Across the media landscape yesterday, people who vaguely know sports were giving hot takes like, “Cleveland lost their sports hero.” “What do we hang on this LeBron sports banner now?” “All Cleveland has left is the Browns, what will they ever do?” I blame myself. People don’t know baseball like they should. That pains me. What MLB was hoping for from Judge and Giancarlo is currently going on with Francisco Lindor (2-for-4, 3 runs, 7 RBIs and his 22nd and 23rd homer, hitting .298) and Jose Ramirez (2-for-4, 15th steal, hitting .298) and people outside of Cleveland have no idea. Don’t worry, you’re not absolved of blame either. I blame you, as well. We need to shout from the rooftops at what these two are doing. They are neck-and-neck in the top five on the Player Rater. I can’t remember another time two teammates, who are hitters, were both in the top five. (If you can think of an instance, hit me up in the comments. I racked my brain, which is to say I placed my head on a video of a stripper’s rack.) Together, they are worth nearly $90! To swoop your pretty face back to the preseason, if your team added up to $260, you were at least working on even money. Combined they’re worth more than a third of a total team! Which one of them is going to end up worth more? No idea, but this will be the greatest battle since Apollo-Rocky I. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Danny Salazar – Ruled out for the season after exploratory surgery. Doctors didn’t reveal what they found with this Indian during the exploration, but, afterwards, they wrapped him in a smallpox-infested blanket, so he should be fine.
Jake Junis – 5 1/3 IP, 8 ER, ERA at 5.13. So, what you’re saying is he’s not, uh, good? Over and out!
Whit Merrifield – 1-for-4 and his 5th homer, hitting .288. He’s the best pure Royals hitter. I know, that’s like being the tallest midget. However, explain how Merrifield has 42 at-bats hitting 5th or lower. It’s a trick question, you can’t.
Shane Greene – Hit the DL with a sore shoulder. That came out of nowhere (for us; Ron Gardenhire says he’s been dealing with it for a while. Hey, if there’s one thing a Gardenhire should know it’s the Greene! C’mon, high-five me! That one was good. No? Okay. Wait, how’d we get stuck inside this parenthetical? Aw, man, I told you not to follow Waze. Oh, I see, I have to make a right.). Joe Jimenez is the closer fill-in for Greene. That will certainly be without its lumps. Psst, that was sarcasm; he blew his first save yesterday (1 IP, 1 ER).
Ryan Borucki – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 2.77. Borucki is great for the Name Game — Borucki, Borucki, bo-orucki, banana-fana fo-forucki, fee-fi-mo-morucki, Borucki! — and he was also highlighted by Prospector Ralph as a sleeper prospect, “A deceptive delivery where Borucki hides the ball behind his left leg for an extended moment, allows his lower 90’s fastball, slider, and changeup to play-up. In 2017, Borucki scrapped his curveball in favor of his slider, and started to use it on the outer-half of the plate to great results. With the improvement in his breaking ball, Borucki has a third pitch, and two true secondaries he can throw in any count. I also count to ten rather than punching Grey in his face.” Hey! Outside of AL-Only and dynasty leagues, he’s simply a matchups play for the Stream-o-Nator.
Mike Fiers – 8 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.79. Sung a’la Alicia Keys, “This pitcher is on Fiers….He’s on Fiers….Does he still think he’s pitching for the Astros? Cause he’s on Fiers…” Actually, not “a’la,” she literally sings those exact words. Don’t focus too much on how Fiers’ ERA is better than five-sixths of your staff. It’ll only make you sad.
Arodys Vizcaino – Expected back today. I’m forming a Praying Mantis with Cougs and my dog, Ted, that Vizcaino is actually healthy and not just returning.
Anibal Sanchez – 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 2.89. Feels like such a throwback. Not because he’s old, though he is, but because I can remember, and this is going to age me, when there were a number of pitchers who had inexplicably low ERAs. Member that? Way back in 2014. MLB ERA in 2014 was 3.74, now it’s 4.08. MLB, “Nothing to see here!”
Johan Camargo – 2-for-5 and his 8th homer. And when I was your age, Johans were pitchers! Humbug! Also, Camargo is hitting near-.350 in the last week, so might be a little schmotato here.
Ronald Acuna – 2-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 7th homer, hitting .274. Podcaster Ralph and I talk about Acuña on the podcast coming later today, okay, we spew love in free-form poems.
Aaron Judge – 1-for-4 and his 23rd homer, and 2nd homer in–Oh, he hits home runs every game. Not Seung-hwan.
Jonathan Loaisiga – 4 IP, 3 ER, ERA at 3.00. If you want to drop him, it’s better to not watch him, because, if you watch him, you will be overwhelmed with how sexy his pitches are.
Luis Castillo – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 6 Ks, ERA at 5.53. About what Anime Grey said in the video above? Yeah, it still stands. Castillo looked better, but it was the White Sox and Jose Abreu didn’t even play the whole game (sore ankle). So, better sign than his last 17 games started, but I’d like to see more.
Scott Schebler – 2-for-3 and his 11th homer, hitting .283. No one wants him, not even the Reds. He’s their leadoff hitter, homers and doubles, then is swapped out of the lineup. Incredible. Jim Riggleman thinks they’re in the 7th game of the World Series.
James Shields – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners (4 BBs), 3 Ks, ERA at 4.12. I Googled “Big Game James” and Google suggested every athlete whose name is James: James Worthy, James Shields, LeBron James. Someone needs to start going by Important Athletic Event Gent.
Avisail Garcia – 2-for-4 and his 5th homer. He’s now hitting near-.400 in the last week with four homers. Just drop your password in the comments, and I’ll pick him up for you. If you’re password is Grey’shairisnotthatgreat, then don’t bother.
Matt Adams – Expects to be activated on Wednesday. He hit in a sim game with no issues. How did he even play the CD-Rom?
Bryce Harper – 1-for-4 and his 21st homer, hitting .217. You know what it was a weird genie request? When Bryce Harper asked to become Adam Dunn.
Anthony Rendon – 1-for-5 and his 12th homer, hitting .291. Feels like just last week he only had seven homers. Oh, look at that, it was.
Daniel Murphy – 2-for-4 and his 1st homer, hitting .203. If you still own Murphy, I bet you could get something in a trade for him. Find the guy in your league who still talks about how he lettered in high school. Unless you are that guy, then, uh, yeah, nice calves, I don’t need to see them.
Rick Porcello – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.57. I’ve said this a few times in the past, but, really, what the hell are we gonna talk about with Porcello? He is exactly a 3.55-3.80 pitcher with neutral luck.
Mookie Betts – 1-for-4 and his 21st homer. Mookie Best!
Nathan Eovaldi – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 3.92 vs. Wei-Yin Chen – 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA at 5.55. This matchup was billed as, “The Rays vs. The Marlins, just be glad it wasn’t a suspended zero-zero tie.” I keed, about Eovaldi, at least. He has a 7.6 K/9, a K-rate that plays because his walk rate is only 1.3. K-rate is strikeout rate, by the way, not a Wheel of Fortune clue for karate.
A.J. Pollock – 0-for-4, 1 run as he was activated. Pollock said he felt as good as new, but then the camera pulled back and revealed he was looking at a gnu with a sore hamstring.
Robbie Ray – 5 IP, 6 ER, ERA at 4.89. Bad week to quit barbiturates.
Carlos Martinez – 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.20. I started both C-Mart and Ray in one league, because I am totally loco. I am wearing a chicken suit screaming, “El Pollo Loco,” that’s how loco I am. Thankfully, only Ray gave me the royal screwjob, and I’m trusting C-Mart again, which I’m sure won’t backfire.
Jedd Gyorko – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 6th homer. As someone who owns Gyorko in one deep league, let me tell you that he never plays. Matheny just has too many weapons. Not a weapon, according to Cards President Mozeliak, is definitely Dexter Fowler.
Yadier Molina – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 12th homer, hitting .272. He’s on pace for 23 homers and a .270 average, i.e., what you would’ve taken from Gary Sanchez in the worst case scenario. By the way, you need to rethink your worst case scenarios.
Gorkys Hernandez – 1-for-4 and his 11th homer. There’s no truth to the rumor the Hitter-Tron loved Gorkys yesterday because it thought Gorkys was a sex comedy about gigabytes.
Nick Kingham – 3 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 4.70, as he was recalled. I told you yesterday I grabbed Kingham, and today I say, well, I hate myself. Here’s to his next start vs. WASH. Oy. Now I subliminally want to scrub myself. Obviously, if you’re not locked into starting Kingham again, you can lose him in most mixed leagues.
Elias Diaz – 1-for-2 and his 7th homer, and 2nd homer in as many games. Elias Sports Bureau said, “No relation.”
Matt Kemp – 5-for-5, 4 runs, 4 RBIs and his 15th homer, hitting .323. 11th best OPS in the majors, 8th best batting average, 9th best SLG, and number one for DMs with Rihanna. Actually, all of that might be for the DMs.
