Y’all know why this is happening to Kris Medlen, right? Why he’s preparing for Tommy John surgery? It’s the breeding patterns of the Flat-Billed Pitchypus and their likely extinction. If you iron your hat brim, you are putting yourself and potentially your family in grave danger. Exhibit A: Shawn Chacon now works at a Los Pollos Hermanos, making ‘deliveries.’ SPOILER ALERT! Wait, you need to know what I’m spoiling first. True Detective SPOILER ALERT! The Yellow King’s face looks like that due to ironing the brim of his hat while it was on his head. So, due to climate changes, mating rituals and the long hunting season of the Flat-Billed Pitchypus, the Braves went out and got Ervin Santana. The Baltimore Orioles said, “Aw, shucks, we were gonna sign him for sixteen dollars the day after the season started.” Too bad, O’s. Against me better judgement, I’m gonna talk like a leprechaun and move Ervin Santana up a hair in my top 80 starters and my top 400. Plus, we lost Randall Delgado, Kevin Gausman and Brandon Beachy, so there was room. Oh, have I mentioned I moved Beachy down? Yeah, I don’t like that he has soreness in his biceps. Prediction Alert! In the next few years, Dr. James Andrews is going to reveal to the world a serious gambling problem, and that’s why everyone that goes under his knife needs follow-up surgery and a massive amount of check-ups. Someone’s gonna pay the kitty, ya heard? Anyway, here’s what else I’ve seen in Spring Training for 2014 fantasy baseball:
Mike Minor – Should return to the Braves rotation in time for the 2nd week of the season. Will depend on how good he’s throwing and the shape of his urethra. “It looks cylindrical.” That’s Minor’s urethra doctor. And now starting for your Atlanta Braves…Freddy Garcia and The Great Khali! Oh, wait, they’re the same person. Maybe they can find out what Barry Zito’s up to.
Alex Wood – Has a zero ERA through 10 spring innings. Guess who drafted him the other day for his Tout Wars team? That guy! *points at the reflection of self in mirror*
Yasmani Grandal – Started playing in games as he works his way back from a torn ACL. There’s a chance he breaks camp with the Padres as their starter. And… Dah! I tried to work up some enthusiasm. Hold on, I’m going to stand and do a Wonder Woman pose that I learned on a Ted Talks and see if I can build the confidence to say something nice about Grandal. …Dah! Didn’t work. Sorry. He’s around a 10-homer, .260 catcher. It’s a’ight in two-catcher leagues.
Chase Headley – Could see game action next week. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him ready for the start of the season, maybe he misses a few games. Still don’t mind precaution when drafting him since he hit 13 homers last year.
Starlin Castro – Out until next week with his hammy. Speaking of hammy, word is Castro gained some weight in the offseason. Did he gain it all in his right eyelid? Is Forest Whitaker the Cubs shortstop? I got questions, y’all!
Javier Baez – He survived the last round of prospect cuts and will play 2nd base next week. Oh my goodness gracious, I’m standing here besides myself! I am getting goose pimples on my nethers! I’m going to kidnap a Guatemalan baby and name it Javier Baez Albright! Cubs say he’s still going to open season in minors. Oh.
Jonathan Broxton – May not be ready for Opening Day. After all the work his pants do to get around his ass, the least he could do is get ready for games.
Sean Marshall – Dealing with shoulder tendinitis. “Why do I care again?” That’s me doing a stage reading from Forgetting Sean Marshall.
Jose Iglesias – Fielded grounders, took BP and jogged. But did he do all that while chewing gum?
Troy Tulowitzki – Left yesterday’s game after being hit in the leg. Rockies are saying it’s just a bruise, so that should mean he’ll only miss three months.
Samuel Deduno – Favorite for the 5th rotation spot in Minnesota. When you consider that Ricky Nolasco is the Twins number one, there’s no real number five rotation spot. There’s 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5.
Brett Wallace – Astros released him. Don’t worry about him, the Yakult Swallows can build a whole team around Brett-san, and in his spare time he can solve missing persons cases. “Last I saw Suzie Oh she was with Nyjer Morgan…. We need Brett-san!” *Top Chef swish pan to Brett Wallace trying to read a Japanese street sign*
Livan Hernandez – Retired from baseball. Livan, ever the workhorse, is off to stud, where he will spend his days siring future 110+ pitches per game colts on Nolan Ryan’s ranch.
Jhoulys Chacin – To the DL to start the year. Chacin said, “The good thing is I’m feeling good. My ball is coming out good.” TMI, Chacin. Tee. Em. Eye.
Justin Smoak – Lloyd Banks McClendon said that Smoak is his 1st baseman. A reporter said, “No foolsies?” McClendon responded in the affirmative, “No foolsies.” This actually has unforeseen repercussions that refurbishate (Made Up Word of the Day!) through my whole top 400. I was expecting Corey Hart to man 1st base, at least most of the time, but now he’s going to DH or play outfield. DH, I don’t mind. Outfield? Doode’s got a tin can for a knee! I lowered my Corey Hart at-bats, which lowered him in my top 20 1st basemen, top 60 outfielders and top 400 overall. I also added Smoak.
Oscar Taveras – Matheny said Oscar’s not making the club out of Spring Training. Well, dur. Of course, he isn’t. There’s nowhere for him to play and he’s recovering from ankle surgery. As commenter JDW said, “The bildungsroman that is Oscar Taveras’s young, snake-bit baseball career stirs in me the kind of frustration that makes me want to kick a complete stranger in the nuts. Preferably that stranger would be Oscar Taveras.”
Mark Mulder – Angels released him. Mulder will return to his TV career, chasing aliens and looking forlornly at Gillian Anderson’s pursed lips.
Josh Hamilton – Will see his first action this Sunday. That’s his first Cactus League action. Obviously he’s had other action with those fancy Head & Shoulders commercials and the years of doing blow.
Trevor Cahill – Day-to-day with a jammed knee. He shouldn’t miss a start and will be selling his knee jam recipe to Smucker’s.
Matt Kemp – Played one inning in a minor league game yesterday. He said he felt “a little weird.” Weird to be healthy? Yeah, I could see that.
Dee Gordon – Speculation is running rabid that Gordon is the Dodgers starting 2nd baseman. This means A) People not only know what Mattingly is thinking but also what he’s saying. B) Gordon will be the starting 2nd baseman on Opening Day, but that could end fifteen days into the season. C) There’s no C. I like Gordon as a late round flyer, say around pick 220-ish, but keep B in mind. Dee Gordon could be the starter in Australia and out of a job by May. I did move him up in my top 400 and the top 20 shortstops to reflect his new opportunity.
Josh Beckett – Questionable for his next start due to a sprained thumb. The Dodgers will wait literally for his thumbs up.
Cole Hamels – Threw a bullpen session on Wednesday morning. Right after his granola and prior to his new calendar photo shoot.
David Buchanan – Candidate for the fifth starting job in Philly. That’s David Buchanan of a 4.82 ERA in Double-A last year and an under 6 K-rate. When told he was a candidate, he laughed then said, “Seriously?”
Jeff Manship – The other candidate for the Philly job. This could be Manship’s best month since April 1978 when he opened for Sister Sledge.
Jimmy Rollins – In an interesting development (for 2008), Sandberg has been benching a healthy Rollins for Freddy Galvis. When reporters asked Sandberg about Rollins, he said, “No comment.” There was no snap of the fingers, but there may as well have been! I don’t think there’s much here. It’s like a stepfather coming into the picture when the son is 34 years old. There is gonna be less mess with Charlie Manuel gone, and a whole lot less gibberish. Plus, Galvis is a .230 hitter in almost 400 major league at-bats.
Ricky Romero – Since Ervin rebuked the Blue Jays — rebuked, I tell ya! — Romero has a chance to make the Jays. Marcus Stroman is also in that mix. Stroman’s got the best chance of making the first week’s Buy column if he makes the club. With Romero, I’d want to see something decent first.
Brandon Morrow – Allowed one earned run in three innings vs. the Canadian junior team. Was the girls national softball team unavailable?
Francisco Cervelli – Drawing lots of trade interest. I wonder if it’s from any of the teams in my two-catcher AL-Only league.
Rafael Furcal – Day-to-day with a tweaked hamstring. Everyone in the Marlins clubhouse is rallying behind him. Yelich said, “Furcal’s like this grandfather figure around the team and that’s so awesome.”
Salvador Perez – Completely recovered from his bruised left palm. The injury occurred when he forgot to send flowers to his abuelita’s grave and he did a facepalm.
Doug Fister – Played catch and didn’t feel any pain. He obviously wasn’t playing catch with a shot put. No, seriously, he wasn’t.
Wilmer Flores – Probably because I’m deep in an NFBC slow draft that has gone on for countless days (17) and is countless rounds deep (50), I’m looking at players that I wouldn’t normally care about. One such player is Wilmer Flores. Sure, I’m kinda only mentioning him to see how long until someone else in my league takes him, but the Mets have been trying him out at short. The Mets view Ruben Tejada with the same disdain that a Jew views a Nazi, so Flores really only needs to field just a little to stick at short. Why do you care? Flores could hit 20 homers in the majors with a .270 average. Boing!
