought about asking for Beltre and just doing a swap, but despite my OF depth I like Polanco and really dislike 37yo Beltre. Unless you think I’m crazy here.
@Joe: Seems unrealistic
Bryce Harper owners (like myself) are going to hate Dusty Baker. Then again so are Nats fans. Why are you trying to steal with Rendon in front of Harper?!? Dusty is going to take off 30 RBI from him!
@The Hungary Hippo: Ha
@The Hungary Hippo: ummm, this same thing will get HARPER MORE STEALS YOU TWIT! and easier RBI’s when a guy gets to 2nd, he’ll only need singles. and since guys only generally steal when they make it 70% of the time or so, this is overall better for you.
Who you pick for SnGs today?
I grabbed Hicks
@Grey:
josh phegley!
That’s too SnGs for me
@Grey:
HA
Would you drop Buxton to pick up Pillar or Justin Turner? It’s a keeper points league, but Buxton is not going to be a keeper since we can only keep 5.
Pillar
@Grey: It is close or a no brainer?
Do it
In general, would you add Vizcaino for Joe Ross?
Pitching is Strasburg, Britton, Robertson, Ventura, Taijuan Walker, Raisel, Rodon, Jeffress, Gregerson, Matz, and McCullers (DL). One other guy right now has four closers (and they’re better/have safer jobs) so to win saves I need 5. Also last year I won saves easily and traded closers in August for starters.
Thoughts?
Sure
@Grey: Thanks! Also I just read J-FOH’s post and I like Sam Dyson too.
Would you rather have Vizcaino or Sam Dyson?
Vizcaino
@Grey: Thanks!
No problem
I’m liking Michael Sauders as well Grey. In in a funky league with ops and Is as offensive cats. 7×7 h2h.
Which on if these bums would you boot in place of Saunders
Vmart… Ryan Zimmerman… Carlos Santana…. Wil Myers. What I’m lacking in is power. I believe with health Saunders a 20 HR guy if not more.. Your thoughts grey
VMart
Alright, would you:
A. Offer Frazier straight up for Strasburg, Archer, or Price? (Pick up Valencia or Alcides)
B. Offer Frazier and maybe a throw-in for Sale? Pick up Valencia or Alcides)(too unrealistic?)
C. Offer Frazier + J-Zim + Pederson for Franco + Liriano (too unrealistic?)
Thanks Grey man.
A. Nah B. Why are you trading for a top SP? C. Sounds okay
@Joe: Why don’t you just try the offers to the other manager? What’s the worst that can happen, he laughs at you?
@Cram It:
So in other words, apply the bar pick up strategy.
@OaktownSteve: Exactly. Be bold! It only has to work once. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the condom.
@Cram It:
Well, it first helps to know it’s an offer I should even bother to make!
Any preference between Hinjosa, Jefress, Hoover, Rodney?
Jeffress
Who’s your batty call for today? Got an open Util space
Hicks
@Grey: cheers
Family Ties
@Grey:
Night Court for the block.
What’s Happening Now?!
@Grey:
Good Times
Hogan’s Family
@Grey:
Lockwell!
That’s what I scream when Cougs and I are kissing, “We lock well!”
@OaktownSteve: Had hicks for yesterday but dropped him for Panik vs. Nelson today. And that has more to do with my 2B slot open with Schoop being off than Hittertron being gaga for Giants again today.
delinio deshields or dominigo santana as my OF5? points leage, -1 for ks
Delino
Hey Grey, in a keeper league someone just offered me M. Tanaka for my Story. My short stop is boegarts and my starting pitchers are..
Kluber
Carrasco
Iglesias
G. Richard’s
McCullers
Nola
Lackey
Should I make the trade, or hold
Thanks
Hold
Should I drop Lawrie for either Schoop or Castro?
thanks!!
Meh, can try Schoop if you want, nothing’s changed since the preseason
Tweeterer says Greinke was sick as a dog with the flu. MadBum too.
He would’ve had a .100 BABIP with 100% LOB last year with the flu
@Grey: He was on Fangraphs before the game checking his xFIP and falling FB velocity…
Haha
OBP Keeper league. Thinking about 2017 and beyond.
Dee and Lester
or
Upton and Kluber
Upton
How much do you take into effect a pitcher’s spring training usually? Mike Leake struck out 24 in 20 innings and walked only 2. I drafted him over Cashner late in my draft hoping STL works out for him.
