Jeurys Familia has been diagnosed with a clogged artery in his right shoulder. Do the Met doctors have Waze? Try the Van Wyck Artery. You know what’s happening here, right? This is Metsferatu, the evil spirit who haunts Mets pitching. Metsferatu was not happy about the Taillon news, only he sidelines pitchers! Metsferatu looks at back cover of the Post and Daily News, plotting his next move, “What if I give Gsellman a third testicle? Or two horns that pop out of his forehead so people can call him Gazelleman? Maybe I go hitter and turn Neil Walker into a zombie. Will anyone notice? I mean, I had them replace a guy with Valley Fever with a guy named dude-a and no one said a damn thing.” So, Jeurys Familia could be out a while, or not at all. Still early to say, but I would absolutely grab Addison Reed. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Hanley Ramirez – Sat out yesterday with a sore trapezius. Ironically, he hurt it walking a tightrope between healthy and injured.
Mookie Betts – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer, hitting .311. But he can’t hit without Ortiz! Which is the narrative people were selling in April, because people forgot the baseball season is six months long. The Red Sox are now near the top in the majors for homers in May.
Eduardo Rodriguez – 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 baserunners (0 BBs), 5 Ks, ERA at 2.80. The Brewers, his opponent, are a hacking organization, and not a group who takes walks. That plays into Ed-Rod’s strengths, plus Thames had the day off. Still, Ed-Rod’s early command issues have looked better with each additional start, and it hasn’t hurt his Ks. Likely closer to a 3.75 ERA guy, but with a 9+ K/9, which makes him ownable everywhere. To read more, see Ralph’s Eduardo Rodriguez fantasy. Surprisingly, it didn’t include a partially covered Benintendi.
Neftali Feliz – 1/3 IP, 2 ER, ERA at 6.19, and his 2nd Kazaam in a row. Hopefully, Craig Counsell will take into consideration his poor use of Feliz rather than Feliz’s poor use of pitching. There’s room to panic here, if you want. Feliz’s K-rate has cratered like Edward James Olmos’ face. Looking at Feliz’s peripherals, his previous year of 10.2 K/9 actually stands out as the outlier now, and his garbage walk rate and 7.5 K/9 this year looks closer to the norm. Any hoo! You should own Corey Knebel.
Ryan Braun – Headed to the DL because someone just let him in on the fact there’s a ten-day DL now and he doesn’t need to be day-to-day for ten days straight. Braun said, “Hopefully, if I get a little bit of down time I’ll be able to get back to full strength.” Hey, not to get all semantics on him, but you’ve had nothing but down time for almost two weeks.
Derek Holland – 5 IP, 3 ER (4 unearned), 10 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA up to 2.43. Serious question. Nay, like Fonzie’s horse would say, philosophical question! This is like a fantasy baseball “if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” If a pitcher regresses but the runs are unearned, is his regression over or will he continue to regress?
Melky Cabrera – 1-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer. More philosophy for you, if a home run comes off Phil Hughes is it still a home run?
Jose Berrios – Called up for Saturday’s start. Here was me after I heard he was called up: cracks neck, thinks about picking up Berrios, cracks neck again, thinks about how if I crack my neck one more time it will look like I’m Canseco about to get into the batters’ box, links to Canseco podcast interview, returns to typing up this blurb. Yeah, I couldn’t care less about Berrios. Has he pitched well in the minors this year? Yeah, yup, yeppers. Did he pitch better in the minors in 2016 and still look like absolute garbage when he was promoted last year? Affirmative. He seems to have corrected his command issues from last year, but I’d still wait and see in all leagues shallower than 16 team mixed.
Brian Dozier – 1-for-4, and his 5th homer as he returned from an injury, but not the DL! Woohoo!
Miguel Sano – 1-for-2, 2 runs and his 9th homer, hitting .304. He was the first Twin to homer on his 24th birthday since Gary Gaetti in 1982, which reminds me of my favorite J. Cole song, “My only regret was too young for Gary Gaetti. My only regret was too young for Eric Davis. Now all I’m left with is memories of L.J. Hoes, formerly of the Astros…”
Eduardo Escobar – 2-for-3, 4 RBIs and his 4th homer, hitting .250. I had a brain fart, and forgot what kind of player Eduardo Escobar was, so I Googled him and Google’s search results said, “Are you sure you don’t mean any other fantasy player?”
Shelby Miller – Underwent Tommy John surgery. The surgery was a success said the operating doctor, former GM Dave Stewart, who slept in a Holiday Inn Express on Wednesday night.
Gregory Polanco – 1-for-3 and his 1st homer, hitting .241. Not bad….If this were April 6th!
Zack Greinke – 8 IP, 1 ER, 2 baserunners, 11 Ks, ERA at 2.79. Damn, Greinke looks good. Of course, this was the Pirates who look like as usable as a dirty dishrag found under an adolescent boy’s bed. But still, Greinke looks excellent. His velocity’s a bit down, but all of his peripherals look right on, and completely corrected from last year.
Whit Merrifield – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and a Little League 2-homer day. One homer that left the park, and one single and three-base error.
Jason Vargas – 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 1.01. Somewhere, Atlee Hammaker is writing a New York Times opinion piece about why he thinks Jason Vargas should not accept the AL All-Star Game starting assignment.
Jake Odorizzi – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 2.61. His ERA makes me laugh, because it’s so inconsequential in shallower leagues, like one where I dropped Odorizzi after this game because I didn’t like his next matchup. Sure, it was more of a soft, all-knowing laugh rather than a big guffaw.
Trevor Story – Hit the Disgraceful List with a fictitious injury. Officially, the Rockies are saying it’s a shoulder injury. Unofficially, they’re saying they like their chances better with Alexi Amarista and Pat V-Something. They went from one of their potential horses to a Russian and an alien from V. I wouldn’t sell Story low; I’d wait out the DL stint. I know, easier said than done.
Hyun-Jin Ryu – 4 IP, 5 ER as he was activated. I don’t mind Ryu, but you have to wonder about a guy’s judgment to return for a Coors series.