Ike Davis – Wearing a walking boot. He got the boot when he didn’t pay his fines for screwing over fantasy owners last year.
Take Jones/Pujols over Fielder/Bautista?
@bossmanjunior:
not me .
@bossmanjunior: It’s fair
hey stutterer :
i realize this comment will make absolutely no sense
once you find your mistake and correct it .
@costaricanchata: Now I know what you meant…
@Grey:
ah HA !
@ Grey :
have actually seen two of the three shows to which you have alluded .
re : True Detective
a) is it any good ?
b) is it on free netflix yet ?
(and , by “free” i mean , i ain’t paying for it … i’m a splicer y’all)
@costaricanchata:
now , before you guys start criticizing me for being a splicer ,
you do realize that you can give someone you like your mlb.tv password
and you can both watch at the same time , right ?
OR , you can give mlb your hard-earned dollars , and they can continue
to pay outrageous salaries ,raise ticket prices to a criminal level ,
and still charge you 8 bucks for a beer , etc. etc.
@costaricanchata: please let me know what password to use for mlb tv. Thanks a ton!
@Donald trump:
sorry .
thought you were my friend , but ,
“you’re fired” .
@costaricanchata: Dude go to project free tv and watch all TV shows for free. Just get ad blocker because ads are ridiculous, but you can stream movies and practically anything on there. (I don’t think that’s illegal??) But just search Project Free TV in google and thank me later
Is project free TV safe? I see they ask for a credit card…
@Grey: ain’t getting no flack for stealing/splicing/pirating from me.
@costaricanchata: $8 beers….I take it you;re not at Yankee stadium…you can barely get an $8 beer at Stan’s!!
@costaricanchata: True Detective was worth the watch. Great acting – best Harrelson in years – and cool bayou scenery. Spooky at times.
I still rank it behind GoT and Justified on my DVR list, but in the top 5 for this year.
@costaricanchata: not Netflix. You’ll need to find a friend with HBO Go. Then maybe you trade your HBO Go password for some Sirius Radio Howard Stern…not that anybody I know would do that.
@costaricanchata: I’d recommend you watch Breaking Bad on Netflix first… Then Spiral…
@costaricanchata:
TD was awesome
Was it though?
@Grey: Supposedly next season was going to be a different city and actors, but the show was so good that they are trying to get woody and mcc to do it again. I loved the show. Id rank it up there with the wire.
Really? Wow, I didn’t love it that much… Thought it was solid, but thin on plot
@Grey: Small town drama homie. when woody yells at the daughter about being captain of the sluts or whatever i lost it. Did you see much of the show Luck? I think it was last year. With the horseracing…
Yeah, I watched Luck… Or watched it until they pulled it…
@Grey: Of course it wasn’t The Wire.
But what drama has been as good as The Wire?
Breaking Bad… Really liking Spiral on Netflix streaming… Not The Wire good, but really solid
Grey, i play in a 6×6 10 team roto (OPS, Holds) i draft 8th. would you take A. Jones and Harper with your first 2 picks or does going OF/OF worry you? Rather have Longo? Im trying to map out the first few rounds.
@Party Boy John: I wouldn’t go OF/OF
@Grey:
would you rather start with A Jones/Longoria or Votto/Harper?
Jones
@Grey: I’ve been thinking about this same thing as I just found out I”m pick 11.. If Jones isn’t around I’ll take Harper (there is no plan c, Probably just grab the best 1b :), but in some mocks I’ve done I get a choice of either, sometimes Harper is still available in round 2 @ 14. Often I can take either Fielder or Votto #2 I like how my teams workout better when I pick a first baseman up top.
My context is a 12 team mixed head to head cats where we do 7×7 the offensive extras are TB and OBP.
So the question I’m toying with now:
Who would you rather pair with Adam Jones – Longoria, Votto, or Fielder?
A) Right now I’m leaning Votto because of the consistency for h2h and the OBP. Your thoughts Mr. Mustachio?
B) Does your answer change if the first pick is Harper instead of Jones?
(fwiw I’ve studied your pairings post and am still on the fence..)
A) Fielder or Votto, dealer’s choice… B) Nah
@Grey: mmhm, k. Nice to have two pairs of options that are likely and similar that far down in the draft. I probably won’t know which I pick until I click the button. Thanks!
No problem
If the mets are serious about Flores at SS, I’m sure they’d send him to aaa to work on it, so at the most he’d be a waiver grab down the road.
@2 Giant rings: Probably, but more of a very deep league mention
12 team Keeper League advice needed – can keep 9
I have:
Goldschmidt, H Ram, Bruce, F. Hernandez, J. Fernandez, Ellsbury, Machado
Can keep 2 more from:
Zobrist, M. Adams, Belt, Av. Garcia, McCann, Iwakuma, Moss
Who would you keep? – according to Grey’s keeper rankings, Belt and Adams would be the highest, but that would leave me with three 1b, and only one can play in the UT spot.
@King Daddy Crunch: You don’t have a corner spot? Avisail, Zobrist
Hey fellas I had my 10 team keeper league last tonight and I’m pretty happy with my team except for my closers (I decided to wait and it bit me in the ass). We can keep 4 players for an unlimited amount of time and they count as your first 4 picks. I kept: Trout, Puig, Freeman and Darvish
This is a H2H league with daily roster changes.
My team
C- S. Perez 1B- Freeman 2B- A. Hill 3B- R. Zimmerman SS- Andrus
OF- Trout, Puig, Beltran UTIL- A. Gonzalez
Bench- B. Moss
SP- Darvish, Bumgarner RP- Rodney, N. Jones
P- Teheran, S. Gray, Samardzija
Bench- Masterson, P. Corbin, Iwakuma, Tyson Ross and Rick Porcello
What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.
@B.J.: I think with those keepers it’s a solid foundation… It’s also a shallow league where anything can happen in-season… Solid team overall though…
5×5, 10 team, mixed league, 10 keepers –
Hitters: Pujols, Kinsler, Joes Reyes, Bruce, Harper, Stanton
Pitchers: Bumgarner, Sale, Chapman
Do I keep Gio Gonzalez or Trevor Rosenthal as my 10th?
@Dom: Gio
@Grey: you need a “like” button
I tried it last year, there was a revolt…
Grey, I just want to m ale sure that your Hosmer ranking wasn’t influenced by a bunch of white stuff on your mustache.
In my keeper league I need to fill my 1B slot and according to your ranking he should be my first pick of the draft.
Intervention?
-A concerned fantasy baseballer
@Buhner: I just drafted on my Tout Wars team
Any updates on George Springer?
@malamoney: Probably headed to the minors
@Grey: I’ve asked this before, but allow me to rephrase it a bit. We can keep one minor league player where minor league player is defined as having finished the previous season in the minors. What you really want is a guy that finished last season in the minors and makes the club out of spring training. It’s like getting an extra keeper.
My choices are Springer, Taveras, Buxton, and Syndengaard
Here’s the catch. If none of them are going to make their team out of spring training, you want the one that will be up the soonest and/or make the biggest impact this season. I can wait an extra month for a guy if he will put up better fantasy numbers.
What you don’t want is a guy that comes up for a few games at the end of the season because as that will not likely help.
The tough call is maybe Buxton. If I don’t think he will be up at all this year, I can just keep him and tuck him away and keep him again next year and have him for 2015. But if Springer or Taveras will produce and have fantasy value this year, then I’d rather keep one of them and get some value this year.
Realizing it is practically impossible to predict callups, this is not a simple decision.
What would you do? What do you see as each of these players’ timetables for getting to the majors? Will Buxton see the light of day this year and if not, do you expect great things next year from a fantasy perspective?
I could also keep Springer or Taveras and then draft Buxton at some point…
Springer should be up and play the soonest…
@Grey: So you like keeping Springer for what he will give me this year as opposed to keeping Buxton for 2015?
Yup
Grey, just wanted a quick analysis of team I drafted last weekend.
12 teams, 6×6 QS and offensive K’s. I know in advance you dislike bench bats, but I had to take them based on their upside and our league having a 1200 inning limit.
Gattis
Agon
Pedroia
Cabrera
Villar
Bautista
Bruce
Marte
UT: Gardner
UT: Rizzzo
Gyorko
Arenado
Dom Brown
Yelich
Teheran
Cole
Wacha
Gray
Papelbon
Henderson
Santos
@Cashmoney: You didn’t have to take bench bats, you could’ve taken starters… Your hitting looks low on average and Ks…
Yo Grey! Couldn’t be happier Fantasy Baseball season is back. Two quick ones:
1 – Would you still draft Minor in the early 70’s with his pee hole situation? My concern isn’t his performance (on the mound), as much as him having to go on the DL bc he and Matty McConaughey need to go to Mexico for some meds. They should make a movie about that.
2 – I draft 9/10 in my league (in Bmore) so I’m hoping for Jones/Fielder in the first two rounds, but I can see Jones going earlier, or even Fielder for that matter. I know the rule about getting a cornerman in the second, but if I get Jones and Fielder is gone, could I snag Harper in the 2nd and Pujols in the 3rd to satisfy my solid corner spot (Jones/Harper/Poo-holes/Bruce would be ideal first 4 in that case)?
Thanks in advance!
