(NOTE: THIS POST WAS RELEASED EARLY THIS WEEK ON OUR PATREON. IT’S $10/MONTH OR $13/MONTH WITH AN EXTRA WEEKLY PODCAST.)
“Listen, I want you to go out there and treat each game like it might be your last,” Bud Black paused, as he addressed Garrett Hampson. Then, thoughtfully, he continued, “Because even if we don’t bring back Trevor Story for 2022, there’s a chance this offseason we sign the 33-year-old Elvis Andrus and I will play him over you.” Bud’s eye welled up, a slow tear trickled down as he continued, “I’d love nothing more than for us to sign Alcides Escobar too, and have a middle infield of two guys who are five years past their prime.” Bud wiped that tear, and finished, “That’s how I’d like to rebuild this team with C.J. Cron, Charlie Blackmon and two middle infielders who are awful, showing you, Ryan Vilade, Hilliard and Brendan Rodgers how to play.” Remembering one more thing, Bud added, “I wonder if we can lure Brian Dozier out of retirement. He’d look great playing in front of you.” So, until 2022, when Bud Black manages, literally, to bury Hampson again, he’s been playing and hitting. Clearly, the percentages for rostering are getting “Rodgered” in the whole keister since fantasy football started, because Hampson and Brendan Rodgers are supposedly rostered in less leagues than Alec Bohm and Keston Hiura. Speaking of Rockies’ middle infielders, all three (Story, Hampson and Rodgers) have been around equally valuable on our 30-day Player Rater. So, if Rodgers or Hampson are out there, they’re worth a grab, until Andrus, Alcides and Brian Dozier are brought in. Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Keibert Ruiz – Ya know how I know I’m doing something right? All of these fantasy baseball league champion sashes I’m wearing. Also, because I’ve written ledes for just about all the guys in the buy column. Won’t just link to them — For unstints, “Already gave you my Keibert Ruiz fantasy. It was written while coming off the bench in a powderpuff football game.” Nope, that would just be lazy! Not me! Not this guy! Um, though, you can just click that link.
Bobby Dalbec – The true heads that are still following along fantasy baseball this deep into the season know the deal with Dalbec for this year, so here’s a little bonus for 2022: Prorating Dalbec out if he played every day, he would’ve been a 30-homer, .250 hitter. Not exactly challenging Vlad Jr. and Ohtani for AL MVP, but far from a complete slouch. A competent corner man in all but the shallowest of leagues. His splits do worry me, though. Not for this week, as he faces some lefties.
Yoshi Tsutsugo – This guy angers me like very few. If he did on the Dodgers what he’s now doing on the Pirates, my NL-Only Tout team might’ve went a different way. Most of you are thinking, “He was on the Dodgers?” Yes, and the Rays. More like Yoshi On Thethego.
Lewin Diaz – Truly hope Lewin Diaz doesn’t end up buried behind Jesus Aguilar next year. Maybe if Aguilar ends up needing knee — kneeding? — surgery that rehab will last into June and Lewin will already own the job. It’ll be the difference between Diaz putting the L in Lewin or the Win.
Marwin Gonzalez – From French for victory, Le Win, to an impaired victory with a marred Win. Gonzalez has been playing and hitting, and Dusty will continue to rest guys in the Astros’ lineup for the ‘offs.
Gavin Lux – Ya know, Dave Roberts has some Bud Black tendencies with playing the aged over the fresh, but I don’t call out Roberts nearly as much because the Dodgers win 100 games and their “wily” vets aren’t garbage. Getting Lux into the lineup is no Altuve–Shoot, I looked up a synonym for “small feat” and using Altuve in that sentence is confusing. Any hoo! I can see why it’s hard to find ABs for Lux, but he has been hitting.
Hunter Dozier – On this week’s podcast, I talk about how I’ve had Dozier for the last few weeks because he’s been hitting, and, if you listen real close, you might be able to hear what I’m thinking: “I’ve had Hunter Dozier for a few weeks? Mah gawd, man, you are so desperate.” Tis true!
Lane Thomas – For the third week in a row, Lane Thomas was in the running for Buy lede, but I get about two sentences into writing it and I always yawn real loud and think about who else I can highlight instead. L.T. has been hot, but he’s so boring to talk about.
