Can I *itch about utter nonsense for a second? (Asterisk replacing a B there, but also works since I’m talking about the Houston Asterisks.) People who say it’s okay to draft top starters in February, due to how well they did the previous season, invariably ignore all the starters who were bumped down in rankings by the start of the season. No one next year will mention Chris Sale, Mike Clevinger, Luis Severino, Justin Verlander or Blake Snell were drafted in the top starters in 2020 up until March. People in October will be like, “Top starters were safe last year, only Scherzer, Cole and Flaherty missed time.” Yeah, only those three and five others! Contests which rank rankings always end the morning of Opening Day, when, ya know, 99.9% of leagues have drafted already! Am I saying this because I want some glory for telling to ignore top starters as early as January? YES, GODDAMN IT! Any hoo! Justin Verlander was shut down with a lat strain. Luckily, you didn’t draft any top starters, right? You did? Aw, shucks. Going onto eBay and put in a one cent bid on the world’s smallest violin, then adopt a baby and teach it how to play from a YouTube tutorial. Not sure how many times I have to say don’t draft a top pitcher, but I’m sure everyone this time next year will have forgotten I ever said it. A lat strain is better than an arm injury, or so I’m told. As in, I’m told that it’s a lat strain, but on Sunday it was triceps soreness. Sounds great! *insert giant thumbs up emoji* I told you not to draft Verlander before this, guess what this does for me? I’ve updated Verlander’s projections and moved him down in the top 20 starters and the top 500 for 2020 fantasy baseball. Also, with Verlander’s latissimus dorsi more banged up than a dolphin at Sea World, I’ve added Josh James into the top 100 starters. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in spring training for 2020 fantasy baseball:
Aaron Judge – Diagnosed with a stress fracture in his rib, which happened last September. The Yankees are going to give it two weeks of rest to see where Judge is at rather than opt for surgery. That’s right, something that didn’t heal in the last six months will be given two weeks more. The magical last two weeks of healing as Dr. Nick, the Yankees’ team doctor, describes it. “If rest doesn’t heal him, we will look at other options.” That’s Dr. Nick looking at a turtle that’s been dead for a month. I’m tempted to just remove Judge entirely from my rankings, since I wouldn’t draft him in any way, shape or humongoid form, but I left him in there. However, that will invariably lead to someone saying, “I see you have Judge around 200th overall, is that where you’d draft him?” Sure. I mean, no, I wouldn’t, but, sure, do what you want. I’m not drafting him. So, I’ve moved him into my top 80 outfielders. With the Yankees asking the Chinese to build a two-week hospital for their outfield, I’ve moved Tauchman up and increased his projections. He’s also in the top 80 outfielders, and Clint Frazier, yes, that Clint Frazier, was added to my top 100 outfielders.
Jordan Montgomery – Boone says Montgomery is a lock for the Yankees’ season-opening starting rotation. Yeah, no dur. They lost German, Paxton and Severino. Montgomery was already added to the top 100 starters. I’m curious who their 5th starter will be. My guess is an Opener, but I’ve heard rumblings on Schmidt, Nelson and King, who I believe created Sex and the City. Others have said Lasagna. Others have said Delvi. Others have said, “Huh? What are you saying?” Others have said, “Nothing, mind your business.” Whoever it is, you’d have to think they’re a placeholder until Paxton returns at the end of April.
Kyle Wright – Looks like the Braves’ 5th spot is going to come down to Wright and Newcomb with the 4th spot going to F-Her. Thought process: F-Her is useless out of the bullpen (might be useless in the rotation too), so that leaves one spot for Wright and Newcomb while Hamels is rehabbing. My guess is the Braves prefer Newcomb in the bullpen, and Wright slides into a temp position in the rotation. This is essentially the role Fried started the year out with in 2019 and ran with a rotation job all year, so Wright was added into my top 100 starters, and could be huge value (or useless by May). Right? Wright!
Griffin Canning – Given biological injections into his elbow. I’ve heard about biological injections in all kinds of places, but an elbow is some kinky shizz! You’d think a guy named Canning would be getting biological injections somewhere else! Hey now! Anyway, he’s out for a month, at least, and he was moved way down into a section of starters I wouldn’t draft in the top 100 starters.
Tyler Beede – Told reporters he doesn’t need surgery after revealing his UCL was only 75 percent attached. He will be getting a 2nd opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Or 75% Attrached, in this case. I’ve removed Beede from the top 100 starters.
Chris Taylor – Setback with his shoulder. I haven’t drafted Taylor yet, and might have him ranked too high, so be careful. The next step will be me removing him from my top 500, i.e., Taylor damn, GTFO with your pork roll!
Chris Sale – Not expected to undergo Tommy John surgery. Dot dot dot. Yet. This is actually worse news for him and his owners. Now, because you’ve invested in him, you’re gonna feel compelled to start him when he does return in…May?…and you go ahead and ask his owners from last year how well starting him went. Also, it means when he does finally have surgery, it’s going to be even more delayed. Chris Sale is basically derailing his entire career. Not, ya know, to be dramatic. Oh, by the by, I’ve seen some ‘perts say this is good news about how Sale won’t need Tommy John. If anyone is saying this, you should question literally everything else that comes out of their mouths. They’re lacking some sorta, how do I say, common sense. He’s still in the top 40 starters, but you’re crazy if you think I’m drafting him.
Collin McHugh – Signed with the Red Sox. Not that I think McHugh will be good, but over/under on his innings and Sale’s? I’d go with McHugh.
Oscar Mercado – Slid for a fly ball on Thursday and sprained his wrist. Thursday was also the day I received my newest ulcer. Why are you trying to make a sliding catch in spring training? Who are you trying to impress? Jordan Luplow?! I’m standing outside my Super Mercado screaming at the sign, “Stop being sarcastic! It’s not effin’ super!” Wait a second, our prayer hexagon paid off for the first time maybe ever. Everything is coming up Millhouse! Tests showed Mercado has merely a strain and is day-to-day. Get rid of the S.O.S. spelled out in the sand, we’re saved!
