The other day I stumbled on this: Highest average for a 22-year-old in the past 100 years (min 300 PA): .406 Ted Williams; .358 Freddie Lindstrom; .357 Stan Musial; Luis Arraez; .346 Joe DiMaggio — four Hall of Famers and Arraez. Since that faithful day (three days ago), I’ve been on Team Arraez. I’ve called six local-area Spanish restaurants and asked them to change “arroz” to “Arraez.” I called a local biker bar, where the Spanish Kings Motorcycle Club hangs out, and asked them to change the “mind eraser” to the “Mind Arraez” and asked them to tell people it’s “mind” as in to pay attention to like, “Mind the Gap.” Finally, I called the Kiwanis Club of Madrid and said, “Hola, yo quiero Arraez to tengo a key-o to the ciudad.” In each case, the person I talked to said either, “What?” or “¿Que?” and hung up on me, which is why I’m here to tell you all about Arraez! Wait! Don’t hang up! I’m not done yet! With a minimum of 300 PAs, Arraez has the lowest strikeout rate in the major leagues (8.5%), and his walk rate is around top 50 (10.3%). No one in the league is particularly interested in OBP — sorry, Michael Lewis! — but Arraez would be top 5 in OBP if he qualified. Not exactly a guy who gives a ton of power or speed, which hurts his 5×5 redraft value, but he gets a ton of hits, and I got this stupid Team Arraez jersey and I was obliged to shine a light on him. Anyway, here’s some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Austin Nola – As of Wednesday, Austin Nola was ranked 85 on the 30-day Player Rater for hitters and Aaron Nola was ranked 85th for pitchers. Though, Austin’s been way more valuable, in general. That is what we call as crazy-as-the-moment-that-male-squirrels-realize-they-have-nuts-on-their-body.
Ji-Man Choi – Fun fact! In South Korea, the Feds are called, Ji-Men, and they laugh, Hehe-seop. Any hoo! Choi is currently hot.
Nick Solak – Big Nick Energy pulling in all the ladies and guys who likes ladies and ladies who like ladies and they’s who like they’s and him/her/he/she’s who like him/her/he/she’s! Big Nick Energy’s satisfying them all! Especially if they play fantasy baseball.
Cavan Biggio – In about a half a season, he went about 15/15 and he’s the 4th most interesting Jay — Boba Chette, Vlad Jr and Jay from the Adnan Syed case. If he’s innocent, why is Jay still lying after all of these years? That’s interesting! Then Cavan is 4th.
Howie Kendrick – If only I could tell what Howie’s going to do in the upcoming week…*wavy lines indicating a dream sequence* An Asian man strokes his wispy beard and looks into his crystal ball, “I am simply reading the future, nothing more. Okay, Howie Kendrick is retired and living in Ahoskie, North Carolina.” What year is this, old Asian man? “I’m only 89 years old, so easy on the ageism. And this is 2019.” You’re seeing 2019? “No, I thought you were asking what year it was. I’m seeing the year 2033.” *wavy lines* Worst dream sequence ever!
Ben Zobrist – When Ben and his wife split, I wonder if he tried to get her back one last time by playing In Your Eyes on a boombox and she was like, “Are you saying you want me to sing that?” And he was like, “God no,” and that was it.
Nico Hoerner – Already gave you my Nico Hoerner fantasy. It was written while riding a longboard pretending I was Moana.
Mauricio Dubon – The other day Prospector Itch said, “Dubon’s probably not as good as his .302/.345/.477 AAA line, but he’s popped 20 home runs and stolen ten bags across 123 games and should be tracked in all leagues, unless it’s a Hunger Games-themed league and you’re tracking down Grey to kill him. In that case, good luck!” Hey, c’mon!
Kyle Lewis – People are constantly clamoring for my brain custard. Not just zombies. I mean, people people like people people. It’s because of the brilliant lights of smarts zimmy-zamming in my neurons. Well, I don’t really know about Lewis — zimmy-zamming neurons or not. I do trust Podcaster Ralph and on this week’s show he was talking up Lewis in a big way.
Kyle Tucker – Already gave you my Kyle Tucker fantasy. It was written while on hold with the cable company.