Chase Utley – 3-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, hitting .183. Can two teams score 17 runs combined and all the fantasy insight one can provide is, “Yup, it’s Coors?” Well, yup, it’s Coors.
Kenta Maeda – Hit the DL with hamstring tightness.
You get a 10-day DL!!! You get a 10-day DL!!! Everyone gets a 10-day DL!!! pic.twitter.com/AR0KzwsKGN
— Razzball (@Razzball) May 11, 2017
Francisco Liriano – Hit the Disgraceful List with terrible stats. The Jays said Liriano should be back in the minimum ten days. In defense of Liriano, just about everyone on the Jays has terrible stats, so it’s unfair to single him out.
Steve Pearce – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 4th homer. Is it already time for another three homers in five days binge? Pearce isn’t in this afternoon’s Buy column, but I could see him suddenly becoming a hot schmotato this weekend.
Justin Smoak – 3-for-3, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and is 6th homer, hitting .274. Getting lost in all the Tommy Joseph buzz (there’s absolutely no Tommy Joseph buzz), Smoak’s been having a decent first six weeks and is available just about everywhere.
Marco Estrada – 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks, ERA at 3.12. This other starter is injured, so it’s not completely analogous, but you know who Estrada is better than, that no one would’ve said he’s better than in the preseason? Thinking Hamels.
James Paxton – Resumed throwing yesterday. His timetable is to return at the end of May, look like an ace for three starts, then have a bad start and hit the DL again. Sorry, that’s my timetable for him.
Robinson Cano – Scratched with a sore quad. To inform the club, Cano told the club “fireworks emoji” in the quad.
Nelson Cruz – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 8th homer, hitting .331. That average obviously won’t continue, but I was shocked to see he was hitting so well. I mean, I know about the power, but that average and he’s on pace for 115 RBIs. Not too shabby, like the quarter of Harrison Ford that is Jewish.
J.D. Martinez – 50/50 to return this weekend. I’d buy that raffle ticket for a dollar! (And win hopefully at least 50 cents.)
Justin Upton – 1-for-5, 3 RBIs and his 7th homer, hitting .262. Upton’s been so normal this year. Not bad, not great, just normal, which seems so unlike him. Middle ground is not usually his thing.
Michel Fulmer – 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 2.54. Surprised to see him do so well against the Angels. I mean, they do after all have Ben Revere as their sixth hitter. I wonder if The Sciosciapath thinks he’s a power hitter. Or maybe their fifth hitter, Cameron Maybin. Or their 7th hitter, Andrelton. Wow, the 40 Minutes South of Los Angeles Angels are good, huh?
JC Ramirez – 7 IP, 5 ER, 9 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA at 4.20. You know how when your dad doesn’t get mad at you but just says he’s disappointed? I’m disappointed in JC Ramirez.
Aaron Hicks – 0-for-1, 1 run and his 6th steal, as he hits .333. To quote Jackie Chiles, it’s egregious how the Yankees are treating Hicks. He’s hitting eighth. Um, he’s been your 2nd best hitter and has a .474 OBP.
Michael Pineda – 6 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks, ERA at 3.27 vs. Dallas Keuchel – 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 9 Ks, ERA at 1.69. This was a matchup billed as, “Most People Think Keuchel Is Pitching Better Than Pineda, But It’s Actually Been The Reverse.” You can imagine how cramped the marquee was with that billing.
Carlos Correa – 2-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 5th homer, hitting .282. Admittedly, a bit yawnstipating so far, but I would still very much be about importing from Korea. Siri, just write what I say! That should read ‘buying in on Correa.’
Mike Napoli – 2-for-3, 4 RBIs and his 6th and 7th homers, hitting .172. I keep thinking Napoli’s going to come out of his early season slump like his mom comes out of her shirt, but he keeps disappointing. Maybe this will be the kickstart he needs.
Brandon Maurer – 1/3 IP, 4 ER and his 1st blown save, ERA at 4.61. Wow, he was really holding in that blown save for a while. That was like the tantric sex of blown saves.
Jharel Cotton – Demoted to Triple-A Nashville. Not great for his pitching career, but great news for his budding country-western music career! Cotton needs to hook up with a record producer, fine-tune his chops, so to speak(!), get on The Voice and hem and haw about who to choose but go with Blake Shelton, only he can truly guide your career! Or at least pretend to for a few months on a reality show.
Sean Manaea – Wil return on Sunday. That’s the day-after-the-day-after Manaea.
Eddie Butler – Promoted for today’s start. I saw he had a 5 K/9 in Triple-A this year, then I looked at three different sites to make sure I wasn’t reading it wrong. This Butler’s going to be opening the door to a lot of runs.
Ty Blach – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners (1 BB), 2 Ks, ERA at 4.88. Stream-o-Nator predicted a line of 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 1 walk, 3 Ks. It was only 2 Ks! What a rip!
Brandon Crawford – 1-for-4 as he was activated from the DL. Kevin from ESPN’s “Get Him In Your Lineup” Department said, “I’m about to ask for a transfer to the ‘Put An S Next To The Name Of Players That Are In The Lineup’ Department, because all of these DL players is crazy.”
Denard Span – 4-for-5 and his 1st homer as he was activated from the DL. Span was happy at all the Get Well cards he was sent that were re-delivered by Ben Revere.
Bronson Arroyo – 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks, ERA at 5.94. This game had the great distinction to feature Arroyo vs. Arroyo. Closest thing to that in San Fran history was Sandoval’s arroz con pollo. Arroyo vs. Arroyo sounds a bit like directions in the Mission District, the nexus of the Unoverse.
I thought it was a fictional Story also…but, during the Ryu @ Coors game they actually showed video of Story leaning over in pain after a half-assed swing from a game or two ago. The bad news though, is that means the “injury” is not the reason for his poor performance since the beginning of the year.
@Shark: that doesn’t entail, it’s entirely possible he was hiding this all year and it got worse when you saw it. go look at his line drive rate from this entire year to last, besides falling off the age curve (which doesn’t apply in his case) nobody loses that many line drives all at once. or maybe some other injury was doing it that he hid from the team, or maybe the team hid the other one too. all/any of that could easily be the case and there’s evidence to that effect.