Carlos Carrasco – Dealing with elbow inflammation. As Mrs. Fields used to say, “An inflamed cookie usually means too much baking soda.” Mrs. Fields was an A+ baker; absolute terrible fantasy analyst. I had Carrasco down for 123 IP in my top 40 starters, where I said don’t draft him, so, if you have, that’s on you.
Michael Conforto – Tweaked his side, which is code for Conforto is feeling unconfortable, and will likely miss up to three to four weeks. Hmm, wonder if Conforto’s phone number is 3-2-4-Weeks. Solid contact info, if it is. I’ve docked him three weeks of the season from his projections and lowered him in the top 60 outfielders.
Trey Mancini – Undergoing a procedure that the O’s said is “non-baseball related,” but “too sensitive to specifically mention,” and that he would be “out some time.” Each one of those quoted phrases are not what you want to hear. Hopefully, the vagueness isn’t as scary as it sounds. Don’t think you can draft him until we hear more. I’ve lowered him way down in my top 20 1st basemen.
Willie Calhoun – Hit on the mouth by a fastball and was carted off the field. Took them a bit longer than usual for the cart because they had to sterilize it prior to using. Hashtag coronavirus, hashtag know your disease. Without bad luck, Calhoun would have no luck at all. He finally gets a real chance to play and he gets his jaw broke. Hopefully, he returns with one of those Bill Laimbeer-Hannibal Lecter masks and chews up all (fava) beanballs, but I’ve deducted 100 ABs from his line, and moved him down into the top 60 outfielders. In the top 20 2nd basemen, I moved Nick Solak up and upped his projections. No matter who the Rangers lose, there’s a sexy guy stepping in to fill the space. *sees Todd Frazier penciled into cleanup* Don’t even think about it, Rangers! Calhoun didn’t need to have his jaw wired shut. No jaw wired shut is good news for his recovery. The bad news is his karaoke’ing of early-Kanye will suffer.
Brendan Rodgers – Made his spring training debut last Thursday, and could return as soon as April. Bud Black said, “Quicker he gets back, the quicker the bats on the ground of the dugout get put away–Wait, he’s a player for the team? Are you sure?”
Ryan Helsley – Since there’s a chance Helsley could close, work middle relief, be in the rotation — How’s his swing? Cards could use a righty platoon bat with Carpenter. — I’ve added Helsley into my top 500. If I told you I knew what role Helsley would be in, I’d be lying, and my lie-down desk hasn’t arrived yet.
Dylan Carlson – Moved him way up into my top 80 outfielders as he starts to feel inevitable to break camp and push Bader to the bench, or worse, Bader becomes the guy who relays managing decisions from La Russa on the phone to Shildt. “What’s that? Yes, your hair is feathered fantastically! Shildt needs to know where to position his infielders. What? Yes, we promise not to harm any marsupials. God damn it, Tony!” That’s Bader running manager relay. While my projections needed updating in the Dylan Carlson outlook and some of the stuff about offseason acquisitions (since it’s from November), but as I say there, Carlson does appear to be better than Bader, and I’m leaning into that now.
Grey!!!
Nice update, all MASHED up.
a. I read these updates and pray none of the players I drafted are herein described! Sorry, I’m selfish.
b. MLB quote of the day for September 2, 1912
‘I get a kick out of watching a team defense me. A player moves two steps in one direction and I hit it two steps the other way. It goes right by his glove and I laugh.’
Rodney ‘Rod’ Cline Carew
Cheers,
Ante
A. Haha, there’s a few positive ones on this list
B. Nice! These are the best!
Grey!
Thanks, man.
a. I figure I will insure that the source of the quotes are as diverse as possible. Yesterday Ty Cobb – a baseball legend for sure but his race card is blurred – so I made sure today we get Rod Carew. You can bet the legends of the Negro Leagues like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Monte Irvin, Cool Papa Bell and many others will be featured throughout the season as will other diverse groups to make it as inclusive as possible.
b. Yes, some positives, as you say, like Helsley.
Cheers,
Ante
A. So woke!
B. Yeah
Fortunate to have been around Rod down at the MLB Academy in Compton, Ca. Good man, and very involved giving back to the community. Guys like him make the world a better place
Smitty!
Thanks so much for your comment, much appreciated.
Cheers,
Ante
mancini – this sounds EXACTLY like what o’neill had last year and was out like a week, his was almost certainly a sex disease that inflamed his genitals (wart outbreak being my guess). i got this idea from comments made by STL’s brass/coach at the time. forgot the exact quotes, but they were:
1. it wasn’t a serious issue
2. was “too personal to go into, it might be embarrassing if we went into details”
3. “inflammation that would go down in a few days till a week” in his case, which maybe took about 10ish days
cancer isn’t too embarassing to go into. boning filthy baseball-star fuckers and contracting shit kinda is though.
sale: the same idiots that think it’s a good thing that sale isn’t getting TJ yet are the same type of people that think it’s BAD when a prospect pitcher just got his (1st at least) TJ done already. it’s GOOD when they get that (albeit the 14-18ish months it takes to comeback and do well after) out of the way when they need it.
judge: NYY being as smart with judge as they were with boss tanaka’s elbow (and every SP at LAA not named otani over the last 4ish years). why not just fix the rib thing back WHEN IT HAPPENED
the “some time” part doesn’t sound like o’neill though, could be really bad sex disease i guess.
It 100% doesn’t sound like a “sex disease”
I’m pretty sure I have a “sex disease” and the only cure lies between my wife’s legs.
Which of these 2b do you like best in a pts league:
Starlin Castro – playing time and ability to hit 25 hr
Kolton Wong – leadoff and plate appearances but speed doesn’t usually translate in pts
Jose Peraza – only because Chavis is my only other 2b….could start one of these every day
Cesar Hernandez – should play everyday with a solid batting average
Mauricio Dubon – sleeper of sorts, starter and could hit 20+ hr with a good average.
The diamond in the rough explorer likes Dubon, but the safety net in me says Castro. What do you guys think?
In my $$$ H2H points lgs, Wong and Castro are being drafted late (rd 22+ in 12-team) and all the others are still on the waiver wire. Personally I prefer Wong’s upside. Castro could be a utility guy.
Agree with Bitter Beerface
Agree with others
Over under 7 scherzer starts before we start hearing about his bad back?