@John Stamos: 1. Sure 2, I guess
Top o the morning Grey! I want to pick up Yordano Ventura in my 12-team H2H league but don’t know who to drop. Apologies for posting full line-up but figure you need to see to analyze. Thanks
C – Lucroy
1B – E5
2B – B Miller
3B – Bogaerts
SS – Segura
OF – McCutchen. Cuddyer, Calhoun
U – Big Papi, Avisail Garcia
B – Eaton, Castellanos
SP – JoFer, Cole, Cobb, Salazar, Gray, Haren
RP – Holland, Perkins
B – T Ross, Brothers, Benoit
@Tony Starks: Holds a category?
@Grey: Nope
@Tony Starks: Sorry, shld have mentioned, standard H2H, 5X5
Lose Benoit
Hey Grey,
Just need some quick thoughts on my 3 year keeper auction H2H league (500 cap) with 20% escalators….this is what I’m going in to our draft with:
Trumbo/Seguera/Rizzo/Profar/Billy Hamilton/Bogaerts & Cespedes
Jose Fernandez/S.Miller/Samardzjia/Ryu/Kluber/A.Bradley/CMart/Parnell
I have $100 spent on cap for the players above.
Do I have enough bats and SP’s to go big after Trout and Miggy (looking at spending $220 total for both players)? From there I have about 200 in cap to spend on one good SP, two closers, a 2b and 2 outfielders (and a catcher). I’d be relying on some young guys in my infield (we have MI/CI – standard 5×5 scoring). Thanks!
Amish
@AmishGangster: Depends on how many teams
@Grey: 12 teams, sorry, thanks.
Hahaha oh my god, the Castro blurb had me laughing at my desk this morning. Good stuff
@Pope: Thanks!
Eyjr or car-mart for last keeper?
@rufus: The latter.
In other news around the league, KRod stepped on a cactus. Can we start the games already?
@Cole: Ha
Nice work.
Stupid question where you can tell me to stop over thinking it.
Us Razzballers have a distinct advantage in leagues because we wait on pitching and get the right guys for our rotation. When pitching is as deep as it is this year, lots of people will have decent pitching staffs by default.
Is it worth getting higher end pitcher, say from tier 2 or even bottom of teir 1, and using the pairing tool from them there? In past season I would typically wait and get my 1st pitcher from the 3rd tier. But it seems like it will be harder to separate ourselves from the pack this year.
Thoughts?
@OneI’dWilly: This theory was covered in Razzballicus 3:18. It’s not like because pitching is so deep that every team will have the same #’s except the guys that have Kershaw and Darvish. It doesn’t work that way. But if somehow it does, you should have the better offense. I’d stick to your strategy.
@OneI’dWilly: 3rd tier 1st pitcher is fine
All right, enough flirting, let’s put a ring on my 6-man rotation. League is 10 team H2H w/ QS.
Locked in:
Fernandez
Lee
Shields
Which 3 would you pick from this list, under the hypothetical that the kids make the team out of spring:
Ervin Santana
Dan Haren
Zack Wheeler
Archie Bradley
Yordan Ventura
Michael Pineda
@Corey: Ervin, Haren, Wheeler
Nice write-up, Grey. I was watching the Cubs/Mariners game last night. The announcers interviewed Nick Franklin and he talked about the 2b battle. Then Brad Miller whacked a home run.
@MattH: You mean SS battle.. both are doing well in ST
@Fungazi: ha, oops. Think Cano has that wrapped up.
@MattH: I draft tomorrow night, and I am all in on Brad Miller. That dude will play somewhere in someway unless they have lost their minds……CRAP! We are talking about the Mariners, aren’t we?!?!?!
@burningbridges247: Sucks for Franklin, hopefully he gets traded. Yankees could have picked up him, but he’s not 35 yet.
Haha
@MattH: Nice… C’mon, Miller!
can I nominte a name change of LLoyd Christmas MCClendon?
@J-FOH: I’ll have Rudy draw up a poll
Keeper question. 10 team standard 5×5 keep 12. We can keep forever (no costs). We play 2 of each position, 4 OF, 1 DH and 10 P
My pitching fell apart last year (CC, Gallardo were my top 2 pitchers) so I went the youth route.
Definitely keeping:
Joey Votto
Edwin Encarnacion
Anthony Rizzo
Jose Reyes
Nolan Arenado
Matt Kemp
Giancarlo Stanton
Shin Soo Choo
Yoenis Cespedes
Michael Wacha
Tony Cingrnai
I have have the first pick and plan to take Tanaka. I also Taijuan Walker and Archie Bradley in the minor leagues.
My keeper bubble are Evan Gattis, Evereth Cabrera and Jeff Samardzjia.
I am pleased to hear any / all thoughts (except “YOUR PITCHING SUCKS” I know it does).
@Hawk: Not sure your question
@Grey:
Yeah, I shoulda been clearer.
Given what I am already keeping, should I keep Cabrera, Gattis or Samardzjia?
Samardzija
I respectfully disagreed on twitter with a very nice man who writes very good articles about real baseball that the Twins signing of Nolasco was over paying for an arm that ain’t worth it’s weight in tin. He said they got a deal, based on market value, on a top of the rotation arm. I was very confused after that response and now you have put it all together for me, in RELATIVE terms they did because everyone else they had wasn’t worthy of a rotation spot on a “normal” or “standard” rotation and probably most AAA and AA affiliates, oh and Japan, Korean and maybe even the Chinese league that Manny played in last year. I’ll be honest, I choked on my coffee and had it coming out my nose this morning on the Dudino blurb
@J-FOH: Ha, nice… I wonder if Sky retweeted that and that’s why he was suspended…
@Grey: now thats a good idea for a poll
what did sky do to get booted of twitter?
I heard he retweeted you… Let it be a lesson for everyone reading this!
@Grey: Lesson: don’t mess with Minnesota, it may appear to basically be Canada…but IT’S NOT!!!!!!
We have lakes, they have mounties… Get it together, Sky!
@Grey: I think I tweeted out my Dustin Ackley sleeper post.
I’ll tweet out the Marco Estrada sleeper post to get you back!
E S T R A D A !!!
@J-FOH:
musta been like snorting one of your vape juices .
@costaricanchata: we took nose hits once, no juice…. vape
@J-FOH: I just ordered an Atmos RX vape. they had a special buy on groupon. I have only tried vaping one other time but it was with the volcano. any comments on the pen style vapes? I regret not choosing the $5 express shipping…
@Jay: for vape’s, its magic flight or nothing.
Yeah well Lou raised the price of coke he’s been losing at the track.
@The Strolg: Coke ain’t cheap
12 team 6×6 keeper league: I have Machado at $7, Shelby at $2, and Homer at $2. I can either get one season at those prices… Or pay +$5 each year indefinitely to keep, e.g. Machado $12 this year, $17 next, $23….
Would you put the long term designation on any of those guys, or should I take the cheap season and run?
@Kobayashi Maru: Machado for $12 and Hosmer for $12
I was going to drop Skaggs for Chris Tillman but some greasy prick in my league with higher waiver priority picked him up. Who would you pick between Skaggs, ubaldo, Perez, erasmo, and gee?
@BitchesBeShoppach: I’d hold for now
I wonder if Jeff Manship hates Jonathan Pettibone as much as his counterpart, Wes Mantooth, hated Ron Burgundy? And if so, would Pettibone respond in his expected old English manner of merely saying “I said Good DAY, sir!” when the mothers inevitably enter the argument? The thing one ponders when awaiting fantasy draft day…..
@Clint: Ha… Yeah, prolly…
Grey who you got as better lotto ticket this year Javier Baez or Springer???
@ACC: Springer
Should we move Minor down our draft sheets? How much?
@Bobby J: Not yet
Grey,
Castro/whitaker lmfao! Great read today.
Quick question: What about this Ventura kid throwing 100mph and striking out six for the royals? Looks in line to be their 5th starter. I know, I know, spring training but it merits some attention, right?
@paddyman: Thanks! I ranked Ventura and wrote a post about him… I like him…
In a 12T Points Keeper league, the top 5 on the board are Choo, Abreu, Marte, Gyorko, Zobrist.
It differs from your rankings a bit, but since it’s a keeper league do you think I have those 5 in the right order?
@Kanye: I don’t have a 1b though, and have Bruce in the OF. Not sure if that changes the ranking, but I feel like I can’t pass up choo if he’s there.
@Kanye: Choo, Marte, Gyorko, Abreu
After that TedTalk, I’ve been striking the wonder woman pose for 2 mins every time, right before I walk up to a luscious cougar at the bar. My confidence is way high, but the results just aren’t there! Am I doing something wrong? Or is this just a matter of small sample size aka “keep at it son, the results will come?”
@Alky Sobrera: Keep at it, son… And don’t bother with the Ted Talks about memory…
@Grey:
Ha
14 team keeper league, keep 5 guys each year.
Down some draft picks and have Kershaw and Longoria as best keepers. Will struggle this year because my five keepers aren’t the strongest and with lack of early picks. I’m thinking of going young early and drafting guys like Machado and Profar (both of whom are on loaded teams and will not be kept) to help build a foundation for beyond this year.
Good or bad strategy? Thanks….
