Here’s me yesterday looking to pick up the new Yankee closer…. *types Kelly into waivers box, presses Enter* Inner monologue, “Joe Kelly?! No, I don’t want him! Casey Kelly?! Blech! C’mon, this is a 15 team mixed league, I’m not in an NL-Only keeper! Someone beat me to the waiver wire? Really? For the first time in three years, I’m watching a Yankees game because nothing else is on and serendipitously David Robertson is announced with a groin strain, so there’s no way anyone beat me to the waiver wire… I’m here first, I have to be! So where’s Kelly?! Fine, I’ll click the button that shows the players that are owned too. Wait, he’s not even listed there. What in the holy name of Christ Colabello–” And that was around the time I realized his name was spelled Kelley, not Kelly and while I was misspelling it someone else swooped in and grabbed him. This has been the latest installment of Grey Albright: Are You Sure You Want To Listen To This Man? So, Robertson is out for a few weeks with a groin strain — easy on the noodes, doode! — and Shawn Kelley is your new closer in New York, and, even though yesterday was Kelley’s first career save, it doesn’t mean he can’t be successful for the next three weeks. Or unsuccessful, but I’d pick him up either way in any league. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Hiroki Kuroda – 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks. Amazing how easy he throws with such solid results. He looks like he could throw with his eyes closed while listening to Baby’s First White Noise CD.
Jacoby Ellsbury – 2-for-4, 1 RBI and a caught stealing as he moved into the three hole. No real fantasy production change for him with this move to the three hole. He’ll get some more RBIs, some less runs but he’ll try to steal still, because he do what he do. As long as he’s not D’Ellsburied, you’re happy.
Ubaldo Jimenez – 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 13 baserunners (5 BBs), 4 Ks. More like Uballdoh. If you own Ubaldo, and he keeps going with all of those BBs, you will shoot your eye out.
J.J. Hardy – Sat out yesterday with back stiffness. He should go to a Relax, The Back Store. I recommend The Lumbardi.
Matt Wieters – 2-for-4, 1 RBI and hitting .391. Nice Tony Gwynn impersonation, Wieters, but you don’t eat enough donuts. Come back to me after twelve hundred Krispy Kremes.
Matt Moore – Left his start with elbow soreness. Rays don’t believe it’s serious, but I don’t believe the Rays. He grimaced pretty badly after his last pitch. If you ignored my advice and drafted Moore, the best thing that could’ve happened was an injury. And, in all his wisdom, The Fantasy Overlord smiled down on you and did you a solid before Moore did any solids on your team. Now you can DL him until the news comes out with how long he’s going to be sidelined. I’m guessing longer than 15 days, but shorter than back-to-back Tommy John surgeries a’la Brandon Beachy.
Ben Zobrist – 2-for-4 and a solo homer. Great if you own him, terrible if you had to watch the Bucks on the Pond commercial after his homer. Can they at least do baseball questions? Steve Yeager! Sound barrier! We know! Give it a rest!
Jason Vargas – 8 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 2 Ks. Another dynamite start from Vargas vs. the Rays, after holding the Tigers to one run in seven innings in his first start. According to the Stream-o-Nator, he gets the Twins next and that looks like a yes, please and thank you.
Omar Infante – Left the game after being hit in the jaw by a pitch. What kind of man hits an Infante?! Oh, Heath Bell. Every time a Bell flings, a Royal gets hit in the face.
Albert Pujols – 1-for-5, 1 run. I will be standing outside the Angels clubhouse with a boombox, playing Chi Ali’s Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number to try and psychologically empower Pujols. By the by, Chi Ali was featured on America’s Most Wanted — twice!
Kole Calhoun – 1-for-3, 3 runs and his 2nd home run. I dropped some sleeper buzz on him in the preseason, and, while he is hitting .179, I still like him a lot. You, “Oh, the Fantasy Master Lothario suggests I get Calhoun just like he suggested I draft Pujols. FML, indeed.”
Ian Stewart – 1-for-5, 1 run as he got the start at 3rd over Freese. To pithy that up, that’s the Angels going from Freese to permafrost.
C.J. Wilson – 8 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks vs. the Asstros. I’m sure glad he bombed out in his first start so I’d drop him and not reap these benefits. I want my just desserts! Oh, and Wilson gets the Mets next, which the Stream-o-Nator is rightfully crazy about. Dah!
Yasiel Puig – His MRI showed a strained thumb ligament. I guess that’s a luigament. Mattingly said that hyPuigchondriac could still be in the lineup on Tuesday, but I get the sense Mattingly is so fed up with Puig that he wants him hurt worse. This will be an ongoing soap opera all year — As the Puig Turns.
A.J. Ellis – Will have arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear and will be out for six weeks. Ellis’s value is now less than zero. For a while, Ellis kept trying to tell someone he had a problem, but every time he opened his mouth, Puig called a medic. Drew Butera, Miguel Olivo and Tim Federowicz will take over behind the plate. Not all at once. That would be illegal.
Jordan Lyles – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks in Coors Field. It’s thin air and Lyle love it. Harmony, chorus, Usher turns his chair around, Blake points at his head. And scene!
Troy Tulowitzki – 3-for-3, 2 runs and a solo homer. So a Blackmon and Pollock walk into a bar…
Ryan Roberts – Signed by the Red Sox to act in after-dark Showtime movies and as 3rd base depth while Middlebrooks is on the DL.
John Lackey – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks. Has a 1.38 ERA so far, i.e., Lackey’s been Luckey.
Grady Sizemore – 2-for-4. Hype Machine, “One of those was a hard hit double!”
Jackie Bradley Jr. – 3-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBIs. A walk’s as good as a hit JBJ, don’t get greedy!
Mike Napoli – 3-for-5. Hard to go three-for-five with no counting stats in the middle of a lineup that scores five runs. Hype Machine, “Not with JBJ and Sizemore doing work! I’m dancing right now! Hey, stop touching my butt, Hitter-Tron!”
Tanner Scheppers – 5 IP, 2 ER, 10 baserunners, 3 Ks. He looked a whole lot better when he was Schepper’ing in his stuff for one inning late.
Seth Rosin – 1 IP, 3 ER. Perfect last name for a pitcher getting manhandled on the mound. Joe Saunders is looking to change his name to Jose Piñata.
Michael Wacha – 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks vs. Tony Cingrani (4 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks). This matchup was rated NC-17, and fantasy baseballers thought it was due to the likelihood of multiple fantasy baseball orgasms from the two pitchers upsides, but it turned out that it was from profanity used during Cingrani’s start.
Trevor Rosenthal – 1 IP, 2 ER. Kazaam!
Kolten Wong – 1-for-3 and his first steal. Fun fact! Due to a typesetting error, an Academy Award winning movie was released in China as How the West Was Wong.
Peter Bourjos – 2-for-5, 2 runs, hitting .111. A big thank you goes to the TSA for finally letting his bats through customs!
Ryan Ludwick – 2-for-3, 1 run, hitting .364, and five for his last eleven with a home run. And you thought getting in a cold pool was the only way to make an already small sample size smaller.
Joel Hanrahan – Mets will attend a showcase in a few weeks to watch Hanrahan throw. I think I saw this movie. Doesn’t Dennis Quaid play Hanrahan?
Tommy Hanson – Signed by the White Sox. This came after they saw Hanson in a showcase titled, Mmmflop.
Kevin Correia – 5 2/3 IP, 6 ER. Kim Jong-il just rolled over in his pink velvet, glass-enclosed tomb.
Eduardo Nunez – The Twins acquired him to provide infield depth, and I could see him stealing at-bats away from The Jamaican Shoe Store, Florimon. This is a standard small market move of ‘throw enough crizzap against the clubhouse wall and something eventually sticks.’ In fact, that’s kinda how the entire Twins team is built.
A.J. Griffin – Doing strengthening work and is still about a month away. If only we could get Merry Clayton to sing “about a month away.”
Ryan Cook – 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Ks as he was activated from the DL. Don’t see the A’s replacing Jim Johnson any time soon, so Cook is merely a middle relief ratio helper. Just thought of something, we need a glossary term for a middle reliever who is just rock solid in ratios/Ks, and you own for that purpose, without even caring if he gets into the save picture. Like the $12 Salad of middle relievers. Please suggest in the comments.
Coco Crisp – Sat out yesterday due to wrist inflammation, but received a cortisone shot and will return on Wednesday to hit 17 homers in his first at-bat back. I’m only half kidding. The Lily Tomlin half.
Craig Gentry – Expected to rejoin the A’s this week to work as a 4th outfielder. Gentry has some nice speed, but you’ll need to platoon him. Though he makes it difficult because he doesn’t have a strong side as seen on the Platoony Tunes chart.