@The Harrow:
Damn , should of drafted Lindor ! Will be saying that for 8 months.
@joeg414:
seriously, been saying the same thing. took Story in the second at like 25th overall, and haven’t been able to trade him a side of rice pilaf.
@Shark: Well, hopefully he comes out of it
@Shark: one year wonder
Still…. 5 quality starts for Holland and LAA next. I’m not releasing him yet, but yeah… that was bad.
Still finding of pieces of Maurer everywhere from that blow up, but expectations are really low, right?
And Vargas is winning… AND on KC! Inconceivable.
Write up was informative and funny, doubt I can ever NOT call him Gazelleman now.
@CrazyJ: Thanks!
Grey!!!!
Very good write-up and to think it’s only May 12. I miss this baseball season already!
a. Got back from Don Ameche and my stupid iphone needs activation! The firewall at work doesn’t allow for connection to itunes or OS updates! Sad Emoji. So I gave the phone to a colleague going to N’Djamena (party, karmaba, fiesta, forever, come on and sing along!) who will hopefully fix it for me. Another colleague returns from the same training next Friday to Farchana, USA and he will mule it back for me so no what’s app for me for 1 week and 1 day! Not good. And that’s hoping it can be fixed there. Otherwise, I’m dropping the iphone idiom and going Android.
b. Nice blurb on JC Ramirez. JC was a nice ride, but the ride is over. Signed up E-Rod over JC Ramriez, he has job stability and I think he’ll be better than JC for the ROS.
c. Finally JC Ramirez can go back to being the guy he was supposed to be….JC Romero!
d. John Rambo Quote of the day for May 12-14
Colonel Samuel Trautman: ‘With a man who’s the best. With guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who’s been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather. To live off the land…To eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In Vietnam, his job was to dispose of enemy personnel, to kill…period! Win by attrition. Well, Rambo was the best!’
e. Have a Gr8t weekend, or just a Grey weekend, either or would be one to remember for me!
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante GALIC: mule it back to me? This isn’t going to turn into an episode of locked up abroad?
@Ante GALIC: A. Wow, that sucks B. Thanks! C. Haha D. Nice!
Holds are a category in my league. Who’s a better option for this weekend?? I already have Shaw, Ottavino, Rosenthal and O’Day.
@Andrew Zaremski: who’s available? Otherwise pick any reliever who didn’t pitch last night.
@Andrew Zaremski: Agree w/ knoche
12 team H2H dynasty 7×7 QS league
Hill coming back from dl next week and need to lose one so I can stream another start or two this week
Drop Ryu, JC Ramirez, Gausman or Graveman
@Big league choo:
I’d say RYu
@Big league choo: JC for me
@Big league choo: Definately Ryu just doesn’t look like the same guy
@Big league choo:
agree with JeF, JC
@Big league choo: Ryu
Great write up, loved the philosophical regression question, and the “tantric sex of blown saves” = brilliant!
@Manley Ramirez: Thanks!
How low to sell on arrieta. Top 20 pitchers only? Target ideas?
Some one in my league just traded Degrom for Duvall. That seems more fair for Arrieta.
@Newbvic:
@Newbvic: I just traded him for McCullers.. Arrieta’s not quite looking the same this year.
@Newbvic: Hard to sell apples for apples, I would take McCullers tho
Drop E-Rod to stash King Felix?
@Mike: I wouldn’t
@Mike: Nope
@Mike: Agree w/ others
Trying to replace my dear Trevor…I grabbed Tim Anderson. Should I stick with him or try to trade for Andrus/Owings/someone similar with my Yonder or Pujols? Is that a good price for Yonder? 10 tm mixed
@Don: How is no one else available in a 10 team league?
@Don: tim anderson out all weekend for bereavement leave, back on monday
Hey Grey,
TGIF.
1) Do you accept this trade? My Pineda, Archer, Correa …….For his Trout
2) do you think Tom Murphy is droppable since weiters is doing well this year? Or would you continue to hold him despite this bullshit 10 day DL and half my team sipping tea there.
My team:
Yahoo H2H, 10 team, standard 5×5 categories
C: weiters
1B: goldy
2B: Odor
3B: Rendon
SS: Correa
OF: Cody (the goat) bellinger, beinitendi, ender inciarte
UTIL: Altherr, Edwin Encarnacion, Jean segura
BENCH: polanco, Eugenio Suarez
DL: Ton Murphy
NA: Yoan Moncada
SP: Archer, Duffy, maeda (DL), Kennedy (DL), taj Walker, odorizzi, Cahill, JC Ramirez, Morton
RP: Kimbrel, glover (DL), giles, Ramos
DL: Cam Bedrosian
NA: Jose De Leon
Thanks!
@Josh-NYC: I’d want Trout since you have Segura for SS but your pitching will be pretty bad after that so basically if you take Trout you’ll need to add some pitching.
@Josh-NYC: Agree w/ F
I was pretty proud of myself for pulling off a trade of Britton + Will Harris + Kepler for Keon Broxton + Maurer. And last night was Maurer first on my roster. He was like a house guest who walks in the door and immediately takes a golf club to everything! Hey! I inherited that vase from my grandmother!
Did you see the speculation that the Dodgers might be faking Maeda’s injury to make space on their roster?
My question: I have Marwin Gonzales, Villar, Chris Owings, and Healy in some combination between 2B, 3B, and SS. Marwin hasn’t done much since sitting out with his hurt foot (a single in 4 at-bats and then a rest day). Should I hold onto him in the short term? Or switch him out for Devon Travis, Pearce, or Jed Lowrie? If I’m going to make a chance I need to do it before Berrios is activated, since I want to leave him in the NA slot until I see how he does.
Also, are you starting Duffy at home against the Os? Or McCullers @ the Yankees? The SoN is middling on both ($9.9 and $7.5, respectively). Duffy makes me nervous and away games at The House Next to The House that Ruth Built also make me nervous.