@win1forthe: Not great, but hard to say with this info
@win1forthe: Bad if they’re your next picks. Good if you draft them where they’re expected.
@Cram It:
Thanks for the feedback. Just something I was thinking about as the draft approaches. Young guys go early, but I don’t want to reach either. Thanks again.
This Clown just offered me Morneau, Ubaldo, J. Upton for my Bruce, Trumbo, Greg Holland. I preceded to ask him how much crack he smoke this morning :-)
@Bi-Felicia: And his reply?
@Grey: still waiting..guys like that don’t even deserve a counter offer in my opinion. $55 worth of players for $25 maybe….Thanks for posting the $ values in the top 400 That’s really helpful!
No problem…
Flores already went in NFBC!
Ha, look at that… I wrote this two days ago… Trouble with not having daily roundups in the spring…
Hey grey…so I just lost my #2 Medlen :'( before my season even starts!!
who to replace him? ervin/brandon morrow? Or go younger with someone like syndergaard/paxton?
Im thinking morrow and hope for 2012 numbers, but the AL Beast…
Ervin
I’m not sure where to ask this since the (Excel) War Room post’s comments are closed. I’m trying to refresh the rankings/projections in my just downloaded Excel War Room but it’s causing all sorts of problems when I do.
When I downloaded it just now (the “Snake Draft / Optimal Version”), I noticed that Medlen was still ranked at #133 so I figured I had to use the existing data connection to update everything, which I’ve never done before. So, with data connections enabled, I go to the “Data” tab and click the “Refresh All” and it runs a query in the background and updates it after a few seconds. Only problem is that Mike Trout disappears from the list and Miggy becomes number 1, plus the “Tot Rank” column has everyone at 0 now, only the individual Pitcher/Hitter Rank columns are working. There may be other problems that I’m not noticing at first glance as well.
Anybody know if I’m doing something wrong, or if there’s an issue with updating the sheet?
Let me ping the guy who put it together…
@A Hill O’ Beans: The player data is stored on a hidden tab called ‘Import’ I think you might have to unhide that tab and then update on there.
@Fungazi: Thanks.
So if I unhide that tab and do a refresh from there I still have the same issue. I did notice though, that the first row on that tab is “Don’t be shellfish…FacebookTwitterGoogle+”. If I delete that row then when I refresh I no longer lose Mike Trout, I guess it expects the headings to be on the first row, which they are after the delete I did.
The problem of the Total Rank being 0 still remains though (not sure about any other problems).
@A Hill O’ Beans: Stupid me. I just realized looking more closely at that “Import” tab that I can also fix the Total Rank problem by setting Trout to “1” and then just doing a Fill/Series for everyone else.
So in the end, it looks like the following fixes the update problem.
1) Unhide the “Import” tab.
2) Go to the “Import” tab and remove the first row (“Don’t be shellfish…FacebookTwitterGoogle+”).
3) Do the refresh (not refresh all) from that tab.
4) On the “Import” tab, the Total Rank has to be manually set after doing the refresh. Just set Trout to 1 and do a Fill/Series for the rest.
5) Set the “Import” tab to hidden again.
Not quite as automatic as it probably should/could be though.
@A Hill O’ Beans: You’re totally correct. You won’t need to remove the first row, the refresh all will fix that for you. All you have to do is set Trout to 1 and fill the rows down. I’m trying to see why the problem is occuring. Thank you for pointing this out
@macgyver: Yeah, I tried it without removing the first row, but then I get half of the headers moving up to the first row (up to Column R) and the rest stay where they were on the second row.
Of all the dramatic things I have ever seen! Javier Baez is standing at the second base position!
@Cbass: Ha!
what do you think of frasor as a dark house candidate to close for the Rangers? he closed a little in Toronto and had solid numbers last year
@J-FOH: I think Feliz, Soria, Sheppers would have to have their arms fall off for that to happen. Frasor was the mop up guy until later in the year last year. I doubt Warsh has a whole lot of faith in him
@mauledbypandas: yeah but nathan was there last year and there was no need for anything else because of how well everyone else threw. I ‘m just sayin it wouldn’t shock me. Last year when i threw out Hunter many thought me and OTS were a little nuts too, now he’s Baltimores closer
That’s what I get for doing a good deed. In a draft 2 weeks ago, some guy drafted Medlen and then a round later says, does anyone want him because he didn’t mean to draft him. Me being a nice guy, says sure tell me who you want on my next pick and we’ll trade after. Afterwards, it actually seemed like a good deal for me to get him in the 12th round.
Ouch… That guy must being having a good laugh though…
@Grey: I guess so.. he did take Nelson Cruz for that pick though (11 rnd).
Eh, he won’t be laughing long…
Which of these RPs would you want in a 5×5 to open the season?
Veras, Qualls, Scheppers, Santos, Brothers, Clippard, Farqhuar
I have room for 4 on my opening day roster. I’m only hoping for 2-3 to be getting saves to be competitive.
Veras, Scheppers, Santos, Clippard — too many CIWs
Trade any of these SPs for Brad Miller? (5×5 keeper)
Zimmermann, Cashner, Porcello, Kuroda, Archer
Or how about Anthony Rendon?
@Jon: That is quite a lot to give up for Miller. Out of those I would try Archer first, and then maybe Porcello? But I really like him this year. Maybe Kuroda after Archer, and hang on to Porcello.
@Dead Head: yeah, I’m feeling like any of those guys are too much, but I wanted some other opinions. Miller’s owner originally asked for Cobb so he clearly values him…
Archer or Porcello is fair for either… I like Miller more…
Hey Grey…just wondering if you have a list of team season total wins per team?
What we do is pick 3 teams each (draft style – all teams will be taken) and whoever has the most total wins for the season…
Would be great if you could help out…Thanks
I don’t… Seattle, Red Sox, Dodgers
@Bear: if I am understanding you correctly, just use the vegas over/unders for each team.
@DonSlaughtOnslaught: That’s Great! Just goggled and got got it! This site is da bomb!! Thanks guys!
6×6 H2H 10 Team Need 5 owners to fill league. Draft is Tomorrow @ 5PM
The 2 added cats. Are OPS/QS if anyone is interested. It’s just for fun, something different than the roto/RCL format. Would love for a few razzballers to join. Hope nobody gets upset that I advertised this here. Thanks, Matt
http://games.espn.go.com/flb/clubhouse?leagueId=28271&teamId=1&seasonId=2014
As of now, who are the top 3 closer handcuffs to own in terms of SAGNOF and not necessarily their skills as a pitcher?
Thanks dude.
Soria, Santos, Benoit
I have pumped myself up, possibly unreasonably, on harper for this year. I have a feeling he isnt someone you wanna miss out on with his line backer sized body combined with a potential break out year. I was wondering if first round im gonna land goldschmidt in an 8 team snake i have the 3rd 14th and 19th picks for my first three rounds. Do i reach for harper second round over an adam jones/ because of the potential ceiling ive been reading about for harper, or do i go with the safe adam jones and know what im going to get with potential on harper maybe making it all the way to the third round. Am i over hyping harper to myself thinking that with his strength and size now he could post .280 100/50/115/30 type numbers?
I’d take Jones, but can’t fault you for going Harper…
I just picked up Daniel Webb in my RCL league and dropped Heath Bell. I know you’re a Nate Jones proponent right now because you drafted him in a league, but do you like that move? I’m thinking Bell will most likely eff up his chances of being the closer if Balfour gets hurt…because he’s Heath Bell.
BTW, how about Kolten Wong…I’m liking him this year, especially now that it appears the starting job is his and Ellis is looking more in the rear view mirror with every spring training game. I know spring training doesn’t mean much (when it comes to stats) but it does mean more when you’re talking about position battles. Here’s hoping the Cards drop Ellis!
Do you have any new info about Webb being the closer that I’m not seeing? Cause as of right now, 600 players have been drafted in my NFBC and Webb is still available…
@Grey: Naw not really. Just read a roto update on him and he seems to be doing well this spring training. I think Jones and Lindstrom have been battling minor injuries. He’s more of a flyer, with good K-rate, real good stuff. He’s ascension through the minors has been compared to that of Addison Reed. I bet he gets save opportunities on Jones’ rest days. At the least, he helps the ratios and decent K’s.
He’s my sleeper saves guy (as of right now) for the season. Call me crrrrazy bo-jangles!
Gotcha…. Yeah, he’s just a flyer at this point… You’ll end up dropping him in a few…
@Grey: Though he’s probably the first person I drop if anything more enticing shows up on the waiver wire.
@Grey: Or Jones gets traded halfway through the season after he establishes himself as a good closer, then Webb takes over.
A man can dream.
Ha… You trying to reverse jinx my man Jones? I appreciate it!
@Grey: We all need some help with SAGNOF in our respective leagues. I never wish ill will towards another…unless it means I’ll get a 20 save closer out of the deal off the waiver wire :)
Ha
Hey Grey…I am in a 20 Team H2H League with some pretty savvy dudes (well in baseball knowledge…ha ha) and am looking for advise on position picks for the first few rounds. Of course this is not your ‘standard’ league so wondering when to take SP/MI? I think I am going to wait it out for Fraser/Hart at the corners til about 146/175 pics (9th and 10th rds-hope they are there) I have your Top 400 (and will use it all in this league) and I Draft 6th. So my first 4 rds are 6/35/46/65.
