With Eugenio Suarez apparently the new Reds shortstop after they tried and failed to acquire every garbage shortstop this offseason, Jonathan India has been added to the top 20 3rd basemen. Now…we dance! *long involved Bollywood dance with me somehow sitting on a floating carpet* Yelling into the distance, “I love you, Pashmina!” Was about time that I gave India his due. What, am I British now? My teeth would tell you no, but my love for Olivia Colman and Earl Grey would tell you yes. Which ya gonna believe? I just recently discovered India, while standing in The Bahamas and saying, “Hey, cool, this is America and who wants to open a casino?” Was talking to Podcaster Ralph, who knows a thing or two about prospects, and he gassed my head up on Jonathan India, and I think he can now go 40/10/.260. Then, we deflated ourselves back to earth, and realism took us south, and now I’m in Sri Lanka. “Sri Lanka is better than a cup of Sanka!” That’s me just before getting dirty looks in Sri Lanka. India is a pull-heavy, fly ball hitter. How’s that sound in Cincy? Seriously, take a moment and think about it. You see how I came away with a 40/10/.260 line? Gonna put him down for realistic projections in the top 20 3rd basemen, but looking for a guy who could be 12-team mixed league relevant by May? Look no further than India, Magellan. For now, if your starter is out, outsource to India. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in spring training for 2021 fantasy baseball:
Carlos Carrasco – Hamstring tear. Carrasco was never going to pitch a full season, and as long as it’s not an arm injury…Hahahahaha lying to myself is grand! This sucks, and I dropped him out of the top 100 starters. His projections are updated too. Conservatively, expecting a return around “just after the All-Star Break.” That will be the shot in the arm all my teams need, assuming I haven’t shot myself somewhere else after needing to start guys like Logan Webb to replace Carrasco. Haha, someone please hold me.
Drew Pomeranz – Dealing with forearm tightness. The devil is in the details and that devil is nicknamed Pagan, and I’m signing him up late in all my leagues. Padres are going to have a lot of saves chances — wish it was easier to know who the closer was going to be. Mark Melancon can’t really do anything but close games, but he’s also very, very bad. He could be in line, though. Pagan is best of healthy options, so yeah. The top 500 has been updated.
Danny Santana – Dealing with a foot infection. “I’m booked through June of 2046.” That’s Dr. Scholl’s. Someone get that guy some assistance! I removed Danny Santana from the top 20 1st basemen. Writing’s on the wall, and it says, “Danny Santana isn’t getting any real ABs this year.”
Shogo Akiyama – Hamstring injury will knock him out a few weeks, and even then he’s no fo’ Shogo. Was updated in the top 100 outfielders.
Kris Bubic – Was sent down, because the Royals don’t need a 5th starter for a few. Now you have to ask yourself if you care. Then you have to answer that you don’t.
Bobby Witt Jr. – Was sent down to Low-A. Looks like we’re gonna have to wait a little while longer to see the Whit to Witt relay. Prior to some random helium filling the Witt narrative, no one thought Witt would be up until 2022. That would still be my guess. Yes, that means I’m saying a baseball GM is lying by saying Witt is in immediate plans. Crazy, right?
Will Smith – Dave Roberts said Austin Barnes and Will Smith would share playing time. Sounds more like Dave Roberts is Jada Pinkett and Austin Barnes is August Alsina. Snap! Literally no one gets that snap, it’s not just you. Any hoo! I lowered Smith in the top 20 catchers, and I’d absolutely draft him now, just not until around pick 200.
Framber Valdez – Surgery was not recommended for Framber, but it sounds like it went like this: “Really think you need surgery.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “Really?” “Yes.” Then, forty-five minutes later of this same back-and-forth, the doctor said, “Well, maybe not.” Framber got up and ran out of the office. Honestly, I don’t know what to do with Framber and his draft spot. The sensible thing is to not draft him, so I’m gonna go sensible here, pardners and five her’dners. I moved him into the top 100 starters, and around where I wouldn’t draft him in 12-team leagues. If it’s any consolation, Dusty said Framber is recovering well, citing the very scientific fact that Framber has Predator blood, while using the word “predator” in a positive context for the first time since 1987.
Ramon Laureano – Went for an MRI on his side and his side was like, “Yo, I got you.” Then Ramon was like, “As in that’s not good or…?” Then his side was like, “I’m gonna let the doctor take it from here,” and the doctor said Laureano should be fine for opening week of the season.
Zach Eflin – Dealing with some back issues. Not back issues of Men’s Health, but it’s related.
Scott Kingery – Can’t ostrich my head into the sand any longer. Time to face facts. At best, Kingery’s going to be in a timeshare with ODB. At worst, he’s going to be out of a job. In my top 20 2nd basemen, I lowered Kingery’s rank and projections. Sorry, sucks to do this late on you, but it had to be done.
Jon Berti – Marlins are once again screwing Berti out of an everyday job. Someone should hook Berti and Garrett Hampson up. The Thelma & Louise of expectations with no results. In my top 20 2nd basemen, I lowered Berti’s rank and projections.
Willie Calhoun – Headed to the IL with a sore groin to start the year, and he was moved in the top 100 outfielders. His groin can’t seem to get out of Willie’s way.
Josh Jung – Will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. Jung, man, no need to be bruised. He was removed from the top 500.
Akil Baddoo – Rule 5 guy that is going to make the Tigers’ Opening Day roster. Previously, Akil Baddoo was known for large head scarves and cleaning up at the Soul Train awards. His numbers also look like they could be goofy bad, no matter what he’s doing in Spring Training. We’re talking like 3/3/.190 type projections.
Hunter Harvey – Hit the 60-day IL. Woof, that dog don’t Hunter. In my top 500, I took Harvey way down, and boosted Tanner Scott a skosh. I briefly looked at Cesar Valdez and was like nah.
Alex Wood – Having an ablation on his back. I had a cousin who married my other cousin, they were from the Ablation Trail. Lovely couple. Aaron Sanchez and Logan Webb could be in the rotation to start the year, but an ablation is supposably only a week or two process, so I haven’t adjusted my Wood, uh, ranking in the top 100 starters.