Scott Kazmir – 6 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners (4 BBs), 5 Ks vs. the Twins. Not a terrific start, but he escaped relatively okay against a Twins team that was swinging hot bats. Watch out for Colabello, he will fizz-spray sucrose and phony caramel flavoring in yo’ face! “Plouffe is the Mentos in our Colabello!” That’s Gardenhire firing up the Twins fans who wear leg sweaters.
Jed Lowrie – Left yesterday’s game after getting hit in the foot by a pitch. When the pitch was coming in, his kinfolk said, ‘Jed, move away from there!’ but he didn’t in time.
Alberto Callaspo – 2-for-4, 1 RBI, hitting .444 on the year. He’s regularly Callaspoo, but does get hot occasionally and it looks like now is one of those times.
Josh Donaldson – 2-for-5, 2 runs. Josh Donald Jr. is hitting .161 so far and I say drop him! I’m kidding; it’s early. The panic in some people’s comments is good comic relief, like Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi shticking it up and making you want to commit third degree manslaughter like the owner of Pinkberry.
Derek Norris – 2-for-4 and a solo homer. Not much to see here. Though there’s is a lot to see with John Norris becoming the Single White Female version of Kevin Bacon. “If you don’t want to watch The Notebook, I will call up John Norris!” That’s Kyra Sedgwick threatening Kevin.
Grey would you trade fransisco liriano for mat latos? Do you think latos would comeback strong?
@Joe G: Liriano and what? There’s no way you can get him straight up, and I think Latos is fine the rest of season.
@Zander: “No way?” Calm down with the hyperbole. I could easily see that trade going down in some places. Yes, do it.
@Ty Wiggington: Agree, when I read Liriano for Latos the thought of that being unfair didn’t cross my mind. They are not that much different…
@Joe G: Trade sounds fair, don’t see any point in it
4th year into my dynasty league as an expansion team.
3rd year following you….I’m ready for a championship.
Today is my birthday, so I’m hoping I can get a nice little break down of what Grey would do with my roster. A roster that Grey basically built…
Points heavily weighted towards pitching. Head 2 Head.
C-Montero
1B-Chris Davis
2B-Utley
3B-Arenado
SS-Brad Miller
OF-CarGo
OF-Adam Jones
OF-Josh Hamilton
OF-Starlin Marte
Util-Matt Adams
B-Bonifacio
B-Travis d’Arnaud
SP’s – Darvish, Strasburg, Zimmermann, Minor, Bailey, Taijaun Walker, Erasmo Ramirez, Pineda, Jenrry Mejia, Lincecum, Scheppers, Niese, Taillon, Martinez
RP’s – Nathan, Soriano, Santos, Hawkins, Nate Jones
Who would u hold on to at all costs, who would you love to trade, you would you trade for Jason Bay? …give me birthday love my man. And thanks for the success you have brought me so far
@Anson Wells: Happy birthday! Your team looks fine, don’t see what the problem is…
Lord Albright, Head of the House of Stache:
I’m regretting not drafting Tulowitski over McCutchen…But I have faith that McClutchen will give me a 20/20 season with 100 runs and idk, 70 rbi’s and throw in a hadski. That would be enough in exchange for the 4th pick in the first sentence.
In other news, here is my team in a 10 man H2H standard points league. On a scale from 1 to 10, what is sayeth your rating good sir!
C. Yadier Molina
1B. Chris Davis
2B. Jose Altuve
3B. Matt Carpenter/ Ryan Zimmerman/ Manny Machado
SS. Ian Desmond
OF. Andrew McCutchen
OF. Matt Holliday
OF. WIl Myers/Allen Craig
Util. Jose Abreu
SP. Yu Darvish
SP. Chris Sale
SP. Francisco Liriano
SP. Chris TIllman
SP. Mike Minor/ Doug Fister/ Taijuan Walker
RP. Tommy Hunter
RP. Grant Balfour
Thank you Lord Albright, Head of the House of Stache.
@Lord Black Beard, Head of the the House of Beard: I guarantee you won’t regret it when Tulo misses half the year and he always has and will do. Mcuch will put up better than a 20/20 year it’s early.
@My Minor Likes Female Pujols: Actually he’s only missed more than “half a year” once in his career, and he’s still a top 2-3 SS when he’s missed a quarter of the year in the past. Who else is getting you 25-30 Homers at a .290 average in 500 ABs? If he even hits 140 games he’s the top SS in baseball by a wide margin unless HanRam tears it up. In Roto that’s still valuable, and as long as that injury doesn’t come right at the end of the year, he’s still crazy valuable in H2H.
Injury mythology is starting to get a little silly. If you take it as a given that he’ll only play 125-130 games, you are still getting potentially the best power-avg option at Short for 3/4 of the year. Pair that with Brad Miller for MI and to take SS if Tulo sees time on the DL and you have the best SS stats in the league at a lower price than HanRam went for in the draft. If he plays 140+ games, you are killing your league at a rebate.
@Robby D: what happens when he gets really injured (as he is aging) and misses more than 35-40 games?
@Lord Black Beard, Head of the the House of Beard: Ha, nice username… The team looks fine, bit light on power
How about in honor of Ryan Cook we call em a… prep cook?? Lol. Eh ok maybe not…or maybe!!
@marcus allen was good al: line cook would be better
@J-FOH: Short-inning cook
Ratio furniture? Eh.
@Squiggly Line: How about MR ratio guys as bloody mary with the carrot,pickle and olive representing ratios.
Lol…[email protected]Squiggly Line:
LOL… This is actually pretty awesome…
I was thinking…
Middle ‘s cooler, or… MRI(don’t care of they close), neither of which is good. Nice work.
@Squiggly Line: I think we can do better
“Night at the Roxburies”….baby don’t hurt me!!
Ha!
Grey, what are your thoughts on Yangervis Solarte?
Thanks!
@Zander: He looks like an 8-homer, .250 hitting infielder with no speed. And that’s me quoting Grey!
@Adam Jonesin: What edition of the Razzball style guide are you using?
Would you pick up any of these for 12 teamer? I can pick up to 3 if good options.
Paxton home (Seattle) vs. Angels
Lohse at Phillies
Morales home (Colorado) vs. White Sox
Kendrick home (Phillies) vs. Brewers
Doubront home (Red Sox) vs. Rangers
E Jackson home (Cubs) vs. Pirates
Morton away at Cubs
Santiago away at Seattle
Thanks!
@Andrew: Paxton…
@Wake Up: I picked up Paxton for a stream even if SON does not like him. I don’t know why given he smoked the Angels in LA the first time around. Now he gets to do it at home with an even friendlier pitcher park. SON you are a fickle bitch.
Just throwing this out there for middle relief, you can throw it right back
MiRK Rock -> (MiDDLE relief Ratio/Strikeout Rock or MiDDLE Relief Strikeout Rock )
MiRK Master ->(see above, but a “master” instead of a “rock”)
@Dbalz: Upon further thought, I think I like K-Rock better. Plus if the middle reliever craps out they could turn out to be a Krock of shi…crap
@Dbalz: I think we can do better
Seriously though. Other than more pictures (or GIFs!) of your mustache, you need to have J.B. do pitcher profiles twice a week! He’s giving us sacks full of candy, while tehol hands out dum dums. Trim the fat, let’s do this! This could be pretty lucrative with more of the good stuff…
@longbeachyo: HA!
@longbeachyo: HA
$12 1/8ths
@Giant Gigantes: Ferratio?
@Giant Gigantes: Winner
@Giant Gigantes:
Nice. I challenge anyone to top ferratio. (I rike ferratio a rot.)
@Giant Gigantes: Ferratio has my vote!
@Giant Gigantes: that’s funny I was trying to work in Iron somewhere, all I could come up with was Ferrevier which sounds a lot like an exotic dog
@Giant Gigantes: Awesome, we have a front runner
Was thinking about picking up Colabello just because of his sweet batting gloves!
@Giant Gigantes: Ha!
Mmmflop.
Best. Name. Ever.
@Snag: Thanks!
so some in my league droped billy butler, a carrer 290 hitter i couldnt let sit on the wire so i had to drop kole calhoun to get. did i make a mistake? should i pick him pack up after re passes waviers?
@Leifer maddness:
No, not a mistake. Butler should be owned in pretty much every league.
Nice Brett Easton Ellis ref in there…
@DrEasy: That was Rudy, though I did used to love Ellis
Malcolm
@Alky Sobrera:
Stealers Wheel
@Alky Sobrera:
These have no creativity. That 4am brain…
@Alky Sobrera:
Blondie/Mr. Blonde
@Alky Sobrera: Stuck in the middle with you, now that’s one I like
@Lville Jim: Or maybe a little Jimmy Eats World “The Middle”.