Am pretty sure I can get Jones at 6th. Any advice as to the positions I should try to fill next 3 rds? I know you say what to draft SP’s so does that still apply? Thanks
Haha… I’d make sure I got a SP in the Fernandez tier… Jones is fine 6th… I’d follow my pairings post from there… Corner man after Jones…. Best available bat after… Then SP… Probably how it will shake out…
@Grey: Thanks Grey…Should be fun! Much appreciated.
No problem
16 team mixed league h2h keep 12 with a 12 round snake
Keeping kershaw Chapman
Santana hosmer rendon segura beltre machado
Tavares Stanton Harper
Would you keep either
Yelich holliday or Teheran Murphy (2b)
I can flip all of my cast offs for picks in the first 5 rounds
Who do I keep who do I trade scoring is standard h2h
Teheran
I think you missed this or you don’t want to admit i have a point, either way……what do you think of frasor as a dark house candidate to close for the Rangers? he closed a little in Toronto and had solid numbers last year
Could happen… Not in my sights for drafting at this point…
@Grey: god no, maybe a deeper league that had a run on closers and you need to fill your team with what if’s. He’s on my watch list and as we all know too well. Those older dudes become more viable options for teams not in rebuild mode see 2013 – Grilli, Balfour, Rodney
@J-FOH: yeah, but there’s probably 30 guys i’d take over frasor for SAGNOF, including Farquar.
Grey: You like Brad Miller or Dee Gordon on my bench for back up MI? Would try to get both on my bench, but I don’t think I can right now. I have Utley & Hardy. 10 team, dynasty, OPS league, strikeouts count.
Miller
@Grey: Thanks. No changes then. Good day sir!
/rosterbater
Ha, no problem
Complete aside, but is anyone else having a problem with the war room? “We’re sorry…” I was deleting a team the slow way, aka removing players, and then mid-process i just decided to delete the whole team, and create a new team upon logging in. Getting that error message every time now. Not sure what the matter is. Thanks for the help, any/everyone.
Not sure, working for me… Maybe clear cookies/cache?
@Grey:
Tried in diff browser, incognito window, and all that. No go. I think I messed it up by impatiently deleting the team while it was in the process of adjusting the roster i had up by removing players (like 10 players removed at once). Will try cookies/cache, thanks.
@Grey:
Cleared everything, still a no go. Any other help would be appreciated. Otherwise I can also try creating a new user.
@Grey:
And, thanks again for the help.
@Grey:
Creating a new user (new email addy) works, but despite all my efforts, the existing user login elicits the same error message everytime. Poop. If nothing else, let this be a warning to others like me, wait for your player deletions to take effect before deleting the team impatiently, lest you be locked out.
Thanks for the help Grey.
Thanks for the tip!
Made a mistake on draft day and ended up with three 1B (Goldy, Pujols, and Hosmer) and Moore as my number 1 SP.
I’m looking to trade Hosmer for SP straight up. Who would you target straight up for Hoz?
Homer Bailey?
thanks. You guys have never disappointed with your help.
@Korey:
Anibal goes around the same spot I think as well. Really does depend on who your potential trade partners are though.
@Korey:
Anibal goes around the same spot I think as well. Really does depend on who your potential trade partners are though.
I’d aim higher than Bailey, but would settle for him…
Need the Grey opinion, 12 TM, H2H with OBP and OPS:
C – Rosario (I know Im not supposed to draft him, but he fell and I had no choice)
1B – Papi
2B – Pedroia
SS – Andrus
3B – Arenado
OF – Adam Jones
OF – Giancarlo
OF – Bautista
Util – J-Up
P – MadBum (He was being ignored, I felt bad)
P – Anibal
RP – Casey Janssen
RP – Nate Jones
P – J-Zim
P – Minor
P- Liriano
P- Gray
BN – Cingrani
BN – Buchholz
Team looks solid… Pretty shallow league though, so come down to in-season moves… I do love Nate Jones (pray he wins job)….
@Grey: haha will do! thanks for the feedback!
Drafted last night looking for a little Razzballer assessment;
League -12Teams/5X5/Roto/Head-Head/6 keepers (keep as long as we want)/Start 5OF/1 Utility/1b/2b/3b/SS/C/5 SP’s/4RP’s/No holds
My Keepers – Goldy, Harper, Braun, Stanton, Kipis and Jo-Fer
My team (after draft);
C-Ramos
1b-Goldy
2b-Kipnis
3b-Donaldson
SS-Segura
OF-Harper,Stanton,Braun,A. Gordon, Werth
Utility-Arenado or Brad Miller
SP-Jo-Fer, Cobb, Cole, Gray, Walker, Porcello, Ventura
RP-Robertson, Nate Jones, Carlos Martinez (hoping he gets the 5th spot in rotation), Qualls
Lottery Tickets – Tavares and Baez
-Owners were loading up on closers … I wasn’t willing to pay the price others were paying but looking at my RP’s obviously pretty weak there …
-Looking at my team would you start Arenado or Miller at utility?
-Overall impression?? Can you see any other areas that need to be addressed?
Thanks for taking the time … always appreciated!!
Games don’t start for a few weeks… I’d hold off on the Miller/Arenado decision for now… Team looks real solid… Your keepers were strong, and a great foundation… You didn’t screw that up with the draft…
@Grey:
Thanks appreciate the feedback … agreed planning to hold off on final decision but have Arenado pencilled in as of this moment. Pretty stoked when Segura and Donaldson fell to me with the #10 and #13 pick overall (essentially #82 and 85 overall) … pretty nice value there!! Followed your ‘draft manifesto’ and was able to nab a lot of guys you have been touting; Segura/Cobb/Cole/Miller/Arenado/the NATE Jones etc. Quick question … would you prefer Santos or Scheppers to say Qualls to fill one of my RP positions?
That’s great value, indeed…. I’d hold Qualls for right now, but that could change in a day or two…
@Grey: Just read Smokey’s closer report; he has Fields closing in Houston (not Qualls) … Fields is available .. would u prefer Fields to Qualls … I know exchanging garbage for garbage, but obviously would rather have the garbage that’s at least getting save opportunities. Situation probably to fluid to make a call, but what’s your best guess … Cheers
Neither are good… Neither have been closer… I’d go Qualls for right now…
@Grey: Agreed:) I’ll hold Qualls for now and see what transpires … thanks again
No problem
@Dr. Sauce: Looks like a solid team except for RP. Starters are pretty young, so you’ve built in some (manageable) risk there. I’d lean Arenado>Miller until they show you otherwise, but they might be more of a matchups based decision.
I’d look to trade Tavares or Baez for a quality RP if you can. While either could be a good keeper down the road, your current keepers are all fairly young (except Braun) and it’s unlikely Tavares/Baez bump them out at the end of the season, especially with guys like Segura, Donaldson, Cobb/Cole/Gray ahead of them as well. There’s also a decent shot, given your lineup, that Tavares/Baez wouldn’t play much for you when they get called up anyway.
If you can’t trade Tavares/Baez now, ride what you’ve got and watch the waiver wire/FA pool for closer options to replace Martinez/Qualls as necessary. When playoff time comes around, try to trade Tavares/Baez at that point to someone who’s out of the running and might be looking for potential over immediate quality. Remember, if they’re not playing for you, and you’re not gonna keep them at the end of the season, they’re not helping you – trade them for someone who will.
@Homer at the Bat:
Thanks for the feedback … really appreciate that. Sound advice on Baez and Tavares … problem is they need to build a bit of value before I can trade them. Or, as you have alluded to, a team needs to realize they are playing for next year and maybe give up some ‘this year’ production for some Baez/Tavares ‘rookie-nookie’. Did the same with Myers last year … traded him for David Price (needed SP and had nice depth in the OF) … worked out pretty well. Your points are well taken … thanks again. Would you prefer Scheppers and/or Santos to any of the relievers i currently own??
@Dr. Sauce: he’d say santos for saves over scheppers, but not qualls
Hey Grey, new season and now I can hit up Razzball daily again..
Need to draft a closer (10-team dynasty). Only options are Hawkins, Hunter, Qualls (I know…)
Thoughts on who to grab out of those crappy 3?
Hey, man! Hunter
As always dude, thanks for the somehow-you-find-time-to-respond response!
No problem
Livan and El Duque should have their own pitching academy on some kind of FantasyIsland churning out pitchers with crazy deliveries and 70 rated ephus pitches that can throw 140 pitches a start.
How do you feel about this trade: give Maikel Franco and Avisail Garcia, get Adam Jones, Ceaser Puello. 12 team dynasty, 1CF and 3OF. Here’s my current lineup: 1B Votto, CI C Davis, 3B Arenado, DH Longoria, CF Fowler, OF Holliday, Gordon, Brown. Franco and Garcia are both on my MiLB roster. Jones would replace Fowler in CF.
Thanks!
Ha, nice… I’d take Jones
Gray,
Was wondering if you have seen Braun play this spring and what your take is on him.