Usually just look at velocity and health, maybe if a guy learned a new pitch… I liked Leake in the preseason, which had nothing to do with ST
@Grey: That’s good to hear, and maybe he did? he’s still relatively young so that’s encouraging.
So my draft strategy this year was to draft bats early and leave pitching towards the mid to later rounds. Unfortunately a lot of the guys I’d been targeting came off the board earlier than I expected. Is my staff dooomed?
SP- R. Iglesias, P-Corbin, K-Hendricks, M-Leake, M-Fiers, A- Heaney, E-Volquez, R-Ray
RP- K-Janssen, T-Rosenthal
NA- B-Snell
@Alex H: it’s a 12 team H2H
Nah, it’s not doomed
Yo G
Story, O arcia or d swanson
Can you rank these in a dynasty – hr/obp league?
You ranked them
I have 9 SPs…
Keuchel
Cueto
Verlander
Odorizzi
Wacha
Gio gonz
Bucholz
Kennedy
Karns
Drop any of them for Michael Taylor?
Lose Gio
@Dommattingly: Prob yes over a few in the bottom third of your list, but # of teams and your hitter construction would help to know. Heard Revere could be back as early as tomorrow, but who knows for real ATM.
Pick 2 – Familia, Perkins, Gregerson.
Not Greg
In a H2H points league with -0.5 for strikeouts and 4 open bench spots who are you taking?
Wil Myers, Souza, Semien, Fowler, Melky, Mauer, Segura, S. Castro, Pedroia, Parra
Fowler, Segura, Parra, Souza
Another great writeup! Who gets the better end of this deal Trumbo/Moustakas/Rodon or Longoria/Dude/Matz?
Thanks! Matz
It is just one game, but do you see Buxton sticking in the majors all year? Looks like he could maybe use some more seasoning according to the box score.
Doubt they send him down, but if he hits .125 for a month of two it could happen
Grey, 10-tm H2H keeper (keep 12) balanced stats
Need additional pitching, I’m going to try and trade but there is still good outfield on the wire.
A) need to possibly drop one of these outfielders:
LF- Blackmon
CF – McCutch
RF- Braun
Util – Pence
BN- DeShields, Eaton, H. Ramirez, Trumbo,
B) Who would you grab from these pitchers(pick 2 or 3 please):
Cashner, Nelson, Kennedy, A.Wood, H. Santiago, R.A. DIckey, J.A. Happ. Gibson, C. Tillman
Lose Eaton…None of these SPs are worth owning right now… Cashner, Wood, Tillman
Drop Chris Owings for Joey Rickard or Scooter Gennet?
@Jimmy:
R, 2B, HR, RBI, SB, K AVG
C Cervelli
1B Rizzo
2B Panik
3B Arenado
SS Segura
OF Pence, Betts, Cespedes
Uti Zimmerman
Uti Morales
Bn Trevor Story, Yasmany Tomas, Chris Owings
Scooter
@Grey:
Thanks for my daily cup of Grey :)
No problem
Grey
Many thanks for your belt / polanco recs!
Would u trade J upton + familia for Carrasco? I have Allen and Britton as RP so it’s really upton for Carrasco / thanks again
Hold
@Grey: youre not dropping giles for dalier yet are you?
Nah
Hey Grey,
8 team H2H point based league. Dynasty league where each team keeps 15 players. Was just offered Goldy, Strasburg & Jose Fernandez for Harper. I already have Miggy & Hosmer at 1B. I’m sure I could trade one of them, if needed. What do you think?
Goldy side
Hi Grey,
David Wright or Trevor Plouffe RoS as a 3B backup?
T me – they are about the same – but I cant be sure Wright will survive the whole season.
Thanks…
Mike.
Plouffe
Hey Grey, Happy 2016 season! Thoughts on my team? Thanks!