@Enrique: Haha — of course they’re faking it, there’s no way Maeda is injured… Hold on those bats…I’d start Duffy him every time at home, McCullers everywhere except Coors
@Grey: Thanks, a lot, Grey.
No problem
I hate seeing Story go, but I’m somewhat encouraged by the idea of him getting a couple weeks to reset his swing etc, assuming whatever “injury” he has is not too serious. In the meantime, I’d LOVE to see Desmond get some reps out at SS.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: And with the “new and improved” 10-day DL, it’s more like a week and a half!! Assuming he is activated when eligible, but who knows? This Story kind of stinks and I hope it gets better.
@JakeTPE: I could be totally wrong, but this screams of a mostly-mental break to me. Good thing I have Brad Miller on the bench to replace Story’s sub-.200 AVG with his own sub-.200!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: I like the sound of that! Not Miller (lol) but the whole mental break thing. We could all use a break, right?
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: That would be sweet!
Which side do you like in these Bellinger keeper trades? I don’t have a particular need for him, but he strikes me as one of the best potential keepers. 12 team H2H (qs and w)s.
1. $5 Bellinger or $27 Strasburg ($5 is the lowest keeper price available)
2. Bellinger plus Morton for Strasburg
3. Bellinger for $25 kluber
4. Bellinger and $11 Fulmer for Stras and $5 Alonso or Kluber
Thanks!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: 1. Stras 2. Stras 3. Kluber 4. Stras
Hey Grey,
Start McCullers tonight @ NYY?
Thanks!
@Kas: Why would you ever not start McCullers? Other than maybe @ Col.
@Kas: most definitely
@Kas: Yes
@Kas: Agree w/ others
Will to give Ryu a mulligan (since I doubt any of us started him there) and let him start x2 against @SF and v Marlins?
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Yup, i’m with you on that
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Here here!
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: I start anyone against SF. I ran Tommy Milone out there the other day.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: If you own him, yes
Ender Inciarte or Lorenzo Cain?
@breadnbutter: Ender
@breadnbutter: Agree w/ F
I added deshields a few weeks ago for sb and as my only reserve OF. I’ve been using him amd sitting polanco. Do you think he will continie to get everyday AB when beltre retruns? Would you cut him for kepler who is now available? Stats are r,hr,tb,obp,sb,rbi. I only have 2 gjys that will get me 20-25 sb and i also own harper who isnt running. Thx
@Scott: Hold
@Scott: Agree w/ F
Would you cut neris and add knebel? Also, i tried moving lynn amd bundy. Which one do i cut when aaron sanchez returns, unless i cut sanchez. Thanks
@Scott: I’d hold Neris and Bundy would be the cut for me but could really go either way on that.
@Scott: Agree w/ F
I was offered Eduardo Rodriguez for Addison Russell in a 12 team redraft OBP/QS league – thoughts? Was thinking of sliding Villar over to SS and picking up Brad Miller for 2B. Thanks
@Toughbutsweetguy69:
I hold Addy
@Toughbutsweetguy69: Agree w/ MP
8 team AL Only 5×5 Standard Roto….
Pick a side ROS:
Nelson Cruz / Alex Bergman
-or-
JD Martinez / Joey Gallo
@omar: JD for me
@JeF WiTh 1 F: What are the chances JD gets moved at/before the deadline? Where does he land? Worried he’s unusable if he gets shipped to the NL.
@omar: He’d be usable either way
@JeF WiTh 1 F:
I currently own him, but would be out if he goes to the NL. It’s an AL-Only league. That’s the only reason I’m considering it.
@omar: Oh ok gotcha…no way of predicting that…I didn’t see the “AL only” in your original post
@omar: Agree w/ F
C Realmuto
1B Freeman
2B Lemahieu
SS Andrus
3B Baez
OF Trout
OF Broxton
OF Altherr
U Conforto
U Encarnacion
U R Zimmerman
DL Cespedes
SP Cueto
SP Pineda
SP CMart
SP Morton
SP Wood
DL Maeda
RP Diaz
RP Holland
RP Herrera
RP Wilson
RP B Norris
RP Devenski
RP A Miller
Offered J Turner and Brach for Holland and Miller
Pick up Pomeranz and drop who?
@eric: Turner side… Forget Pom
The DL 10 is ruining fantasy baseball.
@Wil: Agreed
@Wil: Who are the ad wizards who came up with this one?!
@Wil: Sucks, indeed
Nothing about what you expect from Harvey today in MIL?!?!? Gah!
@Grey: If you were me and had a starting staff of Quintana, Maeda, Cahill, Roark, and Pineda – would you drop any of them for Berrios and his upside?
@William Hung: No but can you DL Maeda…assuming no with all these 10 day DL guys now.
@JeF WiTh 1 F: I got Ces there :(
@William Hung: I feel your pain, I have one team in a keeper with 8 guys on the DL that i cant drop.
@William Hung: No
Asdrubal Cabrera or Tim Anderson with Story hurt? Asdrubal has been pinch hitting last few games, which hints at a full time return very soon.
@Goldirocks: Asdrubal…
@Goldirocks: Agree w/ F
Helllo Grey,
good morning.
Would you make this trade:
Give: Encarnacion + Duffy
Get: Freeman
If other owner rejects, I can swap McCullers for Duffy?
thanks!
@Chris: Yes with Duffy, I’d hold with McCullers though.
@Chris: Agree w/ F
On one team this season I’ve had Matt Strahm for 1/3 and 6ER, Gregerson 1/3 6ER, and Maurer last night.
Rocking a 4.5 ERA in that 12 teamer.
Jose Reyes replaced Story in the league I own him. How ironic.
@The Great Knoche: That sucks
Replacements for Story look like Cozart, Galvis, Reyes, Arroyo eligible, but god this sucks. See Story’s stats and realize does it? Anyway yeah I’ll wait for the buy sell today but if no SS are on there you tell me sir, thanks as always.
@Lt: I just grabbed Cozart to replace Story. He is the 3rd ranked SS in my league settings this season FWIW. On an 8 game hitting streak. .300 over the past two weeks. Yes, I’m rationalizing him here partly for my own benefit. Good luck!