Randal Grichuk – You know what Grichuk is making me? Left Side of Brain, “Don’t say ‘Randy.'” Why? It’s good. “No.” Hmm, okay, but Randal’s stats are showing a bigger bat than a Ken doll. “No.” Damn, Left Side of Brain, you’re tough. How much can a–“Grichuk chuck! We know!” *dissolve to five hours later* Due to a lengthy disagreement with the left side of my brain, I’m unable to provide you with a terrible pun. At least we didn’t go to war over it — ‘huk! What is it good for?! “‘Huk is not even something people say!” Oh, shut up!
John Means – This is a Streamonator call, like the call it makes to a customer in a Home Depot parking lot.
Tanner Roark – Another Streamonator call. “If you take me home with you, I can do all your housework and be your best friend! Okay, we can start slow with the friendship, while I hold your Direct TV antenna in place on your roof.”
Keone Kela – Something lost in Kela becoming the new Pirates’ closer, because, well, when you’ve done the disgusting garbage Felipe Vazquez did, everything pales in comparison, but, prior to Vazquez chewing on Crick’s finger like it’s candy because he had used all his actual candy to attract dates, Kela was one of the worst personalities in the Pirates’ bullpen. Solid organization, Pirates!
SELL
Any Player – No, his name is not pronounced ‘An-knee Pah-lay-er.’ That is not a name. It’s a strategy. At this stage in the season, while the sun is setting on your bald dome and jorts, I’d just be focusing on the 7-day Player Rater for hot bats and everyone is droppable. Same goes for pitchers. If they only have one or two starts left and they’re not good matchups, then you need to be looking at the Streamonator. The time for sentimentality is behind us like the litter you just threw out your window. By the way, now a dolphin is going to be on the shoulder with a cigarette butt in its blowhole. Not cool! Either way, you have permission to pick up or drop everyone. Get this win!
I’m in the finals next week in a head to head points league. I have Gleyber, but Hiura is also available, who is a better shot to get more points? Not sure if the Yankees will risk Gleyber, but I know they have a shot to catch the Astros.
Hiura
Is Jose Ramirez an instant plug in on Tuesday? Latest news says it is expected that he will be activated
Yeah, may as well
Plutko pulled. I’m probably screwed.
If VV gets more than one more K, or doesn’t put a bunch of guys on base, the party’s over.
The good guys win!!!
On to the final!
Nice!
Kingery
So, I’m leading my semifinal 8-4. The only cats up for grabs are Ks, where I lead 74-70 and WHIP where I lead 1.320 to 1.322.
A tie would be good enough for my opponent to progress.
Just as we foresaw when drafting our teams, the season hangs on the marquee matchup of Adam Plutko (me) and Vince Velasquez (him).
Haha, ugh… You got this! #stillearly
Think I would rather be in my shoes – just.
Hopefully it’s the WHIP-killing Velasquez that shows up…
Fingers crossed
*whispers* so far, so good…
Wow, major jinxing!
Ha – I better shut up!
Uh oh.
WUT?
Eh, got out of it OK. Could have done without the walks, but I’m still leading – just.
I have entirely too much riding on whether or not Hader relinquishes this lead against the Pirates.
Has it all come to this?
Haha, apparently!
haha. Your analysis is as brilliant as ever.
Haha
Whew. That gave me breathing room in 3 leagues and kept me in the hunt in another. (I had Gio Gonzalez going in all these leagues, and I’m running lowish on starts/innings.)
I knew it would be good the whole time
Weellllll, you could’ve shared that with the rest of the group.
Without a spoiler alert? Not me
Hehe, the consummate showman. I also had Gio in the Original Recipe, but I’ve been out of that one for a while.
Gotcha
One more out needed against a very light hitting guy hitting under .200.
Nice!
Asdrubal with 8 home games,JD Davis with 7 home games or Howie Kendrick with 8 hem games? I need a good,SB and runs.
How about Matz for two scheduled home games for one of the following closers: Osuna,Smith,Hendriks,Workman and LeClerc? I need to make up 2 save point against two guys with only one closer while trying to have a good whip and Era. Don’t need Wins or Ks.
thank you Grey and the Razzball nation!
You’re not getting SBs from these guys… You can try Howie
You needs saves so you’re asking if you should start Matz? No, don’t
I would leave Mallex in my line up for SBs but he has really sucked avg wise. I have JD now but thinking Howie for the week for runs and avg and then keep Mallex. Or I could go Van Meter!