10 Team H2H 5×5 AVG HR R RBI SB OPS ERA K EHIP QS K/9 SVHD
C Wellington Castillo (223)
1B Goldy (8 – K)
2b Rougned Odor (78)
3b Kris Bryant (18)
SS Starlin Castro (163)
LF Randal Grichuk (123)
CF Lorenzo Cain (63)
RF JD Martinez (23)
UTIL Nelson Cruz (43)
UTIL Gregory Polanco (83)
BE Nick Castellanos (183)
BE Brett Lawrie (198)
BE Steven Souza Jr. (218)
BE Will Myers (243)
P Ken Giles (103)
P K-Rod (138)
SP DeGrom (38)
SP Gerrit Cole (58)
SP Tyson Ross (98)
SP Michael Pineda (143 – Was Desmond, traded for Pineda)
SP Rasiel Iglesias (118)
RP Jake McGee (178)
RP Joakim Soria (238)
RP Tyler Clippard (203)
BE Yu Darvish (158)
Hitting looks a bit weak, pitching looks solid
does anyone know if/when there will be an option on mlb tv to watch in market games for extra $$$?
@They Might Be Giants: Maybe make the move to Istanbul?
Hah nah, I dunno that we will ever see that. Just ask a Dodgers fan how awful this can be. And if that’s you, then I highly recommend Istanbul if you ever want to see an LAD game again.
@knucks:
Let’s give credit where due…to The Four Lads
Not sure
Grey, following is a team I drafted in an action draft with guys who were doing an auction for the 1st time. We all paid 300 bucks to play and all these guys have played fantasy for 20 plus years, but just didn’t do an auction before. It’s only 9 teams with 2 players at each position and 10 pitchers starting. The reason I’m posting this is because Prince and Fowler are FA.
Belt
Davis
Odor
Walker
Castro
Crawford
Franco
Seager
Blackmon
Hayward
Pocono
Jul
Eaton
Realmuto
Darnall
Felix
Carcassonne
Salazar
Richards
Quintana
Chen
Ordering
walker
Lira no
T. Ross
Allen
Rosenthal
Britton
Dude
That is 29 players, 4 are reserves, got lucky having Richards and Ross on reserves. People spent there money and there where several $1 buys. No trades and transactions cost $3 to go in the prize pool. There are no any pitchers worth grabbing now. Do you see any drops to pick up Prince or Dexter? I grabbed Belt and Davis in case they get 10 games in the outfield. Hence Duda.
The email crew and I had a lot of debate over Kluber this off season. I was anti-Kluber. In a nutshell, and this is also my anti-FIP argument, I don’t think HR% always regresses to a league average. I think some pitchers do have the ability to supress HRs and some have a propensity to allow them. I Kluber’s case, I think his achillies heal is that he has a very average MLB fastball in terms of movement, velocity and command. It’s very hittable. I ran all his numbers on Brooks and it bears out that he allows almost all of his homers on FBs and at a high rate. He’s still a good fantasy asset. The secondary stuff, esp the unhittable slurve cutter, is off the chart. But when he falls behind, when he loses the sequencing battle, he gives up home runs. Hard to project him for lower that 3.40 ERA in my opinion. Still a good mid tier SP2 but feels like he was over-drafted this season.
How can you not love Mookie?
So what was that Cy Young year? Total aberration?
@Grey:
Yes. Outlier. Career year. If you look at the two years bookending that year his HR/9 rate was:
.92
.53
.89
Just luck that year. Probably a couple of just missed homers or he hit his spots a little better. Or because the league hadn’t seen quite as much of the slurve he was able to sequence a little differently.
@OaktownSteve: Wow. I just made a bet last night that Kluber would end the year as CLE’s number three.
@Wake Up:
It’s possible. I like Carrasco better for sure. I’m not a huge Salazar guy. He’s a nibbler. Overall his stuff grades out better than Kluber, not sure he’s got the same pitchability. How was that last sentence for dork cliche mania? I’m trying it on for size.
@OaktownSteve: HA…possibly add something about arm slot and command vs control…
I would consider it a bold prediction, and I got great odds.
@OaktownSteve: Still better HR rates than some top tier guys perennially.
@Cram It:
If you remove 2014 it’s on the high end. A couple of the guys who are in a comparable range have higher K and or GB rates. As well. Don’t get me wrong. Kluber is good. He’s solid. He’s going to strike some guys out. Whip should be solid. Just don’t think we’ll see anywhere near a 2.44 again from him. He’ll be 30 this week. Just think he was slightly over drafted. Other guys I prefer around him. Don’t think it’s a draft killer if you took him.
@OaktownSteve: Oh I don’t either. I’d expect around a 3.25 though, a shizz ton of K’s and a low WHIP. If he’s getting drafted as a high-end #1, then yeah, maybe a little over drafted.