Nate Pearson – Suffered a setback with his groin. Damn, from punchouts to punched in. Pearson’s gone pear-shaped. The following only partially makes sense and don’t try to figure out what part. Pearson’s still in my very late 12-team mixed league pitchers to draft in the top 80 starters. Yes, I’d simply put him in my IL slot. It’s not like he was pitching 200 IP this year anyway.
Oscar Mercado – Optioned to the alternate camp. When you can’t make Cleveland’s outfield, you really can’t be trusted in any fantasy league. They want Amed Rosario over Mercado in the outfield. That’s like wanting Woody Allen to babysit. Mercado has become the AL’s Lewis Brinson. I will call him Grandpa AL Lewis. In the top 100 outfielders, Mercado has been updated.
Hi Grey.
Got huge into this site this year, really appreciate everything you and the rest of the guys do on here. Great mix of info and entertainment. I drafted in a 14-team 8×8 yahoo draft yesterday (hits, total bases and obp; losses, k’s and quality starts counted) H2H-One Win league, I had the 10th pick. Would appreciate any feedback/advice on the team. Thanks in advance! Love the site!
C – C. Kelly
1B – Bellinger
2B – Muncy
3B – Devers
SS – Mondesi
OF – W. Myers
OF – F. Reyes
OF – Laureano
Util – Santander
Bench – E. Escobar
SP – Flaherty
SP – Woodruff
SP – S Gray
SP – J Means
RP – W. Smith
RP – D. Castillo
RP – C. Martin
P – T. Mahle
P – E. Hernandez
Bench – T. Scott
Bench – T. Antone
Bench – F. Valdez
I should mention we get one started at each position plus one utility. 4 SP’s, 3 RP’s and two general P’s.
Also, I could move Framber to IL when it allows. Anyone you recommend grabbing??
Thanks again.
Thanks, appreciate it! Your pitching looks solid…You look low on saves, which is fine, especially in a QS league, and the SPs you have are guys I like…I’m not sure who to grab to replace Framber, I don’t know who’s available in your league…Another SP can’t hurt…Daulton Jefferies? I like the hitting too, but you look low on speed, which is fine in a total bases league
Awesome, thanks for the quick feedback!
No problem
Hi Grey. Happy Monday.
One more quick question regarding the team I posted above. I assume Framber and Sonny Gray are going to start the season on IL, opening up two spots for me.
Available on waivers currently are G. Canning, Caleb Smith, N. Pearson, D. Jeffries and Myles Straw. Would you pick up two pitchers? If so, which pitchers do you like? Or go one pitcher and Straw?
Thank you!
Nice on rhe Eloy rank, what a fragile piece of shit just like you grey
Good stuff grey
Trevor story trade rumors aren’t scaring you off the Trevor ending story at all? I’m picking 12th in a 12 team 5×5 h2h and am considering Lindor over him
At 12/13 am considering
Story/ Lindor + Bellinger/Freeman/Yelich
Or could do J Ram + Bellinger/Freeman/Yelich and get a shortstop later
At 36/37 am considering drafting another 2 batters and waiting to 60/61 to get first SP. Ryu seems to be available at 60 usually
Any thoughts? Thanks
Hi Grey, looking forward to a new season, and thanks to your help I have won my big money league for the past two years! So this year our 12 team league looks like it will only be NINE teams this year, the others will return next year. So I know I won’t be taking any pitchers until the 6th round, any other general drafting advice for what looks to be all star teams for everyone… thanks!
Witt looks like he could be pretty special, but I’m not sure that he’ll have the immediate impact that an Acuna or a Soto had. Not surprised that they sent him down. Should get him some ABs at Double A or above to see if he’s truly ready.
Mercado is a head scratcher. Wonder if he did something behind the scenes to piss the Indians brass off or if it’s purely performance related. I love ya Tito, but quit screwing around with my fantasy teams, will you?
Drop hicks, moose or mountcastle for Romano?
Which Hicks? How badly do you need to speculate on saves? Moose and Mountcastle are pretty useful in most formats.
Jordan
hold
Some guy name Frankoff no hitting the A’s with 5 BB in 4. Now there’s a name you gotta be careful about throwing around. My old friend Philly Joe Sharky, who went by Shark liked to tell the story of when his friend got arrested for yelling, “Shark!” all up and down the Jersey Shore looking for him one summer. Caused a huge panic.
Say what you will about Dusty Baker as a manager, but the dude is a classic. One of the best people persons in the game. Predator blood is vintage Dusty. Took a share of Valdez very late in an NFBC online champ.
I have one player on every team I’ve drafted: Jose Alvarado. Hopefully he’s at least in the committee.
Something came up with regard to Bobby Witt Jr and Wander Franco that I had forgotten. Bryce Harper and Mike Trout both debuted on the same day in April.
I was wrong about one thing early on this season. I thought Quantril would get the 5th spot for the Clevelands. He was definitely the front runner, but he choked the spring. Logan Allen on the other hand went from bad body fading prospect to the latest in the Indians reclamation projects. He hasn’t been given the role but definitely has pitched the best of anybody in the contest.
Curt Cassali, former Reds catcher working in Giants camp, said Logan Webb’s change up is every bit as good, if not BETTER, than Luis Castillo. Hmmm.
This guy Ka’ai Tom is tearing it up for the A’s. There are potentially some AB’s to be had in the A’s OF/DH.
Love his name
Great name.
Here’s another under the radar thing that seems like it’s really going to happen. Khris Davis is going to hit clean up for the Rangers. The A’s said he hasn’t been injured, but he was down for awhile with a hip thing and never looked right. Started out spring looking awful but hit a bunch of HRs on the back field and then two in an A game last week. If you’re in a deep league and looking for a power gamble going basically undrafted, there are definitely worse places to look. Zombino candidate.
Maybe Zombino, but I also don’t buy these sluggers who go to zero coming back…Long line of guys like him just sucking into oblivion
The Rangers are going to be really, really bad. Really.
