“Whoa, how about that Blake Snell deal? What about that Cody Bellinger deal? Can you believe that Matt Chapman deal? This is crazy! Deals be dealin’!” That’s what I would be saying if there were any deals being dealin’. Sadly, the entire sport is being held captive by Scott Boras and “(fill-in team name) is currently not looking at signing any free agents.” The Yankees are one big arm away from having a great team, and instead are like, “Hey, when Rodon can only throw 45 innings, it’s no biggie. We have Luke Weaver.” So, instead of a big signing, we have injury news. Kyle Bradish has a tear in his UCL, and is getting a PRP shot, while planning to pitch through it. Baseball reminds me of the adage: We plan, God laughs. The Orioles lost their number two starter. In day two of Spring Training. I liked Bradish, but now he falls completely off my radar. Compounding this into something that simultaneously sucks and blows, he’s diddling around with PRP shots and pitching through a UCL tear, when he should be going for Tommy John and hoping to be back by the All-Star Break of 2025. Now, he delays the inevitable. He’s now in a tier in the top 80 starters where I wouldn’t draft him. He was adjusted in the top 500, and removed from the pitchers pairing tool. Anyway, here’s what else I saw this offseason in fantasy baseball:
John Means – At least a month behind due to elbow soreness. Welp, we know what that means, Means, nah’Means? He was lowered in the top 100 starters, and Tyler Wells was added in.
Jorge Soler – Signed with the Giants. Soler has made his career in a lot of parks that would be considered pitchers’ parks, and has excelled, so I’m not worried about his power in San Fran. He’s a 32-homer hitter anywhere, even on the dark side of the moon. Guess you could say Soler hits ’em where the sun don’t shine. You walked right into that one! Like, I basically said you have something on your shirt, you looked down and I poked you in the eye. Just kindergarten-type setups here and you fell for it. Do better. Updated top 40 outfielders.
Jesse Winker – Signed with the Nats. I say in no uncertain terms, that if Winker’s signing means Stone Garrett will only face lefties, then they should take the entire franchise behind the woodshed and put it out of their misery. As I keep saying, the Braves and Rangers platoon no one and did well last year. Stop trying to platoon everyone!
Victor Robles – Nats said he’s in a competition for starting center field with Jacob Young. A battle of Young vs. old. Nubile vs. Robles. Victor vs. Jacob! Meh, I’d be shocked if Young gets the job, but worth monitoring in NL-Only for Young’s 60-steal speed.
Brandon Marsh – Had arthroscopic knee surgery, and will miss about a month of action from the surgery (on February 9th). So, he should be fine for the start of the season, assuming the doctors don’t accidentally sew his knee up and get his beard stuck in there.
Jurickson Profar – Signed with the Padres. Solid signing for the Padres. They need someone who can play three positions and Profar fits the bill. Only catch is he has to play them at the same time. Thankfully, they need a CF, LF and 3B, and those positions are all grouped together on the field.
Justin Verlander – Him and J.P. France are behind schedule. France I expect, he’s on J.P. time, but Verlander? Shame on you. Will be monitoring Verlander, but a good way to lose your leagues is to overreact based on every little bit of news in February. A UCL tear or elbow soreness? That’s a legit reason to lower guys. A Danny Glover “I’m too old for this sh*t” player just not ready in February? That’s not a reason.
Yasmani Grandal – Signed by the Pirates. Just had a terrible thought: Grandal becomes the Pirates’ #1 catcher, and we’re screaming, “Noooooooo nooooooo Delay!!!” as Jason Delay becomes the backup catcher and Henry Davis moves back to the outfield.
Nick Gordon – Traded to the Marlins. He has big shoes to fill with his brother, Dee, being a fan favorite in Miami. Slightly smaller pants and shirt to fill.
Garrett Crochet – Could open the season in the rotation. Could I suggest Kopech goes the opposite way?
Spencer Turnbull – Signed with the Phils on Super Bowl Sunday. Way to overshadow the whole game! I have a theory that might be nuts, even by my standards, but I see Patrick Mahomes and his dad, Pat Mahomes, and think about how much easier it is to play football vs. baseball. Mahomes’s dad, a journeyman pitcher, would’ve been better than Joe Montana.
By the by, we’re cutting off the RazzSlam entries this weekend. Then, if you get in, you will get an email from Truss next week(ish) with how to signup at NFBC. It’s all free, naturally. (There’s also the RCL signups going strong.)
Prizes:
1st Place – RazzSlam Engraved Trophy (priceless), Razzball MLB DFS Premium Subscription ($149.98 value), Choice of one shirt from the Razzball Rotowear Collection ($24 value)
Runner Up – Razzball MLB Roto Deluxe Subscription ($34.98 value), Choice of one shirt from the Razzball Rotowear Collection ($24 value)
12-Team, modified Best Ball played at NFBC. Here’s the Rules.
12-Team, modified Best Ball played at NFBC. Here's the Rules.
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