@Cram It:
12th SP off the board. I’ll take the over on 3.25. We can revisit in September.
@OaktownSteve: Sounds about right. I’m feeling top 15. Revisit we shall!
BTW, a top 15 SP isn’t bad, even if you have to draft him top 12
@Grey:
I’ll take the over on top 15.
@Grey: Agreed, I’m pro-Kluber here. I don’t see a return to a sub-3.00 ERA, but that’s not easy to achieve in the AL anyway. I’ll take everything else he brings to the table.
Yeah, exactly… It’s only gonna be so wrong
@Grey: I didn’t mean it so much as anti Kluber as much as I did meaning pro Salazar as much as I did…
Pro Carrasco? We all agree
Guess it could be, he just looked so unlucky last year, that might’ve been hiding deeper issues
@Grey:
I mean you have a year with a 3.85, a year with a 2.44 and then a year with a 3.49. Luck will play a roll. I’d be shocked, SHOCKED, I say. If he went under 3.
Maybe shocked is too strong.
Carlos Gomez with a sombrero to open the season.
Shocked too strong or not too strong? Give me something to pin to you!
@Grey:
World’s Mediocrest Dad medal?
Haha, Best 4th Grade Student for May 2012
@Grey:
PARTICIPANT!
I was watching Real Sports (Gumbel is an awful person) and they were saying how every kid gets a trophy now and it’s doing more harm than good
@OaktownSteve:
It’s funny. On the one hand you have the “every kid gets a trophy” crowd. On the other hand you have the “8 year olds are playing year round travel ball, throwing sliders and doing showcases for scouts”. I can’t decide if we are a nation of pussies or type A douches. PUSTADS?
I think the main problem with kids is they never get to be kids. I turn mine loose on the neighborhood. The rest of the parents give me the stink eye…but their kids are watching out the curtains as soon as we pull up there’s a gang of little rascals.
“Can we play over here?”
“Yes but let’s try not to start as many fires today.”
Basically grown ups suck and the project all their bs all over the place on kids. Every study shows just let kids play with other kids as much as possible.
Bertrand Russell was reputed to have doled out the following advice as part of his dying litany of sage advice: Never help your children.
I live under the principle, you can only get right or wrong so much… Maybe 5%? The rest is nature…. Like your son has any chance of not playing fantasy baseball? Please
@OaktownSteve:
I don’t think the boy will be into FBB. He’s an IRL kid. The girl is into it though. She’s my brainiac.
Give him time
Keuchel with 4 BBs. Starting 8/25 last year he walked 6 guys total for the remainder of the season.
I hope he fails
@Grey:
I don’t think he will. Think Cliff Lee from 2010 to 2013
I have one more add this week in my H2H points league. Worth picking up Martin Perez or Bassitt and dropping Rich Hill which both look to be 2 start pitchers? Streamonator is equally meh on both, but again it’s a points league.
Perez
“Dude, Grey.. easy on the ads man!” – my computer
Your computer needs to buy Cougs dinner when I’m spending 10 hours a day answering comments
Touche
Drop Buxton for Saunders?
Sure
Thoughts on Kiermaier? Ownable in a 10×10 mixed dynasty league?
Sure, # of teams means as much
ha, right. thanks Grey
No problem
Anybody else having problems with the ESPN Fantasy Baseball app?
Haven’t opened it this year yet, wouldn’t surprise me though
@grey: h2h 12 man
My Belt/Dickerson for Betts ?
Which side
@Anthony: Betts
Just stopped in to say Hey! Also, kinda bored, so figured I’d recap my draft right quick. Essentially, some dude pulled some bush league ish and drafted 5 SP’s in the first 5 rounds! Like, this aint no mock draft busta! Meanwhile, I stockpiled bats while others chased pitchers. Anywho, 10 team yahoo w/ 20 transaction limit, here’s what my staff ended up as:
Syndergaard, Matz, Pineda, Samardzija, Ventura, Nola (Eovaldi, Darvish on Bench), and ended up going against my will and yours and going back to back high tier closers while everyone was sleeping on em (Jansen/Familia). Thinking about stashing Wheeler too, thoughts?
Your staff looks pretty legit even with that guy pulling bush league shizz… Don’t see why you wouldn’t stash Wheeler…
@Grey: Cool beans. Hope all is well. Thanks!
You too!