Hmmm I’ll bet by midseason. So over.
I’d say June, so just over
well, it looks like it was the under –
“Change of plan here: Max Scherzer just told us that he has an “ailment” on his right side and decided to long toss today.”
Haha
These aged poorly!
Haha
Under was free money
It really was
In a 6×6, 12-team H2H Yahoo! League, I have the following awful keeper decision to make.
Pick 1: Lucchesi, Jon Gray, or Archer.
I know it’s a pretty bad spot I put myself in and I’ve poured over the rankings. Gray had them ranked all around the same area. Is there any bright spot for any of them?
Lucchesi
Lucchesi is not awful. Actually, he could improve this year off a better than average year of 2019. And half your starts in the PetPadre helps. The other two, ugh. I wouldn’t own them in any league. Ratio killers, they are.
Agree with Cram
Agree with others
“If rest doesn’t heal him, we will look at other options.” That’s Dr. Nick looking at a turtle that’s been dead for a month.
Dr. Nick’s other option would be to perform a vivisection on the turtle.
The Yankees probably to advantage of Dr. Nick’s “Buy one, get one free” rib fracture assessments, knowing full well Stanton will have the same injury this season at some point.
Haha
Last year i drafted Severino in the middle of a draft. He had a lat problem just like Verlander. It didnt work out too well.
Yea I told Grey yesterday that I was taking the under on 150 IP.
Yeah, I’m not drafting Verlander anywhere
12 team H2H points, keep forever
planned on keeping snell and clevinger and fried, are any of these better options?
galen, lucchesi,e rod, starling marte, robert, wander franco
thanks all
I’d go with Robert over Fried. Could go Marte over Snell too but depends on your team build and points scoring.
Agree with DT
Just wanted to thank Razzball nation for reminding me not to draft pitchers early!!
Haha — you’ve been reminded
In a keeper league, non salary, where you can keep your 4th, 5th, and 6th round pick from previous year and just lose the pick at that point in the current year. My current keepers are definitely Bogaerts-4th, Springer-5th…is Ozuna worthy of the 6th round pick or should I play the field? Thanks.
How many teams and how many total players are kept?
Each team can keep only 3 players. 12 teams
Agree with DT’s question
this is my 10 team h2h roster what do you think i should chase down
. Perez
C. Bellinger
O. Albies
J. Villar(R)
L. Arraez(R)
J. Donaldson
T. Story
B. Harper
R. Laureano
J. Soto
A. Aquino(R)
B. Buxton(R)
M. Olson
L. Giolito
M. Fried
S. Gray
J. Lester
C. Paddack
M. Foltynewicz(R)
I. Kennedy
G. Gallegos
I just dropped luis arrez for kyle scwarber would you drop Astrido Aquino for dylan carlson? does it still look lke Aquino will not be getting at bats?
probably the worst draft was they guy with the 10 slot 1st pick zach greinke , George Springer and #3 luis castillo then charlie blockman
Maybe. Carlson is looking more like breaking camp with the big club and probably will play plenty if he does make the show. The Reds have a 40-man roster entirely made up of outfielders, and Aquino is the only one with options left. Sad, because I like Aquino as a power bat with some speed combo player.
Schwarber over Arraez and Carlson over Aquino
thanks OR thats what i think as well
Since no Razzballerz would draft Verlander where he was going, none of us have anything to worry about except Willie Calhoun’s slack jaw and Oscar Market’s limp wrist.
Haha, I know
They were much cheaper than Verlander at least!
Not that I have to convince you, but this is on the heels of my observation the other day I shared with you about Happ & Dahl leading off:
Rockies manager Bud Black said Tuesday that he’s “strongly” considering using David Dahl in the leadoff spot.
Charlie Blackmon has been the Rockies’ regular leadoff hitter the last few years, but he finished last season in the middle of the order and apparently that’s where he’ll stay. If Dahl does indeed bat leadoff, he’s expected to be followed, in order, by Trevor Story, Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, Daniel Murphy and Ryan McMahon.
That is gin & juice my internet buddy!
Oh em gee, that is music to my ears — Dahl in leadoff would be amazing for my teams with him
Yeah I’m 2/4 owned on him and I will be drafting him everywhere else I can down the stretch. Ian Happ too.
Love Happ! Member I drafted him in our Dec draft?
Yeah. Good call at pick 352. I owned him alot last year and was rewarded late in year. He went through something for awhile but as long as PT seems to be there I’m in too. Ive got a pretty good team in that league too I believe. Some late picks are sizing up well (Akiyama 391 J. James 420 come to mind). Hopefully we are duking it out on the leaderboard soon.
Yeah, hopefully… I do feel like my team is a bit weak on depth bc at the time I just didn’t know who to draft for PT
Ever since I started reading Razzball, I’ve never drafted a top starter until Round 5 and have finished as a top team each year. I’m never going back!
Side note – I read an article on the holy FantasyPros yesterday where one of their “experts” Top Tip for Fantasy Baseball was to ““Spend three of your first five picks on starting pitching”. 3 out of 5! I wish I played in his league, but at least I can hope that somebody in my league reads that article and takes that advice to heart.
Haha, nice!
Yeah, without fail people will say they know what’s up and draft pitchers high and invariably they’re wrong
I’m in a 12-team 5×5 keeper league with OBP and QS in place of AVG and Ws. Each team can keep up to 5 players. These are my definite keepers:
Anthony Rendon – $24
Adalberto Mondesi – $15
Shane Bieber – $15
I’m unsure about my last 2 choices, but here are the potential players that I think warrants it:
George Springer – $23
Matt Chapman – $11
Mike Clevinger – $13
Brandon Woodruff – $7
I’m leaning toward Spring and Clevinger, but both of them have too much uncertainty to them for me to definitely pick them. Not sure what do you guys think.
Agreed, Springer and Clevinger
Agree with DT
Preach Grey! I am a believer in your starting pitching philosophy it makes more sense everyday my friend, as I said last week Grey = Messiah… haha.
To add to this in a 16 team H2H 6×6 QS, OPS league keep 12 $260 budget, salaries rise $5/ year. Would you advocate strongly considering moving guys like Buehler ($16) and Flaherty ($26) while their value is insanely high? I also have Bauer & Lynn but I am keeping those guys mainly because I like them and feel they are very similiar to many of the so called aces.