Jesus Sanchez – When he was called up in June, I said to grab him in all leagues, and my love for him has only grown. About to change my name to Reverend Grey and preach Jesus’s virtues on a street corner.
Jarred Kelenic – Whatever this guy’s ADP is next year, sign me up for one round before. I cannot wait to draft him in every league.
Jose Siri – Last week I gave you my Jose Siri fantasy. It was written while trying to pump my own gas in New Jersey.
Bryan De La Cruz – Between Lewin, Jesus and De La Cruz, I’m kinda getting jazzed for the Marlins. Oh, him too. As for De La Cruz, he’s from the Astros, and he’s in that team’s mold of hit tool first, and figure out the rest of the shizz later. Meaning: Think some version of Michael Brantley. Call him Brantley De La Cruz.
Chas McCormick – Looked at my 12-team, RCL waivers to find the hottest guy available and that’s how I ended up with Chas McCormick. I wanted him over Christian Yelich. Woof on that guy. At least Cody Belanger was injured, what’s your excuse, Yelich?
Trayce Thompson – Oh, wow, what’s that you say, ‘It’s September and you’ll start anyone?’ Whoopdeedoo! That’s nothing! I’m writing a blurb for Trayce Thompson! Kinda, I have nothing to say, except he’s been hot.
Tyler Anderson – This is a Streamonator call, like the call it makes to its nearest Apple Store.
Marco Gonzales – This is also Streamonator call. “I was wondering if Siri is available? ‘For what iOS?’ No, I mean for dating.”
Collin McHugh – When a pitcher gets off the plane, after being traded to the Rays, the front office whispers in their ear the secret behind all their pitchers. Then when they’re traded away, they’re mind-wiped. Oh, you think I’m kidding? Then explain McHugh going from a 4.70 ERA to 1.30-ish ERA seemingly overnight.
Carlos Estevez – I have a family connection to Daniel Bard, and I’ve hesitated getting him on the podcast for one simply reason: My first question will be, “Why did you screw over all my fantasy teams?” Bard’s podcast interview might be shorter than with Jose Canseco, and the family connection is my wife’s. That’ll make things real awkward! Any hoo! Estevez is getting saves, so, yeah, if you’re desperate.
Aaron Ashby – In the 2nd half of the year, he has a 1.98 ERA in 27 1/3 IP, and he might see a start the final week, due to resting starters. Or come in after a starter for a bulk appearance. Brewers are the Rays of the NL by whispering secrets into their pitchers’ ear and mind-wiping them later. Though, the Marlins might have some whispers of their own, except they don’t whisper enough to their relievers. “Psst,” leaning in to whisper, “The secret to being a great pitcher is: We have a humidor that turns baseballs into lead-filled tiny medicine balls. These balls become like hacky sacks that will break your toe.”
SELL
Everyone – Stop looking for an “everyone” on your fantasy team. Everyone isn’t a person, it’s everyone. Keanu, “Whoa.” You can’t wait for some phantom hot streak that may or may not come. I’d drop everyone this final week if they’re not performing. This is also a drop for all starting pitchers on any teams that have already made the playoffs and might only see a few innings in the next week. In general, I can’t imagine any playoff-bound starter getting more than five innings. When I see Lance Lynn throwing, like, 75 pitches per start, I know we’re in uncharted territory for trying to rest starters. This uncharted territory on maps is named: Even-Dusty-Baker-Is-Pulling-Starters-After-70-Pitches-Land. It’s between the Arabian Sea and Ahalftheteamshavenocloseristan. There’s no time to wait! You need to do whatever it takes to win your league! Don’t be afraid of success! Be the hero you always dreamt yourself to be! Be a bright, shining star who is able to win a fantasy baseball league! Be the man you see when you look in the reflection of your computer screen when your fantasy team page is loading!
BAZ!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes!
My best of several teams with 9 SP today:
Kevin Gausman
Julio Urias
Alek Manoah
John Means
Shane Baz
Antonio Senzatela
Wily Peralta
Josh Rogers
Kris Bubic
49.2 IP/3 Wins/53 K/2.36/1.25
Plus a possible win from Urias.