Offered a free ticket to Yanks opening day and couldn’t go due to an exam for class. Miss out on Correa’s first slam and legs of the year, bleh!
@nick the dick: Dick move, Nick!
@Nico: You’re telling me! Shoulda said screw my career
@nick the dick: “I wouldn’t screw your career with my dick,” ARod’s girlfriend…
@Wake Up: I wouldn’t screw ARod’s girlfriend with my own dick…depending on which butch gal he is galavanting around with
You’re in high school?!
@Grey: EMT classes. Don’t let me catch you unresponsive and not breathing with a bone poking out of your skin while in cardiac arrest!
I’d act unresponsive in a second for you!
@Grey: I’d be right there for some beard to stache resuccitation
Damn, I wish I was dying somewhere near you!
@Grey: “He’s not breathing, get me a bag valve mask and hook up to 15 liters of vape juice stat!”
“You hold back his stache!”
Can you rank M. Taylor, Brito, L. Martin, and Brad Miller for me? Thanks. Miller is OF eligible in ESPN.
Brito, Leonys
CORREA BOMB!!…and leggz boyyyyyyyyy!!
I heart Nate Jones
Haha
@Mello Yello: Double dem legz baby!
“I always thought Pap was a solid teammate…and Cole is just B.E.A. Utiful!” ARod’s mirror
Ha!
Final 2016 Fantasy Rankings:
1. Harper
2. Correa
@OaktownSteve: Mookie, Mookie, Mookie, Mookieeeee. Mookie, Mookie, Mookie, Mookiiiiiiii
@nick the dick:
3. Mookie
Taking two guys that were collectively top 6 picks and putting them 1-2, c’mon!
@Grey:
Oh I know. It’s not bold. Not bold at all. But damn those guys are good.
We could move furniture out onto this limb!
@Grey:
Me: Took Harper 1st.
You: Kind of tough to screw up the draft on the 1st pick, but you nailed it!
I didn’t mind my Betts 2nd rounder either
One guy I would not mind seeing fail this year is Kimbrel. No shares. Be good to laugh at the Sawks for backing up the truck for him.
Red Sox went from the smartest (smahtest) organization to the dumbest in like 3 years ( I know Theo)
@Grey: Hey now I talk like that.
No, Toe Knee, that’s my talk!
@Grey: I’m either blessed or cursed with my thick Boston accent depending on ones view point.
Blessed, definitely
Giles shows he’s got a closers mentality. In other words, pitches like crap in non-save situations.
@OaktownSteve: Ha… Should help him down the road!
What do you think about Niese today at home v. St. Louis in a 12 team 6×6 w/QS? Stream says -$7.8.
Ortiz homers. Guess he just missed one earlier against Kluber too. Got blown back by the wind. Magoo loves Papi. Own him everywhere.
He was going for a decent price, like he retired already
Brian McTaggart [email protected] 5m5 minutes ago
GREGERSON IS THE CLOSER
Yeah, bad call by him
spangy or scooter for my weak 2b slot? 10 team NL only h2h points league
Scooter
@Grey spank you very much! as a Pads fan, I just need to let go…can’t wait till javy guera is done cookin’
Javy Guerra’s a slow roast, never finishes
Tyler white HBP ( i think in the hand? ) during AB late in the yanks game… not sure how serious. Maybe we’ll get Reed up earlier than anticipated. Although it would prob make more sense to wait a few weeks for those BS Bryant-like implications.
That would be sweet (not for White)
@knucks: Xrays negative the red dtd shows up.
That was a really intense first half of the 1st for Thor. Alcides gets first laugh, then… Hammer Time!
@knucks: Gah, I hate that I’m missing it. Thor for Cy!
@Cram It: this local blackout thing is so damn annoying. Next year MLBTV will let you watch your local broadcast if you sign in with your local provider I think
Hammer Time!
Hey Grey – still working on that trade of excess closer for upside SP in my 10 team H2H league which counts QS in addition to W.
Would you give your Gregerson to get Pineda?
Other closers are Jansen, Familia, Miller, and all handcuffs + Boxberger are out there on the wire…
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: The other possible flip is his Kluber for my Familia. I wouldn’t typically think that trade would fly, but maybe small sample size / Kluber’s start today makes it more feasible. Either way, curious on your thoughts for both trades, if possible. Thanks!
I’d take Kluber
I’d take Pineda
Gregorius for power , Arod for speed and Bentances to screw up your ratios. Of course I own Bentances YAY!