Cody Bellinger – 2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and his 17th homer, hitting .241. Also, in this game, Joc Pederson (1-for-6) hit his 12th homer and Max Muncy (1-for-5, 3 runs) and his 18th homer, as the Dodgers scored 17 runs and pregunta’d, “Who was eliminated due to a poor record in April?”
Nate Orf – 0-for-4 as he starts over Villar, because Craig Counsell approaches common sense similarly to how he approached holding a bat. “Oh, well, that’s, uh…different.”
Robbie Grossman – 2-for-5, 4 RBIs and his 4th homer, a grand slam because Rosario beat out an infield single to keep the inning going and I own Brent Suter (5 IP, 5 ER, ERA at 4.53) and hold me please. These are not tears of joy.
Willians Astudillo – 2-for-4, hitting .455 he was called up over the weekend, and played 3rd base yesterday for the Twins, because the Twinkies just don’t feel right without a guy who looks like he enjoys Twinkies playing 3rd. Astudillo is as tall as he is wide, and swings, and hits everything. His walk rate in Triple-A? 2.7%. His strikeout rate? 4.8%. That’s hilarious in a very nerdy way. He has little power, and looks like a weeble wobble for speed, but he could hit for average. Dot dot dot. Or get sent down in a few days.
Jorge Polanco – 0-for-4 as he returned from his suspension, and Eduardo Escobar hit the bench. I saw Escobar benched for Polanco, and all I could think of was Escobar was being abused like Mary J. Blige in Not Gon’ Cry. “I was your shortstop and your secretary, working every day of the week. Was at the job when Polanco was suspended, helping this team get on its feet. Eighty games of sacrifice and you can bench me at the drop of a dime? I shoulda made you DFA Polanco’s ass a thousand times! Well, I’m not gon cry, I’m not gon cry, I’ll be here if Polanco’s hamstring tears.”
I don’t know about top 5, but C Davis and A Jones were both top 10 in 2013. Polluck and Au Shizz in 2015 were also close.
@Dirty Johnson: Good calls, not sure if they were top five either, but Pollock 20/39 and Au Shizz 33/21 must’ve been close
@Grey:
Maybe 2004 Pujols and Edmonds? 133/46/123/5/.331 and 102/42/111/8/.301, respectively.
Damn, forgot Edmonds was that good ever
Head Blogger Grey,
How’s it going? Superb recap, sir. Looking forward to the pod later.
Not to make this about me and my team, but with Hernandez (LAD) and Escobar currently manning 2B, and considering recent developments discussed a few inches above, do I need to address 2B again (cough Schoop cough)?
Immediate options are Profar, Kingery, Castro, umm… Harrison? Looking for OPS and games played, basically. Drop either Enrique or Escobar for these options or hope one starts every day and hold for now?
Welcome the thoughts of Razzball Nation as well!
Thanks.
@JakeTPE: Thanks! I’d hold for another couple of days, those options don’t jump out at me
@Grey: OK thanks Grey! They’re both starting Tuesday I see.
No problem
Does it still count if it’s not in the 21st century? How about Ken Griffeys (.285/48/134/24) and Alex Rodriguez (.285/42/111/21) in 1999?
@Rexton Rexton: I was thinking more recent, but those two were huge that year, good call!
Where’s this weeks top 100 batters list?
@Simsbad:
Eyes Wide Open
@Simsbad: Kerry is on vacation, he’ll be back this weekend (I’m told)
Excellent MJB reference although I think it will be lost on many Razzball a reader, it’s just not the type of muzak being bumped in moms’ basements ya know.
Counsel blurb also brilliant!
@Manley Ramirez: Ha, thanks!
Drop Chris Taylor for Odor in a 12 teamer? Thanks.
@Jim: Sure
Master Lothario, I picked up Avisail because Cain is injured. Obviously (obviously!) when Cain returns Garcia is out the door, UNLESS you think I should keep him over any of the following: Hosmer, Belt, Upton, OZUNA, Acuna, Shaw. League is 10×10 w/ deep rosters. Thanks!
@Phil: Avisail’s gone there
How about Avisail over Schebler or Gurriel or Conforto?
Over Conforto
Grey!!!
Great write-up! That is some record of success you’ve managed!
a. Love vulture wins and donkeycorn saves!
b. Mark Twain quote of the day for July 3
Young Man:
Old Man: Do you know chess?
Young Man: I learned it a week ago.
Old Man: Did your mind go on playing the game all night that first night?
Young Man: Don’t mention it!
Old Man: It was eagerly, unsatisfiably interested; it rioted in the combinations; you implored it to drop the game and let you get some sleep?
Young Man: Yes. It wouldn’t listen; it played right along. It wore me out and I got up haggard and wretched in the morning.
Old Man: At some time or other you have been captivated by a ridiculous rhyme-jingle?
Young Man: Indeed, yes!
“I saw Esau kissing Kate,
And she saw I saw Esau;
I saw Esau, he saw Kate,
And she saw–”
And so on. My mind went mad with joy over it. It repeated it all day and all night for a week in spite of all I could do to stop it, and it seemed to me that I must surely go crazy.
Old Man: And the new popular song?
Young Man: Oh yes! “In the Swee-eet By and By”; etc. Yes, the new popular song with the taking melody sings through one’s head day and night, asleep and awake, till one is a wreck. There is no getting the mind to let it alone.
Old Man: Yes, asleep as well as awake. The mind is quite independent. It is master. You have nothing to do with it. It is so apart from you that it can conduct its affairs, sing its songs, play its chess, weave its complex and ingeniously constructed dreams, while you sleep. It has
no use for your help, no use for your guidance, and never uses either, whether you be asleep or awake. You have imagined that you could originate a thought in your mind, and you have sincerely believed you could do it.
Young Man: Yes, I have had that idea.
Old Man: Yet you can’t originate a dream-thought for it to work out, and get it accepted?
Young Man: No.
Old Man: And you can’t dictate its procedure after it has originated a dream-thought for itself?
Young Man: No. No one can do it. Do you think the waking mind and the dream mind are the same machine?
Old Man: There is argument for it. We have wild and fantastic day-thoughts?
Things that are dream-like?
Young Man: Yes–like Mr. Wells’s man who invented a drug that made him
invisible; and like the Arabian tales of the Thousand Nights.
Old Man: And there are dreams that are rational, simple, consistent, and unfantastic?
Young Man: Yes. I have dreams that are like that. Dreams that are just like real life; dreams in which there are several persons with distinctly differentiated characters–inventions of my mind and yet strangers to me: a vulgar person; a refined one; a wise person; a fool; a cruel person; a kind and compassionate one; a quarrelsome person; a peacemaker; old persons and young; beautiful girls and homely ones. They talk in character, each preserves his own characteristics. There are vivid fights, vivid and biting insults, vivid love-passages; there are
tragedies and comedies, there are griefs that go to one’s heart, there are sayings and doings that make you laugh: indeed, the whole thing is exactly like real life.
Old Man: Your dreaming mind originates the scheme, consistently and artistically develops it, and carries the little drama creditably through–all without help or suggestion from you?
Young Man: Yes.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante Galic: A. Me too! B. Awesome!
@Grey: Grey!
In a 5X5 RCL, start Flaherty tonight at AZ versus Greinke? He’s on my bench, I don’t like either of his starts this week.
So, question #1. Start tonight?
Question #2 Start for second start later this week @SF Stratton.
Cheers,
Ante
Nah, don’t start him tonight… @SF sounds ok
A few years back Verlander was a fringe HOFer, I thinks he’s know brainer… Is C.C. Sabathia IDK Grey, or Ralph, Tehole, anyBudDy foe dat matter
@Dnut Eastwood: CC might get in due to career stats, he’s accumulated a lot of Ks and wins
Marte for Bryce Harper? straight-up?
@Bryan Turner: I’d take Bryce
@Grey: thank you
No problem
@Bryan Turner: wow
Great writeup Grey! I have Alonso and Edwin, got all excited when I saw score line. Then looked at box score and saw Lindor scored 35.5 points against me (poop emojis)
Speaking of poop emojis and dumpster fires, I benched Duffy and EFFFFLIN their last two starts (85 points).
Starting EFFFFLIN tonight (fingers crossed).
Duffy really FFFFin irritates me. Two decent starts followed by destruction has been his m.o. this season.
He got destroyed by Cleveland once. If i start him, make that twice. If i bench him, he shall redeem himself (not really).
FYI, Duffy is under contract for 2yrs in 16 team Dynasty keeper league. Can’t get ride of him. Although I was offered Tebow for him (not even going there).
Apologies to all readers who would rather jump into a dumpster fire than read my team’s SP depression
Your thoughts on EFFFFlin and Duff-umpster Fire tonight?
Thankyou for all you do.
@Hebrew Hammer: I just tried to pick up Eflin this morning, wouldn’t touch Duffy
@Grey:
Agreed. Hopeful Royals just place him on IR, then free of his contract
Yup
Would you rather own Pham or T.Shaw in H2H, 14 team league?