@Lt: Galvis
Story feels like one of those players that I hold on to all season hoping he’ll figure it out, and then I cut him in late July because he’s still hitting .190 and striking out 35%. Really want to break this cycle I have with bad men like him.
@Andrew: Did you own Richie Sexson the year he went off a cliff too?
@William Hung: in fact, yes i did.
@Andrew: He was hitting .294 over the past week before going on the DL. It’s still bad but at least it was getting a little better.
@Andrew: Haha
Grey! Where you have been all my life??? Don’t like to pester you with long questions but this one feels monumental to my team’s Keeper League fate.
I’m in 2nd but could be thin at SP for the year:
Kluber
Tanaka
Odorizzi
Karns
Leake/Musgrove
And weak in the OF because of Marte/Eaton:
Puig
Soler
Peralta
Schebler
Am potent at 1st and DH with:
Goldschmidt
Freeman
(Nelson Cruz is on my bench because he only qualifies at DH but could play if I trade one of my HOF 1bs)
Do I trade Freeman and Odorizzi for Gerrit Cole and Mike Confronto?
Or do I trade Freeman and Todd Frazier, Taijuan Walker, Maikel Franco, Kyle Tucker, Carlos Santana, and MATT KEMP [or IAN DESMOND]?
Or do I hold?
Can you feel my indecision?
Thank you so much! My best to your precious Grey matter.
@FANTHEAD: Those sound like awful trades and I don’t even understand the second one
@Fungazi:
Dang bad typing: Sorry! Meant to say:
OPTION two: Or do I trade Freeman and Todd Frazier
FOR
Taijuan Walker, Maikel Franco, Kyle Tucker, Carlos Santana, and MATT KEMP [or IAN DESMOND]?
THANKS for your patience
@FANTHEAD: I’d want a top OF for Freeman in a keeper like a Betts or Springer type, and grab a SP by making it a 2 for 2. Like Freeman + Puig for Springer + a good SP.
@Fungazi:
Thanks, man. Appreciate it. But you don’t like Freeman/Odorizzi for Conforto/G. Cole? I actually thought Conforto could be more than Springer….
@FANTHEAD: I love Conforto, I have him in my keeper and he’s been amazing for a few weeks. The problem with him is he’s had prolonged slumps before and once Cespedes is back he could lose his starting job. I have Cole too and also like him, but he’s had injury problems before, so you could get those two guys and in a month have nothing but your winkle in your hand and lost out on a stud like Freeman. I might consider Cruz/Odorizzi for Conforto/Cole, but it’s still risky.
@Fungazi: Ah, thanks for the excellent reasoning.
@FANTHEAD: These trades are bad
Do you think Salazar is OK or is he hurt? Was offered Danny Salazar for Villar and Yonder Alonso. Im log jammed at MI/CI and need pitching and a streaming slot for SON calls and creepers. Good deal or nah? In that same league I also have an opportunity to flip Villar and Alonso for Odor.
Either of those good options or do I keep shopping?
@Marty Jannetty Was Set Up: Duffy/Alonso/Villar for Votto/Matt Bush?
@Marty Jannetty Was Set Up: He’ll likely hit the DL either way… Votto, it’s fair
@Grey: Thanks, I was thinking the same on Salazar. With the 10 day DL I dont want anything to do with probable injury risks. Maybe McCullers?
Going to push for Votto.
Sure
Anyone starting Folty against MIA today? 15 teamers…appreciated the Butler blurb lol
@M: I am
@M: Agree w/ F, thanks!
@M: I was not planning to, but then I saw JeF’s answer…
Is it about that time to drop JBJ? I’m in a ten team league.
@Adam Magerman: I dropped him last week. It’s a 12 teamer.
@Adam Magerman: You can
This feels like a dumb question, but Chris Davis is on waivers. I have a few rotating offensive spots I use to pick up hot bats but is he worth grabbing and holding onto or is he cooked?
@PIGS: Pick him up
I know you were high on Max Kepler going into this year.. has anything changed? Do you see him turning it around this year?
Thanks
@McCullers 4 life: Twins look terrible, he looks boring, I’d move on
@Grey: Twins are first in the AL central, it’s just Buxton that looks terrible!
Oh stop
This week has been DebiLitating! Melancon, Maeda and Story joining Pax and Bedrosian. Can’t really drop any in a twelve-team league (300+ players owned).
If Story has a fictitious injury, it’s about time we all get together for a fictitious prayer hexagon! Who’s with me?!
Happy Friday, Grey. Hope you have a good weekend. And no more injuries please!
@JakeTPE: Haha, I’m with you, always
Chasing wins-Moore or Clevinger
[email protected] vs Cin
Clev @ home vs Minn w/ Berrios throwing
@lwomack58: Moore
12 team keeper league and my future at 3b is killing me now. I can’t keep rolling Franco and Bregman out there hoping they figure it out. I tried trading for Lamb by dangling out Sal Perez and a mid round pick but was turned down. I’m hesistant to drop either cause of the potential they have, but potential isn’t helping me win categories right now. Going to sacrifice a streaming spot to get Chris Taylor for the rest of the Coors series, but after that I don’t know what I’m gonna be doing.
Hate List for Today
Joe Girardi
Blood Clots
Closers in non save situations
@mcmi11ions: Agreed
10 team H2H keeper league. I have 4 players on DL but only 2 DL spots. Need to grab a SS (Baez is available). Would also like to grab Broxton. Which 2 would you drop of this group?
Story, Gallo, Brinson (keeper stash), Hanley, Dahl
Or hold?
Thanks!
@Clive: Hold on them all
@Clive: Broxton over Brinson for me
@Clive: Agree w/ F
Astrubal Peraza or Galvis as a Story fill in
@Bigly Leagues: Galvis or Asdrubel flip a coin
@Bigly Leagues: Peraza
Is Vargas for real? Like 3.50/180 K’s for real?
@Rizzo boy: Doubt it
@Rizzo boy: Agree w/ F
Grey,
Someone in my league dropped MCutchen. ROS player rater has him at #13 OF, would you concur? Should I drop Piscotty for a bid on him?