HA, just the way you drew it up
How in the wide world of wikipedia did I miss the Mipple Venn diagram?
PS I also like exoRBItant!
Haha, thanks!
Looking to build OF depth (drafted a ton of injury prone guys). Available guys in a 10-team league: Souza, K. Davis, Domingo, Saunders, Kiermaier, Brito, Hicks, JBJ. All of these guys feel like they are the same. I’m leaning Domingo, but I like Kiermaier’s average potential.
Thanks for the morning roundups (among other things).
No problem…. Domingo
HR’s for my Scout team: Walker, Panik, Lamb.
Rest of team: “You got this 20th rounders!”
Haha… Do you have Hosmer? In my stats for him he has an ERA
@Grey: No, haha. WTF? This app is jacked, can’t find standings. Or my team totals. Can’t tell if anything is accurate. This is fun.
Yeah, I can’t even see what I’m supposed to be seeing
With Bracho sent down . Own J Smith Would you take Clippard over Smith. Zieglers not that good and Street is potato chip fragile Not dropping Quack because Rodney sucks.
I’d go Clippard
@Toe Knee Arm Ass:
Ziegler is not bad. Not great, but he’s been a surprisingly reliable closer.
@OaktownSteve: Chasing saves is a pain in the ass. I feel like I’m chasing a carrot on a stick and I don’t really like carrots.
Socrates batting 2nd vs Betis or Khris Davis 5th vs Quintana
Socrates
@Grey:
Everytime I see this name
It reminds me of
bill n teds excellent adventure
I’m reminded of the philosopher
@FrankGrimes:
SO crates. Righteous
10 team keeper league
On my bench, drop one .
Soler
Hinojosa
Vizcaino
Rodney
Gomes (posey is starter )
Thanks
Gomes
Hey Grey,
I have two trade offers don’t know if I should take one or not.
First is my Sale and Elvis for Grenke and Story.
The second is my JD Mart and Elvis for Seager and Tyson Ross. Its a keeper league.
Hold
Would you trade Gio for Brandon Belt.
I have a lot of pitching but Belt would be either a bench player or platooned with Deshields.
Yes
Uhhh, So am I dropping Giles for Cishek, Jeffress, or Hoover? Or do I wait?
Cishek
@Grey: Thank you kind sir
No problem
lol. Tyson Ross hit the wire this morning. It’s a H2H 10×10 OPS instead of AVG, QS instead of W.
I’m thinking about dropping Khris Davis (Have Cutch, Chris Davis, Cain, Blackmon and DeShields)
or
Jason Hammel (have Stras, Carrasco, Salazar, Liriano, Severino, Chen & Jaime Garcia)
who would you drop of those guys above, if any?
I’d lose Davis for him
What’s happening in Miami? Is it raining?
@SteveNZ: they just introduced every person on the roster it seems
@mauledbypandas: Understandable. Both teams coming off such great seasons.
I can’t see that far out my window
Greaat Staart!
Hehe
Odorizzi is so money at home…
I have O to the Izzi and Dirty Sanchez both going today, I hope it’s a pitcher’s duel.
Yeah, me too
@Grey: Sorry, I have put the Moa-hex on Odo.
I have Sanchez going, so I’m fine with that
@SteveNZ: @Grey: Can you Moa Hex THe Verlander no-hit bid?
@The Great Knoche: I’m afraid it would not be in my interests to do so.
duuuude watching the game and Aaron Sanchez looks really good.
I know it’s early, but damn…
– 96+ EASY on the gun, the extra 25lbs he put on is nicely distributed on his pitcher’s body…should bode well to handle starter innings
– filthy movement on everything
– good poise. gave up a knocker to dickerson and quickly retired the next 3
Agreed, can’t believe I grabbed him off of waivers today
@Grey:
drop joe Ross for him right?
Yeah
Don’t ask JB though
Also Jedd Gyorko!!!! Batty Call!
Haha, nice… Freakin’ Gyorko
Ok, Ok, Ok…beer is almost gone…
Gaard storms castle, torches Royals…
Nice
Hi Grey,
H2H NL-Only. The team I’m playing has Harvey, Scherzer, and Wacha. So far, I’ve got a decent cushion.
I’m thinking of picking up Finnegan since it’s the Phillies, and SON likes him. I’m also thinking of following SON and sitting Nicasio against STL. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Go for it
@Grey: Thanks!