Thanks
Haha
Depends what you can get, but I’d want a lot
I have Yellich, Arrenado, Buehler, Verlander and Judge. Get to keep 4. Ahh, the defense of my 2019 Championship is off to a stellar start.
Through back Kate Uptons cheating husband.
Haha
I’d lose Judge
First RCL last night. 1st nine picks got auto-drafted as room didnt open until 9 PM and it auto-drafted until someone on clock got in room which was 9:00 and 5 seconds.
So I went pitcher first by default and then built a fairly awesome, upside and injury ridden team built to stream.
Berti and Newman (17) drafted as early speed to be replaced by Stanton and Conforto. Or on 2nd day of season.
C Jansen (25)
1B Muncy (6)
2B Hiura (4)
SS Tatis (2)
3B Escobar (9)
MI Dejong (15)
CI Berti (19)
OF Marte (3)
OF Eloy (5)
OF Conforto (8)
OF Stanton (10)
OF Dannysantana (11)
UT Andujar (14)
P Degrom (1)
P Yates (7)
P Hand (12)
P LeClerc (13)
P C. Martinez (16)
P Kennedy (18)
P Jon Gray (20)
P Fiers (21)
P Hunter Harvey (22)
P Karinchak (23)
P Wade Davis (24)
Are 6 closers enough to start with?
You have deGrom, which means you have Conforto, Stanton, Andujar, Berti, DeJong…I mean, there’s some question marks….But I do like the team! Your pitching is a little wonky too, you seem to overcorrected and took no starters after deGrom
Yeah 1 permanent starter became the plan. Stream Machine.
Haha
Would you keep Jo Ram round 5 or mondesi round 12? In 14 team keeper (we keep 6), seems like Jo Ram would late round 1 or round 2. Thanks for the input.
JRam for me
Agree with DT
In a 12-team, 6×6 (OPS), keep 10 forever league and with Robert, Kepler, Meadows, Schwarber already in the fold, who do you like as 5th OF: L. Gurriel or JD Davis?
Thanks! New to your site this year, but has become one of my must-reads.
I’d keep Lourdes.
Agree with MP
Agree with others
Grey my fantasy savior…gotta pick 2 keepers
12 team, h2h, 6×6 w/ OPB
muncy – 8th round
zac gallen – 11th round
olson – 15th round
im definitely gonna keep olson so i guess the question is muncy or gallen
thanks for everything year and out my FML, you always deliver with the goods
Muncy and Olson.
Agree with MP
Agree with others
Grey!
Quick question for ya. Had a few changes in my league from Avg, Wins & Saves, to OBP, QS and Saves + Holds.
How much would you change your draft strategy, if at all? Have had recent success waiting on all pitching and stacking hitters.
Thank you in advance!
Use Rudy’s OBP rankings and devalue RP even more.
Thank you! Is there a way that I can put hitting and pitching both on one rankings sheet?
Agree with DT
Are you at Foleys Saturday night or are you going to self quarantine?
Nah, I can’t…It’s irresponsible to fly to NY rn — if I were in tri-state, I would drive in, but not flying rn
14 team 5×5 $300 cap. Keep 10. $5 annual increases
Trade away $25 Bregman & $10 Gallen for $25 Trea Turner?
Obv this is SB motivated.
I’d want Turner
Agree with MP
Agree with others
Hey Grey – great stuff here, thank you! Just to be clear on Mercado, you are not concerned about the wrist, right? Just wanted to make sure before I buy some more shares this week. Thanks
No problem — Nah, I’m not concerned rn, but it’s still fluid situation
We covered this yesterday, but Mancini. :(
I think he’s supposed to have his non-baseball related surgery today, so hopefully we find out soon.
My guess is it’s not good, hopefully it’s treatable whatever it is
Hi, Grey,
I am in a 10-team, 6-keeper OBP & QS league, we are going to re-draft this year.
My pick is 10th with snake draft. I should be able to pick Story or Turner in my 1st pick.
I also read your article about pairing.
I am thinking to draft JoRem or Arenado or Devers as 3B if they are still there.
1. Who do you prefer if we consider it’s a 4 years keeper league?
Seems Devers is the youngest with potential, and Arenado can leverage Coors to provide big power. So my priority is Devers -> Arenado -> JoRem
Kindly comment?
2. If Rendon is also there, where is his priority? I am thinking to skip him because he is elder than the rest good 3B who I can choose.
3. If Harper is also there, where is his priority? (higher than?)
Thoughts appreciated. Thanks.
Typo, should be “JoRam” not JoRem ..
Jose Ramirez.
If I can get a SS (Story or Turner) and a 3B (Devers or Arenado or JoRam) in my first two pick, I would choose 1 or 2 OF in my 30th & 31st overall pick .
1. If Meadows, Ketel Marte, Starling Marte, Judge, Springer are still there.
How do you rank priority?
I am thinking to skip Starling and Springer due to their age (4 years keeper), and rank priority as Ketel Marte (flexible eligibility with 2B), Meadows, Judge. Kindly comment?
2. After drafting an OF in 30th pick, which player should I pick in the 31st pick? an OF or SP? by considering it’s a QS league.
1. Ketel, Meadows, Springer — forget Judge
2. SP
1. Makes sense
2. Last
3. Higher than Jo-Ram
Thanks
When I have a SS (Story or Turner), a 3B (probably Devers), an OF (Probably K Marte), and a SP (to be check)
I plan to draft a 1B in my 50th overall pick, supposedly Olson will be there.
1. Should I draft a RP or another OF in my 51st overall pick? Score is HDSV in my league
2. I am thinking what if I steal Olson in my 70th overall pick? Then pick a RP and another OF in my 50th 51st pick.
Thoughts appreciated.
Thanks for the great post Grey…
Asked you this a month or more ago; checking in on any change of opinion:
NL only, 10 teams, keep 15, very competitive, nearing 20 years in league…
Keep or throw back: Chris Archer @4, Joe Ross @3, …and I’ll add Merrill Kelley @3 who I’d pro throw back but his velocity was up last Sept…can’t get a read yet this spring. Whaddya think? Thanks!