Maybe the middle relievers can have a theme like the current M/F/K closers: Loud and Proud, SBD, Shart
OK, that was nothing like M/F/K, but it was what I wrote while brainstorming this masterpiss.
@MadDog: I like Ferratio better
Hey Gry ( I’m assuming that’s how you would be called in scottish)
I got offered a trade where I give up Edwin Encarnacion and I get back Sandoval , Eaton and Clay Buchholz. Its a one year only league which has Total Bases and OBP as extra categories.
I do have Wright at 3B already.
But I will have a problem dropping a players . I will need to drop Smoak and Jenrry Mejia.
What should I do Grey??
@Druss: What you should do is not accept that trade.
@AdamH: I agree – no trade.
@AdamH:
Done rejected it. Thanks!
@Druss:
yeah if you’re giving up a first/second rounder, the least you could do is get at least one 8th round player
@Andrew A:
Thanks andrew rejected it!
@Druss:
Unless you had a horrendous draft, you shouldn’t be trading 1st round / 2nd round talent for a bunch of mid-late round guys.
Just say no.
@Hawk:
I couldn’t make it to the draft so was autopicked. Yahoo did a very bad job picking my team. But still rejected this trade thanks!
“We need a glossary term for a middle reliever who is just rock solid in ratios/Ks, and you own for that purpose, without even caring if he gets into the save picture.”
Bridge to K’sville
Setup Man to the Stars
Whipper Fapper
CMP (Command Module Pilot like Michael Collins who just did his very important job well while guys like Aldrin and Armstrong got to walk on the moon.)
@Shin-Soo Choo Choo: Not bad, I like Ferratio better
@ Grey :
stream-o-nater is on the fritz !!
buerhle seems like a strong start vs houston .
if this works out ,
i’ll be 2-0 vs your mechanical prodigy ,
even though wade davis dip-shitted
my chen start last saturday .
MR suggestion … cream of cheese .
@costaricanchata: Ha, not… I like Ferratio better
The Jed line was great. I lost out on Kelley in both big money leagues. What time do you post this EST. I checked at 4AM they got there man at midnite. What alerts on a phone do people have? Thanks razzballers
@Nimrod: I first heard about the Kelley news at 4:45 pm eastern. I might have heard about it earlier if I wasn’t working.
@Nimrod: everyone that I know uses the ESPN app. Or you can try “score”. Be to turn on notifications in settings.
@longbeachyo: Got it thanks
@Nimrod: It goes up 12:05 AM PST
@Grey: What a great site. All the blogs are informative. thank you and your staff for all the hard work and fun.
@Nimrod: No problem
@Nimrod: i have mobile alerts from closernews twitter account (Tim dierkes?) which had RT’d the original Yanks beat writers 1:27pm EST tweet at around 1:29pm EST.
ABout as closer you’re going to get unless you set up a google alert for EVERY closer, which some people might be interested in. Closer news is pretty johnny on the spot tho IMO
what’s up with yr tainted love for lyles? forget about his 3/3 performance with 2RBI and a double? d00de had some serious wood tonight; like megan fox. tomorrow i’m selling all my rapala shallow divers and adding lyles as my 4th outfielder, assignment be damned! and next week me and my pal wesley snipes are going on a man-cation to siberia with only ninja stars. he always gets the yips when we’re bear hunting… oh, wesley!
@ivebeenupthreedaysstraight: Ha
In a 20 team league would you trade RP Casilla for 2b Espinosa? the Nats could move Zimmerman to first base this year (Rendon to 3rd, Espinosa to 2nd). That would displace LaRoche and I can’t see them sitting LaRoche but it’s possible Zimmerman can’t remain at 3rd any longer. Thx!
@2 Giant rings: Sure
Had to look up if Chi Ali really got arrested. Then realized I’m the same age as him.
@Jimbo: Age is just a #
The firm up your ratios and are rock solid relievers? Sounds like a “fluffer” to me.
@Joel:
This has my vote. Hysterical!
@Joel: Not bad, I like Ferratio better
Gray, or whoever has vast knowledge,
Who is most likely to close for the reds until broxton’s return??…..Hoover…. Lecure????
@Votto voom:
Total coin flip but I think Marshall might get the first opp. What a mess.
@Votto voom: I believe Broxton is back today.
@Votto voom: isnt Brox returning tonight?
Too long but my first thought was “Ugly friend at a bar” makes everyone look better and gets none of the glory
@Ten Cent Millionaire: I like Ferratio better
Missed out on Kelly and Kelley, but someone dropped Veras and Brothers. Which one do I pick up?
@bossmanjunior: Veras
Grey and all Razzballers, I think you will get a kick out of this team I had to autodraft this weekend when an emergency called me out of town. I learned 2 things: 1) you can’t draft on a iPhone 2) In order to pre-set your draft list, you need to be logged in as the owner of the team, not as someone just observing who’s logged in as the owner of another team in another league. I feel your Kelley pain!
The computers decided to wait until Round 20 to begin selecting my last 5 pitchers, and gave me 3 sweet catchers. I still love this wackified team.
Any the who, 10 team standard ESPN roto:
C Mauer
1B Goldschmidt
2B D Murphy
3B Donaldson
SS Tulowitzki
CI Votto
MI Andrus
OF Rios
OF Victorino
OF Jennings
OF N Cruz
OF Kemp
UTIL Headley
BE W Ramos
BE J Castro
BE Dozier
SP Shields
SP Fister
SP Nova
SP Lincecum
SP Smyly
SP Cashner
RP Papelpon
RP Hunter
RP Parnell
@Sherm: You look weak on pitching and speed
so before the season started I had Nathan,Qualls and Hawkins as my closers.someone offered me Gio for Nathan so I had to take it.I figured I would have plenty of opportunities to grab a couple random guys.and now Ive missed out on KRod,Linstrom,Valverde,Soria ,Hoover and now Kelley,all by less than an hr.
anyway,its a 5×5 league.I have Abreu,Trumbo,Jones,Bruce,Crawford,Eaton and Crawford at 1B/OF.It w ould be bad to trade Cuddyer for an Axford/ Soria type clser,right?
@guidedbyvoices:
This is actually the new trend. so many skimp on saves at the draft, the competition gets crazy.
In all 3 leagues i am in, Kelley was picked up before the end of the Yankees game. Most set up men with a good chance to close at some point are owned in 2 of those leagues (broxton, allen, henderson, ect).
Also— 12 salads, and 1 dollar cookies
@guidedbyvoices: I wouldn’t
@Grey: You wouldn’t reserve potential closers? Always hitters or starting pitchers?
Start Perez today in Beantown in a 10 teamer?
@TheNewGuy: SON(uvapitch) hates it howcome?
@TheNewGuy: It likes Doubront more…I am also wondering whether to start Perez in my 12 teamer…?
@TheNewGuy: I’m leaving him on the bench in the one league where I own him. I’d like to see at least one more good start before I go starting him against teams that look like they could pwnson him.
@TheNewGuy: Can bench
Its early, so not my best work- middle beast
@The Episode of Growing Pains Where Mike Thought Boner did Cocaine in the Bathroom: I like Ferratio better
Who needs saves? I got me some “sweet relief”….
@Nightpandas: I like Ferratio better
Grey
Now that Peter Bourjos is off the schneid, do I drop Aaron Hicks for him?
(16 team, H2H dynasty mixer)
Thanks!
@Racehorse: Yup
Rate Watcher…
@Stantonovation: I like Ferratio better
Pad Ty.
“Pads” your stats like “Ty”ler Clippard. Might as well roster Ryan Cook for some Pad Ty.
@Zimmer: I don’t mind that for Clippard, but in general I like Ferratio better
Grey, I think you called the middle reliever ratio helpers toilet bowl scrubbers, or something to that effect, in a column a few years ago.
@aaron: Eh, I like Ferratio better
How bout butterfaces..
You know MRs have really good features, nice curves, tig ol’ bitties, but then you see they get you no saves.
You’ll hook up with one be ause you know you get that sweet finish but you have to do it doggy.
Or mopeds…
Like fat chicks. Fun to ride but you don’t want your friends to see them on your roster.
@Jason:
I like mopeds; nice work sir.
@Jason: I like Ferratio better
Middle Relievers… Rolaids
@slicke5: Nice!
@slicke5: I like Ferratio better
Here was my update in the ECFBL on the Robertson/Kelly saga..,
“The drama started a bit before 5:00 PM EST, when Shawn Kelley garnered the close. I didn’t think much of this, Fred picked him up as a flier, and soon dropped him, I was not thinking much of this either, both of us believing that Robertson didn’t get the save because he needed a day off. We were both off the mark, not having access to the Closer Tweet that would have told us to pick up Kelley, as Nate was placed on the DL. And I did not watch the Michael Kay show because my wife can’t stand him – I’m not a big fan either – but I would have found out that Nate was on the DL, and picked up Kelley. But our Kelly noticed, and Kelly picked up first Thornton as a back up to the back up, but he went bug-eye when he saw Fred then drop Kelley, then Kelly picked up Kellye, but late this evening, meaning to drop Webb, Kelly dropped Kelley, and stone cold sober was he, and within 6 minutes Fred picked again picked him up. There, I think that I have it right!.” And that’s me quoting me!
