Roto-Wan

Author: Roto-Wan

Read some of Roto-Wan's 146 posts

Roto-Wan

2019 Dark Horse Closers: The NL East

February 28, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Closers | 7 Comments

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NL West | NL Central | NL East || AL West | AL Central | AL East

As the resident save chaser, I feel it’s my duty to give you some names that you maybe don’t expect to get shots at saves this year. Bullpen’s are more volatile than the fake friendships on the Real Housewives programs my wife watches to get back at me for monopolizing the TV during the NFL season. I did this exercise last spring and Wily Peralta was in there. I almost didn’t publish it after including him, if that gives you an idea of what we’re dealing with here. I’m not talking the closer in waiting or guy that got 30 saves two seasons ago. I’m going to do my best to write a name so repulsive you consider never reading my column again. We’ll go division by division, starting with the NL East.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

The Bullpen Offseason Roundup

February 1, 2019 | 2019 Fantasy Baseball, Closers, Middle Relievers | 24 Comments

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The hot stove has been bubbling this winter, mostly thanks to Jerry Dipoto. Bullpen arms tend not to rank all that high in offseason coverage, so I cobbled together the notable moves for your reading pleasure. I know, I know, you’re thinking seriously ‘Wan, I’m not anywhere near the state of mind you need to think about the saves chase. There’s no rest for the closing wicked when it comes to the bullpen landscape, I’m afraid.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

Draft: Walker, L.A. Dodger

September 25, 2018 | DFS, Draft |

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It has been my great pleasure bringing you plays on Draft.com this season. I hope it was a profitable one for you all. If it wasn’t, don’t let the lessons learned be easily forgotten. One of the biggest lessons for me every season is that you must continually reexamine your stance on players, especially young ones. Walker Buehler is an excellent example. He had a fine season. Suddenly he’s dominating. It’s very possible he’s taken the step to ace in waiting. Treat him as such. Good luck in your final week of MLB.

New to Draft.com? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

SAGNOF Report: Ender Will Save Us

September 24, 2018 | SAGNOF | 3 Comments

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Welcome to our final SAGNOF post of the season. If ever there was a time to not give a damn about the face of your steals, it’s now. Maybe guys like Ender Inciarte that haven’t carried their weight lately finally got you some SBs. Perhaps your dart throws like Joey Wendle have found the mark. If you’re still reading the SAGNOF Report this late in September I’ll assume you’re in connection for a top spot in your leagues. Feel good about that. Baseball is an absolute grind, in real life and in fantasy. There’s much less luck in fantasy baseball than any other sport. You earn your titles. Enjoy them.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

Closer Report: The Doctor Is In

September 21, 2018 | Closers | 2 Comments

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The past week has been an eventful one for bullpens. A whole slew of committees has emerged. Injured guys have returned. A couple challengers have even been thrown back into the muck of non-ninth inning pitching. The most notable of the returning closers was Sean Doolittle. He’s really settled in as the closer for Washington and they have been very comfortable with him there. Most of us dislike seeing the doctor and opponents of the Nationals are no different. Hopefully, you’ve received an infusion of save opps as you look to close out the 2018 season. If not, SAGNOF at will.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

Draft: Agent Jake Bauers

September 18, 2018 | DFS, Draft |

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Get in as much MLB on Draft.com as you can before the summer is gone. Football is already pulling at our attention. The weather will (hopefully) begin to cool and windows can be left open through the night. There’s nothing quite like the strong sleep brought on by cool outside air moving through your bedroom. A good DFS lineup is a close second, though. Unearthing a gem like Jake Bauers on the right night is a great rush. Here are a few more plus plays.

New to Draft.com? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

SAGNOF Report: The Royal Scam

September 17, 2018 | SAGNOF | 10 Comments

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Maybe it’s the weather. Summer’s heat is starting to break, after all. A handful of teams have been running like gangbusters lately. The Royals are one such team. They’ve taken advantage of weak pitcher/catcher combos. That’s likely to continue as teams look to squeeze a few more wins from the 2018 season. Here are some teams that are in good position to continue that trend.