I’d add Joey Lucchessi @3 to that group…keep or throw?
Thanks G
Keep Joey
No problem
Throw back Ross, Kelley
Is Musgrove a keeper or streamer?
Thank you
Depends on format/league depth but likely streamer…
It’s Yahoo h2h cat.
Would you rather have Oberg looking for him to become closer at some point or G. Richards as a more upside starter?
Thank you
Agree with DT
Good morning Mr. Albright and Mr. Teeth….In the RazzSlam formats, would you change your pitching strategy as far as when you start drafting since you need 9? Also, when would you look to start drafting catchers?
I have a filled roster and still haven’t drafted 2 catchers…I wouldn’t change anything for SPs, they’re even less valuable — this is same format: https://razzball.com/nfbc-best-ball-points-league-10-team-draft-recap-i-own-ketel-marte-and-pete-alonso-in-literally-every-league/
Hey Grey – given the injury, would you do this trade (pre-draft) in a keeper league?
My Verlander (5th round) for his Stroman (23rd)
Thanks!
No, see if you can do better. That’s the equivalent of just dropping him.
Agree with Cram
Haha headline in CBS from 11 Minutes ago “Scherzer dealing with discomfort”
“Scherzer is dealing with some discomfort in his right side and elected to skip his bullpen session Tuesday in favor of a long-toss session, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.”
Hahahha ok so I guess deGrom is next? Not rooting for these guys to get hurt just laughing at the situation that no pitcher is safe
Yeah add Scherzer to the list – I’m sure it’s minor now, but could easily see this escalating to a IL etc..
Scherzer will miss at least 10 starts this year, anyone not thinking this isn’t seeing writing on the wall
Anyone drafting 35+ yr old pitchers in the first or second round is living dangerously.
Any pitcher!! Wait til Cole has a 4 era this year in Yankee stadium
Who goes to the bench once Rodgers is u p? McMahon? Murphy?
Hopefully Murphy, prolly McMahon
Are you moving Yordan Alvarez at this point? TWO bad knees! He can’t even DH right now. These huge muscular guys kinda scare me. 60 year olds should have problems with both knees, not 22 year olds.
Yeah, it’s not good, but haven’t moved him yet
Just found this after I posted.
Reporter: “Is this concerning that he’s having knee problems right now?”
Dusty: “No, I’ve heard he’s had them for a long time”
Wtf. Here’s the exchange: https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1234875339651866626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1234875339651866626&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums.rotoworld.com%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcore%26module%3Dsystem%26controller%3Dembed%26url%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fbrianmctaggart%2Fstatus%2F1234875339651866626
I’m not concerned, tbh, but it’s early still
Is there a name for a veteran pitcher that pitches a ton of postseason innings and then is fatigued and injured the following year?
Pretty hard to draft Strasburg right now watching the other postseason dominos fall.
Ha, no, but there should be!
Great idea! How about . . .
After After Party (never go to the after after party, nothing good happens there!)
Strasburg had an incredible 2019 + WS run, but I’m avoiding his 2020 After After Party.
Avoid the after-after party!
exactly! no matter how great the party (regular season) or after party (postseason) was, the after after party it ain’t ending well. Just order something greasy to eat and grab Biebs instead!
Prior engagements. Referring to Mark Prior’s injury history, after pitching in the 2003 postseason. “I’m thinking twice about drafting Strasburg, since he had Prior engagements deep into October.”
Haha, nice!
Asking for keeper help if anyone has a moment:
11 team points league
I can keep 10, its a good problem to have. I would like to keep high reward type – Glasnow and so far he looks good. I will probably drop Yoan and Albies, am I nuts going for Glasnow? Change my mind.
Ronald Acuna
Mookie Betts
Juan Soto
Fernando Tatis
Bryce Harper
Rafael Devers
Shane Bieber
Luis Castillo
Lucas Giolito
Ozzie Albies
Yoan Mancada
Tyler Glasnow
Yoan Mancada
Tyler Glasnow
I would keep Moncada over Giolito.
Bold prediction time…who is the first MLB regular to get Corona virus?
Follow up – what full MLB team will be quarantined for Corona for 2 weeks?
Gary Sanchez / NYY? https://www.rotoworld.com/baseball/mlb/player/19575/gary-sanchez
Holy crap, Gary Sanchez
Yanks just said they don’t know if he’s going to be tested for corona
Haha, woof!
100% Mariners will lose someone…Going with Tom Murphy bc he can’t catch break (pun?)
hha nice!
Or David Dahl
Yup!
Syndergaard cuz he can’t stop putting his dirty feet and hands in his mouth.
As the owner of Kate Upton’s husband in a 12 team, keep 10 with no contracts….I’m beginning to feel nervous and jerky about keeping JV as one of my 10. Would you swap him out for any of Ray, ERod or Gallen? Or just swap out JV for a position player such as MChapman, Stanton? Can always bite the bullet and hold JV and hope he only misses a month?
I’d hold
FML! Thoughts on Andujar with all of the other Yankee injuries? He is ranked in the 300s for Yahoo and seems like a solid late buy if he does get work at 3b, 1b, OF and DH ( like he is in ST). Top 200 player?
Seems like the price is excellent on him right now, but the Yanks do have a ton of options
Hey Grey, I love your stuff. Thank you for making it worthwhile to get out of bed in the morning, seriously.
I hate to ask you this question, because I’ve asked it before, but it was a while back and I’m still unsure. 12 team roto league, 7×5 league (just add OPS and errors…I know, I hate the errors stat but the commish is an idiot but will hopefully change next year to holds or QS). Get to keep 4 keepers but in exchange for round value. I’m definitely keeping Juan Soto in the 12th, and am probably keeping both Yelich and Lindor with the 2nd and 3rd respectively, but am waffling badly with my fourth keeper. It is between deGrom with the 1st (note that I have the last pick in the 1st round so no way I can re-draft him) or Albies with the 4th. I also can keep Bichette with the 24th or Eloy Jimenez with the 13th, but I think it’s prudent to keep Yelich and Lindor even with the depressed value at those higher rounds. If I keep deGrom, then by the 4th round I won’t have much to choose from (typically stud closers and the best of the rest get drafted in the 4th, since 48 players are already kept before the draft kicks off and the first three rounds dry up the top players). I can hope for a Jose Abreu or Eugenio Suarez in the 4th. If I keep Albies in the 4th, then I have to hope for someone like Castillo or Paddack (not crazy about his innings cap though) in the 1st round, since I think Corbin may be drafted before me with Verlander going down. I’d then have to focus on starters and closers in rounds 5, 6, 7 and probably 8, and fill out my 1B and 3B with what’s left. WWGD? What would you do, Grey?