@Paulie Allnuts: its still burning my butt,im the stupid Kelly
@Al koholic: We all make at least one bone-head play during the season, Kelly. I wouldn’t worry too much, you are too good a fantasy player to get hurt by this. Just pray for Robertson’s groin.
@Paulie Allnuts: Hahaha…
@Wake Up: Kinda Alphonse-Gastonish
@Paulie Allnuts: Yankees fan at my work comes over to me at around 5PM EST telling me Robertson was hurt and I should grab Kelley. I had a really busy day and couldn’t keep my eye on things, but I told him no chance in hell he will be there in my leagues. Little did I know he had been picked up and dropped and picked up again!
@mauledbypandas: My EVIL nephew Jason has a twitter devoted to closers that didn’t give him the info in time either. Pandas, such is life in the ECFBL
How about a Jan Brady. They’re never going to be Marcia, but you’ll take them every time over Cindy.
@Bruce: Not bad, I like Ferratio better
What say you to Ryan Cook in a league that counts Holds + Saves? Love the ratios, he’s gotta be the 7th or 8th inning guy along with Doolittle, right?
@kingforaday151: I like him
Guy offers me Weaver for Calhoun… drops Weaver 2 days later. Got a roster spot opening with Robertson DL. Although I hate Weaver I feel like I should use my number 1 waiver on him… If it were you would you use it or wait for other people to get sick of better pitchers?
@scottsteelers:
even in a 10 team league, Weaver has to be the best players that will be dropped. But you know your league and every league is different…
@scottsteelers:
Weaver WAS a must-be-owned pitcher. I’m not sure he’s still in that category. He doesn’t pass the eye test either. I’d avoid it – let someone else flip that coin.
“Just thought of something, we need a glossary term for a middle reliever who is just rock solid in ratios/Ks, and you own for that purpose, without even caring if he gets into the save picture. Like the $12 Salad of middle relievers. Please suggest in the comments.”
A $6 Crouton.
@John: Ha! That’s perfect.
@John: yes!
@John: Haha, I like that, will put it in the running
@John:
much better .
@John: $6 Crouton gets my vote so far.
@A Hill O’ Beans: Me too, more staying power than “ferratio” for me.
yahoo, 16 team keeper league (keep 5), roto, 5×5.
give- Khris Davis, Emilio Bonifacio.
get- Nelson Cruz, DJ LeMahieu.
MY TEAM
CA- Rosario. 1B- Davis. 2B- Gyorko. 3B- Machad0 (DL). SS- ECabrera. IN- Colabello.
OF- Crisp. OF- KDavis. OF- Calhoun. OF- Yelich. UT- Bonifacio.
BN- Moustakas, Asche, Solarte, Moreland, Lough. DL- CYoung.
SP- Bumgarner. SP- Shields. RP- Papelbon. RP- Fields.
P- O’Day. P- Albers. P- Cecil.
BN- Herrera, Santana, Ross, Kennedy, Odorizzi
@SpecialFNK: Sounds good
Grey, should I be worried about Bailey’s start today in STL?
@Chris: Yup
“I’ll click the button that shows the players that are owned too”… Why would you play on espn when the yahoo format is so much better?
Re: Craig Gentry
I was trying to figure out how the A’s were going to platoon Gentry as well, and while looking at his stats I noticed something interesting-he steals more bases against LHP vs RHP (30 vs . 26).
Most base stealers steal 3x as many bases again RHP.
Love the platoony tunes thing. I actually have an unusual “tritoon” I am trying this year with Morneau, Neil Walker, and Jeff Baker.
@aaron:
For example
Jacoby Ellsbury has LHP vs. RHP (61 vs. 183).
Michael Bourn LHP vs RHP (69 vs. 230)
Mike Trout LHP vs RHP (13 vs 73)
Jose Reyes LHP vs. RHP (106 vs 319)
Evereth Cabrera LHP vs. RHP (29 vs 89)
Craig Gentry LHP vs. RHP (30 vs 26)
@aaron: Yeah, I hear ya
@aaron:
I just saw this and thought it was interesting so I looked up Gentry’s career splits.
381 AB vs RHP — .334 OBP
382 AB vs LHP — .376 OBP
I think simply he gets on base more often against lefties.
We could call them MEN OF HONOR
-for some reason as soon as grey asked I pictured Robert DeNiro as Masterchief Billy Sunday
“The Middle Reliever is not a fighting man, he is a salvage expert. If it’s bases loaded in the 7th he K’s hitters . If the ship look sunk, he brings it up. If it’s in the way, he moves it. If he’s lucky, he will die young, after striking out the side, 60 feet 6 inches from the plate, and owned by almost 13% of Yahoo! Users, for that is the closest he’ll ever get to being a hero.” “I WANT MY 12!!! (K/9 that is)
@Frank Own uh..: Ha, I like Ferratio or $6 crouton better
@Frank Own uh..: I like the $6 Crouton better, but you get large bonus points for coming up with the backstory. Ha!
Which of these two would you value over the other for upside…my outfield is weaker than my middle infield.
Rendon or Castellenos?
Also, do you think mejia finds some semblance of control to be an intriguing pickup or is he just a mini-ubaldo type of pitcher?
@the big lipowski: Mejia is a former top prospect with good K numbers when he was healthy, not so great control. he pitches in metco so that at least makes his home starts streamable…but his next starts are @ ATL, @Ari, STL, Mia, @Col…youre better off streaming starts unless its 14 teams or deeper, hes pretty likely to have a couple bad starts coming up.
The Beverly Hillbillies reference in the post almost slipped by me.
@aaron: Ha
($12) Salad forks. Sure, they are there. You can use one. What’s the point?
@Yescheese: $12 spork?
@Yescheese: silver salad fork perhaps. Either way, they set up your salad!
@Yescheese:
shrimp salads?
@Yescheese: I like that, will put it in the running
Raymond K. Showhelper Jr.
@The Strolg: I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
No love for a Garcia today? What’s up with that what’s up with that, ohhhh what’s up with that!!! Droppable now?
@Los locos: For what?
@Grey: melky?
Sure
Hey Grey, I’m in a 12-team 5×5 H2h with 7 SP slots and 3 RP slots. I could use a streamer roster spot, who should I drop?
Bench Bats: Eaton, Sizemore
SPs: MadBum, Gio, Cueto, Liriano,Kluber, Estrada, Kazmir, Lincecum, Volquez, Iwakuma (DL)
RPs: Grilli, Soriano, Strop, Lindstrom, Janssen (DL)
Thanks!
@Adam Jonesin: Drop Volquez if you want to stream.
@Adam Jonesin: Edinson
Brad miller or Calhoun in a h2h points keeper league?
@Abell: Miller
Random thoughts….I dropped Moustakas and rolling with Gyorko as my only 3B due to needs elsewhere…c’mon Jerko get a hit soon I want to see you in Grey’s update tomorrow with something good to say about me. No you!
@Titan: Ha
Cook is one of the 12 Disciples: Jesus saves, but these guys still do miracles.
Along those same lines, could also go with Ratio Saint, or Televangelist.
ratiovangelist?
@Jon:
@Jon: I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
@Grey: ha! I vote $6 crouton
Traded Pujols and Matt Moore for AJackson and Shelby Miller on Saturday. My leaguemate accused me of being a “witchdoctor” needless to say I put a needle into my Clayton Kershaw voodoo doll’s back just for my leaguemate.
Any the who! It’s a points league valuing pitchers pretty heavy with a +8 QS. I picked up Chris Owings and Paxton and another leaguemate wanted to trade Brad Miller for Paxton. Thoughts? I can still pick up Nate Eovaldi!!
Thank you as always Grey!
@Brendan: I’d take Miller
So many great match ups for my hitters today… Problem with two elite 1b and 3b is only 1util slot so someone gets benched… Who would you sit: abreu, hosmer, longoria, wright… Leaning towards Hosmer, hittertron seems to say Longoria, but he’s been good lately…
@Battle of the Sleepers: Abreu
Middle relievers with high K’s could be called Chiquita Bananas… High in potassium (K), super nutritious… Bananas are the middle relievers of my work day when I need to get to 5 pm successfully!