@Chris: Shaw if he were healthy, but I don’t think he is
hey man long time no talk I been away for a bit had a couple seizures… I told my wife I’m a seizure salad said like caesar.. I don’t know of that’s funny but I thought it was. Anyway back to it and I got a little crazy and picked up too many hitters who were hot… need to drop one of thames/avasail/odor/Herrera and I have guerero jr on my bench cuz jeeper league…
10 team ops
@Shitwolf: That sucks, man, hope you’re feeling better now…. Can lose Thames
Keeper League:
Destroying the league. Up by 29 points.
Gattis, Encarncion, Ramirez, Lindor, Turner, Suarez, Rendon, Pillar, Nimmo, Bryant, Rosario, Hicks, Smoak,
Allen, Boxberger, Bumgarner, Greinke, Gausman, Corbin, Cole, Servino, Dominguez,
Bench: Bundy, Pivetta, M. Gonzalez, Pollock,
Minors: Eloy Jimenez.
Keeper value is based on scale 10-100. Max 170 allowed to keep. Dollar amount doubles every year. I want to obtain Vlad. Jr. 10 dollar keeper. I figure offer Lindor $90 dollar keeper to help other team for 1/2 a year.
What else you recommended my cheap keepers are Bumgarner 10 dollars Corbin 10 Dollars, Cole 20. Rosario 10.
Bumgarner for Vlad Jr?
@Robert: I’d send Bum for Vlad
Hey Grey,
Received an interesting offer in my keep 7 forever league . . . thought it was an easy one, but now + with the Trade-o-nator (do we have a name for that thing?), it’s a lot tougher than I thought . . .
My $13 JDM for his $18 Altuve. I’m in 2nd place, he’s in 3rd. He has the most to gain in HR and RBI . . . I am first in SB already by a few SBs, and have just gotten another boost of speed in Acuna. I’m 4th in HR (but within reach of top). I’m also nearly last in AVG (though that’s Harper and Bellinger’s fault, not JDM’s!). We’re both very close to the guy in 1st, who is running on Gattis and Degrom insanity.
Trade analyzer says its nearly a wash (presumably for redraft) + my needs for this year seem to say “JDM” . . . but Altuve is Altuve!
What do you think? FWIW, he also has a $12 Bryant that is likely available for JDM.
Future value is important, but this year feels like a year I can really make a push. I’m in second despite being without Robbie Ray + Acuna for a while, and with Harper, Bellinger, Devers, Blackmon and Rhys (until recently) underperforming to varying extents.
Thanks!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: If you’re in first without Altuve and need to keep from getting leap frogged in power, I don’t know why you would trade JDM for him. What does he add if you’re trying to win this year?
@Cram It: *First in steal.
@Cram It: Thanks . . . yeah, exactly. Preseason, and for 2019, it’s probably Altuve easily . . . but JDM helps me way more for 2018 (and will still be a great keeper going forward), so I’ve been leaning towards declining. Just making sure I’m not crazy!
Thanks Cram.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Agree with Cram
12 team H2H mixed league. I’ve had a hole at 2b all year.
My Paxton and Haniger for his Rizzo (2b eligible). Should I accept?
@Ted: Would Paxton not be enough on his own?
@sta: I wish. Trade analyzer has this favoring the team getting rizzo ($29.40 vs. $25.30).
@Ted: Yeah, but does the other owner know that?
@Ted: I’d take Rizzo, it’s fair
First off love the read on the 1st Friday of the week, have just one question for ya….. Who would you rather have in a dynasty league Taillon or Flaherty and is it close?
Thanks Grey Have a greyt 4TH!!!!!
@pimpdaddy: Thanks! Flaherty — you too!
@pimpdaddy: It is close
Thanks for the write-up.
I’m not sure if both were top 5, but just last year Nolan (.309/37/130/3) and Blackmon (.337/37/104/14) had insane years.
@Carter: True, good call, not sure if they were top 5 either
@Carter: I was thinking about two different Rockies, Helton and Walker in 2001. Don’t think Walker would of been top 5 as hitting numbers were crazy back then but I know he hit like .350 with 30+ HR’s and 120+ RBI’s. Helton was insane that year.
Do I have these guys ranked good by eligibility?
2B-SS-MI spots: Happ, Russell, Villar, and last would be Peraza who might be the odd man out I could be trying to trade??
1B-3B-CI spots: Goldy, Bryant, Happ would be next here, too (where is he more valuable??) then Mancini, Healy, Cron
@Kruk_Ain’t_An_Athlete: MI — You can’t trade guys who are barely above droppable… Russell is last one — Healy over Mancini
12 team H2H 6×6 OPS
Drop Trumbo for A. Garcia?
@TOGMAN: Sure
Mookie and Jumbo Dong are #3 and #4! Which teammates would you rather have in fantasy and also real life? Mookie/JD or Lindor/Ramirez?
@Billy Bob: Benintendi is #9 currently too and yet the Red Sox might lose the division with 100+ wins…sigh
@Billy Bob: Damn, you’re right, Red Sox have teammates too in the top 5! Think I’d take the Indians
Great write up. In our league (5×5 standard roto) we have to start our waiver wire pick ups for at least one week. That said, is it worth it to pick up Kyle Tucker tomorrow night since he has no ETA?
@Doc Samson: How deep is this league? Prolly worth it
Would you rather be rolling with Fiers or Kyle Gibson at the moment? 12 tm h2h with QS instead of W
@prey879: Gibson
@prey879: Agree with Cram
Hey Grey, thanks for the updates! 12 team, H2H, 6X6. I’m stressed with a tough decision, Please help me out. I picked up Carpenter when Kris Bryant hit the DL, but now Bryant is coming back, who do I DROP. I have options, several elgibilities but I guess it’s down to Carp, Hernandez, Hosmer, Taylor, Santana?….Thanks Man!
1B-Carlos Santana PHI
2B-Jose Ramirez CLE
3B-Matt Carpenter STL
SS-Francisco Lindor CLE
MI-Cesar Hernandez PHI
CI-Eric Hosmer SD
OF-Mookie Betts BOS
OF-Nicholas Castellanos DET
OF-Khris Davis OAK
OF-Eddie Rosario MIN
OF-Chris Taylor LAD
UT-Anthony Rendon WA
@Happyharry: Taylor
Kent and Bonds in 2000 or 2002?
Other than that, since the 50s, maybe Bash Bros, but before the Interwebs doesn’t count.
@Bad Ash: Haha, yeah, maybe on the Giants, Kent did have some great years
@Grey: I remember those fantasy baseball years where 2B was a wasteland consisting of Jeff Kent and a bunch of tumbleweeds. Also remember when Scott Rolen was the only 3B of any note. MLB–and hence fantasy–has come a long way as far as talented depth at positions that used to be damn sparse.
All I remember is Ryan Klesko’s sideburns, I might have a hirsute problem
@Grey: Haha, I’m sure the cup he wore was a merkin.
PS: All I remember of Klesko is he (and Dykstra) always had greasy lips.
They looked like they had greasy everything
Would you trade Greinke and Grichuk/Moreland for JA Happ & one of Desmond/Markakis/Mazara?
If so, which player would you give (Grichuk or Moreland) and which player would you want back out of Desmond, Markakis, and Mazara?
@prey879: Yes, Moreland for Desmond.
@prey879: Agree with Cram
Looking to buy low on Dozier. 10 team keep forever, 6×6 roto with OPS. I’m currently playing Moncada at 2B, with DeJong on my DL, and am in second place
Dozier meanwhile is riding this guy’s bench. Who should I offer?
Moustakas
Polanco
Buxton
Any of the above?
@southside dom: Any. I’d try reverse order.
@southside dom: Agree with Cram
10 team h2h OBP limited moves (budget)
Trying to cast a wide net in an attempt to trade a hitter for a pitcher
Current offense (when healthy)
C Cervelli (DL)
1B Bellinger
2B Albies
3B Suarez
SS Correa (DL)
OF Betts
OF Hoskins
OF Acuna
UTL Carpenter
BN Gallo
BN Haniger
1) In terms of trade asset value, I’m grouping Bellinger, Hoskins, and Acuna together and Suarez, Carpenter, and Gallo together. Which hitters in particular would you be trying to deal?
2) Which of these pitchers would/wouldn’t you trade a member of the Bellinger group for: Grienke, Bauer, Bumgarner, Cole, Strasburg, Syndergaard, McCullers, Paxton, DeGrom
3) Which of these pitchers would/wouldn’t you trade a member of the Suarez group for: Weaver, Kuechel, Darvish, Ray, Hill, Buehler, Skaggs, Richards, German, Taillon
Thanks again so much!
@bossmanjunior333: 1. Carp and Gallo 2 Bauer, Bum, Noah, deGrom 3. Guess you can try Ray, I wouldn’t touch most of these guys in a ten teamer
Rules question: How does Caleb Ferguson get the save when entering a game 17-1 and pitching the last three innings?
@RICE: Ditto .. it just doesn’t make sense. Current MLB rules:
“A relief pitcher is awarded a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:
He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and
He is not the winning pitcher; and
He qualifies under one of the following conditions:
He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or
He enters the game, regardless of the score, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; or
He pitches for at least three innings. (The word “effectively” has been removed from the MLB rules.)