@Hanklongball: Sure
@Hanklongball: I’d prefer Piscotty, but pretty even
In a Holds & K league and just lost J Wilson to closing duties. Whos the better guy to grab Ottavino or Givens?
Looking forward to todays BUYs!!!
@Brent: Neither for saves… Givens
@Grey:
Looking for holds not saves..Still Givens?
Sure
Trumbo and springer for sale?
@Db:
hold
@Db: Springer side
@Db: Agree w/ F
Who should I drop to activate JD from the DL (14-Team H2H OBP League):
1B – Cabrera
2B – Turner
SS – Correa
3B – Rendon
OF – KDavis, Broxton, Werth
Util – Healy, JBJ
BE – HPerez
@RePete: Perez for me, but that’s because I’m one of the few still holding out hope for JBJ
@RePete: Prolly Healy, depends on team needs
JUST DONG!!
@Los Putos: Ding Dong
Is Cahill for Peraza a Sell High / Buy Low or plain Apples/Oranges?
@Chris: I’d want Peraza
@Chris: Agree w/ F
Pick two sp going forward in 10 team h2h with limited adds. Thanks Grey!
Triggs, t walker, r hill, t Cahill, a Sanchez
@Wacha Wacha: Cahill, Walker
10 team keeper league OBP.
I was offer Price and Donaldson for Duvall and G Cole?
I know both are on DL and its a risk.. I don’t use Duvall right now, on my bench.
@primetime: Hold
Those Yankees are so hot right now! ROS how would you rank Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner, and Matt Holliday?
@Ballsinplay: Holliday, Hicks
Cahill and Lackey for A Miller and B Norris
@eric: Cahill side for me but seems like more of a “needs” type trade
@eric: Agree w/ F
Didi or Cozart ?
@Chucky: Didi
Brantley or Conforto ROS?
Im leaning Conforto?
@Flyin Hawaiian: CONFORTO!!!
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Conforto is so “CONFORTING” to know he’s gonna get on base most games either through hit or walk. Keith Hernandez said the other day that Conforto looks comfortable at the plate, whereas last year he could see he was pressing.
@Flyin Hawaiian: All Conforto does is hit
@Flyin Hawaiian: Agree w/ F
Sano or K. Seager ROY?
@Robert Schroeder: Seager
@Robert Schroeder: Agree w/ F
K-rod a straight drop at this point?
@Papa Jean Seugra: He is for me
Yep
@Papa Jean Seugra: Agree w/ F
Grey, should I trade Odor and Vargas for Desmond and Almedyz Diaz? I have pedroia and could use an OF since im starting Pence and Margot
@Andy Dwyer: Hold
Great work my man, always a pleasure to wake up to these. I offered: Springer and Ellsbury for Severino and ERod in our 12 team h2h category dynasty league, and he didn’t take it. This was a bad offer from me right? My OF is stacked and pitching is at a premium in our league. For example, I just picked up Eddie Butler just in case he’s a senzatela type player. I will also grab Zach Godley but probably will bench him on Monday. Keep up the good work.
@TobiasFunkeAnalRapist: You’re lucky he didn’t take that
@JeF WiTh 1 F: The dude is crazy for the Red Sox, he won’t part ways with ERod. He’s also got guys like Sandoval, Sam Travis, Kopech and Jason Groome on his team just to give you an example.
@TobiasFunkeAnalRapist: Then I wouldn’t waste your time dealing with him or you’ll have to overpay
@TobiasFunkeAnalRapist: Agree w/ F
Are you still holding Hunter Strickland?
What about Dexter Fowler/Avisail Garcia, stash or trash?
Thanks Grey!
@Gurb: Yes on Strickland and the other 2 depend on your league size and roster make up but I’d keep Avisail over Fowler
@Gurb: If desperate for saves, yes… Agree w/ F
Morning Grey! Rapid fire questions for you!
10 team h2h OBP limited season moves
1) Which of these closers would you target/avoid in a trade: Watson, Maurer, Casilla, Johnson, Oh, Reed, Osuna, Herrera, Robertson
2) Would you trade Taijuan Walker for one of the aforementioned closers?
3) Is Bautista droppable in a shallow league? Picked up Conforto and Bellinger so Bautista hasn’t been sitting on the bench.
4) Is Salvador Perez (low OBP I know) enough of an upgrade over Wieters to justify trading Bautista for him?
5) Replacement for Story: C Hernandez, Peraza, Miller, Harrison, Schimpf, Reyes, Cozart
6) Start 2, Sit 2: Bellinger @ Chatwood, C Santana v E Santana, Conforto @ Garza, Bautista v Bergman
@bossmanjunior333: 1. SAGNOF 2. Sure 3. Ok 4. No 5. Cesar 6. You’re sitting Bellinger in Coors? Start Conforto
Great write up as always Grey….
Tommy Pham or David Peralta for my OF5?
Who’s the drop out of Snell, Ryu, Andriese? Like JC Ramirez better than any of them?
@The Fridge: Peralta…. Ryu
@The Fridge: Peralta. Drop Andriese. JC and Andriese stream.
Just caught the new podcast. I Like it! Edgier and funny. Was that intentional or is there a change in sponsors? Anyway it was great keep it up! Is Halp going to be a regular?
@peacecoast: JB’s out, Halp’s in, was it edgier/funnier?
@Grey: Definitely edgier and funnier. No holding back on the cursing and jokes. Good energy with Halp. For some reason I got the feeling that with JB you guys would hold back so as to not offend sponsors or keep it non R-Rated?
Could be, Halp is a NY’er, like me, so maybe we just go more unfiltered
@Grey: You need to remember your East Coast roots son.
BIGGIE RIP
And if you don’t know, now you know
@Grey: @peacecoast: Turns out talking about bleeding out from 500 cuts in a back alley in New York during a SeatGeek ad is edgier than JB’s southern charm :)
In all seriousness, thanks. Great to hear you are liking the podcast
Haha
How should I deal with my pitchers pitching against my own bats? Do you start them to mitigate any ER or sit to maximize points? I’ve got Duffy starting and deciding what to do with Crush Davis, Adam Jones, and Mccullers against Gary Sanchez and Judge.