Their line up could be ok I think Dahl was a good get. IKF is a good baller. Gallo will Gallo. Solek looks like he’s got some upside. I honestly could see Krush sneaking up on it. Guzman has had a good spring. Odor has had a good spring. I know it could also be a hot mess, but there are at least a few things that could come together for them offensively. Their rotation is…not deep. Their pen is largely bull.
If everything goes right for them, I can see something close to .500. But they can’t pitch at all, and Gallo’s the only hitter that they can depend on to do damage on a regular basis (and even that will come in bunches). Think 95-100 losses is much more likely.
Yes, really really bad
Hahaha
Good day for my Draft Champions team I drafted back in Nov. — Romano, Allen, Dolis — think maybe Webb too…I just love any Giants starter
Did you get my email in regard to my dead cell phone? Sorry that I was incommunicado yesterday. How’d the RCL draft go?
Yay! You’re alive. I didn’t get an email, but it’s probably my old address that mostly collects spam these days. I’ll go find it. The RCL draft was pretty bumpy. I had trouble with the draft interface and it ended up costing us in a few places. Only drafted two starters: Darvish and Robbie Ray. Wasn’t super happy with it to be honest. Here’s the squad:
C: TBD
1B: Vladdy
2B: Lux
3B: Moncada
SS: Semien
MI: Kim
CI: Vaughn
OF: Harper (again for us), Buxton, Mancini, Pham, Springer
UTIL: Yordan
P: Darvish, Jimmy Nelson (as promised), Alvarado, Fairbanks, Garrett, McGee, Pagan, Wittgren, Staumont
RES: Streamer, Robbie Ray/Future Streamer, and Kelenic. Have an extra bat so can probably look for a trade partner if Kelenic makes the team out of spring.
Maybe trade to upgrade MI if Kim looks over matched or squeezed for ABs.
I like the pitching, outfield, and Yordan. Corner infield looks solid too. Might have to be on the lookout for MI help. Streaming is always a thing in this format, so no worries there.
Btw, my new phone is supposed to arrive on Fri/Sat, so just drop an email if you want to chat
I like the non-starter arms quite a bit.
Yeah…I found your email so I’ll get you that way the next couple of days.
12 team H2H keeper league.
We keep 10 guys.
I trade Mookie and whoever I drop
For
Albies and Eloy
Mookie
witt jr to play outfield
Yup
Are you still drafting Gallen confidently after the injury news? Says the only pitch that causes discomfort is his curveball. Should we still draft him in the top 70 picks?
Nah, I wouldn’t touch him until we hear more
F!
Ugh
Grey, just saw Kirby Yates is out with an injury that normally keeps pitchers out 2 months.
I need to replace him, as I’m short any backup closers. Is Romano the guy? In a $100 FAAB league, what’s the appropriate bid?
Romano — $3
Thank you.
Just want to say, despite not ever commenting until today, Ive been loving this site for a few years. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for coming out in the open Deryl! Hope to see more of you. Took me ten years until my first comment. :)
Thanks!
In best Stevie Wonder karaoke voice, I just wrote to say I love you.
Wait, I didn’t need a voice for that. I’m blind! How can I write? It’s a miracle. Praise Jesus!
You’re the best, Grey
In a h2h league that rosters an equal number of pitchers to hitters (9/9) should I draft pitching 50/50 to hitting as opposed to the 70/30 standard? Thank you Grey.
70/30
I take it we’re higher in these parts on Vaughn than we are on Julio Rodriguez?
Yeah, for 2021
Cool – I grabbed him after my Wander Franco snafu.
And someone in my league just dropped Sano – fingers crossed on the waiver claim!
Ha, nice!
Dynasty Lg
6×6 with obp
I’m being offered D Swanson for Castellanos
I’m thinking no way…. what side are you on?
Nah
Let’s talk about Robbie Ray. Took two shares over the weekend. If the improved command is real…wheeeeeel doggie.
Oaktown! I don’t want to talk about Robbie Ray – just good to see you!
Heya Brother Steve. Good to see you too.
Where’s this Robbie Ray has command narrative coming from? Did I miss a spring start of no walks or something? Legit asking
Oh man you need to dig in. He’s got all kinds of narrative. Threw 53 of 73 pitches for strikes his last outing. FB sitting 96.5. Topping 98. 18:5 k/bb in 13 innings. Has his own personal catcher. Found a new arm slot. He looks so good. Just everything mechanically in rhythm. Pouring the ball over the plate.
Haha, I can’t even with this…Robbie Ray, the Robbie Ray with a 7+ BB/9 last year? Man, I can’t believe I’m about to go search for clips of him
Legit.
Grey, I’ve only written 2 whole articles about Robbie Ray’s comeback tour.
It’s like Duran Duran: rocky and overpriced.
Yeah, no, I mean, no, I can’t
I just went back and looked at Robbie Ray’s 2019 spring training stats: 16 1/3 IP, 32 Ks, 8 BBs, 3.86 ERA
*Gob Bluth voice*
“I’ve made a huge mistake.”
He does look good though.
Haha, at his price, there’s honestly no down side
Well, maybe some, but I can see the flyer
The downside is two April starts with a 2.5 Whip in your line up.
Haha, yeah, I realized that after my 1st comment…Hey, I’m not touching him!
ha i just grabbed him in a league friday night.Not sure yet but he did a short interview about making sure his landing foot was coming down in the same spot also
Black Monday for pitchers continues. Zac gallen scratched with forearm soreness and has apparently been getting treatment for 10 days now. Nice to have this happen 9 days before opening day and just hear about it.
Pitchpocalypse?
NOOOOO!!!!
Yikes
In an AL only keeper auction keeper league where we count a win and a QS each as a point in the same category , how do you feel about controlling key talent for the long-term at value. I have a 30 dollar Cole. I suspect the move is sign him for 3 years at 40 or would you save 5 draft dollars and go only 2 years at 35
35
I forgot about the RCL closer waiver wire insanity.