@Nico: Ha, I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
Morning Grey.. I was gonna pickup Vargas so I have him for his next start cause the stream o netor says he’s playing on Sunday vs MIN but I counted the games and the 5th game is next week on the 15th vs HOU. I just wanted to know if you see the same as me cause you don’t count days you count games right..? If you counted days then they would have to skip a pitcher to get him on Sunday. I just don’t want to grab him if he’s not pitching this week
Oh.. Forget it. I just realized they don’t show all the games the team plays on the pitchers schedule. That’s weird I don’t know why they do that
$3 Soup – Cheap, filling and good for you but just not enough
@patlaff: I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
If I may crowdsource on an issue that’s plaguing my conscience….I traded Moore on Sunday as part of a 5-player deal…should I veto or rescind it?
What say you, my fellow fantasy baseballers?
@serch: If you both reached a trade agreement and the trade was accepted by both parties and is processing you should let it ride. I’d have a bigger problem with an owner who vetoed his own trade then with any actual trade two players might make. That’s my two farthings.
@Moronymous Lohse: Interesting take on vetoing own trade…I had not thought of that…thanks for the input
@serch: If you were the one who traded Moore away it simply shows you have heart. :) I’m like that too. I’ve made trades where the guy I traded away got hurt a day or two later and I have offered to undo the trade or to trade the players back. We just hate to feel like we screwed someone over even though there was no guile or malice intended. You certainly aren’t obligated to do that – at all! Other guys in the same situation love to gloat that they got over on a trade. It depends on who you are. Most fantasy players would probably just say too bad for the other guy but the trade stands because you can’t predict the future. And if it’s a public league where you don’t know the people personally? Meh – count your lucky stars.
@Moronymous Lohse: yeah I traded Moore to a lady friend who I introduced into the league…I’m chivalrous but conflicted…how much are you charging me for this therapy session?
@serch: @serch:
I’ll be blunt
If rescinding the trade helps your chances of being with your lady friend in the biblical sense, I’d rescind or re-do the trade in reverse. If that’s the reason, I find that totally acceptable.
@serch: That’s not your player any more. It’s not your problem as soon as they hit the accept button. Forget about it.
@Hawk:
@Fungazi:
Thanks for weighing in guys
@serch:
I agree w/ the undoing it or biblical knowledge comment. Otherwise, try asking her if she feels aggrieved (you look good but don’t have to do anything substantive right away).
@serch:
I wouldn’t feel bad about it at all as long as you both agreed to it before the injury. It could just as easily been a guy you received back as part of the deal that got hurt.
@Hawk:
Posted this before I saw that it was for a lady friend. Disregard!
@Hawk: thanks Hawk…that was my initial reaction when i heard the news on Moore… I would certainly never ask that a trade be undone if a guy I received happened to get hurt…but still, these pangs of conscience are getting stronger…
@serch:
See my other post. I didn’t see that it was for a lady friend. Your status with her could certainly change my opinion. There are some things a guy just has to do, ifyaknowwhatImean
FMy team is posted below, what do you see as it’s biggest gaps? I have a free slot now, my options are:
another bat–Owing, Wong, or someone dropped Rosario–but it’d be a backup and complicate my UTIL slot
Another starter– Eovaldi or Pineda–but as much as I love both, my SP doesn’t seem to need help
Biggest gap seems closers, but options are weak: Kelley, Broxton, Santos, Fields…
C-Lucroy
1-Hosmer
2-Kinsler
SS-Alexi Ramirez
3-Wright
OF- trout, Bruce, Beltran
UTIL/Bench-Longoria, Abreu, Fowler
SP-Sale, Price, Shields, Tanaka, Tillman, Hamels, Fister
RP-Street, Frieri, Axford
@Battle of the Sleepers: porcello is also out there….
You seem to love Fister and Pineda, JB not so much… I’m torn on whether to drop fister for Porcello…
@Battle of the Sleepers: Hold
@Grey: yeah, I’m holding fin Fister–but that doesn’t solve original post of who to add (got a free slot right now)… Owings, porcello, Pineda, eovaldi, or weak closer
Here’s more information about Kolten Wong because no one else gives a crap but me.
He was moved to eighth in the order again. Much of his appeal is that he was hitting second in the Cards lineup. This has been the third time this year he’s batted eighth but each time has been against a lefty who Wong has lesser splits against.
If he continues to bat second against righties I’ll stick with him. If he starts batting eighth against everyone then it HAS to be drop city if an Ackley or even an Uggla is out there. I hate saying such things.
@Moronymous Lohse: I hear ya
@Moronymous Lohse:
never understood the hype .
cards are happy if he hits .260
@costaricanchata: hey! Lay off my wong… And im streaming buerhle… Prolly should bench him now.
Rotisserie Roncos (you set ’em and forget e’m)
@Phil: I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
Rosenthalllll darn your kazaam!!
I’m rolling with Rendon/Arenado/Smoak on the bench with Miller/Abreu/Pujols/Frazier usually starting. My question, I wanna drop one for some SAGNOF Santos or Broxton, but who do I drop? I feel most solid at 1B, but im not sure if Smoak is a hot schmotatoe or too legit to drop
@Fireball Feliz:
If it’s a keeper league, I’d hold. If it’s a one year league, I’d drop Rendon for Santos but it’s close.
@Hawk: It’s not a keeper, but I have Miller at SS and like the insurance of Rendon on the bench just incase he doesn’t pan out. Might just stand pat, I have Rosenthal/Perky Perkins/Krod/Balfour already
10 team roto.
Wieters
encarnancion
Pedroia
Beltre
ramirez
Choo
Bruce
Cruz
Sandoval
Santana
butler
hill
bench- a. Ramirez, Marte, Prado
Verlander
Lee
Cain
Gonzalez
Teheran
Masterson
cobb
Jansen
Grilli
rodney
valverde
dl- Robertson
I know its early but where should I look to upgrade? I know a few of these guys will get going soon enough but looking at the long haul where should I strengthen? Thanks grey!
@chisoxx22: closers
I got offered Johnny Cueto for Bonifacio in a 10-team mixed h2h. I own Villar, Dee Gordon, Wong, and Rendon, so my bench hitters are two of these mid-infidels every day. My SPs are Sale, Wacha, Gio, Alex Wood, Estrada, Erasmo, Yordano, and Eovaldi (Fister and Hamels on the DL). Should I make the move and is it irrational to think Boni is the best of that MI bunch? +Cueto’s injuries concerns…
@Duke:
Do that trade immediately, if not sooner. Bonifacio is a classic hot schmotato. You’re trading him at the peak of his worth. Don’t overthink this.
@Shawn of the livid: @Hawk: done and done cheers dudes
@Duke: people be high on nitrous in that league.
@Duke: Make the trade you lucky dog
Glossary term for a killer MR who steadily goes about servicing your team? How about a MR Roboto?
@serch: Ha, not bad… I think I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
Hi – I am keeping two of the followmg three:
Kyle Seager
Todd Frazier
Chase Headley – on the wire
I think I know the answer – Seager and Frazier – but what is up with Seager? I expected solid but unexciting – and I am getting unexciting.
Thanks…
Mike.
@Mike: The season is barely over a week old….chill
/sees Razzball article listing about 50 guys
//scans article for the mere mention of someone, anyone on his last place team like Gyorko, Fielder, Marte, Frieri, Votto, etc
///only guy he has is Puig
////slowly closes laptop
/////cries
@AP: It’s early
@Grey: Oh, I know…..I’ll be there in the end. I’ve won 3 years in a row, thanks to Razzball, so I’m not worried. Was trying to be funny. I’ll leave that to you.
Any chance the Hittertron and Streamonator will get an option to lock in a roster or sync with your leagues so you don’t have to enter the players manually? I love the tool, would love it even more if I didn’t have to enter players each day. Thanks!
@Jason: Maybe one day
If Moore is TJ’d (sounds like something that’d happen to u im Tijuana)who’s replaces him in the lineup?
@Oz: Ramos maybe, Enny Romero maybe
You could always call ’em “ratial harmony”
Someone in my league just jettisoned T-Rex Brothers… worth dropping Skaggs/Mejia/Perez for him?
@SpottieOttieDopaliscious: grab brothers, you can let Perez go
The Stream-o-nator is predicting a dribbling flow tonight for these 3 of my SPs: Paxton, Y Ventura, and Hudson. Do I dare start any of them?
@Lob Ball:
i’m also running Paxton and Ventura out there tonight in a league where there is no bench. Crossing my fingers.
If I had the option, I’d bench Paxton and start Ventura.
Love the 2 for 4 update (with no counting stats) on Sizemore. It’s like when Special Smurf finally learned to take the special bus by himself.
Until Fowler finishes pooping out all of his fouler smells, Sizemore is in there for me…
Btw I am saying Sizemore bar is set lowwwwwww.
In case there’s a misunderstanding.