My starters will be Buehler,Bauer,Soroka and Corbin. Bauer has away game and Soroka a home away. Maybe go Matz over one of them with his two home games against Miami and Atlanta?
Thank you…thank you.
I don’t know the starters’ schedules, Matz at home there looks good
VanMeter or Kendrick? Maybe I will sit the effin’ Bauer and start Matz along with the 5 closers. Thanks for helping think through the last weekly lineup of the year. Still need to decide if Gardner is a start with only 5 games. Thoughts? Title on the line…
Howie
Gardner or who?
And Bauer melted down to screw me already. Unreal that you can’t trust a supposedly elite pitcher to take on the damned Mets with your championship on the line.
Yeah he’s the effin worse
Hey Grey & Co.
After an unlikely Saturday in which my garbage brigade of pitchers (Nova, Glasnow, Cueto) outdueled my opponents ace laden lineup (Strasburg, Berrios, Miley, Davies), I lead 7-5. I’m up 2 in Ws, 20 in Ks, and 3.30-3.59 . I trail by 1 in QS and 1.20 to 1.38 in Whip.
I have Bauer, Thornton and picked up Richards who pitches at 3:10 to have a late option. Opponent, unfortunately, has Verlander, Keuchal and Perez. I am planning to start Bauer and hope he doesn’t burn me with a blow up and sit Thorton. I assume that will assure me the W in Ks. If desperate, I can use Richards this afternoon. Sounds strategy?
Hitting is equally close with no room to help or choices to make as I have 3 guys sitting and only 1 bench bat to sub in. Thankfully, oppoenent is also missing 2 guys as well including Mookie so right now it appears we will be even on number of hitters. Both teams offenses have been tepid all week so have to hope mine finally breaks out. Would have been nice if the Stros weren’t so committed to not using the white hot Tucker.
Good luck to everyone else with a championship on the line today! Thanks to Grey for all the great content and advice this season.
Makes sense — good luck!
Thanks Grey! Just noticed JoRam may be back this afternoon, but unfortuantely he’s on my DL and I don’t have an empty slot on my roster to move him into my lineup. Wish I had known that was a possibility yesteday so I could have dumped a pitcher to make room for him. Fingers crossed that won’t be the difference today.
He’s back already? Really? I think just ramping up activity
And Machado is getting the day off as well. Lineup is 3 down. Damnit.
Damn
And Bauer melted down to screw me already. Unreal that you can’t trust a supposedly elite pitcher to take on the damned Mets with your championship on the line.
(posted this under the wrong post already)
Yeah he’s the effin worse
DAMNIT. Bauer melted down to screw me already. Unreal that you can’t trust a supposedly elite pitcher to take on the damned Mets with your championship on the line.
(posted this under the wrong post already)
Yeah he killed me too
I’m not drafting him next year unless he falls pretty far. Too frustrating to have a guy that inconsistent.
Looks like I’m toast down 4-7 after going behind in ERA, in runs by 4, 1 in HRs, and 3 in RBIs.
2 of the guys I missed on picking up this week, Sano and Gardner, both with homers that would have me in the lead. I was too indecisive on my adds and drops. With a 12 move limit and no chance last Sunday to set any pitchers up, I was trying to be really careful with my moves, but ended up waiting too long and missing on many of the good streamers as one of the guys in the 3rd place game literally picked up 5 guys I was planning to use in one swoop days in advance.
Now down 5-7 after Martin Perez hurt his ERA and put me back up in that cat. Down 7 on Rs, 2 on HRs, and 6 in RBIs thuogh which are the only cats I have a shot to flip.
Damn, so close
Same here
Darvish vs STL
Bauer vs NYM
Era/whip above or below 3.33/1.11 in today’s starts?
Are you asking if you should start them? Sure
Hey Grey,
This is it. The final day of fantasy baseball. I’m doing pretty well in pitching. I have the following two guys left:
-Pablo Lopez v. WAS
-Ryan Yarbrough v. BOS
my opponent has:
-Austin Voth @ MIA
-Luis Severino v. TOR
my pitching stats:
IP: 63.1
Wins: 2
Saves: 8
K: 83
ERA: 2.56
WHIP: 1.07
My opponent pitching stats:
IP: 70.1
Wins: 3
Saves: 9
K: 72
ERA: 3.71
WHIP: 1.22
Without considering batting stats. If I lose Ks I can be in trouble. I have 11 more Ks than him and we both have the two starters. At the same time, I can also be in trouble if I lose ERA and WHIP.