Thanks
From what I’ve heard (haven’t seen him), he looks good
im in a 12 team 6X6 h2h categories league R, HR, XBH, RBI, SB, OBP Appearances, K’S, QS, ERA, WHIP, SVHD. Which 3 should i keep Goldshmidt, longoria, bruce, pujols, scherzer, jose fernandez, or bautista? your rankings say goldie, longo, and pujuls best three. but i was thinking i shouldn’t just take corner outfielders with my first three picks. we will be able to keep 4 players next year if that affects anything. also since saves and holds is all one category and for some reason appearances is a stat, how should that affect my drafting strategies? thanks in advance for your help.
@jared: I’ll leave the keeper portion to Grey, but look here for the RP portion of your question:
https://razzball.com/bullpen-report-net-saves-holds-projections/
Smokey did a great job on net saves/holds as a category, which should pretty much cover you as well. Appearances will boost the value of MRs/setup guys, especially ones with great ratios.
Goldy, Longo, Bruce
@Grey: thanks alot guys.
No problem
do you update your top 400?
Seriously?
Great read as always Grey.
4 keepers allowed (already keeping Harper & Wainright) – which 2 remaining options do you like in this league (16 team 7×7, including Hits, OPS, Holds & QS in addition to the standard 5×5 cats):
Jose Reyes
Matt Kemp
Everth Cabrera
Aaron Hill
George Springer
Michael Wacha
Tony Cingrani
Sonny Gray
Thanks as always.
@Jason: I’d lean Reyes/Wacha or Wacha/Gray.
Despite usually favoring hitters over pitchers when selecting keepers, I don’t know that Kemp/Hill/EverCab are strong enough to win out over your pitching and Springer might be too little help this year to justify keeping him.
Also, if you’ve got time, I’d package Reyes/Pitcher or Pitcher/Pitcher for a better bat if at all possible.
Regardless, you’re probably best served by choosing bats early and often in your draft.
Kemp, Reyes
@Grey: Thanks to both of you for your thoughts, much appreciated.
No problem
Filling out the last of 4 RP slots on my roster in a weekly transaction H2H/points league – SPs who can fit into RP slot (and have good matchups) can be fairly valuable when compared with Brain Freezes or MRs. My league: W = 8 pts; QS = 5, SV = 5, Hold = 2, K = 1, IP = .5, ER = -1, BS = -2.
Who would you pick out of these options?
Joe Kelly
David Phelps
Melancon
Lord Farquaad (Seattle)
Hawkins
Hawkins
@Grey: Thanks!
No problem
im in a head to head 12 team standard yahoo league with daily lineup changes. 5×5 category. In my last couple of drafts people take closers early and often. The only way for me to get 2 closers is to over pay for them. What would you do in this scenario? Punt saves or over pay for closers? I don’t think punting saves is an option. Its yahoo so you have to start 2 RP. However I could always try to get starters with RP eligibility if I did in fact punt saves. Thanks
Pay
Hola the greyt one. If I go on your rankings printout pages can I get your dollar values for a 10 team 5×5 (OBP) league? I can choose yours but when i change it to 10 teams, I get another list of dollar values that I don’t think are yours.
Not sure what you mean? Values are either mine or Rudy’s
@Grey: I go on here and click 5x5OBP and 10 team league, are those values Ruuds then. To use your values (cos we love you the most really), what no of teams are they based on?
My $ value is 12 team… I’d use Rudy’s $ values… His rankings are just as good as mine: https://razzball.com/fantasy-baseball-rankings-review-2013/
Need advice on last keeper for a 12 team, H2H points league. $300 auction, +$5 inflation with no limit on years. High OPS hitters are good, k’s are bad for hitters. Good pitchers with lots of K’s are valuable too. Currently keeping:
Baustita $21
Choo $21
Segura $6
Hanley $33
Bailey $6
Strasburg $29
Last keeper is between $36 Max Scherzer and $6 Javy Baez. Keeping Max would be more of a “win now” move, but hard to let Baez go since he seems to have massive upside.
Please help!
Scherzer
@Grey: Thanks Senor Albright.
No problem
Hey Gray.
Keeper with OBP/TB and QS/L added. Keep 14, so almost a dynasty.
Trumbo/Kuroda for Arenado/Sonny Gray
@Bazzrall: PS I said Hey GrAy on purpose.
Ha
Gray side
Would you trade Masterson and Yordy Ventura for Bailey? Would your answer change if it was a keeper league?
I would… Nope
Good day Grey. I have a draft this weekend and have my keepers crossed off in the war room download. I downloaded three weeks ago. Is it current enough or should I download the new one and input data? Does the war room get updated when the top 400 does? Sorry for being so high maintenance!
The online War Room gets updated by me, I have no idea about the Excel one, I’m guessing it doesn’t…
H2H 5×5 espn standard keeper +$5 inflation each year
Last keeper spot?
Cespedes $14
Gray $6
Gordon $16
Thanks
Amount of teams matter, who other keepers are, etc… Gray
@Grey: 12 team.
Trout, Goldy, Puig, Fernandez, Teheran, Cobb
Gordon
Another random. Anyone been able to build a strong auction team after “splurging” on both trout and cabrera? I’m always a spread the risk kinda guy, but been exploring this strategy, and I think it’s doable…Thoughts anyone?
Feel good about your NFBC pick Lance Lynn? Struck out 10, including 8 in a row vs Braves just now. I know it’s ST, but still, pretty impressive shizz. Good to see if you’ve drafted him already.
I don’t pay attention to what veterans do in spring training…
Cold blooded Grey, you’re a better man then me. Had I drafted Lynn already I’d be pretty giddy to see that. Not saying he’s gonna strike out 300 or anything, but better then falling down and breaking an ankle while covering first.
Don’t jinx him!
It’s never too early to start looking at Oscar candidates for this year:
)
HA!
“Have you read my script? It’s King Missile’s “Detachable Penis” meets The Change-Up done as a romcom.”
“Sounds like a green light to me!”
[Grey Albright turns away from mirror and exits bathroom.]
Hey, get off my computer hard drive!
@Carnac: I’d favorite this on twitter if I could! [email protected]#$ you @support!
Oh man you’re still in twitter jail. Ima fire up the carnac twitter account and see go fav the $#*& out of some twitter bail bondmen for you.
Ha! Yeah, I don’t think they’re gonna let me out either. I might have to create a new account which is about as stupid as you can get because basically they’ve asked me to throw paper notes into an empty, bottomless well with this ’email about regaining your account’ shizz. I’ve sent 10 emails. Zero recourse. Worst. Customer Service. Ever.
Grey- you’re midseason form already. The nolasco line is great.
Who would feel more confident in drafting Beaz or Stroman?
We adding the NA spot in my league this year so if I can grab one of these guys I will.
OFf the subject (really a head shaking moment here) – we selected our keepers and when I wentin to see who was available in the layer pool I see Tulo. Then I go back and see who threw Tulo back…The surprising thing was the guy who threw him back kept Molina over him?!? WTF.
Thanks! Baez… WTF indeed
I need 6 keepers. Play in league where 330 players auctioned (10 teams). $300 budget. Categories are OBA-Runs-RBI-HR-SB and QS-SHOLDS-WHIP-K’s-K/BB. We have 2 at all positions, 5 outfielders and 2 Utils. Here is who I am considering…Goldy $28, Freeman $17, WilMyers $8, Encarnacion $20, Bogaerts $7, GerritCole $6. Should I instead save… Pujols $13, D.Ortiz $14, MtHarvey$6 (2 DL slots), Cano $35 or BryceH $32.?
Harper over Bogaerts
Aloha Grey! I keep checking the steamer projections on the rankings section of the site and noticed that they have changed since last week. Are you guys tweaking the steamer projections as well as your rankings?
Players get tweaked due to playing time, injuries, etc
@Grey
Is there a way to print out the top 400?
You can print web pages
@Grey: How do I find the internets? Is that on computers?
There’s a video about it on The Youtube
@Grey: I typed it out on a typewriter.
*clackety-clacety-clack… ding!*
Ha! For a second, I thought you meant your Tiger golf report…
@Grey: I was tapping away furiously!
Seriously, though we didn’t even have laptops back then – had to box up our work PCs and take them in the car with us. Hardly any room for the people.
Haha… That’s so early naughts!
Ok with dropping Beachy for Porcello or Alex Wood?
Sure… Porcello
@SMLV1: porcello already started 3 tiers ahead of healthy beachy. i’m guessing if you’re asking this you probably also have somebody else to drop to get wood, like Straily or Chacin.
Draft Strategy Question:
Playing in my first H2H Categories League.
12 teams, 6X6.
Hitting: R/HR/RBI/SB-CS/OBP/SLG
Pitching QS/ERA/WHIP/K/SV +HLD/K to BB
We start 3 OF, 2 UTIL, no CI or MI, 8P per day, have 5 bench players. Weekly scoring, but daily moves.
A. I remember reading that you should go for quantity over quality with SP. Does that hold in a QS league? Would you still recommend starting in the Gio tier or even later?
B. Adding HLDs makes closers even less valuable, right?
C.
D. Have 5 bench spots. Should I go all pitchers? If so, do I roll with starters or relievers? Should I have any bench bats at all or just hunt the waiver wire for ABs?
E. Would you recommend going for a balanced team or selling out on a few cats and punting others? If punting, which are easiest to punt (there is a minimum IP per week, so can’t go all relievers and punt QS and K)
thanks!!!