That is smoking good!
Arenado falls, letting an infield fly fall. Runners, not understanding the rule, advance. Cards, not understanding the rule, throw to 3rd and then 2nd for an apparent double play. Umps, not understanding the rule call runners out. Edman tags Ortega, who didn’t stay on 2nd, because he was out. Umps decide only the batter is out and runners advanced safely.
It’s pretty incredible how umps’ only job is to know the rules, and they don’t seem to know the rules
Might break 7 ERA today. Gausman in Coors, Josh Rogers in Cinci, and Carrasco in Milwaukee.
I’ve got Gausman going too…Wheeee!
I was never worried.
Haha
I need to drop an OF (I have 6 who play OF only). Sanchez; Kelenic; DuVall; Springer; Luis Robert; and Yordan.
Thanks.
Yordan
Hey grey,
Looking for some streamers for next week. I know this is annoying but it IS the last week. If you could pick one from each day and maybe your top 3 overall?
Sept 29
L:Gilbert vs OAK
T.Megill vs MIA
Pineda vs DET
Mikolas vs MIA
Sept 30
Houser @STL
Cobb vs TEX
C.hernandez vs CLE
A.wood vs ARI
Plesac @KC
Oct 1
T.Anderson vs LAA(I know that he just got absolutely lit up yesterday. Think this could be a revenge game for him
Oct 2
Houck @WSH
Pineda, Hernandez, Mikolas
Surprisingly Pineda was already picked up. Can you sub in a replacement?
Gilbert
Damnit. Also I just realized that Mikolas is playing MLW and not MIA. Assuming that that changes things a bit.
I’d go Cobb
Grey,
Need last minute help for saves. Who do you prefer this week?
Kennedy 3 @ atl 3 @ miami
Barlow 4 vs cle 3 vs minn
Thanks
Barlow
Here’s my setup going to the final day, I’m up 8-2. My score on top.
Runs Hrs Rbis sb’s obp
36 14 39 6 .348
30 10 38 3 .342
Saves K’s Era Whip QS
1 71 3.88 1.26 5
4 98 4.84 1.29 3
I have mahle, carrasco and rogers, he has montgomery and marco g. I’m leaning towards benching my whole staff as I can’t catch up in k’s or saves, but then i’d open door if he gets 2 qs and flips whip rbis obp, etc and lose 5-4 so I could start mahle only, but seems like he could ice it for me but also increase odds of losing whip and potentially with a blow up put era back into play. What you think I should do w/ my pitching today?
Bench all your pitching
Thank you sir, your site the best!
No problem
Won it!
Nice!
Having messed up already by reaching the IP limit, I decided to double down and added Tyler Anderson to my lineup. 9 runs in 2 innings. Didn’t even add 1 K to my total.
On another team I was finishing up my starts and the day started with Ranger and Framber. 1 run in 15 and 2/3. Feeling pretty good. Then Ynoa and Anderson. 16 runs in 6 and 2/3. Ended with a 6.60 ERA.
That was brutal
Didn’t know that — SON had him @ 5.4 IP and 0.35 wins.
Ah gotcha
Do you have any idea why Skubal was taken out after 4 innings (1 baserunner, ~ 50 pitches). Nothing about an injury.
He’s been held to 50 pitches since August
Any idea where you’re ranking Nootbaar in 2022, or is does he just have an amazing name and no game?
Ha, it is a great name, but I can’t imagine he’s ranked much higher than 250 overall
Ranger Suarez a 4-hit shutout; faced only 28 hitters.
He really would’ve been the Cy Young if he did this last year, what a crazy 2+ months
Shoot, I blew it. I just noticed those 9 innings took me right to 1400 in RCL 5.
Oops!
Would you prefer Ynoa @ SD or Tyler Anderson @LAA?Would you start both?Thanks
Anderson
Thanks,that’s who I have but the Padres have been so bad I was thinking about going with Ynoa also now that I can drop Votto for a live body.