Under the last condition, the official scorer has some discretion as to whether or not to award a save. This is rule 10.20 of the Major League Rules.”
Maybe the official scorer was his uncle… or the Pirates decided to put their whole team in the on-deck circle.
@Eric: Thanks for the info, Eric… that is ridiculous
@Eric: Or the official scorer has Ferguson on his fantasy team?
@RICE: Yeah, what Eric said, 3-inning saves
I asked a similar question yesterday, but with Kingham sh**ing the bed, thought I would ask again. 12 team, 5×5 league with weekly lineups. Looking for pitching advice for the coming week. Please Rank:
2-start Boyd: vTex ($2.9) and @TB ($2.3) (Dokken has him 57th)
2-start Adalberto Mejia: vBAL ($1.2) and vKC ($8.4)
Kingham: vPHI ($8.7)
Zimmermann: vTEX ($1.6)
Rodon @HOU (-$2.4)
Thanks.
@Five-on-One: Non of these are safe… I guess Kingham, Zimm, Mejia
Hey Grey,
Great write-up, as always. Gardenhire-Greene joke was superb.
What are your thoughts on Brent Suter after his latest shellacking? Worth holding onto for the next couple starts (vs. ATL, @ PIT) or should I drop and stream? (12-team H2H with QS)
Also, do you think Chris Taylor is worth owning at this point? He is Yawnstipating (capital Y).. is he droppable in favor of hotter bats (don’t have anyone specific in mind as he doesn’t even have a set spot in my lineup, with his position eligibility I’ve been shuffling him between 2B, IF, OF slots)
Thanks
@Eric: Thanks! Drop Suter and Taylor
I’m looking over an offer to acquire Snell and Eaton for Bregman. I’m loaded with offense and need a SP. Don’t care about Eaton but he provides something.
H2H cat league (keep-2 players) and Snell would be eligible as a 15th round keeper next year (Bregman would be 3rd).
Thoughts?
@starz: I’d want Bregman, it’s fairish I guess
I’m so frustrated the Astros haven’t used Correa’s injury to give Bregman his 5 SS starts to preserve his eligibility in next year’s Yahoo leagues. Also, Bregman’s hit more than 25% of his career homeruns over the last 30 days.
Have a greyt 4TH INDEED!!!!
@yankee candle factory worker: Ha, thanks! You too!
Also, please rank the following hot/eh outfielders for ROS:
Puig
Avisail
Polanco
Braun
Grichuk
Kiermaier
@Five-on-One: Puig, Braun, Avisail
Any updates coming for overall dynasty/keeper rankings? Looking to make some trades coming up and I’d love some information from you guys to use. Thanks!
@Keith Holland: I think Ralph is doing a 2nd half update
@Keith Holland: from what he said it’s coming and soon that. AND it’ll be his biggest list ever.
Yahoo 12 team H2H 5×5
Bieber for Kike and Healy?
I need to clear some space for Carrasco to return from DL and need some pitching help.
Have Abreu/Rizzo and Machado/Rendon and Turner, Merrifield, Marte infield.
Thanks!
@hapcat13: Sure, it’s fair
some interesting player elig stuff
-thames hit RF in yahoo, where i NEED one of my LF guys (thames/khris/upton) to get that. big deal for OF specifcs
– raise the church might finally be allowed to start again on some halfway decent team if the trade rumors are right. this in the SAME league helps me where i have too many closers, not enough holds guys and would LOVE R. church to get back his SP like last year and i could chunk a holds guy into one of my RP/P slots. maybe one day archie bradley and much sooner hader gets the same chance. bradley wasn’t really given enough chance to fail, hader not even a chance yet. hell diaz/the sandwich prince never at MLB NEVER had that chance.
@Crapshoot Kershaw: I really hope Raisel is traded, but I also hope Hughes gets the saves
@Grey: hehehehe, that’s gotta be nfbc eye talking on that one, or NL only, or both.
Ha, yup
@Grey: oh, here’s a big one too, muncy should be getting 2B at some fairly soonish point. meaning i can keep him and andujar in a league if i don’t want to keep otani or t.anderson as a hitting keeper.
Nice!
Would you deal Folty and Jed Lowrie to get Lorenzo Cain?
@Mike Smith: Yup
Were Arenado and Blackmon ever co-Top 5’ers. Maybe last year or the year before?
Ya know, they might’ve been last year
Avisail or hold K Tucker?
Thanks
@Steve: Avisail
I assume this answer is for just this year…
Yup
Would you be hanging onto Buehler in a 12 tm H2H mixed redraft league? 5×5 categories with QS instead of Wins. He was pitching so well prior to injury/demotion.
Rest of my staff: Bauer, Greinke, Quintana, Hendricks, Pivetta, E-Rod, Bieber, Kyle Gibson, Yu Darvish (DL)
@Ricky Raindrops: Could be a late season diff maker in h2h. I’d hold unless you have need of the roster spot.
No I wouldn’t
Just got an alert that the Nats are interested in Harvey (and Iglesias). With the way Harvey has been pitching, is he worth picking up/ holding in 12-team leagues or is he still merely a streaming option?
Happy almost-holiday too!
@Dancin Homer: it was mentioned he’s a possible streamer but not for the next one.
@Dancin Homer:
I think yes
@Dancin Homer: Streamer
What’s up Grey
Drop Bauers to stash Tucker?
@bill amodeo: Sure
Sure
Who would you want for the ROS? Morton or Berrios
@NH: Morton
Yo grey!
Do you think Max Fried is even with looking at? It’s hard to ignore a guy who blanked the cards and has good run supports. Also, Hereditary was the creepiest god damn movie I’ve seen in a long time. Only thing scarier than that this week was starting Taillon and Ross in the same game.
I just grabbed him in one league… Ha! Hereditary, right? Holy crap! You listen to the podcast last week when I saw it? So scared!
@Grey:
I didn’t, but my brother did. When I told him about it he said it scared the shit out of you too. Best horror movie I’ve seen in a while.
JA Happ and Adam Eaton for Moreland, BIeber, and Darvish? Who wins and is it close?
@Johnny BRavo: Happ, it’s close I guess
8 team AL Only 5×5 standard Roto:
Give: Lindor, Khrush, Romo
Get: Trout, Andrelton
Thoughts?
@Omar: Lindor
Need a MI in an OBP lg
Ascab, Solarte or Kike? Thanks
@Jackson5:
Add Marwin to that too
@Jackson5: Asdrubal
Need to replace Shane Greene – how would you rank these:
Jimenez
Peralta
Romo
Clippard
Britton
@Mr. Rickey: Britton, Romo
About a week or so ago you rubbed your magic stache and Lindor came alive, I have about 13 hitters and 9 pitchers that can use your charms.
Closer question for our 15 team league: I can get Clippard, Will Smith among several free Giants, or Lorenzen (assuming he’s the next Reds closer after Iglesias is traded), Who do I take. By the way, my stache is amazing..had it since 1967
Adam is my partner in this league. We are comfortably in 14th
Haha, I have an entire team that could use my charms! I’d guess Hughes is Reds replacement, but it’s not 100% clear… I’d grab Clippard — Hopefully that’s 14th out of 1,000’s!
@Grey: i’m not exactly “calling it” and “owning it (over everybody else)” like somebody would round here previous to the nazi in exile east getting blown up but it looks like this might be oh’s job at TOR town.
Yeah, could be
@Grey: Our problem , of course is that Green is now on the DL and our other jerk broke his hand hitting a wall. We do have Vazquez or whatever his name is today so we only need one guy. I’s like to look into Bochey’s melon and see who he’s going to use (besides Dyson)
Haha, hoping for Smith
Deep 12 team…I need K’s, W’s, and ERA (in that order)
I can pick up:
Luis Castillo, Eovaldi, or Jordan Zimmerman….who to take??
@Hubie Brooks: Eovaldi
If Bryce Harper asked to be Adam Dunn who did Turner ask to be turned into? It’s hard to imagine at some point over the next 3 months he wouldn’t get hot, right? Wait, we still have 3 months to play? Panicing in early May when I was in 10th place in almost every category may have been a bit of an overreaction. Ha, thanks for talking us off the side of the cliff so many times!
Anyhoo, SON loves DeSclafani against the White Sox today. I took advantage of Castillo’s match up last night (still couldn’t get a W) and wonder if I’d be pushing my luck with DeSclafani today?
Thanks and Happy 4th!
I’d guess he does get hot at some point…Hopefully… I just grabbed DeSclafani, hold my hand, Thelma!
@Grey: I’m right there with you on DeSclafani.
We need a prayer hexagon
Re two top five stablemates, Mookie is at 4 and Benintendi is at 10 after a putrid April. So maybe they get there. Both on Oaktown Kids, btw.
JD is at 5 — I have Lindor, Benintendi, Haniger (top 30) and Robbie Ray and C-Mart which has killed everything
In RCL, btw
@Grey:
I really wanted Haniger but ended up not getting him anywhere. Great value.