I was thinking of starting Yarbrough (rays in a tight race) and either starting or benching Pablo. What are your thoughts?
We both have 5 closers rostered.
Thank you.
When do your guys start vs his? I don’t see him catching you in Ks tbh
Everyone starts at 1PM
Oh, crap — Guess you have to bench your guys
If you picked one guy to start…
Pablo or Yarbrough?
Thanks!
Pablo
Hey grey just suffered monumental collapse and lost by 14 points to make it to final for 3rd straight year :( so with that said I know it’s early but it’s never to early to start figuring out keepers and making offseason trades who do you like out of this group? this is what I’m thinking so far
Hoskins 25th rd
Arraez 25
sano 25
Escobar 25
Olson 25
Aquino 25
Soto 25 *
Acuna 25 *
mondesi 25
Bellinger 25 *
Will Smith (LAD) 25
muncy 4
JoRam 5 *
Wander franc 25 *
McKay 25
Nola (PHI) 7
Severino (NYY) 25 *
Boyd 25
Sixto 25
Forrest 25
The last spot or 2 are really tough
Nooooooooo! That sucks, man!
How many can you keep? All of them? Then why not keep all?
Sorry I’m an idiot 7 keepers were allowed the asterisk are who I’m thinking – I’ve had Hoskins his whole mlb career and idk almost feeling like I’d rather keep Olson then him with the year they both had. Nola had his ups and downs and I picked up someone like Boyd who’s gonna finish with less than 50 points then him and was
A free agent so there will be others next year too..then then it’s kind of between wander and Mondesi or Aquino
Dude I’m still so pissed you get 10’pitching starts a week some of my guys this week? 1, 4, -10, 6, -3, 0.6 and 11. Some of his scores you ask? 31, 32, 22, 21 i don’t even need to go on. My best hitters yesterday were 3-33 !! And apparently 2 out of the 4 teams involved were secretly being controlled by the same person so I’m pissed on so many levels
That’s collusion! You can’t have that, it’s collusion! You need moveon dot org
Nice keepers! I’d go Mondesi too
Thanks grey pretty sure few of those are thanks to you guys – it’s hard not to the guy missed how many games and still almost led league in steals? And nowadays everyone hits homers so steals should be more valuable
Right? I just hung on to acuna for so long and it paid off so that’s why I wanted to do the same with wander
Yeah, Wander could be special, but you’re likely a year away so depends on how long you can keep him
No limit on that as of now he’s a keep forever 25th rounder for as long as the rules remain as is. Over the last couple years the league seems to have shifted and more teams are willing to use a roster spot in order to get that next young superstar so as say 8 out of the 10 teams have at least one prospect type player even though we’re only given 4 bench spots
Gotcha then Wander makes sense
Note. Another Yarbrough risk would be a short stint to enable coming back sooner (especially if they get a lead).
Need to cut an SP after today’s deadline. Which one?
Yarbrough (@Tor next Sat). I assume a potential bypass with Wild card game next.
Bailey (@ LAA Wed). SON hates this start.
Yarbrough
Worth dropping machado for sano or hampson? R, RBI, HR, XBH, SBN, avg, ops, K’s
Sure, Sano
Done. Who do you prefer between hampson and Biggio?
Biggio
Do you trust streamometer and Tanner Roark on Sunday? It’s last day of league championship and it’s close! I also have Robbie Ray, Matt Boyd and Garret Richards going to balance
Do you trust Garrett Richards today?
I do on Roark
Grey,
I need 2 2/3 innings by tomorrow to make my minimum inning requirement. I have Darvish at home vs STL, and Severino at home vs TOR. Who should I start?
Darvish
ok thanks. Never thought I would sit Severino.
You can’t start him too?
Also: machado will be the biggest draft day bargain within the first 5 rounds. Change my mind.
Petco sucks, and he hasn’t done anything you can’t get from guys about 70 picks later
April 22nd I offered a league mate a trade. For some reason they “countered” with his machado and syndergaard for my Bieber and Moustakas. Little did I know that I would look back on that trade and feel like I lost.