@BayOfPuigs: Don’t worry about it, you’re over thinking it.
@BayOfPuigs: Agree w/ F
So I have Maeda, Melancon, Nola, and Story all on the DL. Kinda tough to deal with, but do you think I need to hold on all?
@Chumbo: Can lose Nola in some leagues
Was offered Taillon for my Dickerson. Any word on when Taillon will be back? I have a ton of OF. should I roll the dice?
@Zubaz: Haven’t heard anything, these are two players that are on waivers in one of my leagues
Two trades, who wins ROS?
Yahoo 5×5 12 team H2H
Segura, Gallo, Ervin Santana for Betts, Strasburg
Duffy, Leake for Britton, Charlie Morton
Thanks!
@Just Busted:
Definitely the betts side and the Duffy side.
@Just Busted: Betts. Duffy.
@Just Busted: Agree w/ knoche
@Just Busted: that betts trade is rape
gotta drop one, similar dudes
Schebler or Tomas
@david arquilla:
Schebler
@david arquilla: Agree w/ MP
Aaron Judge or Bellinger ROS?
@I Be Teheran it Up:
Judge for me.
@I Be Teheran it Up: Bellinger
@JeF WiTh 1 F: Ditto
@I Be Teheran it Up: Judge for me.
@I Be Teheran it Up: Judge
@Grey: thanks!
You!
Should I trade away benintendi to get judge, 12 team mixed keeper ?
@Reese: Nope
@Reese: Agree w/ F
Been offered his Lucroy and Logan Forsythe for my Maeda and Lamb in my 6×6 redraft. I’m running out Drury as my third MI and going the Frankencatcher route at the moment. Could slot Frazier in for Lamb. My pitching staff is solid (Carrasco, Paxton, Cole, McCullers, Urias, Kimbrel, and MadBum on DL).
What do you guys think?
@Gregarious: Lamb side
I read partially covered Benintendi, and now I need to leave work and buy pants. Thanks Albright!
@Ralph Lifshitz: I rub my Bellinger every time I see him in print or a video. If you looked in my briefcase you will find back-up pants and two sets of chonies
@J-FOH: You said chonies and I need more pants AGAIN!
What are chonies?
@Ralph Lifshitz: that’s slang for underwear… it’s kind of a Mexican thing
@Ralph Lifshitz: There’s a commenter above who sells pants, his name is Zubaz
@Grey: I only lift in Zubaz, serious squat pants. If you come to rack in tights you get the boot brah!
Spandex shorts for me, all day
@Grey: *shudders*
Been riding Vargas all season, but SoN hates his next start against NYY (-5.0). Do you start him in a QS weekly lineup league over inconsistent and/or bad guys like R.Ray (+17.6), Lackey (+35.2, 2-start), or JC Ramirez (+10.5)?
@Eric Brownell: I don’t know those other matchups, b/c you just gave me #’s but I like higher #’s
Daily Rizzo Rant
@William Hung: Ha, Placeholder Rant
14 Team H2H redraft weekly league
Drop Schebler, Esllbury, Gardner or Hicks for Santiago Casilla?
Thanks!
Gardner
Outside of “Fantasy Baseball position eligibility” why would anyone in their right minds want Desmond to play SS? Dude has like a .800 fielding % and had almost 60 errors in his final 2 years playing the position with the Nats.
I hope he plays there
Trade Votto for Rizzo and Lester? Am I missing something?
Rizzo
@Jose: If you can get Lester and Rizzo for Votto, definitely do that ASAP.
@B the Esq.:
I actually accepted it last night when it came though, but was making sure I hadn’t missed something and needed to rally a veto. haha
Thanks as always Grey and the rest of the Razzball crew!
Grey,
Is Tommy Pham going to get every day at bats going forward, or is this just a 10 day DL stint in the line up?
Thanks
10 day stint prolly
Happy Friday bro! Are you a bro guy? Some guys love saying bro and being bros… yoooooo bro!
I feel like G.I Joes would love being bro guys…
Yo bro!
Bellinger is my bro but I was offered Lester for him…
Should I say yesbro nobro or Hasbro I think they make games?
What’s up, bro?
Pilliar, Nunez or Peraza for ROS.
Peraza
@Grey:
About Nunez or Pilliar-which do you prefer?
@lwomack58: Pillar
Who’s the drop among Bour, Tommy Joseph, and Smoak?
Bour
Who’s the handcuff on Maurer? I was all in on Capps pre-season, but he was terrrrrrrible in his rehab outings and then vanished. I want to vulture all three of those save opportunities should Maurer lose his job!!! (Yeah, I’m that screwed on saves)
He’s not losing the job after one blown save
Grey, should I trade Odor and Vargas for Desmond and Almedyz Diaz? I have pedroia and could use an OF since im starting Pence and Margot
Nah
Good stuff Grey!
In a 12 team ESPN root league, is Alex Wood droppable with his next start being in Coors?
If you need the spot
@Grey: Didn’t Kyle Hendricks just dominate at Coors? Cust kayin
Yeah, so?
Hey would u trade bellinger for Lester? Asked before but I think all the bro talk was confusing haha
Sure
Great writing!! Need a stream today in my points league. Harvey is on the WW anyway you trust him at Mil? thanks!!
Thanks! I don’t trust him
Awesome write-up!
Another SS question for you today:
Galvis, Baez, Herman Perez, or Didi?
Thanks! Baez
Have both Gary Sanchez and Brian McCann in a 5×5 OBP H2H league. Someone offered me Dylan Bundy for Sanchez but think I can get better. He also has Archer and Carlos Martinez. Would you offer Sanchez for either of those SP and be good with McCann as your C?
Hold
Grey, how’s my team look heading into middle of May. I have picked up players and dropped a few along the way. Last time you said I lacked power and bags. I been hanging in there week to week, started from last and worked my way up to 3rd and about 4 games out of 2nd.
Not much on waivers now besides Schebler, Werth & Pillar for now. Not sure if I should drop guy below for one of the guys listed.