Oaktown Kids with Betts, Benintendi and Baez on offense, Morton, Bauer and Snell pitching. I have to keep telling then they all won’t be this good.
Beginner’s luck, or Doogie Howsers of fantasy?
@Grey:
We spent a lot of time talking players in the off season. The girl did a ton of mock drafting. The did the draft basically by themselves but I gave them a framework and a little coaching. I’ve helped them a little more with in season and faab. But most of all it musta been the razztoons.
The girl would be epic on a podcast. She’s a trip.
That’s a great idea! We interview your daughter — haha, let’s make it happen!
5×5 OBP.
Trumbo, Kiermaier or K. Tucker. Pick one.
Trumbo
Start Newcombe tonight @ NYY? Stream-o-nater seems to say no. Your thoughts?
I would and be too scared to watch
Happiness is owning Lindor and JoRam in dynasty!!
You starting Fulmer @CHC (no KB) in a QS league? How about Wheeler vs TOR?
Nice! I would not start either
Jackie Bradley seems to be hitting better. He had a nice season 2 years ago. Would you cut conforto for Bradley. Obp league. Or should I hold and see if conforto can rebound in 2nd half.. I thought conforto finally was turning the corner a couple of weeks ago. Thx
Yeah, lose Conforto
I have Pollock in DL slot, the drop-able people (in my estimation) are : Y. Moncada, K. Marte, Avisail Garcia, N. Eovaldi, N. Kingham. I have the week to make a move so I can wait and see on the pitchers’ second start for the week but who would you drop to activate AJ? Thanks and Have a great holiday.
ps- who wins machado? LA or Philly?
pps-and will he sign with that winner?
Kingham
LA — will sign with the winner…
@Grey: Thanks. As a philly dude I’ll just say- that’s a bummer, man
I’m just guessing at writing on wall, maybe Phils do grab him
Yahoo 12 team H2H 5×5
Rest of season: Merrifield or C. Hernandez?
@stevie: Whit
Hey Grey! Great stuff as per the usual.
Can I get your imprimatur to drop Gio at this point? He’s killing me.
Would replace with a streamer.
Options are guys such as Estrada, Harvey, Anderson, Leake, etc. Not top of the order guys but could be useful in a matchup. Or should I stay the course and hope he figures it out in the second half?
All the best to you and yours this Fourth as well.
I’d drop Gio, those are streamers tho, thanks, you too!
Follow up to question above re: Give Lindor, Khrush, Romo for Trout, Andrelton.
Left out some info that is probably pertinent to the discussion. This is the last year I can own Lindor, but I’d be able to roster Trout thru 2019. Still Lindor?
The other scenario is that if a trade is not done, both players go back into the draft pool for next year, where if selected, they could be kept thru 2019. So I’d basically have a 1 in 4 chance of grabbing one of them for a 2 year stretch, which is enticing.
Thanks again.
@omar:
Correction. If both go into next year’s draft, they can be kept thru 2020.
Oh, you need Trout on the squad then
I would guess Torenado and Blackmon last season would be pretty close to Top5 – other duo this year prolly Betts and JD. Cheers!
Crazy JD and Betts are top 5 right now too, two sets of teammates, insane
@Grey: Ya, definitely. Exciting to watch!
Definitely!
Would you trade Darvish, Hendricks, Bieber, and Moreland for Ian Desmond and J.A. Happ?
I asked this yesterday without Hendricks being included in the deal and you had said it wasn’t close for Happ side. Does adding Hendricks change your mind? I’m assuming it does not.
Desmond side
Kris Bryant and Rizzo 2016?
Maybe, I don’t think so tho, tbh
@Kyzr5: Yea, 2016 was well mixed. Betts, Trout, Altuve tops. Duos would be close with Arenado (.294/41/133) and Blackmon (.324/29/82)… Cano (.298/39/103) and Cruz (.287/43/105)… Bryant (.292/39/102) and Rizzo (.292/32/109)…. some great numbers tho lol
Yeah, think Rizzo might’ve been outside of top 10, but maybe not, I’m guessing
What’s up Grey?
Hope you have a great holiday tomorrow!
12 team league and I’ve got rich man problems in terms of having too many good hitters.
C – Gattis
1B – Bellinger
2B – JoRam
3B – Suarez
SS – Gleyber
OF – Trout
OF – Soto
OF – Acuna
Util – Ozuna
Bench – Myers
Bench – Xander
Bench – Haniger
I think the best play is to try to package 2 for 1 and upgrade offensively somewhere. Obviously hate having this many bench bats but am I right in assuming they’re all too good to cut in a 12 team? I didn’t have this issue until Myers and Acuna recently came off the DL
Thanks! You can’t cut them
@Grey: Fair enough. I’m gonna try to package some guys and see if I can upgrade 1B to Freddie or Goldy
Cool
I was offered Bryce Harper for Alex Bregman in a 12-man dynasty/keeper league. At first I was thinking it was a good offer, but Bregman is on fire and qualifies at SS/3B. Thoughts?
I’d take Harper, but it’s closer than it should be
Grey, great write-up as always!
I’ve got 6 OF for 4 spots- who are you no doubt starting or would any of these be matchup-based decisions.
Betts (duh always start)
Haniger
Pollock
Mazara
Acuna
Peralta
Trying to deal Peralta and Schoop for Dozier, fair or too much?
6X6 w/ OPS
Thanks!
Betts, Haniger, Pollock, Acuna… Yes, on Dozier
Sage Grey,
I’m in a 10-team 5×5 standard roto using R/HR/RBI/SB/AVG K/QS/SV/ERA/WHIP. Only 2 DL slots.
I need advice on consolidating my roster – who would you consider expendable to try and package in a trade to make room on my roster when Thor and Stras come off the DL.
I’m in 1st place overall, but the HR (2nd), RBI (2nd), AVG (2nd), K (2nd), QS (1st), SV (2nd) categories are tight between 2-3 teams.
My roster:
C Molina
1B Freeman
2B Baez
3B Arenado
SS Correa (DL)
OF Trout, Judge, Springer, Betts
UTIL Benintendi, Goldy
BENCH Pollock, Story
SP Severino, Bauer, Kluber, Pax, Berrios, Thor (DL), Stras (DL)
RP Kimbrel, Jansen, Doolittle, Allen
Correa and Paxton for a top 15 bat?
With 3 bench spots I would need to move 3 for 1. Who would be the 3rd player on my roster you would move?
You don’t need to be giving that much, why don’t you ask the team you’re trading with what they want?
Well, I got an offer of Nola for Pollock. I have Pollock for the SB he can provide. Looking at my roster above in my initial post and the type of league I’m in…do I take Nola?
Take Nola
Will do.
My roster would look like this when I trade Pollock for Nola so you don’t have to look at my initial post to answer my next question:
C Molina
1B Freeman
2B Baez
SS Story
3B Arenado
OF Trout, Betts, Springer, Judge
UTIL Benintendi, Goldy
BENCH Correa
SP Kluber, Severino, Pax, Berrios, Bauer, Nola, Thor (DL), Stras (DL)
RP Kimbrel, Allen, Jansen, Doolittle
Would you trade Correa or anyone else on my roster for Acuna or hold?
Standard, 5×5 roto – R/HR/RBI/SB/AVG K/QS/SV/ERA/WHIP
I’ll be crediting Grey Matter if I maintain my 1st place position and win this thing.
No, don’t trade for more bats you can’t fit into your team
16 team dynasty. h2h 6×6 with hits and OPS, and k/bb and QS. wasn’t expecting to contend this year but currently in 5th 6.5 games back. top 6 make playoffs.
roster is C-flowers, 1b-encarnacion, 2b – eduardo escobar, ss-xander, 3b-machado, of-mazara, then I rotate the following for the other 2 OF spots (span, brinson, polanco, thames, para), util-aguilar, then i rotate between the aforementioned OFs for my other UTIL spot, BN-culberson, wilmer flores, munoz
SP-sale, pivetta, loaisiga, domingo german, morton, alcantara, bassitt, covey, caleb smith, buehler, tropeano, cahill. RP-peacock, hector rondon, greene, seranthony, kela, chad green, dyson, strickland, will smith.
My minors roster is pretty loaded-tatis, adell, trammell, yordan, will benson, rodgers, corey ray, wander javier, kyle lewis, lutz, jojo romero, graterol, allard, kaprelian.
was offered bryant and heaney for my buehler, tatis, adell, and trammell but i talked him down to bryant for tatis, trammell, and one of buehler or adell. adell is shooting up prospect lists but my pitching obv ain’t great. buehler probably going to get shut down for IPs before playoffs however. if you’d do the deal at all, would you rather include buehler or adell?
thanks grey
I’d include Adell and take Bryant
Can’t wait for that mid-season top prospect list. Woooo.
In a 6 X 6 OPS dynasty league, 10 team, would you rather have Trea or Harper?
Harper due to OPS
rank ROS:
Candelario
Michael A Taylor
Dustin Fowler
Andujar
Andujar, Jeimer
Sup Grey! Hope you enjoy your 4th of July!
Need some help here fellow razzballers..