A) Not as much… I’d want a higher ranked SP B) Yup D) SPs and MRs E) Balanced
@Grey:
So start with the JoFer tier? Do I get one and then follow the pairings or adjust a tier up throughout?
Thanks Mr. Speedy!
Jo-Fer tier would work to start, yeah… I’d follow pairings…
Hey Grey,
Just need some quick thoughts on my 3 year keeper auction H2H league (500 cap – 12 team league) with 20% escalators….this is what I’m going in to our draft with:
Trumbo/Seguera/Rizzo/Profar/Billy Hamilton/Bogaerts & Cespedes
Jose Fernandez/S.Miller/Samardzjia/Ryu/Kluber/A.Bradley/CMart/Parnell
I have $100 spent on cap for the players above.
Do I have enough bats and SP’s to go big after Trout and Miggy (looking at spending $220 total for both players)? From there I have about 200 in cap to spend on one good SP, two closers, a 2b and 2 outfielders (and a catcher). I’d be relying on some young guys in my infield (we have MI/CI – standard 5×5 scoring). Thanks!
Amish
You do have enough to go big on big bats…
I’m in the 19th round of a 20 team draft. Oscar Tavarez? Thanks
@2 Giant rings: Baez and Franco are still available as well.
Take Baez
Sure
“Hector Sanchez could see some time at first base this season.”
Why does Bochy hate Brandon Belt? Seriously? Hector Sanchez? We’re talking about Hector Sanchez.
@ashtray: how can Bochy be so smart with with the pitching staff, and so dumb with the lineup?
Haha… He totally hates him
Should I be worried about drafting Perkins or Romo in dynasty?
Nah
If YOU were drafting in a 12T h2h most categories league.
Assume you have the #2 pick in the draft, would you trade your #23, 26 #and #50 overall pick for the #4?
Sure
Billy Burns. The story of A’s camp so far.
Last year between high-A and AA, dude had more walks than Ks (72/49). In 1150 minor league (never above AA), he has a .421 OBP. And 0 homers. Yeah, he’s a tiny fast guy – 7 SBs so far in ST (2nd behind Gordon’s 8). Gentry’s been hurt and Taylor’s out of options, but and so they are the two who should get the back-up OF spots in the end.
Anyway – like this kid. And with all the A’s season-long roster-matchupability-machinations, gotta think he’s a guy worth monocl’ing…
Definitely worth monocling, but Ezequiel Carrera lead the majors last spring in steals… Ya feel me?
@Grey: Truth.org.
But Carrera’s minor league on-base numbers (in a larger sample) weren’t nearly as good, neither…
True, true…
20-team, H2H-Points Keeper League w/$70 Cap
I need to drop a few $$ in salary which will enable me to add some needed bench depth. I also have enough power to spare giving up Soriano.
Trade Alfonso Soriano $3 & Rajai Davis $1 FOR Michael Bourn $1 & Schierholtz $1
Trade’s not good
I bet Ruben Amaro coaxes Livan out of retirement next week to fill the #5 spot in the Phillies rotation. Las Vegas then takes bets over which number will be higher this season – Livan’s WHIP or Kershaw’s ERA.
What do you think of your Tout Wars team?
What do you think of it?
@Grey: It grades out well in the war room. I’m not as high on Puig and Segura as you and Rudy are, but they should put up decent numbers.
Looks good on power. Fielder, Wieters, Puig, and Gyorko alone are good for 100+ homers. All of your starters look to have double digit power. Nice balance across the board.
Maybe a bit light on speed. Outside of Segura, you probably only have one other 20 steal player in Crisp. Puig and Hosmer should chip in some too. Maybe Garcia. Nice grab on him in the 20th, by the way.
Lots of upside arms. Don’t you have Cobb ranked above Teheran? I notice that you took Julio two rounds earlier. I’m not a fan of Cingrani, but he’s a good value in the 11th. Should be a nice source of Ks. I like the Farquhar handcuff too.
Looks solid, assuming that a few of your SPs come through. Are you happy with the results?
Yeah, I’ll have a post about it in the next week or so… I think my pitching is risky, upsidey and my outfield is wonky, but don’t hate the team… Woulnd’t be ideal, but took what came and think I should be competitive… I love my infield, obviously… I knew Cobb would be there after Teheran, so I just drafted them in reverse order…
@Grey: Surprised about your take on the Cobb/Teheran strategy. Cobb has an NFBC adp of 110.77, while Teheran’s is 121.95. Do the other ‘perts view them differently?
Yeah, outfield and pitching are the question marks. I think the pitching will be fine. You need Crisp and Hunter to stay healthy and hold off any further decline, and at least one of Rasmus, Garcia, or Dickerson to break out for that outfield to be productive though.
The infield is rock solid. Could end up with some average issues overall, but would just need to bench Uggla to resolve that issue. Finding an MI replacement in this format could be tricky though. Maybe just grab LaStella off the wire (if available) in case he supplants Uggla.
re: Cobb/Teheran, That’s just what I’ve been seeing in ‘pert drafts… Plus, this was in CBS and Teheran was the top pitcher to be drafted there, so didn’t want to risk it (while Cobb was nowhere to be seen)… It’s OBP, not average…
@Grey: Ah, ok. Uggla’s not a bad MI in an OBP league. That does explain why Avisail slipped to the 20th though…
Yeah, was gonna say Avisail isn’t as purdy there… My team’s not bad in OBP, though…From my rough estimate…
first scoring period…. B Phillips for 6 games or D Gordon for 8? Still leaning Phillips
Bit early for this, no? You going away on vacation? I don’t know if Gordon has the starting job yet, so Phillips
@Grey: Dude its either this or work for a living.
Oh, then go Phillips
Grey,
Last question for today. I was offered Verlander/Hamels for my Salazar/Tehran. Thoughts considering I already drafted pretty light on pitching. Pass right?
Pass
@Grey: let him deal with those noodle arms :-) I thought you’d say that. Thanks Buddy
Ha, yup
1st Year 12 Team Roto H2H Keeper league w/ OBP & QS Please rate my team.
12 Team H2H Cats Keeper – 5×5
R-HR-RBI-SB-OBP…K-QS-SV-ERA-WHIP
(Note: Risky Picks but when healthy great upside) (Also my HR are weak) Advice?
C- Brian McCann 89
1B – Albert Pujols 46
2B – Matt Carpenter 51
3B – Manny Machado 94
SS – Ian Desmond 22
OF – Andrew McCutchen 3
OF – Matt Kemp 56
OF – Alex Gordon 99
UTIL – Jonathan Villar 171
UTIL – Christian Yelich 195
P – Hisashi Iwakuma 142
P – CC Sabathia 147
P- Jake Peavy 190
P – John Lackey 219
SP – Adam Wainwright 27
SP – Michael Wacha 118
RP – Jonathan Papelbon 123
RP – Huston Street 166
Bench
Anthony Rendon 214
Ryan Howard 238
David Freese 243
Hector Santiago 262
I don’t love a bunch of the guys you drafted, but you know that from reading the site… Don’t think the hitting side of things is terrible, not sure what you plan on doing with the bench bats…
Better keeper to pair with Jose Fernandez in round 12…
Pence in 6th. Boegarts in 11th. Or Profar in 11th?
My head says Pence but my heart sees upside…
Love the site, always a great read!!
Thanks! Profar
Hosmer and Andrus for Pujols?
It’s fair, take Andrus and Hosmer
@Grey: If he adds Wheeler to the deal take Pujols and Wheeler?
Why? What are you trying to achieve? Need more context…
In a 10 team ESPN league with OBP and SLG in place of AVG, if I’m gifted with the first pick, I could conceivably get Trout, Harper, Longoria, Choo, and Bautista in the first 5 rounds. I know it’s kind of insane to get 4 OF like that so early, but if you’re able to get those guys in that scoring format, you kind of have to, don’t you?
Yeah, you do
What’s up with Gausman?
O’s signed Ubaldo, knocked Gausman out
Sky’s Twitter account:
Good to see you have zero followers… Twitter justice is served, now go get your shine box!
I still blame tweeting out about Dustin Ackley for that.
@Sky: LoMo reported you for not tweeting about him…Twitter Envy?
@Grey: hey thats the name of my champions league team!
Haha
@Grey: I do it so when people ask who I am I can say “go get your shinebox!”
Nice
OK cheatsheet fully drafted for tomorrows draft.
Question for you man. I am in an OBP league where I pick 7th and when I load up the OPB from the projections, the first two best players listed are Rosario and Santana. Do I take a chance passing on the Yahoo pre-ranked players and snatch both of those guys with my 1st and 2nd picks?
Otherwise I would be drafting Zimmerman, Greinke, Holliday, Ortiz, Gio, Hosmer, Mauer, Zimmermann, or Latos. Its ugly out there!
Next considering I am already rostering Tulo and Segura, and because I truly value your overall rankings, do I grab Andrus and toss him in a UT position because he is ranked such a value?
One more question, if I am drafting standard format is it best to grab best available, say two top tier OF over going OF and say 3B or 1B?
Thanks!