No problem
Sure, go with Ynoa too if you need it
Hi Blair,
I currently have Luis Urias and Odubal who is DTD for 2B. The following are available on waivers:
Tommy Lastella of Sf
Leary Garcia of CWS
Brad Miller of Phil’s
Freddy Galvis of Pitt
1. Would you pick up any of these players and waive Odubel?
2. Is their another one of the above players to grab?
3. Andrew McCutchen of phill and Yoshi Tsusugo are available. I could waive Kyle Seager to take one of these. I already have Bryant and Justin Turner to play third. What would you do?
Thanks so much!!
Martin
1. Leury 2. La Stella 3. Sure, McCutchen
Cards just turned a 3-2-5-4-2-8-6 double play.
Haha nice
Haha Bader was in it
Yeah, Bader was everywhere today. Bad baserunning by the Cubs, obviously, and the Cards didn’t make all the optimal decisions, but all the throws were good.
Yeah, hey, whatever it takes
the bums in fantasy leagues quit well before football started (esp on hiura’s ownership %’s), it’s just far more of them since late august. most of that hiura ownership was before he was sent down the first time (which was what, middle may or something)
Yeah true
Hey Grey!
First off – Thank you for your help all season and getting into the Campionship again.
Tough decisions for next week’s finals. Please help!
BENCH one:
Story (vs. WAS x 3 / @ ARI x3)
T. Anderson (@ DET / vs. CIN x 2 / vs DET x3)
Votto (vs PIT / @ CWS x 2 / @ PIT x 3)
Wander (@ HOU x 3 / @ PIT x 3)
START one:
Josh Bell (@ COL x3 / vs BOS x3)
J. Sanchez (@ NYM x 4 / vs PHI x 3)
Anderson…Jesus
Wanted to ask a few questions about keepers in a 12 team roto auction with a $300 salary cap and 8 allowed keepers. Who would be the drop among the following hitters:
Moncada at $20
Lux at $10
Rodgers at $10
Kirilloff at $10
How about the drop among these pitchers:
Flaherty at $42
Sixto at $10
Gallen at $10…may know better tonight after LAD
A Wood at $10
Finally, would you even consider Acuna at $67 as a keeper or would you throw him back and draft him again possibly? Soto may be kept at $63 and maybe Trea at $56. Most other top guys are being kept at good prices or likely being thrown back.
Thanks for your thoughts as always.
Moncada, none are great…flaherty, just redraft him if you want
Thank you. I have Tucker at $7, Robert at $16, Riley at$10, Burnes at $10, Rodon at $10, Franmil at $6, Kelenic at $10, Dansby at $4, and several more. So in good shape but want to maximize spring options and have good trade bait.
Nice, yeah, those are good options
stream which of these tomorrow, SON hates them all, but all 4 of them have been doing well for differing lengths of time.
– woodford @ CUBS (he’s been nothing but boringly good since starting and STL beats everybody for a long time now)
– j.rogers @ CIN (smallest sample size of doing well lately, would say CIN’s a bad park and they are playing for their playoff lives, but they haven’t noticed about the latter for at least a month now)
– bubic @ DET
– wily P vs KC
I’d worry about Rogers but would start the others
What you said about grabbing Kelenic one round early definitely applies to O’Neil too
Yeah love him too
Voit or Bader
Cronenworth or A Escobar
Varsho or G Sanchez
Need OPS, RBI less K
Thanks
Voit if he’s playing but Bader prolly will play more
Cronenworth
Varsho
I wish I sold everyone on my team 2 months ago…
Haha
Hey Grey,
Somehow managing to stay alive in my H2H keeper league playoffs. Looking ahead to next week, would you drop either J.SOLER or M.CHAPMAN for any of
J.SANCHEZ
A.HAYS
B.RODGERS
G.HAMPSON
K.HERNANDEZ
I should mention that I have a max of 5 moves for the week. I have 3 left for this week. May use one of a SP streamer
Not a move you have to make if you need to use the moves for SPs
Soler…Sanchez
Hi Grey,
What was I thinking about starting Jack Flaherty? I should have listened to you!
1. Would you start Flaherty next weekend at home against Chi Cubs?
2. Would you start Cortes at YS against Red Sox?
Thanks!!
Martin
1. I wouldn’t 2. I would
Thanks!