So I’m currently in 3rd place (H2H 12 teams) despite building what feels like an amazing team
Hitting (HR, RBI, SB, OBP, SLG)
C- Murphy
1- Freeman
2- C Taylor
3- Rendon
SS- Lindor
OF- Betts, K Davis, Benintendi
UTL- Aguilar
UTL- Hoskins
Bench- Acuna, kike, Conforto
Pitching (QS, ERA, WHIP, K/9, S+H)
SP- Bauer, Nola, Snell, Corbin, Clevinger
RP- Hader, Peacock, Rondon, Yates, J Hicks
DL- Archer, A Miller
So a few questions for y’all:
1) We have daily lineups so having to decide to bench one of Aguilar, acuna or Hoskins each night is frustrating as hell, should I be looking to trade one of them? Our deadline is at the end of July
2) If so, what caliber of 2B or RP do you think I should target? The categories I’m lagging in are S+H and RBI
3) I liked the B side of Drake’s new album better than the A side, your thoughts?
1. Sure, trade if you can… 2. Scooter for Aguilar? Scooter and Knebel?
3. I didn’t like either side, but I will try it again
@Grey: thanks I’ll try out some of those offers.
Was it better than Ye or Kids see Ghosts for you?
Not better, and I didn’t love those either
@Grey: #3 – you nailed it Grey, don’t even bother. The guy made two sides of moaning and moping that sounds worse than barnyard animals being put down.
Haha
Which group would you prefer in a 10 team H2H keeper…Bryant/Baez/Bellinger/Verlander or Machado/Bregman/Nola? Thanks!
Bryant
Can you rank the following for ROS: Polanco, Grichuk, Kiermaier.?
Polanco, Kiermaier, depends on needs
Hey Grey!
There are rumors that the Nats are trying to acquire Raisel Iglesias and they want to make him a starter. Should I try to move him now in a deep dynasty league? He’s under team control til 2020, so if this happens I’d think his value goes into the crapper, yeah? Or hold and pray he gets sent somewhere that he can close? Thanks man!
He could be okay as a starter, there’s only a remote chance any of this happens anyway
currently rolling with escobar, muncy & scooter in the infield. since polanco is back from his suspension, you think escobar loses enough PT to support moving on in my SS slot? options are polanco, peraza, camargo, russell.
thanks as always!
I’d go with Peraza
thanks Grey! appears I’ll be rolling with three reds in my lineup for now – votto, scooter & peraza.
Sounds fine
For now at least, this isn’t permanent
12 team dynasty with OPS, K’s against the batters added, QS, K/9 for pitchers. h2h. auction prices on 3 year cycles, anybody added from FA is 10 in year 1. budget goes up like 10% a year and is around 335 now. predraft you can keep up to 18 players and up to 75% or so (251)
C uh oh
1B freeman (3B, traded an extremely expensive kershaw for freeman/hand/kopech, 31 year 3, but i absolutely match his increased bid)
2B moncada (1, year 2)
SS solarte party (2B/3B FA)
3B rendon (26, year 2)
RF stanton (LF 35 year 2, and i was going to go to like 51 last year)
LF brantley (FA)
CF heyward (RF, FA)
util k.davis (LF 1 year 3)
util schwarber (LF 1, year 1)
BN kingery (2B/SS/3B soon to be LF/RF, 10, year 1)
BN taylor (CF FA, about to be dropped, he’s been benched 4 days in a row
BN kraken (1, year 3)
DL ceager (1, year 3, probably won’t pay his next year bid up price)
DL buxton (CF, 1, year 3)
NA (up to 10, prospects don’t start year 1 till they get a decent amount of at bats in a given year): o’neill (FA), willie (LF, 10), robles (10), florial (6), j.sanchez (10), riley (FA), y.alvarez (FA), mountcastle (FA)
SP morton (5, year 1), nola (22, year 1), weaver (10, year 2), wood (10, year 2), hendricks (1, 3), f.peralta (FA), musgrove (FA), maeda (FA)
RP (room for 5) treinen (7, year 1), chapman (29, year 3, i WON’T be paying his bid up price), hand (10 year 2), norris (FA),
DL (5 max), otani (pitcher only, 26, year 1), wacha (5, year 1), reyes (10, year 1),
NA: kopech (1), allard (FA)
i’ll assume buxton goes in taylor’s slot when he comes back, but pham just got dropped. his price is 10 year 2, BUT IF somebody is FAAB’d for more than 10 that’s his new price going forward. i have 74/100 left and here’s some other this year bids:
mazouza (21)
happ SP (4, 2nd place 3)
musgove (3, me)
sunday santana (10, in early april)
morrow (25, i was 2nd with 12)
j.montgomery (NYY media bias, 20)
mikolas (6)
brantley (5, me)
kela (7)
strickland (5)
parker (5)
greene (8)
worth dropping heyward for pham to play CF here (his eye condition might be acting up again for the last 5 or so weeks, i watch a lot of his at bats, he hasn’t seen the ball well from the looks of it for a while) and how much?
@Sinkhole Demayo: no penalty for dropping a player at any time, so even if say pham went for 42 i wouldn’t have to keep him at all, certainly not at that crazy price.
Yeah, drop Heyward for Pham — Guess like $26
Would you drop Choo for Avisail? Choo is gimpy again.
Nah
Not yet at least
@Grey: Avisail has not taken a single walk this year so far. WTF? 122 PAs. .287 OBP. T
HA
Soto/Morrow for Marte? 12TMixed H2H, Could use some swipes, would have Kela/Barraclough/Familia left for closers. Thanks Grey!
Soto side, it’s fair
I picked up Odor. Crazy that I drafted him in the 7th round and dropped him awhile ago. If he goes back to shit I might for real quit this game. My hitters are sucking and I only have like 28 hitting points whereas I went late in pitching and have 50ish. Good enough to hover in 3/4th.
How are your teams doing this year?
Some teams are doing better than others… In first in 2 leagues, waivering between 2nd and 3rd in two leagues, in 4th in another league… Robbie Ray and Kingham killed me yesterday
@Grey: I picked up Kingham too but only after lineups locked haha. I am holding onto him though. Sit Fulmer today right (CHC)?
Any plans for the 4th?
Yeah, sit — We’re in Palm Springs until the 8th, then back to LA… So just chilling, watching baseball, uze… You?
@Grey: Having a neighborhood party at our house. We put a pool in so now we have to entertain everyone.
Does anyone/everyone in LA have pools? You live in a single family house or condo? I keep imagining a condo type place with dog shit in every room and misplaced eye glass cleaner on the counters.
We went to Palm Springs last year. That is some real desert shit there son. We stayed at some big hotel/resort with a great pool. There was not much else to do there. It must be hotter than my anus there right now.
Link me to your favorite boba treat. I am curious.
We’re in a condo, but we’re selling… IN Palm Springs, we’re in a house (her parents’) with a pool, but I can’t go in, it’s 115 degrees out… Which hotel did you go to? I like any boba from Coco
@Grey: wow you are buying a house? Where are you moving? Coming back to me on the East Coast? Ya, fuck Hollywood. But Cougs works for CBS or some shit right? Damn. Where will you move? Is LA crazy expensive? You must be Jewish right (based on all the jokes). Like, I am brown. Canadian born Pakistani roots. And I can make fun of fucking anyone from any race. Cuz I am allowed to. It’s like reverse racial privilege son. You can really only make Jewish jokes. Womp Womp.
P.S. fuk u willy mo
LA is crazy expensive, but we own in LA so that gives us some cushion to buy in LA… Sell one to buy other, yadda…. Haha, I can make Italian jokes too, I’m a pizza bagel… Womp womp
@Grey: Renaissance Indian Wells is where we stayed.
Same in Boston, you just keep using your equity to make 20% down on a new mortgage and keep moving up!
Sweet, Indians Wells is nice, did you discount because of your ethnicity? See, I can make all dem jokes! Yeah, glad Cougs owns her condo, otherwise I’d be renting for my whole life
I know you have been saying to sell Lester for a while now. Who would you prefer to pair with Lester in an offer for Bauer…Flaherty, Newcomb or Skaggs?
Please rank which guys you would offer first with Lester in case I have a back and forth with the owner. Thank you very much!
Skaggs, Flaherty or Newcomb
Just to confirm…You would offer Skaggs first and then Flaherty and the Newcomb?
Thanks and have a Happy 4th!
Yup, you too!
12 team daily categories for saves and another for holds. I need to cut a reliever. Which would you cut? Hader, Yates, Cody Allen, kela, Boxberger. I also have seranthony but his sp makes him not an option to release. Thanks
@Brett: totally forgot Britton. My relievers are hader, Yates, Britton, Boxberger,kela, Allen, seranthony who would you cut? Sorry and thanks
Lose Britton
Kela
Ugh. Started Ray last night, and benched C Mart. If I could ever get out of my own way, I’d be dominating pitching.