@papasmurf: Ha
Ratio Hornblower
@Principal Blackman: Funny, doesn’t read right for what they are
Since Ramos left my team like Wilson left Tom hanks on that vacation in the south Pacific, I have been stuck searching for coconuts with Yasmani Grandal as my backstop. Would I be better off standing on the shoulders of Mesoraco?
@troy: Hold for now
I just looked up The Wikipedias in webcrawler on my intertubes. It seems Tommy John surgery is relegated to mostly white dudes from the US. Yeah – I know Soria had it twice, A. Sanchez had it, I think Rafael Soriano had it. But, what the hell? There is a veritable….rash of TJs? Beachy, Medlen, Parnell, Jarrod Parker, now maybe Matt Moore. Smoltzy had it. Matt Harvey. Stras. AJ Burnett. Whatever we are doing to our kids in the US system isn’t working. Or is this surgery all over the place in Latin America too but they call it “Anibal Sanchez” surgery? Or “did you hear? Miguel Sano needs “the dirty sanchez”?
@Moronymous Lohse: Ha!
League: 12 man, 2C, mixed 5×5 (OBP) league.
Currently have Grandal rostered, but someone just dropped Ruiz. Worth swapping?
@Joe: Hold
I am being offered Moss for my Miller. If I have Everth and Hill as SS and 2B, do I pull the trigger on this? With OF of Rios, Heyward, and Gordon, maybe it’s good to add another power hitter to the team? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
@Kc:
Miller has power for a MI guy. I think he’s projected to hit 15 HR. Moss is projected for 28.
Over the course of the season, you’re really dealing for 12 HR while losing out on 40 points (or more) on Batting Average. I wouldn’t do that trade. If Miller was a keeper for me, there’s no way I would do that trade.
Lyles also had three big hits…which Julia Roberts approved of…
Lyles in his postgame interview…”If I had a pony I’d ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat”
(CarGo abruptly left the press conference)
@Wake Up: Ha!
mmmSnarl!
There’s a guy in my 10 team mixed league who’s on a two year run of “Everything I touch turns to gold”. He drafted Alberto Callaspo so of course, Callaspo is off to a roaring start.
I hate him.
@Hawk:
And by “him” I mean the guy in my league. I can’t see anyone getting that worked up about Alberto Callaspo.
@Hawk: You’d be surprised. I’m sure there’s a “Should I drop E5 for Callaspo?” question around somewhere.
@Cram It:
While true, I think it’s safe to ignore people asking questions like that. They’ll stop paying attention to their last place teams by mid-May.
Trade offer…your thoughts?
Miggy for Kershaw and Freeman
@the big lipowski:
Pre-season, Kershaw side
Now that we know Kershaw is hurt? Miggy.
By the end of the season? Probably Kershaw side but it assumes a lot of risk, risk that you don’t have with Miggy.
If you have other risky players (ie, perennial injury risks, a bunch of young guys you’re hoping for upside etc..) on your team, I’d stick with Miggy.
If you have a team mostly full of solid players (i.e. the Adam LaRoche / Howie Kendricks of the world where you know pretty much what you’re gonna get), then I’d take the risk.
I’d hate to equate it this way…but the difference in miggy and freeman this year could be 15/12/35/0/.040…..is that worth gambling on kershaw right now? Because if we find out that kershaw is back may 1st with no issues than the deal gets shut down.
@the big lipowski:
That’s why I put the part in about your current team makeup.
If you have a lot of other risky guys (all rookies fall in this category to me), I wouldn’t do the deal. If you have a team full of reasonably predictable guys, I’d do the deal.
@the big lipowski: Kershaw side, but i like those kind of risks
Agree. It’s a fun gamble
Grey – Would you trade away Joe Nathan for Danny Salazar, straight up?
My SP’s are kind of weak, and my other closers include Greg Holland, Valverde, and Qualls.
@patrick: SAGNOF doctrine says do the trade.
20-man league, who would you want as part of a platoon? Lucas Duda, David DeJesús or Jason Kubel?
@ichirosan: Kubel
Trade Puig for Stanton or deal with the soap opera?
@Bryan: Stanton. All day.
@Ty Wiggington:
Stanton all day, every day.
@Bryan: I don’t think the Stanton side would do that deal.
RAGNOF
ratios ain’t got no face
too easy?
@rapscallion13: I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
Where was your advice not to draft Matt Moore? You had him ranked 3rd highest out of the 73 experts on fantasypros.
@Marc: If you read the blurbs associated with the rankings, Moore is in a tier called “loved them last year, not so much this year,” and that’s me quoting Grey.
@Principal Blackman: Right…Also just to add…Grey has repeatedly said to stay away from him to commenters this year and said he wasn’t draftng him…I traded him for Tanaka based off his advice and JB’s b4 season started once he was auto picked for me…I feel pretty good now.
@Principal Blackman: Right, so obviously don’t reach for that tier. But Grey had him ranked so much higher than ADP and other pros, that in the 10th round of many drafts, Grey’s 17th ranked pitcher is still available.
@Marc: i noticed that myself, he was pretty much the only big injury case that we could’ve actually had (if we religiously followed rankings), braun was barely possible, kershaw completely impossible.
Hitter-tron used to bang the hype machine but he got sick of pillow talk involving Wayne Housie, Brian Rose, Scott Cooper, and the time JBJ walked multiple times in a game.
@Ralph Lifshitz: Ha
Robertson down…I can pick up Jason Vargas or Kelley. Waddaya Think?
@Mr. Zimmer: Kelley
Mustard
@Fungazi: I like Ferratio or $6 crouton or salad fork better
Hi Grey,
Which OF prospect would you rather be holding: Taveras or Springer?
Thanks!
@Jay:
Depends on your plan. If you need a guy this year, Springer has the clearest path to the majors. If your plan is to hold for next year and beyond, Tavares is the more talented.
@Hawk: Disagree. Springer is best bet for this year and next. More power, more speed, and if his swing gets a bit better he won’t be such a K risk.
@Jay: Springer, Taveras has been unable to stay healthy
I went all in on Pujols this year… drafting him in multiple leagues. I also went in on JHamilton and thats working out a lot better so far. All I can say is bjhgsfdiu27yhbdp0a.sjfiujfss… oh sorry I was crossing my fingers. All i can say is at least he seems healthy. Lets all h$%pbikdbsldun97 and EFGYI&G*&GRo9jncnaas he turns it around.
@Game of Throws: Ha
Would you start Tyson Ross with any confidence today versus the Indians?
@Sal: I am not. But I’m wary of starting a Hodgepodre away from Petco. I’ve seen Gremlins.
After one week I am in 12th place in 4 out of 4 12-team leagues. I feel like this could actually be a good omen for all of my teams. Last year, in one league I was in 12th place for most of April. By May 7th or 8th I was in first place, a position I did not relinquish until early September, when I fell to second, where I finished. AAGNOF (April Ain’t Got No Face)
@Principal Blackman: Agreed, still very early
Lackey was top 15 K/BB last year. Not that I expect that again this year, some decline is probably happening, just think he’s underrated.
@FMFBL: Could be a bit
Who should I drop for Vargas:
Nolasco
Peavy
R. Zimmerman
Yelich
B. Moss
@AJ: Nolasco
@AJ:
Nolasco is probably an ok swap, but just to provide a moment of sanity….Jason Vargas has a career 4.62 xFIP, a 5.85 k/9 rate, and a career WHIP of 1.31. We’re not exactly talking fantasy gold. It’s highly likely that this is his high watermark for the year and you’re going to get the regression back to his career norms.
@OaktownSteve: Gotcha, would you say that even with said regression back to normal that he’s a better candidate than Nolasco?
@AJ:
He’s probably a tick better.
@OaktownSteve: KC has something in the pitching water, Guthrie started hot last year and Ervin looked ridiculous for them last year, an AL Pirates dare i say?
@J-FOH:
There’s probably a little something to that. Good park, solid defensively. They were first in the AL last year in starter runs allowed per game and second in starter innings per game behind Det. One thing you hear from people inside and out of Royals locker room is the unbelievable influence of James Shields on the whole team and the pitching staff in general. He’s credited with an almost single-handed culture change in KC and that could not have been an easy thing to do. Big Game James.
They’ve gotten pretty nice work out of Bruce Chen too. So we’ll keep an eye on it but it’s a fair point JFOH.
In a H2H points league where the scoring is tilted towards pitching, who wins in this trade?
Goldschmidt and Shelby Miller for Strasburg and Rizzo
@malamoney: Gold side.
I swear, every year, no matter who I pick, all my closers go down or have bad years. I owned Parnell, Jones, Robertson, and Henderson. W.T.F. Looks like I’ll be punting saves again this year in both leagues! Took 1st last year punting saves so what ev.
Hey Grey (and Razz people) how early is it? Shin Soo Choo is hitting lefties better than righties as of today! Now THAT’S early!