AuShizz on the board! Goldy Goldy Gone!!!
Au Shizz!
Don’t look now, it’s the Man in the Iron Mask in MIA!
HA
Grey
Would you drop Colabello for Desmond Jennings, Aoki, Justin bour, Michael Saunders or
Michael Taylor
Thanks for the help
Saunders
welp, Sanchez’s night is done…12 straight retired to end his outting…89th pitch was 97mph…just struck out the last 2.
7 innings, 8 Ks, no walks, 91 (!) efficient pitches
WTF…
Coupled with the spring training performance and this first start, I am officially on the Aaron Sanchez Bandwagon.
MUST ADD IN ALL LEAGUES until further notice imo
Love him!
@Grey: I do t love Cecil the Deisel coming in and plunking the 1st guy he sees in a 2-1 game.
Man, if only the Jays had someone in the bullpen that could lock down the 8th…someone like….oh, crap!
Lol – he had a great day though – psyched I got him in the 29th/30 rds. Pulled at 91 pitches it appears they’re watching his innings for sure.
@Lucky Dog: aaaand a HR to Forsythe. Dammit.
@Lucky Dog:
AND NOW THE BULLPEN BLOWS THE WIN….UGHHHH YOU BASTARDS
@muskysmell: unreal. I can’t buy a W
@muskysmell: must add? Drafted him – welcome to the bandwagon!
:)
@Lucky Dog:
you drafted him?? damn, good call.
what round?
@muskysmell: 29th of 30.
:)
I had a draft sheet 200 deep in a 20 man league with targets set for every part of the draft.
Added them all to my yahoo queue in the 30 mins before and for once I didn’t forget to draft any of my sleepers because they were right there in the queue.
Easier to draft Sanchez with a deep bench though…
Start or sit Matt Moore at home against Toronto? standard 5×5 scoring.
Sit
Au Shiz with the tater! Welcome to the team, Mr Shiz.
@Lucky Dog:
AuShizz!
@FrankGrimes: AuRizz!
Hinojosa or Farquhar assuming Colome bungles this save?
Hinojosa
Wow. The slide rule costs Blue Jays the game. Not even an aggressive take out. Wussification of baseball.
Totally
@The Great Knoche: Colome owners are ok with it.
@SteveNZ: Lol agree. Still a dumb rule. If you slide and can touch the base it should be legal to break up a double play. There’s no concussion worries like there was with home plate collisions.
thank you new slide rule!
Phew.
Who are you, Ruben Tejada?
Story time!
Woooohoooooo!!
@Lucky Dog: Hundly making me feel,good about waiting untill the last round to take a C
Aaaaand Francisco Rodrigues eats the whole Enchilada with a 9th inning implosion. Thankfully I have 0 shares.
Who’s second banana in DET?
Hundley!
@SteveNZ: love that dude – I took him as the 13th C off the board in a 10 team league. <3
Him & Story feeling pretty solid – 2 games, I know, but that pace tho!
:D
@Lucky Dog: Grabbed him off the wire in a 14-teamer when Grandal hit the DL…
@SteveNZ: Those new pitching acquisitions in Zona not looking so hot…
@The Great Knoche: lol – I was just thinking the same.
And I was so mad when I missed Grienke & Miller in my draft, too. Whew!
Vizcaino or colome? Thanks
Cano sure is washed up. ;)
@Lucky Dog: Logan Forsythe got a homer today too. I think we have a 2B home run chase on our hands.
Another one from Giancarlo, please?
Heaney my only blemish so far. Can’t fault a dude for giving up a HR to Rizzo. Lots of SP will do that this year. :(
Down(town) goes Frazier! Down(town) goes Frazier!
@SteveNZ: I missed him in my league – had zero chance.
@SteveNZ: yeah baby, the TODDFATHER!!!
The Story developing on Story is pretty crazy. He isn’t even the Rockies best SS prospect. #7 ranked prospect in their system according to BA. He’s never hit more than 20 HRs in the minors. Where are we putting the over under on HRs for him this year after 3 in 2 games?
@letsgobravos: on pace for 480 or so….
@Lucky Dog: @Lucky Dog: wait, 3 in 2 games….240 pace. ;)
@Lucky Dog: haha…so he should easily quintuple his career best of 20 and hit 100.