Yeah, I know, that does seem surprising in retrospect
Thoughts on bichette for the final week of my season? Is it worth dropping him to get production for this week (playing for a measly 3rd place and $20) if it means someone else can pick him up and have him as a 24th round keeper for next year? Or would you rather roll the dice on him coming back for a fee games this week and play “keeper defense”?
Coming back for a few* games
Play keeper defense, don’t give him to someone else for a few at-bats
Hi Grey,
Need a streamer for my last pickup this week. Who would your top 2 be? H2h Points league with QS.
Z. Davies vs. Pirates
M. Stroman @ Reds
A. Voth @ Miami
Yarbrough Vs. Red Sox
Lynn @ Oakland
Roark vs. Texas
Thanks!
Roark, Yarbrough
Thank you!
No problem
Any chance Richards goes more than just a few innings tomorrow?
I doubt it
Are you as interested in Pablo Lopez at home against the Nats tomorrow as the SON is? I need a decent QS/K combo and there’s not much out there!
Yeah, seems decent
Points league; and I would pick up a reliever such as Robles/Kennedy (lots of viable closers available as FA).
Gotcha, then go for it, but Minor’s not bad vs. A’s if they’re resting people
Thanks. SON uses an assumed “backup” line-up in their algorithm (wow!); I assume they are heavily weighting Home vs Away.
I’m also very afraid of any “probable starter” designation 1 week before last weekend of year.
Yeah, agreed…No problem
Minor is now scheduled against BoSox on Thur (SON says $20). I agree that Boston has packed it in; so start is favorable for Minor. But I wonder if Minor is now spent for 2019.
So is Workman/Robles versus a (Minor start vs Boston) roster spot for 5 days. And which RP is prefered?
Workman
I wonder if I should believe SON or trust my own biased perceptions for deciding if I should cut the following (or hold for starts later in week).
Minor vs Oak ($20). I don’t like Minor (and he got crushed in Oakland yesterday).
Homer Bailey (-$6 @LAA). Homer’s been good, and LAA is totally injured.
I’d start both, Bailey seems a tad safer, depending if the A’s are paying for something
Giancarlo! 48 more and all is forgiven!
Haha
Who is closing for the Nats? Want him over LeClerc? Nats have 8 home games next week.
If you were picking 2 stashes for next year,which two of Luzardo,Matz and Julio Urias?
Need Runs,AVG, and SB and Saves to protect lead? Howie and Asdrubal are available from Nats again. My borderline players are JD Davis, Mallex, Gardner and LeClerc.
Would you add Howie or Asdrubal for hitters and the Nats closer for LeClerc?
Thank you
Hudson? Nats have no set close…go Leclerc
Matz, Luzardo
Sure, Gardner and Davis
Who will start and be worth $7 in a very deep NL only next year ( and be more bang for the buck)… K Cron or T Edman ?? What are the % chances that each will be a starter come 2020?
Edman — he’s the starter unless they trade for someone
Is Gallen done for the year or just skipped?
I’d guess done
Aquinooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
Slam and Legs!!!!!!!!!!! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!
He’s for real!!!!
Woooooow!
Hey boss are you starting glassnow today?
Thanks
He won’t go more than a few innings
Could be decent innings tho, so if you own him why not
Just grabbed Howie in one league and Biggio Jr. in another. Really needs some Rs and BA in h2h.
Also I’d like to thank JD Martinez, Baez, Rizzo, FTJ, Giolito, and Paddack for getting me to the promised land and bailing on me! In Mondesi, Albombso, and Flaherty I trust!
Good luck finishing strong!
Haha, good luck!
Need saves last week of season NL only
Pirates closer who is it
Miami?
Need a save or 2 to save my season
Thanks to the pedo pirate
.
Kela
Urena
Would you start Plesac against Philly tomorrow?
Any other sneaky streamers for Sunday? I got Voth against Miami.
Not sure, I’ll check SON for you later… I’d start Plesac tho
Quantrill vs Arizona or Hernandez vs Washington for qs?
Gallen being skipped tomorrow. I hate this time of the season.
Oops. Wasn’t suppose to be a reply!
No problem
Damn!
Neither? Quantril
My boy Eloy!!!
No…my boy Eloy!
There’s plenty of Eloy to go round! Eloy for everyone!
Ok, ok, ok, we share tho!