Thanks for the post Grey, fun read as usual.
@Shawn of the livid: Ha, nice
Kelley or K-rod?
@BitchesBeShoppach: K-Rod
Wow. John Norris has Phil Specter eyes.
@TysonFrozenChicken: Seriously
Reliable middle relief help: Middle Sages?
A few deep league either/or questions based on what we’ve seen so far:
Ruiz or Zunino?
Blackmon or Melky?
Lindstrom or Shawn Kelley?
Skaggs or Eovaldi?
Thanks!
@Enrique: Eh on term… Take Zunino, Melky, Lindstrom, Eovaldi
Cingrani for Salazar…which side?
@popgreatpimp: Salazar
MRkin – to cover up the ugly ratios of your 5th and 6th starters.
@shark week: thats pretty good!
@shark week: Wow, nice, might be my new favorite
@Grey:
GIVE THIS MAN THE PRIZE!!!
O/U on when Zimmerman is back in the lineup for the Nats?
@Steve Stevenson: Friday
@Steve Stevenson:
agree with Grey .
and then , again , right before the asb .
and once more … around sept 1st .
Hey Grey! Would you keep Avisail on the bench or play Avisail for the series against the Rockies in the UTIL spot over Rizzo or Smoak? Thanks man
@My Minor Likes Female Pujols: Nope
Who is a better DL stash : Gavin Floyd or Derek Holland?
@Joeg414: Holland
The Other Woman. You keep her around for that one(or two) things your wife can’t get right.
@gladIdidn’tdraftapitcher: I like MRkin better
In an RCL do I give Harper to get Braun?
@Fish: NO
Would you go with SON for these for H2H pts?
I actually like lowest 3-4 rated guys better than the top ones:
McGowan vs HOU 16.0
Roark vs MIA 12.0
Skaggs vs NYM 12.0
Morrow vs HOU 9.5
Morales vs CHN 8.1
Santiago @ SEA 5.6
Jackson vs PIT 3.5
@EK: Also where would you put Morton @ CHC (-0.7)
Thanks
@EK: Skaggs, Roark, Santiago would be my call
I know these aren’t very good but I’ll throw some things out there
The classic Fireman of yesterday is like our $12 MR, but Fireman is just not fun enough so in honor of nick moving to the US I say call them the Hoser!
Any chance I can plug the awesome Harvey Keitel I will and will call them the PenWolf…..WolfPen….ReliefWolf….anythehoo, I just wanted to use the Wolf character from Pulp Fiction because like those great MR’s we need a fixer.
I think the most solid MR over the years has been Luke Gregerson, an awesome MR who most of us never thought had a serious chance at closing because when he did he was awful, but always brought great ratio assistance. I can’t come up with a play on words with his name yet…need coffee
@J-FOH: I like MRkin better
I got a trade offer of (my) Braun for Jose Bautista? What do you think?
@Em: Bautista
All i got is Rati-BRO (like the Bro from Seinfeld cause they support your ratios…)
@mauledbypandas:
ManZeroes.
@OaktownSteve:
“Bro’s no good. Too ethnic.”
“You got something better?”
“How about the Mansiere?”
“Mansiere.”
“That’s right. A brassiere for a man.”
“I lived with him for forty years, I never saw him trying on my underwear. As soon as he leaves the house he turns into J. Edgar Hoover!”
Good stuff
@mauledbypandas: I like MRkin better
Holden Relievers. Loyal, reliable, unselfish like the dogs.
@OaktownSteve: I actually quite like Golden Relievers
@mauledbypandas: golden relievers was what i was going to say after reading thr comments… Think of the potential dog jokes!
“Alex torres, hes just mans best friend”
“Siegrist with 1Ip and 3ks.. Which proves dogs are better than kratz”
I mean, cmon!
@OaktownSteve: Not bad, I like MRkin better
The BJ Upton-Frustrate-O-Alarm went off early in my league this year — he just got dropped.
Worth dropping any of Adam Eaton, Jim Henderson, or Chase Headley for a speculative add?
@Baron Von Vulturewins: He was dropped in 2 of my leagues too and I looked at grabbing him, but I couldn’t, and I had lesser guys than you
Travis Wood, Bartolo Colon, Josh Johnson, Derek Holland. Bear or Bull? Quality Starts instead of Wins.
Why Travis Wood is only 5% owned, I don’t know. I’ve watched the video and I really believe he knows how to pitch (Mike Minor Lite or Diet Cliff Lee). And only 27 years old.
Colon is now in the NL. If he can thrive in the AL, he can be solid in the NL.
I thought Holland and Johnson were the best DL stashes I could find. Thoughts? Please and thank you lol
@Great Bambino: Eh, don’t like him
@Grey: 14 team H2H league. the pickings are reallyyyy slim. I have no choice but to roll with them =/
Would you prefer Lohse at Phillies or Kendrick home vs brewers today?
Thanks
@Andrew: Kendrick, but I’d look at the SON
@Grey:
but don’t stare .
you’ll go blind .
Too late!
Would you prefer Lohse at Phillies or Kendrick home vs brewers today?
Thanks
Like Santiago at Seattle today for 12 teamer?
@Andrew: Sure
Hey Guys, u would drop Eaton for Billy Hamilton? 10team roto 5x5cat
Thanks!
@740: No
So I’ve got an interesting proposal on the table. I give Heyward and I receive De Aza and Teheran. My team is zunino, pujols, Hill, Longoria, segura, a. Escobar, rizzo, a. Gordon, Heyward, Rios, Bruce, puig, Myers.
Pitching is Cobb, Salazar, jo-fer, kluber, porcello, E. Ramirez, t. Walker, Soria, Rodney, Valverde, Broxton, Lindstrom.
12 team espn standard 5×5
Keeper, auction
Heyward $17
De Aza $1
Teheran $9
What do you think?
@Pope: I’d take Heyward
@Grey: Well its a good thing I consulted you. Thanks
No problem
Was just offered Allen Craig for Brandon Belt straight up. Any hesitation? It seems too good to be true despite their respective starts…
@Scott: I’d take Craig
In honor of the great Luke Gregerson, Gregorian Reform which had to deal with changes to correct the Calender year introduced by pope Gregory to correct the celebration of Easter as it coincides….oh forget it, this is boring ass stuff. Gregorian Reform is my last pitiful attempt
@J-FOH: I like MRkin better
I have Ryan Zimmerman on my bench and the news isn’t great about the shoulder.
Rizzo, A. Soriano, Arenado, Villar, Laroche are all on the wire. Do I just stick with Zimmerman and let it all play out, try to get a trade going or pickup one of the available players?
@Ron: Try to trade
In a league size where fowler, rajai etc are available 6×6 with ops, which side is better?
Choo/Lawrie or Belt/A Gordon?
Already have Seager and would use lawrie at util and to maximize 3B slots
Thanks
@MB: Gordon side
Was offered Linecum for my Axford. My only other two closers are Kimbrel (rd 7 keeper) and KROD. I’m tempted to accept banking on an eventual Axford demotion. Dickey, Gallardo, Fister, Huddy, Straily, M. Perez are my other Sps. Eovaldi and Skaggs available via FA. 14 team head to head. THoughts?
Eh
GREY! – Any thoughts on Kalish. Will he get more playing time in Chicago, or just a LHB for Lake?
Platoon player
Who should I drop in an H2H points, Ubaldo or Tyson Ross?
Ubaldo
How about calling them a “Fuzzy Handcuff?” I mean, yeah you could lock down ur RP position with one of them, but they are a little too much frill and not enough function…
Not bad, I like MRkin better
At this point would you rather have Morse or Sizemore?
Neither? Morse
Real Quick; Who gets the Save today for the Yanks: Warren or Betances?
Warren
@Joeg414:
neither .
baltimore wins .
Farquhar worth owning in 12 team H2H pts or stream the spot?
Stream
I don’t understand why some of you even play fantasy when you have to ask who should I bench, who should I play, should I drop him, pick him up? No wonder the divorce rate is skyrocketing! Cue October, some guy will show up blaming razz for losing hehe :-)
@Bi-Felicia: It’s a symptom of the availability of information coupled with the idea that if someone appears to know what the hell they’re doing, many people (readers) will assume that they (the reader and advice-seeker) are somehow in the dark w/r/t this information. Add to that the fact that there is such a wealth of FB advice columns, the fantasy baseball player (and reader) becomes more disposed to cases of neurosis, anxiety, and rosterbating.
“Wow, player A looks really promising! Oh, wait, but so does player B! So much upside…”
“Player C is vastly underperforming, and Player D just got bumped up to the 2-hole, but I really need a closer and setup man A looks like he’s about to pounce”
It can overwhelm…
@Bi-Felicia: do you know who we should blame for marrying people in the first place. Fantasy baseballers are probably less likely to be responsble than average person for that.