Please rank;
Eflin vs. Bal (Cobb) 8.2
Biebs @ KC (Duffy) 7.1
Hill vs. Pit (Musgrove 23.3
I started both and it wasn’t much more pleasant… Biebs, Hill, though I like all 3
@Grey: C Mart was decent enough and got a win. Man, my delicious Yarbrough plans were ruined because he is actually starting the game against the Marlins.
I considered starting Yarbrough, but I chickened out
better save spec ROS….seung or greg holland?
thanks.
Oh
Would you drop J. Kipnis or J. Harrison for K. Marte? 12T Mixed H2H
Harrison
Hi Grey, 10 tm h2h pts for ROS: any add/drops worth doing from the lists below?
possible drops:
Olsen
Mazara
Desmond
Moustakas
possible adds:
A. Garcia
R. Acuna
J. Peraza
S.Souza
K. Tucker
could also drop 1 of these 2 SP:
Bieber
Mikolas
Big THANKS for taking the time.
Acuna over Olson
In 2000 Kent/Bonds finished #1-2 in MVP voting;
Kent – 114/33/125/12 0.334
Bonds – 129/49/106/11 0.306
Crazy to look at some of those years without context
What’s good Grey? Posted it up above, but I’m thinking Helton and Walker might have been Top-5 in 2001 although hitting #’s were goofy back then.
Todd Helton 132/49/146/7/.336
Larry Walker 107/38/123/14/.350
Anythehoo…I currently have Realmuto playing catcher and Sanchez on my DL. Thinking of offering Sanchez for Garrett Richards or a starting pitcher of that caliber/rank. Do you think that’s about right, or, am I aiming too low?
Just said similar to Fogimon… Crazy to look at some of those years without context
Gary Sanchez for Richards? No way, get a lot more or hold
going further back, in 1989 Mitchell/Clark also finished #1-2 for MVP;
Mitchell – 100/47/125/3 0.291
Clark – 104/23/111/8 0.333
Don’t think that Clark year registers top 5, but maybe
@Grey: 1989 wasn’t exactly hitters paradise, some of the others;
Yount – 101/21/103/19 .318
Sierra – 101/29/119/8 .306
Ripken – 80/21/93/3 .257
Guerrero (Pedro) – 60/17/117/2 .311
Sandberg – 101/30/76/15 .290
HoJo – 104/36/101/41 .287
McGriff – 98/36/92/7 .269
Howard Johnson probably was #1 in fantasy that year with the 36HR and 41 SBs, but I think Mitch and Clark were both top 5
True, context matters, that HoJo year is insane
@Grey: he got a motel franchise out of it, but not much else.
I think I have 10-20 of those Topps Future Prospect HoJo cards, worth all of $0.03 each now.
I definitely own HoJo cards, should’ve sold in the winter of 1989, damn!
@Grey: weekly roto. looking to swap box for a SP. clevinger a decent return or keep looking?
re: palm springs, assuming youve been to melvyns?
What’s Melvyns? Clevinger is decent, yeah
I know this may sound absurd but Because of other injuries to my team I was thinking is Starling Marte rosterable in a 5×5 league that you play h2h. I have Brantley Trout Ozuna in OF and two Utilitie spots being used by Kemp and Marte. I should get some relief when and If Thor comes off the DL. Marte is helping only in steals, Which i have won by a few steals a week. I’m holding for now but he has stunk since coming off the DL stint last when ever.
@Dnut Eastwood: Sterling Starling cmon at least I didn’t call him Don Sterling that would of been ugly
@Dnut Eastwood: Sterling Starling cmon at least I didn’t call him Don Sterling that would of been [email protected]Dnut Eastwood: 10 team league so Marte might have more upside but he has been anemic at best the last month
Not sure what you’re asking
To drop Starling Marte? I wouldn’t
@Grey: basically lost faith in Marte. But your saying hold on to him like they sang all on to the night back in the 80’s gottcha. But I tell ya Grey he is on short lease. But if I let him off the chain he probably be like a wild fire in a drought stricken prarie
@Dnut Eastwood: hold on to the night damn it auto incorrect hold onto the effing memories of Marte being good Grey. Thier getting smaller and smaller as i look in the rearview as I pull away in my 64 Implala
I hear ya, but he’s not *that* bad
I hear ya, but c’mon he’s not that bad
@Grey: little reassurance for a struggler on your squad don’t hurt. I’ll let him know you haven’t lost faith
I’m reassuring anyone who needs it
Drop Moncada for Odor?
Sounds fine in shallow league
Jabari Blash is hitting .335/.438/.773 with 23 home runs in AAA this year. What the hell. .773 Slugging?!?!?! He’s also cut his K rate to the lowest it’s been in 5 years.
Is he worth a speculative pick up? What do you think of him?
He’s been hot garbage at every cup of coffee he’s had in the majors though, so I don’t know what to make of him.
You kinda answered your own question, he’s always hot garbage, but you can try him
Against all odds I have kept Castillo…. and he’s been withering away on my bench in wait.
So now that he has ONE good start, what would he have to do in CHI on Sunday to enter back into Grey’s good graces? 6 inn 2 ER 7 k’s?
TBT, all it took was a 3 game hitting streak from Odor.
Haha, nice TBT… Castillo in CHI on Sunday, a 6 IP, 3 ER or better and I’m interested again, tentatively tho
Should I drop Junis and or wacha? For any or 2 of these guys. Eflin, f iers, sabathia, Stroman, bassist.
Both, Eflin, CC
Stick with Kingham for another turn or roll the dice on Fried against Mil on Thu – thanks!
15 team roto with QS instead of W.
I’m trying Fried
For real…watching these guys every night here in Ohio is a treat. Even my seven-year-old stops what he’s doing to watch JoRam bat. Good stuff as always sir.
Does a seven-year-old have a lot of other things to do?
lol…you’d be surprised! His Grossery Gang collection isn’t going to sort itself! it’s the new Garbage Pail Kids
Never even heard of that… Sigh…I’ve never felt so old…
haha having little kids can be a good excuse to do silly crap..like I genuinely enjoy Teen Titans Go and I am 37 years old. My wife thinks I’m DVRing it for the kids!
C’mon, it’s TTG!
ha!
drop hosmer for hicks in a 12 team league?
Nah
Great write-up Grey!
Should I be considering sending Trea to acquire Lindor in a keeper league? Trea’s been underwhelming and caught stealing more than usual lately. Is Trea a top 10 guy next year?
Enjoy the 4th tomorrow!
LG
I’d take Lindor
Happy 4th!
Hendricks has been ragged last several starts. I have a big lead in a H2H league so I can be patient with him but i also have a superb SP staff of Max, MadBum, Bauer, Morton, Wood and Hendricks.
I have Britton, Parker and Bear Claw as closers (yes, you have seen this sad sack lineup in posts before but I can’t seem to improve upon them via wire or trade). Would you send Hendricks for Knebel? Or wait until the dust settles and SAGNOF?
I’d take Knebel
@Grey:
He countered with Wood. What say you?
Wood for Knebel? Sounds fair
@Grey:
Thanks! Funny how Wood was complete garbage four starts ago. Now I think I prefer him over Kendricks…close I guess. Who do you prefer longer term between the two?
Wood
@Grey: weekly roto. need SP help. would you swap Tim Anderson straight up for any of Manaea, Price, Ray or Mikolas? which two first? thanks….
Mikolas or Ray are fair
Stassi becomes full-time catcher for at least 4-6 weeks. Him or Zunino?
Zunino
@Jack: he already had that job for almost a month a while ago, it didn’t go well then.
Can we go back to simpler times when Robbie Ray was on the DL?
Amen!
12 team, HxH league, any reason to keep Adam Eaton on my bench, could drop for Puig, Parra, or Pivetta or Wheeler?
I’d want Pivetta
As a Carl Edwards Jr owner, I’m pleased to hear his rehab is going so well.
“Edwards issued two walks, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch to force in a run.”
There’s a rumour going round that Marmol locked him in a cupboard and took his place on the mound.
Ha!
man all those years of outperforming his numbers have come home to roost on hendricks.
Totally
Between Soto, Acuna and Pollock – who provides the betters stats, including SB for the ROS?
Acuna
What line do you see Acuna putting up ROS?
Grey,
6×5 including ops, 10 team, h2h, standard one c, 1b, 2b, ss, 3b, three of, two util, two sp, two rp, four p, and six bench. Would you trade my Castellanos for his Robbie Ray? Below is my team.
c – Yadier Molina
1b – Goldscshmidt, Abreu
2b – Albies, Peraza
3b – Arenado, Castellanos
ss – Bregman
of – Trout, Judge, Pollock, Hicks, Braun, Inciarte, Puig
sp – Scherzer, Luis Castillo, Pivetta, Keuchel, Price, Weaver
p – Kela, Barraclough, Rondon
dl – Archer, Wacha
Your pitching is a mess for a 10 teamer… I guess Ray is okay, but sounds like another headache
@Grey:
I’ve been trying to roll with it week to week. Castillo was a stream yesterday, Pivetta has kinda gone down hill the last few starts, Keuchel I picked up off waivers a few weeks ago , and Weaver Archer and Wacha were drafted and just not done well. So yes, I’m def having to deal with a mess.