DeGrom and Abreu
Who’s a better keeper at these prices: Trea Turner $30 or Ketel Marte $10? My thought right now is to trade Trea before he doesn’t run *as much* in the 3 hole. Agreed? This would be a pre draft trade so any SB losses by trading Trea could still be addressed. I also have Tatis as a keeper SS, of my 5 keepers
Trea
Grey,
I am looking for a closer, and I have a chance to acquire Craig Kimbrel ($28) and $16 in cap space for David Fletcher ($6). I am thinking about it, because I don’t think he will be getting much PT. Whast do you think?
1) Am I right about Fletcher’s PT?
2) Would you make the deal?
I’d take Kimbrel
is Fletcher’s PT dwindling? And what kind of numbers can I expect from Kimbrel?
Fletcher is nowhere near as good as Kimbrel, trade isn’t close
ok i’ll make the deal
Haha
havent heard any news about Daniel Hudson. Injured? Closing? Setting up?
Setup
1) Is knebel getting the closer role back from Hader or is he relegated to setup?
2) Same question for will smith in ATL?
1. Hader is closer
2. Melancon is closer
His numbers are in his rankings. Try it some time.
Who cares about Fletcher when you’re getting a closer that you’re looking for?
F’in Judge man – I have him as a 22 rounder in a keep forever league so I guess I’m stuck with him until his body just collapses – dude might just be too big for baseball.
I’ve been dealing with real life stuff lately, so haven’t been checking the blog the past couple weeks, do we have a plan in place if baseball gets postponed? Is there a prayer hexagon already in place?
Haha, we should start one soon, bc it feels like it’s headed that way
Dynasty trade question for you Grey.
A guy has been sniffing around my Oneil Cruz, but we really haven’t found a fit. He seems to desperately want him, but is unwilling to give up decent talent.
He now just suggested Franmil Reyes which prob isn’t a bad offer but also I’m not sure.
I already own Soler and Yordan (Yahoo!, so both OF eligibility but likely future DH) and Reyes looks to be trending that way also.
Hold and let Cruz value build for something else I may need in the future or go for it with Reyes based on that info I just gave?
Thanks as always Grey, so happy to have baseball back.
Think I’d hold
Thanks Grey! Have a great rest of the day!
You too!
Finally drafted catcher!
Wow, you lost in that game of chicken!
Roberto is a top ten catcher! Lmao
HAHA, ok
Almost grabbed back to back catchers just to irk you
You’re 100% drafting catchers bc you didn’t draft closers and trying to make up for it, right?
It’s a little known strategy.
With about what as a success rate?
Zero point Zero
Let’s see if it pays off, Cotton!
You’ll obviously finish higher in standings so..
We should side bet other stuff.
Like whose Japanese OF will perform better?
Better catcher duo?
Most guys sent down to minors? I woulda crushed that minors one last year.
Shogo #1!
Good afternoon. Where can one find the Dashboard that last year had a cheat sheet–kind of. Is it available this year. I am a subscriber. Thanks.
Something here? https://razzball.com/2020-fantasy-baseball-rankings/
There is a tier sheet in the war room…
https://razzball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-Fantasy-Baseball-War-Room.xlsm
https://razzball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-Razzball-Tiers.xlsx
Sorry, I feel the urge to pimp my yearly contribution to Team Razz.
Roberto Perez is way to low on this!
I’m not updating it if that’s what you mean. Prob a ton of stuff that needs to be updated, but I made it for when HotRod is creating the excel war room from Grey’s ranks.
Grimey, the Robert Perez truther!
Nice!
7×7 League
Runs, Hits, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP
Wins, Losses, QS, SV, Ks, ERA, WHIP
How would you allocate your Auction Budget?
Most experts have recommended 70/30 in favor of the batters. I am leaning 60/40 in favor of the batters.
What do you guys think?
Roster breakdown is as follows:
C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF x3, Utility x2
SP x2, RP x2, P x4
Bench 7 spots
40 IP per week minimum.
H2H Scoring
70/30 is norm — I try for 60/28/12-ish
60% Batters
40% Pitchers
Perfect. Thanks for the help. I always thought 70/30 was too lopsided…
No problem
Hi there Grey,
I’m in a 12 team AL-ONLY 5×5 keeper Roto league in which we keep a minimum of 3 players with maximum of 5 players. I have been bitten by the injury bug and I’m trying to work out what I should do.
I am in a decent position in that I have 2 1st round picks and 2 5th round picks. I can either stand pat or try to make a deal. Among the players who could be available are Eddie Rosario, Khris Davis, Luis Robert.
My keeper candidates are – Alex Bregman (no brainer), George Springer, Yordan Alvarez, Justin Verlander, Shane Bieber, Lucas Giolito.
Before the recent injuries, I was locked into Bregman/Springer/Alvarez/Verlander/Bieber. But now I’m not so sure. Verlander has the same injury that sidelined Severino most of last season. And Alvarez’s knee issues are what plagued him last season.
What is my best course of action? Should I try to sell Verlander and Springer for a bat upgrade? Who could that be?
All input is greatly appreciated!!
Who can you get? You should try to sell Verlander if you can get someone great
I’ve tried to get Meadows/Bichette/Devers/Rendon and have been denied.
Are any of Lemeihieu/Matt Chapman/Matt Olsen/Luis Robert/Tim Anderson/Vlad Jr worth going after?
Sure, I like some of them
Was just offered Eddie Rosario for Verlander. Hard pass?
Sounds fair
Just picked FreddyP (#310 pick) and Corbin Burnes (#315) in back to back rounds in a slow draft after hearing that Lauer will start the year on the IL, AMA.