Martin
No problem
Now I’m watching Bill Burr Paper Tiger. ROFLMAO.
Haha nice!
Watching Norm MacDonald last stand-up on Netflix. Not his best, but still great!
Nice will watch at some point
Chas or Jose?
Wonderful expose on Bud Black, bee tee dubs. Now that’s journalism!
Chas — ha, thanks!
Hi Grey,
thanks again for your dedication! Very impressive!
The following pitchers are on the waiver list:
1. Aaron Nola of the Phils/his last start is at Atlanta. He is in a strange waive classification. You can ask him but other managers if they ask him might get him. Sometimes, managers miss this category since they don’t want to wait to find out if they have a specific player. Would you take Him?
2. Michael Pineta of Minn. His next start is at home against the Tigers. Would you take him?
Thanks again!
Martin
3.
1. I wouldn’t touch Nola 2. I’d start Pineda
Hi Grey,
Would you cut Luis Patino or James Kapielian to get Pineda or look elsewhere?
Thanks!!
Kap
Sorry Grey,
One last question:
I was not going to start Bailey Ober of Minn against Jose Barrios of Toronto. Do you agree?
Thanks again!
Agreed
Hi Grey,
Always treasure your advice:
1. For the util postion, would you use Justin Turner at AZ or Elias Diaz of Co who is at home against SF ( I can not use Turner at 3B since I can not get credit for 3b for rest of season)? My other option is to bench JTRealmutto and use Diaz in the catching position.
2. Who would you play at 2B: Luis Urias against NYM or Odubel Herrera against aptt at PHil?
Thanks!
Thanks!
1. Turner
2. Urias
Thank you!
Martin
No problem
Loved the intro…..and hate the Rockies.
As I’m trying to build a roster in an Otteneu points league towards next season, I’m picking up and dropping players now so that I can have 27 or 28 players on my team to be saved for next year, leaving me 2-3 draft spots and about $180-ish at the draft. Elite players like Soto, Ohtani, Acuna, Trout, Olson, Albies and more plus elite pitching. Here’s what I have thus far. I’m aiming to have depth at certain positions in case things don’t go as planned at the draft. I also want depth (hence two catchers) to maximize games played.
C – Smith
1B – Vlad
2B – Jazz
3B – Riley
SS – Xander
MI – Edman
LF – Kirilloff
CF – Tatis
RF – Harper
OF – Reyes
OF – TBD
Util – Voit
BN – Arraez, E. Rosario, J. Rodriguez, K. Ruiz, Larnach
SP – Woodruff, Alcantara, Pablo, Framber, Hendricks, P. Sandoval, D. German, Montgomery, C. Hernandez
RP – Clase, Iglesias, Crochet, Whitlock, Duffy
I’d like to cut 2-3 players and go bonkers on either Soto or Acuna or Betts…or maybe two of them? A lot of teams will have a lot of roster spots to fill, while I, on the other hand, and trying fill out my roster because I can contractually keep so many players.
I think I’ll drop Arraez, E. Rosario and Duffy….keep Hendricks on a short leash to start the season. Then have one of those aforementioned OF fill out my OF spot and then get some bats so that Edman can go on the bench. Thoughts?
Rosario depends where he ends up, I don’t mind him…Arraez, Larnach, Duffy, Sandoval and C. Hernandez are different levels of whatever, but I guess it depends on how many teams are in this league
Yea I’ll definitely keep an eye on Rosario…..if he starts he might be worth a shot as depth. I actually like Sandoval and Hernandez a lot to get better, but Duffy’s arm is a hot mess.
11 teams, Roto….
Crap, Otteneu points not Roto….not sure why I said that.
Yeah, in 11 teams, those guys are kinda meh…Rosario lands in a good place — Yanks, Red Sox, Col. etc…He could be great…In Texas, bleh — I like Sandoval and Hernandez, but in a shallower league, meh, they’re kinda whatever
Thanks. Appreciate the help today and always.
No problem
Actually quick follow up. Would you spend on pitching at all or does it look okay? I feel I’m quite okay with it and see the players I’m keeping taking a step forward. For now I’ll agree do disagree on Sandoval, but agree that Hernandez is meh given the lack of k’s.