If not Ray what type of pitcher would you be looking to acquire for Castellanos or another one of my bats?
C-Mart? McCullers?
@Grey:
How do you rank the following? I’ll move my way from the best to the worst when trying to move a bat. Do you think Castellanos can land one of them or will I have to offer up a bigger bat?
Bauer
Morton
Snell
Lester
Eduardo Rodriguez
C-Mart
McCullers
Bauer, Morton, Snell, C-Mart, McCullers…
@Grey:
Thanks!
No problem
10 team dynasty 5×5 OBP
1) matt carp/pollock for giancarlo
2)carp/newcomb for nola
Giancarlo…Nola…1st one isn’t close
Grey,
Two questions
1) I get Ohtani back. should I drop Joc Pederson, eric Thames, Billy Hamilton or all of them to activate Ohtani and i can pick up 2 others?
2) i get Hellickson back. Is it time to cut Pivetta loose or drop CC to activate him
1. Hamilton if you don’t need SBs 2. CC
i heard gattis was placed on the dl for knee surgery and be out 4-6 weeks, yet Houston has him in the starting lineup. What is the true story?
Rotoworld reported this at 3:30 this afternoon:
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Brian McCann will require surgery on his right knee which will sideline him for 4-6 weeks.
McCann was placed on the disabled list Tuesday due to more troubles with his right knee. The surgery will take him out of the mix until somewhere around mid-August. Max Stassi will slide into the primary catcher role during his absence and is worth a pickup in two-catcher mixed fantasy leagues. Tim Federowicz was called up Tuesday to serve as the backup. It will be interesting to see if the Astros end up in the market for a catcher leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Yup
Yeah, that’s McCann
Pick up Ohtani?
@Justin Ralph: Or Gausman?
Apples/oranges — what do you need? Ohtani is a hitter
10 team dynasty 5×5 OBP
last trade question. thanks grey.
carp/newcomb for hoskins
Hoskins
Heyo Grey,
I’m trying to upgrade my pitching staff by acquiring a top 15-ish starter. I’m looking at Carrasco, McCullers, C-Mart, and Snell.
What’s your ranking of these guys? Who do you have a thing for? Which one has the best change to be the difference maker for me in a H2H playoff matchup?
Thanks as always!
Snell, C-Mart, McCullers… I’d take any of them
@Grey: Interesting, didn’t expect you to put Carrasco last. I haven’t been tracking closely with your position on Carrasco recently – what’s not to like (relatively speaking)?
He was (is) banged and velocity and Ks were down prior to injury
Lindor and Ramierez, This was before I was a fantasy bb participant, but Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds in 2001. I will check it out
@Dnut Eastwood: Or Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell in 1989 lol. Stay with the bay Mcguire and Canseco in 1988
Canseco and Madonna
@Grey: Her Va JJ probaly looked like Johnny Benchs catchers mit ugh. George Foster and Joe Morgan?
Willie McGee would still hit it
Yeah, someone mentioned Kent above
@Dnut Eastwood: 2000 but who wasn’t banging back then great question
Yeah, totally
Hey, I have a trade question for you. I am in a 12 team 6×6 (normal cats + OPS) dynasty league. I got offered Shwarber for my Teoscar Hernandez. Which side do you like here?
I’d take Schwarber
I’m as happy to set-and-forget my catcher as the next guy, but it’s probably safe to move on from Tom Murphy, right?
Yeah, can lose him
Which pitcher to stash for September playoff run?
Ryu, Buchholdz, A Sanchez, E Santana, V Velasquez
Thank you.
Ryu
Hey Grey,
a couple of quick questions.
1. would you start Heaney tonight @ Seattle in a H2H league?
2. I need to activate Pollock. Yesterday I asked you who was the drop to activate him. I was basically trying to decide which of Olson/Smoak would be the drop. Was surprised that you said Olson considering he has much better numbers so far. Just curious of your reasons why you think Olson should be the drop?
Thanks
1. Nope 2. Honestly, they’re a coin flip, if you want Olson over Smoak, far be it from me to stop you… On the Player Rater, Olson has been much better, this is true
Hey Grey
Thanks for great writes ups!!!
What do you think of this trade?
Harper/Sean Newcomb for Eddie Rosario / Robbie Ray
Thanks
Thanks! Harper
thanks for several solid pieces of advice today….this trade allergic league keeps dithering with their own ideas. so moving on to the following scenarios. thanks in advance for the help and humor!
1. Do we trust Davis in Coors down the stretch? I have an offer of his Davis for my Hendricks. My SPs are Max, MadBum, Morton, Bauer, Wood and Hendricks so I think I could do this and then backfill my last SP with Peralta. Do you think that Peralta will be solid in September? Innings restrictions concerns?
2. The other avenue to shore up saves is to just SAGNOF guys like Clippard or Romo by dropping a holds guy (Hirano or Herrera)…and keep Hendricks hoping he finds himself.
1. Sure, I’d take Davis there in a heartbeat, be happy you can get anything for Hendricks 2. Nope
@Grey:
Nice! Thanks. So to backfill Hendricks’ spot,
I can drop Herrera for Freeland, Peralta, Matz, Nova, Buchholdz, Cahill, Teheran, Guerra. Any favorites here?
Knebel is looking like he did last year this past month. He’s getting 2-3 K’s an inning. Save opps haven’t been as plentiful lately, but he’s up to 9 after today and they can come in bunches. He seems to have more upside in K’s and ratios than Cody Allen. Was wondering about trying to trade Cody Allen for Knebel. Yes or no?
Knebel – 34:9 K/BB ratio in 20.2 IP / 3.05 / 0.92 / 9 SV
Allen – 39:12 K/BB ratio in 32.1 IP / 3.62 / 1.05 / 16 SV
Trading saves for saves? I guess, seems a little crazy
Saves wasn’t on my mind. Was thinking of getting more K’s and better ratios from Knebel.
Right, but the other person’s gonna think saves… It’s fair, I’d prefer Knebel, just not an easy trade to pull off
Gonna give it a try. Knebel’s 28.6% k-bb% is niiiiiice…8% better than Allen.
Of course Shane Bieber has saved up his worst outing when I start him against the worst offense against right handed pitching in baseball. Never fails.
@Fred Garvin MP: Haha, glad it’s not just me. On paper, we looked like geniuses. Baseball’s crazy.
@GrassyKnollRedding: good starts don’t always go well, see ray yesterday
@The Harrow: Oh, don’t worry, I also started Ray.
@GrassyKnollRedding: Hey, we might get something good out of this yet. Love some tack on runs about now.
@Fred Garvin MP: You’re so right. I will happily run to the bank with that win. That’s a gift.
I know, so frustrating
Wow. Was expecting/needing a good outing from Bieber tonight. Yeah, not getting it. Crazy, but against KC’s offense (and with Moose sitting to boot!) he was my “safe” play since I was expecting a shutout. I’m sitting Flaherty, given that he’s going against Grienke and that offense with Pollock back. Now that I’m getting shellacked should I say screw it and throw Flaherty out there anyway? Or would that compound my problem?
Yeah, throw Flaherty if you can handle the compounding
@Grey: Hehe I thought about it, I can’t handle it. Guess I’m just a fraidy cat.
I would’ve chickened out too
@GrassyKnollRedding: this should be very innings dependent. if you’re in a 1800 cap he’s the easiest start there is, if like 1200 maybe not. a h2h league i’d start him nearly everywhere.
Grey,
Would you do any of these trades.
I give Greinke
I get Springer
I give Kimbrel
I get Bumgarner
Yes, either, both
Love the write up.
Can we trust Harvey’s last 3 starts as a sign he may be coming around. His fastball cloaked 95-97 again.
Please give me a good 5 year heads up before you retire. I need to to adjust to quitting the sport. Lol
Haha, I don’t trust Harvey, but velocity is up and could see if matchups were good…Which his next is not
Reds bullpen sucks balls, but it was really de Scalfani that got the whole sorry business started.
Agreed
Eddie Rosario of Springer in a standard 5×5 roto ROS?
Springer, close
J.A. Happ and Soria for Carassco, ROS?
H2H 5×5 12 team
Thanks!
@Hepcat13: How about Quintana for Happ and Soria? Thanks!
solarte party!
Sonavajoc’d.
What happened to Heaney?! He’s totally unreliable. He droppable? Showed so much promise. Like Mahle better?
Thanks
@Steve: whatever the new term for LAA home only pitcher, that’s the ticket. i liked one of the words not chosen for that.
@The Harrow: wrote that when Heaney gave up 3 in the top of the first, he settled down impressively afterwards. 1.11 Fip 1.58 xFip 10K in 7IP, I’ll take it!
Ive lost herrera as a closer and soon could lose Iglesias and britton to possible deals if what they’re saying on the interwebs is true
I’ve Sir Anthony and Wily E Peralta as my other closers
My Mazara for his Chapman?
Can then try and send Iglesias and britton for a 3rd established closer
I’ve souza to replace mazara
Thanks
Are the Rays saving Alvarado for the save?