Haha, if you don’t hear about it yourself right when it happens, just forget it
It’s the start of the closer apocalypse today! Krby Yates and Jose LeClerc both out long term with injuries. Rush to the waiver wire has already begun. We go for Ian Kennedy and Romero/Dolis as replacements, right?
Romano
I need pitching help. Would you cut Mize(23), Skubal(21st) or Yarbrough(18th) for Dunning or Caleb smith? Its a keeper league. You can keep the guy in the round you drafted them. All players added from the wire are kept in the 15th.
Thanks
Yarbrough for Dunning
With latest news on Yates’ elbow, prefer Jordan Romano or Emilio Pagan for saves?
Is José Leclerc is heading for a visit to Dr. Andrews? Manager said going to miss an extended period of time with sore elbow. Has looked off all spring, velo down. The Rangers pen is decimated but i’m picking up Leclerc whereverIi can. He will start the year on the 10day IL but be ready to go after that and hopefully will be the closer.
I removed him from my top 500 https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2021-fantasy-baseball/
In a 12-team, h2h, 5×5, redraft, what kind of a FAAB bid out of $100 would you put on :
Pagan? ( Current closers in a 12-team mixed h2h are Montero, McGee, and Bass because SAGNOF)
France? (I have Biggio at 2B)
I’d be dropping Laureano and Benintendi if I added both of these guys.
Are there zero dollar bids?
Do not drop Laureano
$3 on Pagan
Yes, there are $0 bids. Haha, feeling hopeful on Laureano? I got burned by him last year! What’s your take on Ty France?
Yes, hopeful on Laureano — my take on France is in rankings
Back end of rotation in a 17tm. Dropping pivetta for trevor rogers is a no brainer but how much faab($5 of $100) also having Shoemaker and Dobnak doesn’t feel very sane. Came up with some options.
Also are we ok with caleb smith as an sp5?.
-Drop Shoemaker for T.Rainey for sagnof? (Zero faith in hand keeping that job)
– Drop Dobnak for India?
– Drop either for this Akil Badoo guy who is killing it in Detroit??
Sorry for the noob questions I just haven’t had any time to do baseball I’m trying to keep my business afloat in the covid environment. Love you guys
Sure on Rogers, I think $3 is fine
I’m fine with Caleb
Yes, Rainey
Yes, India
Meh on Baddoo
Good luck with the business!
Grey
10 team 6×6 OBP Dynasty
would you send Ozuna to get Alonso?
Sure
Several leagues.
Pagan or Barnes?
Pagan or Bard?
Pagan or McGee?
12 team H2H. Drop Canning for Pagan?
Pagan over McGee — sure, if you want to lose Canning, apples/oranges tho
Different league — Barnes or Pagan?
Barnes
Good to be back! Had the first draft last night, side note, anybody else having it up to here with fantrax? The draft glitched twice and someone else said that its happened before. Made it take about an extra hour.
Anyway, here’s my lineup. 12-team H2H points league. I’ll list a few guys on the wire. Any thoughts or advice is always appreciated!
C- Vasquez
1B- Olson
2B- Solak
3B- Riley
SS- Story
CI- Hosmer
MI- Bichette
OF- Bellinger
OF- Arozarena
OF- Lewis
OF- Grisham
OF- Laureano
Ut- Anderson
Bench- Walsh, Gimenez, Taveras
P( All starters, it’s a points league and all the good closers were taken)
Dunning
Gore
Gausman
S Gray
Maeda
E Hernandez
Lopez
Means
Antone
Bench- Stripling, Wacha, Arihara, M. Keller, Howard
Waiver wire- Kieboom, Kirk, N. Lowe, Witt, A. Dickerson, A, Rosario, Alfaro
Good to have you back! That sucks on Fantrax… Love the hitting, looks solid, and I like the pitching…I think it’s exactly the type of team I’d draft…
Grey,
I love these write ups you all do.
I have a question – looking at your top 500, you list $ values next to the players. Are these mixed league auction values or only league values?
Thank you in advance.
Mixed league — here’s NL and AL-Only https://razzball.com/playerrater-preseason-nlonly10team/
12 team NL is what I was looking for. Thank you, sir!
Is there too
Morning Grey,
I kind of want to grab Pagan. Not in a creepy sexual way. Maybe Im related to Framber and have some of his “predator” blood pulsing through my veins. Just not sure if there is anyone that I could drop. My bench bats are M.Sano and M.Kepler. Id like to keep Sano as I have Hosmer at 1B and not 100% sold on his repeat. As far as pitchers go, I have Yarbrough, Neris, T.Rogers as the most droppable. Is Pagan worth dropping one of these? Or is it still too speculative at this point.
Lose Rogers
Just wanted to confirm that it was Taylor Rogers(MIN)
Oh, figured Trevor…Lose Yarbrough for now
Ok now Yates is down. Romano or Pagan? The closer carousel is officially up and running
Romano
Nice updates. Carrasco going down kills me. Kills me dang it!
I could use the forums help, the more the merrier, on a trade proposal. It’s in a 10 team dynasty league. We use OPS and QS. No average for hitters.
Get to keep 10 players.
My Ian Anderson and Wander Franco
for
His Freddie Freeman, Victor Robles and Trevor Larnarch.
Wander is the killer here. I feel like could be trading away an MVP but will be getting Freeman. I have Rizzo and Torkelson so might not need Freeman?
Yeah, it sucks on Carrasco — I wouldn’t trade away Wander in a keep forever
Grey,
Happy Monday and thank you for everything you do! The fantasy world would be l lost without your guidance and help.
Yahoo, h2h, 6×5, including ops.
I just completed my draft yesterday and afterwards I was sent a trade offer. His Olson for my Rizzo. I know you have Olson rated higher in your personal rankings; however, when I reviewed Razzball’s Yahoo ops rankings Rizzo is ranked above Olson by $5, and according to the Razzball trade tool Rizzo is ranked above Olson by $6.
Who would you rather have in a 6×5, including ops league?
Thanks!
Rizzo
Thanks!