Had a thought concerning keepers that we have chatted about before. I failed to mention that it’s not a standard 5×5 cat and this question got a lot more interesting –
Player A 620 at bats (keepable in the 6th round): 123 R, 40 HR, 63 XBH, 99 (red balloons) RBI, 185 K, 28 SBN, .279 avg, .876 ops
Player B 514 at bats (keepable in the 21st round): 104 R, 34 HR, 69 (nice) XBH, 106 RBI, 122 K, 11 SBN, .292 avg, .970 ops
Wait, they don’t have names? This is interesting! But? What’s their names?
A – acuna
B – Soto
Player rater for these specific categories has them as 7 (acuna) and 8 (soto)…
Acuña!
I was using the grey method of ranking and ignored the names for a moment to look at the numbers only. Quite a bit closer than I imagined.
But those SBs!
That’s another two whole players’ worth of net steals
True true! Two other questions for you while I’m trying not to study –
A) over or under an era of 3.61 and whip of 1.15 for Kelly’s start tonight?
B) tatis steals how many bags next year?
A) over B) damn, I wanna say 29 but feels conservative
Opponent started benching all of his starters (even Bieber tonight) because I have so many more starts over these two weeks. He is now playing to win era and whip and idk how much I care. Winner gets money back, loser drafts 6/10 instead of 7/10. I hate that draft spot
Depends on $$$ I guess but it’s early to be benching everyone, no?
$20 bucks is $20 bucks. He is banking on his relievers keeping his era and whip lower than mine which currently sits at the aforementioned 3.61 and1.15. He has a huge lead in the hitting cats
Take him to town, CG! Can’t fault him tho if it wins it for him… all’s fair…
So start Kelly tonight?
Pitching cats are HR allowed, K’s, qs, w, era, whip, k/9, and svhd.
Currently he is up 8 to 0 in hr allowed, 0.96 to 3.61 era, 0.86 to 1.15 whip.
I’m up 80 to 12 K’s, 4 to 1 qs, 4 to 0 w, 12.56 to 11.57 k/9, 4 to 2 svhds
Sorry CG, went to dinner, hope you chose right!
It’s all good! Us commenters need to prove our own worth every once in a while. You seemed to be thinking his era/whip would hurt me so I started him planning on a good ol reverse jinx. Thanks for all the help as always!
Ha, No problem!
And did it work!
Sorry question…did it work?
Starting Kelly last night worked great. Qs, w, era, and whip all improved. He is sitting Paxton currently, wheeler, and Manaea after sitting Bieber last night. All it will take is one of his RP getting lit up and his ratios will be trashed. He only has 9.2 innings 1 week into a 2 week consolation match
Nice!
Thanks Grey!
Saw your tweet today, agree – The Lana Del Rey is great and I’ve never really listened to her
I’m in a real tight whip race. Could use Ks and W’s but not at the expense of whip. Are Glasnow vs BOS and Wheeler @ Cinnci too risky?
Thanks!!
Oh, she is so great, I never listened before, but the album is awesome! — They’re risky… I’d start Wheeler in most cases tho…
Only griping because my hopes of jumping from 2nd to 1st rest on a 0.001-0.002 bump in AVG . . . . but did the Rox really need to bench Murphy against a RHP in Coors to then start him against Kershaw in LA?
Yeah, it’s so annoying
In others news Pujols is starting AGAIN, meanwhile Taylor Ward has made only one appearance in last 7 games. One start, no pinch-hitting, pinch-running, whatever.
Beyond belief.
At least Thaiss is starting but my goodness…
God bless Pujols but he should’ve been DFA’d two years ago
Wanted to give everyone a good laugh. From today’s Fantasy Baseball Pickups: 10 options to help you end the season on a high note by Fred Zinkie posted at 3:30 today…
Breaking News
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Fantasy Baseball Pickups: 10 options to help you end the season on a high note
Fred Zinkie
Yahoo Fantasy Contributor
Yahoo SportsSep 20, 2019, 3:22 PM
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With 10 days left in the regular season, we have reached the final opportunity for gamers to make upgrades on their 2019 rosters. Luckily a few players are sitting on waivers in many leagues who could still make a major impact in the final week of the campaign.
Here is a handful of Major Leaguers who deserve your immediate attention.