Which side? Ryan Zimmerman and Andrus for Tulo?
Tulo
Would you give CarGo, J Upton as Chapman and Brantley or Gyorko to get a trio of lets say, Pedroia, McCutchen an Rios?
12t H2H 7×7 (OBP/XBH + QS/IP)
How bout the following trade? Cruz, KJ, and Tillman for Liriano and Lowrie? I also have Burnett, Kluber, Perez, and Porcello but not sure if any of those will get it done. Maybe AJ..
Owner was receptive to Cruz for Liriano, but wanted some pitching back. Hence the trade. Thoughts?
Cruz side
9 pitches, 3 runs for Ivan Nova…that’s bad right thur
JONES!
$12 Salad , $6 Crouton beautiful, Are you listening Smokeman?
Haha
Adam Jones homers! And all of us, followers of Grey, are happy
Two more today and I’ll be so happy
Razzballers, I have an offer on the table and really want some opinions.
I would get:
Aramis Ramirez
Alex Rios
Jason Heyward
I would give:
Adrian Beltre
Jonathan Lucroy
Abraham Almonte
My lineup:
C – Carlos Santana
1B – Prince Fielder
2B – Jose Altuve
3B – Adrian Beltre
SS – Ian Desmond
OF – Wil Myers
OF – Jay Bruce
OF – Ben Zobrist
UTIL – Abraham Almonte
UTIL – Jonathan Lucroy
Bench – Chris Blackmon
THANKS!!
Sounds good
Scratch that. Would you take Pedroia Cespedes and Alex Gordon for CarGo?
If I needed depth
Need to start Paxton today right? And keep faith with Homer vs the Cards?
Yes on both
Is Jesse Chavez worth a start @Min on Wednesday?
When you need to bring down swollen ratios…fast, you call in a:
“Preparation H”
You also have the H alluding to “hold”, the “preparation” alluding to the fact that he’s some kind of set-up guy, and the fact that you need anal medicine at all suggests that you are being bent over the sink by your the rest of your pitching staff. I’m resonating on at least three or four levels here. Whaddaya think?
I like MRkin better
Mister MR
I like MRkin better
Want to hear something ridiculous, Cervelli is playing 1B in the Yankees home opener. CERVELLI!
It’s not the home opener, but yes crazy
Thoughts on Matt Cain, he is on waivers, but he has looked awful.
I’d own him
Schoop is going to be a good hitter. He’s got excellent wrists. Tracks the ball well and has shown me already that he can handle MLB breaking stuff.
Yeah, liked what I saw yesterday from him when he roped a double
“We need a glossary term for a middle reliever who is just rock solid in ratios/Ks, and you own for that purpose, without even caring if he gets into the save picture.”
Pizza Cutter. It’s a tool you own for one specific purpose, but it’s damn great at that purpose and you don’t care if it can’t do anything else.
I like MRkin better
Question about how much you trust to Hittertron. Would you bench Wil Myers for Asche today?
Nope
Someone dropped Panda and Cespedes.. Would you drop Yelich for either?
Yes, Cespedes
Melky available, would you drop Wong to pick him up or still hold? Wong is a bench bat for me. Also Porcello or Evoldai? Drop A. Garcia for Colabello? Thanks!!
I’d go Melky, Porcello… Eh, hold Garcia… Smoke it!
Pls rank for 5×5 roto:
Pagan
Melky
K. Davis
Belt
Blackmon
Belt, Melky, Davis
Do I still go off your rankings when deciding between eovaldi, kazmir and dickey?
I need an open roster spot for broxton in shallow league and wanna drop kazmir but dont want to regret it but guys like tillman, dickey, and eovaldi are out there.
Thanks
Kazmir, Eovaldi
I have Belt, Gold and Pujlos…looking to trade 1 for a SP.
Who should I be trying to move and what kind of pitcher should I target?
I’d go for a #1 with Pujols, like J-Fer range
Latos scratched from his minor league start today. Manager to address the media later on what happened.
Yup
Someone get a zimmer frame for ryan Zimmerman. Arthritis is not to be taken lightly.
@ Grey :
am liking thayer for possible save tomorrow .
you ?
Why?
@Grey:
double – header
Oh, then yeah maybe as a spec one day add…
10 team 5×5.
Start
Kluber vs. SD
Yordano vs. TB?
Both
adam jones draws a walk !!
Crazy town!
@costaricanchata: In a game of Pictionary, right?
Man, what is with some of these managers this year? You’ve got a guy that’s hit a HR in 4 straight games and you’re batting him 6th so Martin freaking Prado can hit clean-up? Clearly stupidity knows no bounds. We need to get on e-mailing all managers your “How to Fill Out a Lineup Card” ASAP.
Haha
Looks like Bauer will be up for a start tomorrow at home vs SD.. you like?
Eh
So now that Adam Jones remembered that it’s good for his team when he hits that little ball over the fence, think we can get a prayer octagon going so that his teammate Mr. Davis can join in the fun?
Ha, yup
The Yahoo rework is killing me. Yangervis Solarte keeps on coming up in the player list as “DirtyName Sun-Tea.”
HA!
Was offered Marte and Rodney for Puig and Cmart. Roto 5×5. Pull the trigger? Thanks. Enjoy the day!
Sounds fine if you need saves
Colby Lewis worth adding over Hutchison or Mejia?
Eh
Belt and Seager too much to give up for Adrian Beltre in shallow league?
Nope
*****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS**********
would you drop ubaldo or Kennedy to pick up and stash AJ Griffin on the DL or should i just stand pat with those two schmoes
@Marc: @Mr. Glass: Why rank a “don’t draft” one behind Greinke?
Grey! I’m sorry for not listening to you and drafting Matt Moore!
Here’s an acronym, SPAM, that food in a can that has some strange appeal but you never want to touch it. They’re solid pitchers and only get noticed when they screw up.
Solid Pitchers, Always Maligned.
Grey would you hold your Wong or drop your Wong for Dee Gordan?
@Party Boy John: he’s said before (like today) to not drop wong for gordon
How about a Sweatup Man or a Middle Believer?
En Vogues. Sexy, for the ratios, but the saves? Never gonna get it…
I know there’s the whole “be patient” thing, but I feel like I’m wasting my time with guys like Carl Crawford and/or Avisail Garcia. What’s your thoughts on guys currently on my waiver wire, like Blackmon or Ackley?
Are Owings and Solarte the real deal. Who thus far after 1 1/2 weeks do you see as a major add Hitter and
Pitcher.
Example: adding Trout 2 years ago and adding Corbin last year for how good he was in drafted.
Thank you.
Cut Vargas for Fields? 12 team roto
*****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS***********
Braun, I stood pat, 3 jacks, 7 ribbies….makes me a happy boy :-)
Need to start 2 of these:
Kemp vs mad max
Butler vs archer
A. Garcia @ Coors field
Hi Gray, I need to drop one for a pitcher, Dexter Fowler, Leoyns Martin, or Grady Sizemore. Your thoughts. Thanks!
Sizemore
Wait, did you rank Moore in the same range as Greinke and Price… basically advising us to actually draft him since he went way later than those guys?
*****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS************
I’ve been offered Brandon Belt for Leonys Martín. I’ve already got Goldschmidt and Fielder, and trading away Martin would put me short on OF, but I’m still tempted to pull the trigger given Belt’s promise.
What do you think?
Grey!
Love the show, man! On Monday, I was offered Braun for Bailey. I accepted immediately but regretted it immediately and sent a message to my league’s commissioner to try to cancel the trade. Of course, around about midnight last night the trade went through (only 2 objections). Now, of course, the former owner of Braun wants me to trade Braun back to him. Asking for advice. My ideas to resolve the issue are as follows.
1. Do nothing (finder’s keeper’s).
2. Trade him back Braun but for an upgrade since his value has ‘literally’ gone up over night.
3. Trade him back Braun for Bailey (least preferred for me, doesn’t seem right now.).
He has Stanton (have Pence, Gomez and Bautista in OF), AuSchitt (have Davis), Scherzer (would be a serious upgrade in SP) and Kimbrel (he can’t give up Kimbrel and most likely never will – drafted in the 5th round) as the only bonafide Tier 1 players, Liriano, Desmond (have Tulo, do not need SS) and Santana (have Rosario not interested in adding Santana) in Tier 2.
Scherzer would be ideal IMO.
Best regards,
Ante
Grey!
You know how the Chinese steal everything from us (I say from us as a proud Canadian who watched helplessly as the government allowed a Chinese ‘student’ to intern and then steal the blackberry (a Canadian invention) and then re-sell it as the redberry in China for 1/1000000th of the cost of a blackberry)? How about this steal? The new hollywood rom-com…The Right Kind of Wong!!!