Ha, I was secretly hoping you’d say Olson. Like you, I have a thing for him despite last year’s mess. All of his under numbers last year scream for a regression to the norm. I have plenty of players (Acuna, Trout, Yelich, Bregman) that can offset his average, but I also have some players (JRam, Mondesi, Albies) who will bring down my team average as well. Sorry, I should have included my team in my initial post. Seeing my team, would you still go with Rizzo?
I love Olson, you know I do…If I were drafting, I’d take Olson, but I’d go by Rudy’s OPS
Lol this is the downside of having too many talented and knowledgeable people working for Razzball. My heart says Olson after reading your Olson love, but my brain says Rizzo based on Rudy’s objective OPS rankings.
I’m really torn and not sure what to do. Lol blah.
Objective, schjective!
Lol when you put it like that. Who needs facts…
Rizzo’s age and back problems worry me and Olson is destroying the ball this spring.
Who knows what to do. Maybe ask Ted?
Ted says Olson
Lol I think it’s clear now if I accept the trade I have to change my team name to “Grey and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”
HAHA
12 team 5×5 Keeper League (OBP), had my draft last night. Think pitching is my weakness but what are your thoughts overall?
C: Daulton Varsho
1B: Anthony Rizzo
2B: Gleyber Torres
SS: Carlos Correa
3B: Rafael Devers (K)
CI: C.J. Cron
MI: Jonathan Villar
OF: Juan Soto (K)
OF: Mookie Betts
OF: Randy Arozarena
OF: Yordan Alvarez (K)
OF: Victor Robles
UT: Jon Berti
Bench: Julio Rodriguez
Bench: Jackie Bradley Jr.
SP: Walker Buheler (K)
SP: Dylan Bundy
SP: Max Fried
RP: Kenley Jansen
RP: Ryan Pressly
P: Dustin May
P: Zach Eflin
P: Robbie Ray
P: Emilio Pagan
Bench: Justus Sheffield
Bench: Carlos Rodon
IL: Noah Syndegaard
Planning on picking up India, as I have one more spot with moving Syndegaard to IL.
Your pitching is your weakness, I don’t know why you have Rodon, Ray, Fried, but it’s shallow enough league you can fix it… Your hitting looks solid, so there’s that!
The Texas bullpen sitiation keeps getting worse. Hernandez who I thought may close is out and now leclerc has an elbow problem. Other guys are starting on the IL and haven’t even thrown in spring yet. Is Kennedy the guy to own there? He was bad last year but was decent in kc the year before. I know they arent going to win a lot of games, but saves are a category. Hernandez has a “mild” ucl strain. What does that mean?
I’ve updated my top 500 https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2021-fantasy-baseball/
That means just stay far away from the Texas bullpen.
Yeah, big woof
Man, I have LeClerc on more teams than Laureano. Next year, I’m not drafting anybody more than once. Which I’m pretty sure means fewer teams.
On a positive note, I don’t own Yates!
Nice!
HAHA, ouch
Hey Grey!
I made it to Canada too late, the sculptures were gone :)
I drafted 7 of 10 in an 8×8 category league. This is a non-keeper, no idea how I got the first four bats that I did… FTJ fell to me at 7, I was planning on taking Yeli there! This league allows 100 moves all year, so I spent all my bench spots on pitching so I can save streaming for the playoffs.
Any suggestions as far as what I could have done differently? These picks are in order from 1-32
hit: R, HR, RBI, TB, K , SB, AVG, OPS
pit: QS, W, L, SV, H, K, ERA, WHIP
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Cody Bellinger
Marcell Ozuna
Rafael Devers
Blake Snell
Anthony Rizzo
Kenta Maeda
Kyle Hendricks
Edwin Diaz
J.D. Martinez
Ryan Pressly
Tommy Edman
Kris Bryant
Tommy Pham
Kevin Gausman
Rafael Montero
Marcus Stroman
Nick Madrigal
Giovanny Gallegos
Chris Martin
Hector Neris
Austin Nola
Dustin May
Freddy Peralta
Kwang-Hyun Kim
Emilio Pagan
Andrew Miller
Tony Gonsolin
David Peralta
Zach Davies
MacKenzie Gore
Jordan Romano
Oh, damn
Wow, Tatis that late is a gift…Team looks awesome, wouldn’t have done much different myself…I love this team…If I had to quibble, your RPs, that’s fine in 8×8
Awesome!
Have a great day, and as always, thank you for your insight!
-g
You too!
Morning Grey! Apologies in advance for a long winded keeper question, but appreciate your thoughts!
I am in a brand new 10-team roto (5×5) snake draft keeper league. We will hold a normal snake draft this year, and then prior to the 2022 season every team can distribute a total of 20 contract years to as few or as many players as they wish on their roster, individual contracts can be any length as long as the total for the team equals 20. Every contract then simply depreciates by one year after each following season. So, in a nutshell, whichever superstar studs you have on roster coming out of this 2021 season, you will probably keep each of those guys for the following 2 to 5 years (however long you choose). Hope that explains it in a nutshell.
Question 1) I have the #5 pick. I am assuming the top 4 will be Acuna, Tatis, Soto and Betts. Assuming that is the case Grey, who would you roll with at #5? Would you go with Trout who you have 5 in your overall ranks, or bypass for a Story or Turner or othertype? Although I have 0 idea of who will be available to me in round 2, based on Yahoo adp I do think I will be able so score one of Lindor, Bellinger, Bichette or at worst Bryce with my 2nd pick.
Question 2) With this format, are there any guys in particular that you would bump way up or way down in your rankings?
Thanks Grey!
Morning! 1. Trout 2. Kelenic, Vaughn, Luis Robert
thank you times a million Grey, have a great week!
You too!
Final prep for my home league bloodbath, got the #3 pick in a 12 team redraft, roto format. Looking forward to getting after it, confident after being battle tested with two 50 rounders under my belt. Let’s go!
LFG
I am trying to determine if I should go hitter/hitter with upcoming 2 picks or pitcher and hitter or what.