Guys like Domingo Santana, Bryon Buxton and Kolten Wong are on my watch list.. JBJ is dropped but not sure he will get started.
10 team keeper 5×5 OBP; 5×5 QS/k/9
C Yasmani Grandal C | LAD
1B Freddie Freeman 1B | ATL
2B Jonathan Schoop 2B | BAL
3B Nolan Arenado 3B | COL
SS Corey Seager SS | LAD
OF Cody Bellinger 1B,OF | LAD
OF Michael Conforto OF | NYM
OF Matt Holloday OF | NYY
U DJ LeMahieu 2B | COL
Bench
1B Y Alonso 1B | NYY
3B Nicholas Castellanos 3B | DET
3B Yoan Moncada 3B | CHW
OF Starling Marte OF | PIT (Suspended)
DL – OF Stephen Piscotty OF | STL
OF Gregory Polanco OF | PIT
Starting Pitchers
SP Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD
DL – SP Michael Pineda SP | NYY
SP Eduardo Rodriguez SP | BOS
SP Danny Salazar SP | CLE
SP Stephen Strasburg SP | WAS
RP Chris Devenski RP,SP | HOU
RP Ken Giles RP | HOU
Bench
SP John Lackey SP | CHC
SP James Paxton SP | SEA
RP Justin Wilson RP | DET
What’s the question?
@Grey: Any areas I should address? Drop anyone on my team for any guys listed
Consolidate your team and upgrade…
BB,
Quick I need something to be happy about.
Me!
@Grey: I’ll take it! Thx, BB.
No problem!
Trade Carrasco for Judge, or is that just buying too high?
Sounds fair, I wouldn’t
Last place in K’s in a 10 team Roto, but 1st place in Wins and Saves. Start 9 pitchers. Do you punt K’s and play the ratio game, or go all out with starters every week until you catch up?
Kluber
Keuchel
AaSanchez
Nola
Triggs
Vargas
Velasquez
Berrios
Osuna
Oh
Giles
Reed
Best waiver options; Griffin, Holland, Cahill, Devenski, A.Miller, Wilson, Betances, Ryu, Andriese, JC Ramirez, HSantiago
There’s 4 waiver guys Id want over Berrios
@Fogimon: Devenski, Miller, Betances are bullpen arms that are killing it every time they are out there. Devenski’s Ks are more than some #3/#4 fantasy starters.
@William Hung: how are miller and dev on waivers?
16 team roto, keep 12 forever: Trade Billy Hamilton for Michael Taylor and Franklin Barreto?
Meh
Drop Wacha and add Karns?
Nope
12 team, 5×5, trade my Desmond for his Severino? Would leave me in outfield with Harper/Pollock/Thames/Bellinger/Mazarra
Don’t love it
Drop Castellanos for Drury in a 12 team, 5×5 redraft for my bench? With Braun on the DL, have an opening in my OF, and Drury’s 2B/3B/OF eligibility could come in handy.
Sure
Schebler has cooled off. Drop for Valencia?
Yup
Happy Friday Grey!
Hold onto all these DL guys? Maeda, Story, Gray, Melancon.
Team looks like…
C. Perez, 1B. R to the izzo, 2B. Gyorko, 3B. J.Turner, SS. T.Turner, OF. Stanton,Conforto,Broxton, Util.Duvall., Bench.Hernandez, Mancini
Verlander,McCullers,G.Cole, Bundy, Severino, Nova, Salazar, Holland/Mauerer
Lose Gray
Whats the word on Jeff Hoffman? starting @Twins on the 17th….. should I grab him or leave on the wire?
Leave him
12 team H2H
Was offered Dozier for my Degrom.
Good deal?
Thanks!
Sounds fair
Hey Grey and Razzballians,
Been asking this question to you for a few days now.. but the trade is finally finalized and I have accepted it… I posted my team below before I made the trade. I would like your thoughts, as well as other’s thoughts on if you think I made a good move.
I traded: Michael Pineda, Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Correa
For: Mike Trout and Jay Bruce
My team:
Yahoo H2H, 10 team, standard 5×5 categories
C: weiters
1B: goldschmidt
2B: Odor
3B: Rendon
SS: Correa
OF: Cody (the goat) bellinger, beinitendi, ender inciarte
UTIL: Altherr, Edwin Encarnacion, Jean segura
BENCH: polanco, Eugenio Suarez
DL: Ton Murphy
NA: Yoan Moncada
SP: Archer, Duffy, maeda (DL), Kennedy (DL), taj Walker, odorizzi, Cahill, JC Ramirez, Morton
RP: Kimbrel, glover (DL), giles, Ramos
DL: Cam Bedrosian
NA: Jose De Leon
@Josh-NYC:
Also.. Gregory Polanco or Gyorko for this season? Polanco is killing me
I said to take that trade? Polanco
@Grey:
The trade was edited many times.. I really wanted to have Trout.. was I completely ripped off?
You paid, that’s for sure…
@Josh-NYC: that trade is terrible.
Which 1st baseman do you like for ROS-Moreland, Valencia, Healy, T. Joesph, Smoak or V. Martinez
Moreland
Is Bregman ever gonna Homer?
I hope so
I hate McCutchen you hate McCutchen, somehow he’s on my team, is he worth dropping for DPeralta ROS limited moves or hold and pray for something..anything
I’d prefer Peralta, but trade McCutchen to someone for like a good MR or something
THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME**************
Is Bautista droppable in a 12-team H2H yet, or hold a little longer? Guys like Hicks and Broxton are available.
THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME***************
Great write up kind sir.
ozuna or story
12 team 5 keeper league
my potential keepers are turner, villar, correa, syndergaard and possibly degrom
thanks!!!!!
Story for long term, Ozuna now
Watching MLB Network, and Flores just dropped “Gregorious D.I.D.!” I mean, is that not your thing!?
God damn them!
@Grey: We will consider it flattery… not to be confused with Flaherty. Also, thanks for the Knebel tip, had 3 guys in my league say I snagged him just before they did.
Well done, Nico!
Should I drop kepler for pillar. Or drop one of Beltran, Delino, or Healey.