Freddy P all day baby!
Now he’ll be gone before you pick ha.
Yeah, bc you’re floating it out there who I want!
Had my draft this weekend and think I took on too much risk and this is going to be a great year or done by June
14 team (6 x 6 – traditional rotisserie plus OPS and Starts).
C – Vazquez
1B – Voit
2B – Lowe
3B – Chapman
SS – Bogaerts
OF – Trout
OF – Stanton
OF – Puig
UTIL – J. Bell
Util – Seager
Bench – Wong
Bench – Dickerson
Bench – McCutchen
SP – Syndergaard
SP – Sale
SP – Woodruff
SP – Ryu
SP – Urias
RP – Hader
RP – Kimbrel
Bench – Musgrove
Bench – Mikolas
Honestly, it doesn’t look like you follow my rankings…Not trying to be harsh, but not a team I would’ve drafted…
Last keeper question.. use a 2nd round pick to keep Yordan Alvarez or a 5th to keep Strasburg? I have an offer of a 4th for the one I’m letting go.
Stras
Ready for my 22nd and 23d round picks in this godforsaken 10 team Best Ball. Was planning to draft [email protected], but he was gone. Was planning to draft Bradley or LeClerc now, both gone.
I’m still w/out a 3d r.p., and am hoping I can wait to grab Kennedy. Doolittle available now, but not a big fan w/ Hudson and Harris lurking. Thought I’d take Alfaro here, but taken 2 picks ago. Not a fan of Molina, and hoping I can get Jansen @242.
So w/out a 2nd catcher and w/out a 3d closer and still no b/up 1st baseman. Thinking Nunez but hopefully can wait.
2 best values on the board, in my opinion, are Odor (no penalty for a bad b.avg., and he was smoking the last month+ in 2019. Also Urquidy, who would be my 7th starter.
What say you ?
Molina/Doolittle/Nunez/Odor/Urquidy or jump up for Kennedy ? please rank for me. Thanks, Grey.
Grey…..help !!!
Roberto Perez??
Over Odor and Urquidy ? Can get Jansen or Chirinos later.
No, Andrew, don’t listen to Grimey
Stop pushing your Roberto Perez narrative on people!
I did
Meh, take Doolittle, that’s great value for him — Urquidy is good too
No Odor ?
See answer above (below?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9APzxIE186o
HAHA
Everyone reading this, Grimey is pushing a big-time Roberto Perez narrative, you need to ignore it!
Haha
It’s the 23rd round!
Top 10 return guaranteed.
Oh, easy!
Meh, I got Posey in the 24th. First share ever.
Sounds terrible, but maybe just meh
Grey,
Someone in my league dumped Robinson Cano. Would you put in a WW claim on him to back up Altuve for $5 and drop Jurickson Profar?
https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2020-fantasy-baseball/
thats an emphatic no Cram
Idk why you’d pay $5 to replace a scrub backup with a worse scrubbier scrub.
No
youre right grey. since i have max muncy to backup at 2B for Altuve I dont need cano. Would you drop profar to pick up one of the pitchers I told you about yesterday (Chatwood, Voth or Trevor Williams?)
Drafted Yesterday 12 Team Keeper leauge with daily changes and 5 adds per week
Hitting: R, 2B, HR, RBI, SB, K, AVG, OBP
Pitching: net Wins, QS, ERA, WHIP, K, K/9, Saves + Holds
C: S. Murphy
1B: J Abreu
2B: K. Hiura
3B: A Rendon
SS: M Machado
OF: B Harper
OF: K Tucker
OF Y Puig
OF: C Fraizer
UTL: P Alonso
UTL: V Guerrero Jr
BN: L Gurriel Jr
BN: J Adell
BN: M Andujar
SP: B Woodruff
SP: S Bieber
SP: L Lynn
RP: C Martinez
RP: S Newcomb
RP: H Harvey
P: M Fried
P: J Odorizzi
P: D Cease
BN: J Montgomery
BN: G RIchards
BN:B McKay
How does my Team look?
This is my first year adding K/9 and we have Saves + Holds
I missed out on a lot of Relief Pitchers during the draft
I see some high K/9 guys who could get holds still out there
Trevor May, Will Harris, Michael Lorenzen, Seranthony Dominguez, Amir Garret, Justin Wilson, Diego Castillo, Jose Alvardo, Wade Davis
I’m not sure I want to punt Saves + holds and not grabbing RP’s I would lose out on K/9 too. Teams are averaging 4 relief pitchers per team and I only drafted one of them. Should I do some add / drops for some of these RP’s? any recommendations on who to add or who to drop.
You said you don’t want to punt holds/saves but it looks like you are. You could drop a few starters to pick up MRs.
Right i’m realizing that I think I messed up drafting.
Haha. Well, like you said, there are guys available. Any combination of guys at the end of your roster are cuttable.
I can’t imagine, Harvey, Newcomb, McKay and Richards are needed in a 12 team mixed league, but they’re fine to hold for now… Your pitching looks great, but your hitting is a mess — you have one OF
Grey, sorry but I’m clueless. Clock is ticking and I posed my question above. Would you take Urquidy/Odor in the 22nd and 23d rounds, over a 2nd catcher (Molina/Perez) and a 3d closer (Doolittle) or b/up 1st baseman (Nunez) ? Though I keep missing guys, was hoping I can draft Jansen later and Kennedy or Jimenez, or Kela later.
Urquidy looks great at the close of the year, and he’s locked in as the 4th starter. James already went.
I don’t mind Odor, but I would go 3rd closer then Urquidy…Doolittle is good, was great when healthy every year… He can get points… If you don’t want him, then I’d go Urquidy
Did what you said. Dude ahead of me w/ 2 picks, grabbed Odor, so I went w/ Urquidy.
That works
Would you rather have Carlos Martinez or Julio urais
https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2020-fantasy-baseball/
picks 239 and 242 next. Don’t think you’ll be around. Yandy and Hosmer still available (the way this draft has gone doubt they’ll be available), I actually prefer Nunez you got him in the 25th, but I’m thinking if he’s there @239/242, to draft him. If Jansen’s there, I think I’d draft him as well. If I don’t I’ll have to wait for Evan White. 1st base sucks. Pissed that I couldn’t get Cron @199. Daniel Murphy and d’Arnaud (haha) are the only other 1st basemen until White.