Hitter choices might be something like Leody Tavares, Christian Walker, Clint Frazier, Did Gregorius or catcher with D’arnaud, Vazquez, Garver.
Pitcher might be Richard Rodriquez or Greg Holland for 3rd closer or for starters Eflin, James Paxton, Eliser Hernadez.
Thanks again for any thoughts/help!
disregard this post as I put as reply above with one of my intial posts.
Sorry
In addition to the standard 5 batting categories, my league counts Ks, OPS and ABs… I’m not sure if Adalberto is a top 20 player in my format. Just wanted your thoughts. My plan with my first 2 picks after my 3 keepers is to do the same strategy as I did last year and target Adalberto and a pure power hitter (like Albombso or Yordan) – but I’m rethinking that based on the format.
Pure power hitter makes more sense in an OPS league
what do you think of Adalberto’s value in my league? Is he still a top 20 player?
Nope, not in an OPS league
thanks!
No problem
Hey Grey and Razzball brethren!!
We’re almost there!!! Hope everyone is doing well!
So, I drafted my home league ESPN 12-team H2H team last night (we count holds and some other weird stuff) and came away with this ragtag bunch:
C: Garver (288 overall)
1B: Abreu (4.12)
2B: Muncy
SS: Baez
3B: Devers (2.12)
OF: Acuna JR (1.1)
OF: Meadows
OF: Verdugo
UTIL: Olson
UTIL: Donaldson
Bench: B. Anderson (MIA)
SP: Flaherty (3.1, pitching always goes early in this league)
SP: Gallen (5.1)
SP: Gray
SP: Sixto Sanchez
SP: Bassit
RP: Anderson
RP: Hicks
RP: Rogers (MIN)
P: Gallegos
P: Pagan
P: Castillo (TB)
Bench: Eovaldi
Bench: Pearson
Bench: Smyly
I totally missed out on that make-or-break tier of SP (Urias – Lopez) but hopefully Gray and Sanchez will be good replacements. SP seems kind of light with Eovaldi as my SP6….? Top available guys are Valdez (Hou), Gore (SD), Cease (CWS), Keller (Pit). Should I drop Anderson (MIA) for one of these guys? (Plenty of comparable hitters on the wire I think.)
Thanks!
Jake
Yes, drop Anderson for likely a streamer once the season starts…Can stash Framber now, so you IL him then grab someone once that happens…Love your hitting and pitching, btw…Surprised you were able to get that good of a hitting team with 3 aces on pitching
Thanks Grey! Used your ranks, of course! Also quite happy with this lineup. :-)
That sounds like the right course of action, hopefully signing up and stashing Framber….
And hopefully Gray will be back soon. Saw you got him in Tout.
Have a great start to the week!
Thanks, you too!
Another one for your thoughts/input. I know I deviated a bit from selecting certain pitchers early but seemed to be way the draft was going. Tried to follow the rankings for my hitting when selecting hitters:
c –
1B – Olson
2b- Dylan Moore
ss- Tatis
3B – Suarez
ci – Ke’Bryan Hayes
mi –
of – Eloy Jimenez, Lourdes Gurriel, Jarred Kelenic
util – Franmil Reyes
sp – Darvish, Maeda, Bundy, Bassitt
ro – Chapman, Nick Anderson
we are now going into round 16 of 30 round 12 team 5×5 roto.
What you think of this creation?? Thanks
I am trying to determine if I should go hitter/hitter with upcoming 2 picks or pitcher and hitter or what.
Hitter choices might be something like Leody Tavares, Christian Walker, Clint Frazier, Did Gregorius or catcher with D’arnaud, Vazquez, Garver.
Pitcher might be Richard Rodriquez or Greg Holland for 3rd closer or for starters Eflin, James Paxton, Eliser Hernadez.
Thanks again for any thoughts/help!
Clint, Elieser, Eflin
should I be worried about my team speed as that is maybe why I was thinking Tavares or do you think he could last for few more rounds?
And you like Clint over Walker for maybe some power? your ranking do perhaps favour Clint by a bit.
Thanks Mr. Grey!
Can wait on Leody for now
How many teams?
12 team 5×5 roto league and we are going into round 16 or 30.
sorry and we start 5 OF and have a 2nd Util spot but only 1 catcher.
Hey Grey
In a 13 team 6×6 roto with OPS and QS I have the #1 pick. Would you consider Soto in this format or stick with Acuna?
Thanks!
Soto
Hey bud hope is well with ya and that goes for the rest of the razzers and very fine people here. Been enjoying all the material you guys throw out here teaching me the ways to fantasyland. From what I have learned from this site I has developed a fine hatred of deafting SP. I am in a OBP league with svs + holds and have been thinking how I dont even want to draft a starter till pick 70+. There is just soo many juicey bats I want!!! When i was listening to ur podcast It filled me with a fearlessness of not drafting a starter.. I will find them! They always appear!
Also talk me out of drafting stanton if he us available around 100… THE UPSIDE!!#3;27#;
hugs and kisses
Thanks!
Hard to imagine Stanton playing for more than 80 games, and hitting around 27 homers…If you get lucky, and he stays healthy, he could hit 55+ homers, but that sounds like what we say every year
Any concerns about Tyler Mahle going forward? Rough spring, tough time keeping the ball in the yard….don’t know if he’s working on anything in particular. Trying to decide to keep him in an Otteneu pts league where hr allowed, hits and walks are all punished. He’s my worst starter and have many better options already.
No concerns yet
I’m in a keep-10-forever, 12-team league. Is Kelenic worth keeping as my 1oth or is that still too early? What about Andrew Vaughn?
Kelenic as your 10th works
Grey,
I need your ruling on a potential collusion case in my keeper league.
Team A is in rebuild mode and has the most money to spend in auction and can out bid anyone to get certain players that Team B wants.
Team B wants these certain players and has a handshake agreement with Team A to trade for them after the auction draft.
What are your thoughts? If it is collusion what should the punishment be? I was thinking chest wax or nose hair removal? I will listen to ideas.
Thanks, Best of luck!