Maybe I’m confused… Why you wouldn’t follow our rankings once things start? I wouldn’t take Rosario and Santana… I’d want an OF and a corner man off the bat…
@Grey: I am talking about two different leagues. I am in a keeper that I am talking about drafting the two C. I have Cutch, Jones, Stras, Segura, Tulo, Chap, Gyorko, Pedi, E5 and Gray already.
Thinking I could lock up those two C and have zero catching issues this season and both are ok in OBP no? Or should I take one of the hitter available I mentioned above?
I’d take hitters I have ranked above those catchers, if there’s room on your team… Put your team in like this:
C:
C:
1B: Edwin
Etc.
@Grey: I dont follow.
My team
C –
1B –
2B – Pedi
SS – Tulo
IF – Segura
OF – Cutch
OF – Jones
OF –
OF –
UT – Gyorko
UT –
SP – Stras
SP –
SP –
SP –
RP – Chapman
RP –
P –
P –
P –
P –
Draft hasnt started yet and I have the 7th pick. Do I take hitters or pitching? I also have no 4th and 9th rd.
@Jay_0321: forgot 3B in Encarnacion
Now I can see what you need… You don’t need two catchers, you need a 1B and a SP…
@Grey: Zimmerman, Ortiz or Hosmer?
Hosmer
@Grey: Over Zimmerman who I can move to 3B and slide E5 to 1B?
Yes, over Zimmerman
Rotation is pretty thin: Salazar, Cueto, Kluber, Smyly, Leake, Skaggs, with Beachy/Hamels/Holland all huge question marks.
Which two do you like (relatively speaking) out of the following group?
Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis, Miguel Gonzalez, Dillon Gee, Jonathan Niese, Scott Feldman, Martin Perez, Zach McAllister, Jake Odorizzi, Jacob Turner, Trevor Bauer
Desperate times…thanks!
Gee and Perez… Over Beachy and Leake
@Grey: Thanks!
No problem
Who is Nolan Ranch?
Haha… Oops, typo
I already posted my team to
You but there is a change, and I want your assessment
To be honest, I couldn’t believe this guy accepted this trade
I traded my Masterson and Donaldson for his Fielder
5X5 12 Team H2H
SB RBI HR AVG. R – K WHIP ERA S W
C – Castro
1B – Fielder
2B – Gyorko
3B – Arenado
SS – Andrus
OF – McCutchen
OF – Bruce
OF – Choo
UTIL – Votto
UTIL – Miller
B – Avisail Garcia
B – Bonifacio
SP – Sale
SP – Bailey
RP – Perkins
RP – Janssen
RP – Cisek
SP – Gray
SP – Corbin
SP – Archer
SP – Griffin
SP – Tillman
Should I package Votto for a Beltre or Miggy if I can pull it off? Or maybe Choo and Bottp for Miggy/another play combo.
Thank you,
The team is much better with Fielder, it’s not close… If you can get Miggy, you get him… Votto and Choo would work for me…
Mr. Albright…
Util Spot-Hart or Middlebrooks. I have a tingle about Hart…
Really? About Hart? Then try him out… I’d lean Middlebrooks for UTIL
@Grey: Hmmmm….Really? I just see you have Hart at just over 100 in the Top 400? And Midddebrooks after that? Maybe I am misunderstanding…Is it a IB vs 3B thing? Thanks for your patience…
Hart is near 200 overall… For a UTIL spot I’d go for upside
@Grey: Thanks Grey!!
No problem
Hey Grey – I just had a draft strategy question, because I am second guessing myself.
I am in a H2H League with 5×5 categories plus Ks and OPS for hitters. The OPS seems to increase the HR hitters value exponentially, but the Ks category seems to bring them back down to earth (guys like Stanton, Bruce, Alvarez, etc who strike out a lot).
What is the best strategy to attack these categories for hitters?
I’d just follow our OPS rankings… I just wouldn’t touch guys like Alvarez at all…
@Grey: thanks Grey. So you wouldn’t really notch a hitter like Stanton or Bruce down because of their Ks?
I feel like Ks is a kind of category where you can’t really get real worked up over when drafting. What do you think?
I would more or less ignore Ks… Not get that worked up over…
Took Hosmer, back up again. Should I take SP or a bat? Zimmerman still available (no I dont love him, he’s just at 19 spots higher than Yahoo has him ranked). SP available now are Moore +39, Zimmermann -4, Masterson +80!, Beltran +28
Zimmermann
Can’t remember where I read it, but you gave advise to someone saying that you would go for the higher upside in a shallower league. Couple questions pertaining to this subject:
1) Would you play it safe with Jones or take an upside gamble with Harper or Braun in the first in a shallow 10 team league? How would you rank these three?
2) Considering all of the the reports on Braun have been positive, and if they continue to be, how high would you consider taking him?
I already know my spot in the draft and honestly its killing me.
I wouldn’t change my top 20 for a shallower league…
@bossmanjunior: @Grey: If it’s at Yahoo and depending how onto it your league is, there’s a chance you could get two of those three anyway, no?
@SteveNZ:
Very true, but im not going to take two OF in the first two rounds and I’ve already convinced myself that Im taking Encarnacion in the second with his 3B eligibility in Yahoo. So basically im expecting Jones/Braun/Harper to be there when I pick 10th and just trying to justify which is the best pick for me. Im heavily leaning towards Jones but in the chance he is gone, Im trying to decide between Braun or Harper as the better fallback option.
Prolly
If my league is 5 games for 3B elig, how soon you think Rendon gets it?
June
In a 12-team keeper, the Segura (5th round) owner is looking to get Bogaerts (15th round) and Villar (24th)from me – he’s willing to add another player, and these are the top candidates: Rajai, Gregory Polanco (21st), Pineda (20th), James Paxton (17th), Porcello (19th), Erasmo (25th).
Which two would be the fairest targets? Need arms and have Adam Jones /CarGomez/DomBrown/Werth/Castellanos as my OFs.
Thanks!
Any of the pitchers…. Erasmo, Pineda
Gray — waited until round 6 to take an SP. War Room seems to really like this team, but shows it a little light in SBs. Shortly after the draft a guy offered me Zimmermann for Salazar. Felt like I pretty much had to take that. Standard 5×5 12 team non-keeper.
See anything you’d be looking to change here? I feel good about it, but I always love my team after the draft.
Batters
Salvador Pérez KC – C
Prince Fielder Tex – 1B
Brad Miller Sea – 2B,SS
Pedro Álvarez Pit – 3B
Jean Segura Mil – SS
Ryan Braun Mil – OF
Jay Bruce Cin – OF
Leonys Martín Tex – OF
Eric Hosmer KC – 1B
Billy Butler KC – 1B
George Springer Hou – OF
Anthony Rendón Was – 2B,3B
Pitchers
Anibal Sánchez Det – SP
Mat Latos Cin – SP
Ernesto Frieri LAA – RP
Jim Henderson Mil – RP
Jordan Zimmermann Was – SP
Sonny Gray Oak – SP
Nate Jones CWS – RP
Corey Kluber Cle – SP
Tyson Ross SD – SP,RP
Marco Estrada Mil – SP
Dan Straily Oak – SP
Weird that it says you’re light on steals, looks decent to me… Actually looks a tad light on power if anything…. I like the pitching, team looks decent overall…
Would you trade Justin Upton for Tulo and Victorino?
Both injury risks. Tulo already hurt. Upton a risk too though. I’m torn. And yet it seems like a no brainer to me.
Sure
Hi Grey,
I’am in 12 team league with 2 catchers. My #1 is Carlos Santana. Just dropped Doumit to get Fields so no #2 catcher at the moment. Doumit, Ellis, Navarro, Buck, Arencibia, Iannetta and Jaso are on the waiverlist. Who to pick?
And who would you rather have as a corner for 2014? Your man of 2013 Frazier or Headley?
Thanks as always Grey!!
Frazier
@Grey:
Thanks Grey!
And the catchers?
Yo, yo, yo
If only Kemp had a cougar, am i rite?
You like this trade for me in dynasty? both RP are 4th ones for me with 9 P slots. Have Beltre and need a backup 3B. Trade would make Prado a 6th OF and Pagan 7th. Oh man sorry
My reddick/Cody Allen for Melancon/M Dominguez
Thanks!
Is this trade crazy? I have plenty of power, need speed and a closer upgrade.
I give Jay Bruce, Starlin Castro, Chris Carter, Addison Reed – I get Ian Desmond, Desmond Jennings, Kenley Jansen, Coco Crisp.
You know, yesterday during my hemorrhoidal flare up, the oddest thing occurred too me. As I observed myself, as I squatted over a mirror, I had placed on my bathroom floor, I noticed, not only did my roids appear to have a celestial pattern of the famous “stink-star” , but I also seen an uncanny resemblance of an arial view of Wrigley Field. I would of thought they would have torn that fire trap down by now. You know that place houses more rats, than the Northsider CL postings have M4M ads…………………..and who watches any garbage from TV anymore ? I mean when Gun Smoke aired its last show , honestly, what entertainment could be found ? Maude? WTF ? Next thing you know, they will wanna ban public smoking…………….”Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away”, (you know i lent that too the Fab Four, when I let them play at Wrigley, you know that right??) ……….. Ah, one, Ah, two ……………lemme Hear youooooooo !!