You have a top 3, maybe 4 depending on how healthy Pablo is…I’d want another vet type arm for the back end — as it is, it’s prolly okay
Need a hot bat for “Hopefully ” the finals next week.10 team h2h Choosing between Lux, Hampson and Rodgers. Leaning Lux partially because of his xtra eligibility for OF. Make sense? Thanks for all your help this season!!
Sure, if you need the OF elig.
After reading your rockies lede, my question is which organization is worse, pit or col? Both are very adept at running a franchise into the ground.
It’s a hard call, bc Pitt seems like they’re purposefully sucking, while the Rox just don’t seem to understand what they’re doing
4 1/2 points out of first place with 9 games left and plenty of scoring categories still up for grabs. Throwing warm bodies at the wall hoping something will stick while watching guy in 3rd place stream 9.00 ERA pitchers and somehow make it work. Picked up Dozier so now he’ll go cold until season end. This worked well with Escobar (0 for his last 15) and Rosario (0 for 8 since I picked him up). Reverse Midas touch at work here.
Dozier’s been solid, hopefully he stays hot
Yep, he’s hit .333 with 5 doubles, 5 HRs and 10 RBIs over the last 15 days (42 at bats). I need him to stay hot to have a chance at a win.
Yeah, that would be nice since I have him too
This week I’m in my championship final. Looking for my 6th title in 9 years. H2H….about the same amount of time following Razzball. Insight and humor. Thanks so much.
No problem! Good luck!
In the same name league: I’m ok with some ‘win’ leeway. Lewin and Marwin for the win! Jesus would show some love as well. Why does this idea interest me so much? Sorry, off to find where my life went off the rails…
I hear you on Kelenic (same with Wander too). In one of my H2H semi finals I grabbed Kelenic for no reason than to prevent my competition from grabbing him. Can’t really sit LouBob, Eloy, Yordan, Cruz, Mondesi, or Belt. It’s been quite the season for this team… Smooth sailing after dropping Cody Belanger though.
Was going to post this morning, but work… I’m excited about the young guys in the game! FTJ, Acuna, Soto, Vlad… And that’s just hitters. We’re seeing some special talent that hopefully reaches their potential and mirrors the 50-60’s golden years and the raging 90’s. Pouring one out for the CBA negotiations and hoping for a full 2022 season!
Haha, I’ve thought about this too much too…The Max name sent me digging at last ten games fro Max Schrock for no reason other than some made-up league I’m not even in
Yeah, hopefully on CBA…The players right now in the game are as good as they have ever been
Vlad, and Juan seem like HOFers and they’re what? 22?
Tatis and Acuna worry me long term they feel like Andruw Jones
Nice call on ashby. I’ve owned him in a deeper format for a while. While he didn’t do as well yesterday because St. Louis feels like the Blues Brothers on a mission, he has been phenomenal. The brewers habv done a heck of a job with developing pitchers btw.
Can’t wait for the Brewers to reveal they’ve had a humidor this whole time
I wonder if we should take note when there are humidors and then attack that team’s rotation and bullpen……
I don’t think we know where all the humidors are…Teams have revealed they have humidors after having them…Also, humidors don’t always hindering offense…Depends on the Climate… This year the new ones were in the Astros, Marlins, Cardinals, Rangers, and Blue Jays. Jays didn’t do anything, did the Astros? I don’t think so…Maybe in Texas, but their hitters suck…
Hello? Hello? Everyone’s gone, I guess. Thanks for another great year, Grey. Despite your typically sterling efforts, my team sucked. Yelich, Ozuna (!), Aaron Nola, Paddack, and on and on. Yuk.
Yuck indeed, thanks!
I was going to comment. I wrote out my and my opponent’s rosters, all available streamers and their match-ups so Grey could direct me. I left these notes by an open window ahhhhh tornenado!
Haha
Keibert.
Haase.
Elias Diaz.
Last stream of the season. Need bombs and to maintain BA.
Also just wanna give you a huge thanks for these articles every week. I pay for the tools but your stuff is amazing and you have helped me find some gems via your hard work. Best in the business.
Haase
Thanks, appreciate the kind words!