Make them eat Taco Bell in a diaper with no bathroom breaks
I like it! I may add the fire sauce as requirement too!
Ha
Drink a warm beer and sit in the sun….fermenting
Sounds great!
Hey Grey. Hope your doing well. I’m in a keeper league holding tatis yelich degrom mondesi and Lewis. The draft is obviously a little watered down. But given the team comp how many power hitters would you target in the draft. I know you don’t know who is available but guys like franmil Chapman muncy soler are still out there.
Thanks, Sal, you too!
You don’t need much speed prolly, but don’t know anything about your league
Pitcher questions:
1. RP – do you like Diekman as a RP who could get/vulture saves? Are you targeting him?
2. Which dart throw SP do you like best: C-Mart, T Rogers (Mia) or Rodon?
Thanks Grey
1. Sure
2. Rogers
10 Team AL 5×5 ( strikeouts and net runs ( Runs minus HR)
Can make a trade and get either:
Judge $35
Keuchel $5
Other keepers will be T Anderson $23, Voit $10 and Puk $2…
Feels like Keuchel may be better value but pitchers can be dime a dozen and last year was fluky..
I don’t like Keuchel
Kevin Acee beat writer at SD U-T thinks it is going to be Pagan mostly in the 9th this year:
https://twitter.com/sdutKevinAcee/status/1373389074891821060
Yes, that’s what I think
I could see Melancon saving around 35 games for the Padres this year. I have been happily taking him in drafts near the end.
I hope so, since I drafted him yesterday in Tout
Good move. We’ve seen plenty of guys like Meancon rack up the saves.
Yeah
obp / qs / save+hold 12 team, can keep 8:
freeman $30
Bregman $14
Lindor $17
Darvish $11
Hiura $5
Brandon Lowe $5
Arenado $23
Aaron Nola $22
Edwin Diaz $5
Mondesi $8
Thanks for any input!
Not Diaz or Arenado
Who would you go after in a dynasty league : Chislom or India ?
Also : pick 2 of 3 : Canning, Ray or Skubal in dynasty league ?
India — Not Ray
finished my auction saturday in my 10 team, 6 x 6 (OBP & QS) keep 12, with $5 bump every year you keep a player. We had auction on a site that enabled trades during auction that involved auction $$$. $260 budget overall, 3 owners had less than $60 left after keepers. I started with Flaherty $13, and Gray $8 as keepers, and added:
Ryu $13 (Traded Grisham and $15 draft $)
Sixto $3 (Traded $15 draft $)
Musgrove $23
Eflin $14
Gonsolin $6
May $6
Gore $1
My hitting is stacked, Alonso, Devers, Bogaerts, Bichette, Bregman, Acuna, Soto, Robert.
Have Vaughn at $1, was offered choice of Pab Lopez $13, Urquidy $14, or Morton $16 for him.
Is my SP strong enough as is or should I accept offer, and if so, which SP should I ask for?
My hitting is stacked because of this site, all listed above I got for $1 before they hit MLB. Have $1 Franco on bench as well. Thank you!
Sounds like fun! Your pitching looks fine for now, hold
thanks!!!
Hello Grey,
Wow what a year. It felt great to draft this weekend and thank you again for all your work and expertise. It is very much appreciated and is a welcome distraction to the real world. Ha.
As is a tradition (I think 10 years!) here is my team for your thoughts and consideration. Is it competitive?
5×5 – 14 teams – Keeper – Auction – Mixed
C Tom Murphy C | SEA
C Wilson Ramos C | DET
1B Matt Olson 1B | OAK
2B Jake Cronenworth 2B | SD
3B Rafael Devers 3B | BOS
SS Marcus Semien SS | TOR
MI Paul DeJong SS | STL
CI Eduardo Escobar 3B | ARI
OF Ronald Acuna OF | ATL
OF Nick Castellanos OF | CIN
OF Dylan Moore OF | SEA
OF Marcell Ozuna OF | ATL
OF Cristian Pache OF | ATL
U Rowdy Tellez 1B | TOR
U Evan White 1B | SEA
BENCH
OF Franchy Cordero OF | BOS
PITCHERS
SP Chris Bassitt SP | OAK
SP Luis Castillo SP | CIN
SP Zach Eflin SP | PHI
SP Marco Gonzales SP | SEA
SP Zach Plesac SP | CLE
SP Brandon Woodruff SP | MIL
RP Greg Holland RP | KC
RP Chris Martin RP | ATL
RP Richard Rodriguez RP | PIT
RP Kirby Yates RP | TOR
BENCH:
SP Mitch Keller SP | PIT
SP Jake Odorizzi SP | HOU
SP Framber Valdez SP | HOU
RP Bryan Garcia RP | DET
Thanks, and agreed!
You look solid on power and speed, but you look low on AVG…Devers is gonna have to hit .325 to help you — not a bad hitting team tho! I like it!
Your pitching looks great, rock solid…Not sure how you got so good of a pitching team, but I’d guess that’s why your hitting looks suspect at times
Grey,
I heard the call for the pitching Fatwa and immediately got into a religious fervor and then I did this… tell me I didn’t become too radicalized and take things too far. (14 team mixed 5×5)
Sonny Gray
Zach Plesac
Nate Eovaldi
John Means
Jordan Montgomery
Luke Weaver
Mackenzie Gore
Adbert Alzolay
Kohei Arihara
Aroldis Chapman
Hector Neris
I took it too far didn’t I? Damn me and my washable brain!!!
You didn’t take it too far, I like this, tho you do have a few too many risky SPs and not enough safe ones…
Luke Weaver
Mackenzie Gore
Adbert Alzolay
Kohei Arihara
One of them is fine, but it’s ok to hold for now to see who breaks camp with a job, looks good etc
Apologies if I missed news on this, but is there a downloadable spreadsheet this year (other than Rudy’s)?