  • Those running Royals are at it again. The top two base stealers the last week were Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi. You could take a stab at Alex Gordon for some steals.
  • Rumors of Shohei Ohtani’s speed from his time in Japan were hard to believe. It’s been legit. The A’s and Astros also make for a plus schedule. It’s a good thing you don’t need a functional UCL to steal bases.
  • The Rays have a pretty cushy week steals-wise, facing the Rangers and Blue Jays. Joey Wendle is probably the most actionable Ray. Wendle hasn’t been running much lately, but he had five steals in August.
  • Trea Turner and the Nats have a four game series on tap with the Mets this week. Turner will certainly get his. Adam Eaton could also make for an interesting play if he happens to be on your league’s wire.
  • Saves chase: with Trevor Hildenberger having a hard time holding onto leads this weekend Taylor Rogers figures to see some extra saves opportunities. Rogers is a lefty, so Trevor May is worth a speculative add in the event the Twins give up on Hildy.

Below is a table of the top ten catchers to run on…

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

Bullpen Report: Venters Avenue

September 14, 2018 | Closers | 13 Comments

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Teams with playoff aspirations are setting their bullpen roles for October. Guys like Johnny Venters have gained a ton of value in holds leagues. Who can you trust for high leverage roles? Let’s jump in and see.

  • With the veteran arms Oakland brought in struggling, Lou Trivino has reemerged as a daily threat to get a hold. The A’s gained faith in him through the first half. He’s back in the circle of trust with nice Ks and ratios. It helps that he pitches for a competitive team.
  • A rogue save went to Ryan Pressly when Roberto Osuna and Hector Rondon were unavailable. That illustrates the faith A.J. Hinch has in him. Pressly has as many holds (7) as anyone the last 30.
  • As a 28-year-old journeyman reliever, there were not many expectations for Richard Rodriguez coming into the season. He didn’t make the big league roster. Ray Searage saw something and turned Rodriguez into his latest reclamation project. To quote Searage on Rodriguez even demeanor, “Maybe because he’s been punched in the face so many times that he says, ‘What the hell, what do I have to lose?’” He certainly hasn’t lost the strike zone with a double-digit K/9 this season, 18 K/9 the last 14 days. When in doubt, bet on a Searage project.
  • Brad Ziegler has thrown his name into the HAGNOF circle. With the Diamondbacks having ninth-inning issues, he could be a SAGNOF candidate soon, too.
  • Apparently, the Braves also acquired a time machine in addition to Johnny Venters. He’s slotted right back into his old role in the Atlanta pen and chalking up holds at a stellar rate. You won’t get many Ks from him these days, but the ratios don’t hurt.
  • Your weekly update on the Cleveland closer see-saw is that Allen got a couple saves this week. I still think he’s more likely to see a hold than save, but it’s a coin flip.

Below you’ll find notable SVH performers…

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

Draft: It’s Never Sunny In Philadelphia

September 11, 2018 | DFS, Draft |

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Did your NFL week 1 go sideways on you? Come back to baseball on Draft.com, where stats are your friend. Maybe you had a great weekend of football; get some of that newly minted coin into play. Guys like Paul Goldschmidt have juicy match-ups today. Be cautious with Chris Sale, who has a two-inning limit.

New to Draft.com? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Roto-Wan

SAGNOF Report: Magneuris P.I.

September 10, 2018 | SAGNOF, Steals | 5 Comments

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Did you know they’re remaking Magnum P.I. with the title character sans mustache? That’s some bunk, right there. Unlike that fake, Magneuris Sierra could be a real deal smooth operator. Steal a couple roto points these last few weeks by employing a heavy speed approach. Base swipers like Sierra are popping up with September call-ups and certain teams throwing in the towel. Keep grinding speed chasers.