I’d go d’Arnaud in BestBall, then White
Assume d’Arnaud is gone. Molina/Perez/Jansen/Suzuki/Chirinos are there now, but 16 picks ahead of me. Same thing every day, I make these 2 picks @about 9:00 p.m..
Please rank assuming 1 or more are gone, which they will be.
At 1st, I see you drafted Nunez (and you were smart enough to draft D. Santana, giving you 3 1st basemen).
Would you draft Hosmer or Yandy (no likey) or Murphy over Nunez, if any of them are still available @239/242 ? Also assuming d’Arnaud will be gone.
I think I can draft White @259/262, or would you just pull the trigger on him for 1 of the next 2 picks.
Guess the adp, which works pretty well in my other drafts doesn’t always follow the same script in this venue.
Nah, I wouldn’t draft those 1B — I’d take Nunez — he’ll play and hit HRs — I prefer White
Forget catcher
I’d go White, Nunez, Hosmer, that order
Thanks Grey Man !!
No problem
But still need a 2nd catcher. You obviously liked Jansen. I read your column, and took Kelly. Was all set to take Alfaro, and he went right before me @217.
Rank these grabs for holds and backenders (do count 1/2HLDS+SVs as one cat):
A Houser,
S Matz,
Y Kikuchi,
Sir Dominguez
Stanek
A Garrett
Alvarado
Montgomery.
https://razzball.com/2020-fantasy-baseball-rankings/
I like Montgomery for a back end of rotation starter and I like Dominguez for holds
youre right grey with what u said. since i have max muncy to backup at 2B for Altuve I dont need cano. Would you drop profar to pick up one of the pitchers I told you about yesterday (Chatwood, Voth or Trevor Williams?)
Hold
ok i have trusted u before i’ll just wait and hope no one picks them up.
Ok
Have Conforto in a Yahoo H2H league and he has a right oblique strain and will be reassessed next week.
Drafted my first RCL team last nite-had the 12th pick.
C- C.Vazquez(23-276)
1B- F.Freeman( 2-13 )
2B-E.Escobar( 9-108 )
3B-Vlady( 4-37 )
SS-T.Turner(1-12 )
CI-C.Walker(15-180 )
MI-A.Rosario(12-130)
OF-G.Springer(3-36)
OF-E.Rosario(7-84)
OF-L.Gurriel Jr.(11-132)
OF-H.Dozier(14-157)
OF-J.Pederson(21-252)
P-C.Paddack(5-60)
P-Y.Darvish(6-61)
P-A.Chapman(8-85)
P-M.Fried(10-109)
P-J.Leclerc(13-156)
P-J.Musgrove(16-181)
P-W.Smith(18-205)
P-S.Oberg(19-228)
P-M.Gyvens(20-229)
P-D.Betances(22-253)
P-K.Kim(24-277)
OF-K.Pillar(25-300)
Thoughts?
Thanks,RICK
Forgot about-
UT-M.Andujar(17-204)
Sucks on Conforto, hopefully he’s back soon
I love your hitting, solid core, all guys I’d draft…Your pitching is decent, you look like you’re missing a few arms, what’s that, 4 starters? Guessing you’re gonna stream, which is fine in this format
Yeah,probably streaming a bit.I think Kim has a rotation spot for the Cardinals so that makes 5 starters.
Thanks Grey!
RICK
No problem
In a 12 teamer, would you trade your 24,25,47 and 48 picks for his 4, 11, 240 and 253?
Yes
You should really check out Get Shorty ( season1) on Netflix. I really enjoyed it. I actually just ordered Epix to watch the other two seasons. They have a few good shows on there
I saw that the Unbreakable Kimmel Scott is still around.
I might…I flew thru Zerozerozero on Amazon — it was so good…
It’s about Hollywood and movie making…sorta
OPS k/9 league 12 team could use some OPS help
My pitching :
Cole Bauer Berrios Paxton Lynn Boyd, Ohtani Lamet
Give up Bauer, Lamet, Kepler to get Springer, Houser, ARosario ?
Thanks
Grey. My man. Help me out with something strategery. I’m in this league. It’s my second year in it. 12 team, 5×5. 2 catchers,1b,2b,3b,ss, CI, MI, 1ut, 5OF, 9 pitcher slots (no RP or SP distinction). 6-man bench.
The thing about this league is they go all in on closers early. I guess that means they’re focusing on era, whip, and saves, hoping for K’s, punting wins. They draft all closers, all handcuffs, and then some. I want to zig while they zag and not fill my team with relievers. I want to take hitters and starters while they’re clamoring over each other for this nonsense.
Seems like there SHOULD be wins and k’s and guys that won’t kill me on era and whip to spare. Am I misguided? Any advice?
Wanted Hilliard for my next picks @259/262, but taken @240.
O.F.’s available with 13 picks in front of me:
Eaton
Akiyama
Choo
RenfroeDomingo
Teoscar
Gardner
Carlson- when do I draft him ?
Pitchers available w/ 13 picks before me:
Lucchesi
Yarbrough
Montgomery (Jordan)
Richards (Garrett)
Wood
Bassitt
Chirinos
happ
Sheffield
Kim
Pearson- when do I draft him ?
Castro/Wong/Kennedy/Jimenez also still here.
any 4-5 you would prefer for picks 259/262 ?
Did Judge go across town with Betances? That doctor sounds so much like what the Mets’quacks would say.
Anyway, back to EARTHGANG walk up music for our favorite players. After playing leadoff in Chavez ravine this year and leading the Dodger Blue to a WS title I think folks will realize why Mookie Best played all the way to the “BANK” as his walk up song all year long.
Mr. Grey. In a 6×6 with OPS and QS, who would you rather keep? Greinke or Rosario. Thanks a bunch!
Grey’s the man! Quick Trade question,
my Jeff McNeil($5,$10,$12 next 3 yrs)
and Mitch Keller($3,$5,$7)
for
Hader ($7,$14,$16)?