No, the guy who didn’t never emailed me back after repeated tries…Hope he’s okay
Grey GOD IM BACK!!!!!!! missed u bro I know your pumped for a full year of roto
Who would you guys keep? I can only keep 4, and the number in parenthesis is the round in which they would be kept. Very difficult decision, I have had 2 years and still cant decide. Thanks gents! And lady lol. 6×6 QS and OPS H2H league
Story (1st)
Bellinger (1st)
Cole (1st)
Alonso (20th)
Eloy (8th)
Hiura (14th)
Flaherty (8th)
Castillo (6th)
Giolito (14th)
Can only keep 4, and before you say it, I have won the title 2x in a row with this squad Lol. TIA for any and all feedback
Roto Overlord!
My 0.02$….
Story
Eloy
Giolito
Alonso
Cheers,
Ante
Galic thank u for the feedback, totally wasnt expecting that combo, a new yorker? or really like the value at 20 for alonso
Overlord!
All are great. Love Alonso. Not from NY. Value in 20 is tremendous and then you don’t need Belli in the 1st.
Interested to see what our Headmaster says.
Cheers,
Ante
I really am too. I agree there isnt too much of a diff numbers wise btw alonso and belli. considering the injury risk and loaded lineup hes in may not be asked to do as much.
I could go Alonso and 3 starters and literally not have to draft a pitcher for like 13 rounds, or go top heavy (story, belli, cole, and Gio) and take 3 1st round guys in first 3 rounds, but then I get no picks until round 4. The part that scares me is that story has no protection and could be traded and become devalued, his road numbers arent anything special/worthy of a 1st rounder
Haha, hey man, good to see you!
Story (1st)
Bellinger (1st)
Cole (1st)
Alonso (20th)
Who has the best season? Vaughn, India, or JD Davis?
Vaughn
JD
India.
Behold – my Grey/Razzball inspired results of last nights draft.
6×5 (standard + OPS) weekly 10 team H2H. 1 year keeper – 3 max. Strategy: FrankenAces
c – figure it out later; maybe go catcherless, though I’m eyeing Kirk
1b – Bellinger
2b – Gleyber
ss – Lindor (K)
3b – Vlad (K)
if – Cory Seager
of – Yelich (K)
of – Yordan
of – Stanton
of – Buxton
util – Shohei
bn – Bohm
bn – Franmil
bn – Lourdes
sp – Fried
sp – Urias
sp – Pomeranz
sp – Gonsolin
rp – Yates
rp – Nick Anderson
p – Jordan Hicks
p – Alex Reyes
p – Diego Castillo
bn – Pablo Lopez
bn – Aaron Civale
bn – John Means
Feel like my hitting is stupid. Maybe a little light on speed, but I have to check out the other teams; other than the ones with Turner or Mondesi, I feel like I’m good. Have a lot of question marks as far as health, but I love my bench. Feel like I have a lot of trade pieces if I find in-season I need to bump up my speed or go for a top-flight SP. And great keeper options for next year as well. The only player I got sniped on was Freddy Peralta, but that allowed me to take a shot on Ohtani in the last round. I wasn’t gonna reach on him, but I couldn’t let him go undrafted. Was planning on punting Saves, but good ratio relievers were still there at spots where I didn’t have defined targets, so I ended up with some potential Saves guys as well.
Let me have it!
Stupid good, but yeah a little light on speed…Laurano or someone like that over Giancarlo would’ve been better…But in OPS league it’s understandable and I wouldn’t change anything…Your pitching is a mess, why didn’t you draft starters?
Drafted last night in the 22 year and going keeper league. 3 keepers could be kept from previous year….1-7rd(1)…..8-30(2) Keepers: Trea Turner;Brandon Lowe;Jarred Kelenic.
12 team OBP/ Sv+holds/Yahoo H2H
C. Sean Murphy
1b. Pete Alonso(20)
2nd. Brandon Lowe(K)
SS. Trea Turner(K)
MI. Bo Bichette(5)
3rd. K’Bryan Hayes
CI. Christian Walker
OF. Lourdes Gurriel
OF. Dylan Moore
OF. M. Haniger
OF. H Dozier
Utl. Jared Walsh
Utl. Nick Senzel
Bn. Jarred Kelenic(K)
Bn. Taylor Trammel
Bn. M. Dubon
Bn. A. Baddoo
NA. Wander Franco
Sp. Blake Snell(29)
Sp. Jose Berrios(44)
Sp. Max Fried
Sp. Julio Urias
Rp. Ryan Presley
Rp. Trevor May
Rp. Jordan Romano
P. Pablo Lopez
P. Aaron Civale
P. G. Gallegos
Bn. Y.Kikuchi
Bn. T. Antone
The whole fing Mariners, two Jar(r)eds, and Alan Trammels nephew. What thinks you?
I missed Olson and Chapman b2b rounds by the mfer in front of me….other than that and Flaherty/Castillo/Woodruff going..1….2…3…..in front of me and me settling with Snell….Im okay with the draft.
Major bag alert!
Love that pitching, besides Fried, not a fan of his, but it’s fine…Solid RPs too…I like the hitting a lot, love all the guys you took, solid balance and upside, nice team!
Thanks man! I even bought Rudy’s spreadsheet and didn’t even use the GD thing!
I had Fried last year and he served me well…but he seems like a ticking time bomb(but arnt all pitchers?)….as long as he can get me one more good year I’ll be jovial.
Hey….what about this for a Glossary submission…..Major Bag Alert!…..thinking maybe say anytime a player steals 2 or more bags a game while heavily under the influence of drugs!
Quick story about Kikuchi….I drafted the squinty eyed fella only to help aide in the efforts of #StopingAsianHate. I’m wokezz.
Major Bag Alert! In case Ron Leflore makes a comeback
Should we be concerned by Bo Bichette’s awful Spring numbers thus far?
if not injured he wouldn’t be changing anything.
I’m not concerned
Thanks for the write up! Just a quick heads up as I’m any be doing something wrong on my end but podcasts havnt been uploading. I unsubscribed and tried to sudscribe again and it tells me that the feed is no longer available.
I just downloaded the last two episodes and heard them fine — how are you trying to play them?
Someone also below in the comments is talking about the pod, so they downloaded it too