Sean Murphy, Oakland A’s (30 percent rostered)
After hitting .308 with a lofty 1.011 OPS in Triple-A this season, Murphy is off to a great start with the A’s. The rookie backstop has batted .353 with four homers across 34 at-bats, and he could be the club’s No. 1 catcher in postseason play. To further familiarize Murphy with the pitching staff, the club will likely use him in as many games as possible the rest of the way. And with some veteran catchers on losing clubs getting light workloads during the final days of 2019, Murphy ranks as a top-10 backstop from this point forward.
Sean Murphy becomes a must-start at catcher in the final days of the season. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Sean Murphy becomes a must-start at catcher in the final days of the season. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers (45% rostered)
Hiura was dropped in many leagues when he landed on the IL in late August, which gives gamers a late-season chance to secure a skill set that will warrant an early round pick in 2020. The rookie has been a five-category stud this season (17 homers, nine steals, .301 average), and he will be used heavily in the final week by a Brewers squad that is desperate to secure as many wins as possible. Adding to Hiura’s appeal is that he will face a weak Pirates staff (5.21 ERA) this weekend before traveling to hitter-friendly venues in Cincinnati and Colorado.
Randal Grichuk, Toronto Blue Jays (34%)
For those who need a power boost down the stretch, Grichuk is among the best options on the waiver wire. The outfielder recently reached the 30-homer plateau for the first time in his career, and he has already produced career-best marks in RBI (76) and runs scored (71). Grichuk and his teammates (including Teoscar Hernandez, who is just 4% rostered) will be in a favorable situation to rip a couple more round-trippers when they visit Yankee Stadium this weekend before returning home to take on the Orioles and Rays next week.
Corey Dickerson, Philadelphia Phillies (28%)
In terms of final-week volume, the Phillies and Nats are great places for fantasy gamers to target. The clubs each play eight games next week, including five against each other. Washington doesn’t have any low-rostership gems, but Philadelphia can provide Dickerson (.304 average, .906 OPS) as a volume play.
Nice job recommending a guy on the 60 Day IL…
Ha
The Annual “Sell Any Player” Post….as sure a sign of autumn as the changing of the leaves. Thanks as always Grey and team…..
Ha, yup… No problem
1. is it worth using one of my last valuable adds to pick up Luzardo tonight (v. texas) who is supposed to be the “primary” pitcher after Fiers tonight? I need k’s and W’s. how long will Fiers go as a guess?
2. All the major SP’s are gone for sunday. Roark (v. texas), still on the table. Worth me grabbing (for K’s and a W?).
3. Is Lance Lynn pitching on sunday v. the A’s or not? some sites say ‘yes’, some say TBD. thank you!!
1. I don’t know who else you’d add but that doesn’t sound great 2. Yes 3. Think he is
Streamonator like Lauer vs DBags tonight at $10.5. Is he the add over Roark and Means?
Also, Reynaldo Lopez is a consistent Streaminator darling going back multiple starts despite the 5.44 ERA/ 1.47 WHIP and the 26 earned runs in his last 7 starts. This time he’s valued at $13.3 vs the Twins this weekend. Seems very odd to me.
I don’t trust Lauer…
Thanks! Understanding that Streamonator is an imperfect robot (much like Mike Pence), I’m curious if we can get a peak into the brain custard that makes you trust some streamonator values over others?
Haha… depends on the pitcher, no? I don’t trust Lauer bc it’s Lauer and he’s garbage…
Totally. This is in no way a defense of Lauer (or Reynaldo Lopez – who is facing the Tigers, btw, not the Twins which makes WAY more sense), I guess my point is if Streamonator is a helpful but imperfect prognosticator, what are the factors make you trust it for some marginal pitchers over others? Is it a combo of recent history, matchup, K/9? Not asking for all the secret herbs and spices, just curious.
Streamonator will Be right more than me, I’m simply going on my gut, and my gut says Lauer is not to be trusted…
Rank the following final week two start options: Wainwright, Stripling and Stroman.
Also-With Arizona basically done, what are the chances Gallen gets scratched because of innings limit.
Thanks, have a great weekend.
I don’t know who they’re facing which is important
Gallen should be scratched, not sure he will
Cesar hernandez qualify as a hot schmotato to you? Last 14 days stats pretty solid. Not so great this week but a .429 obp. I am looking for some guys wh may be able to steal a bag or two. It feels like my entire team stopped running after the all star break
Yeah, he’s been hot… I’d grab him
It’s honestly kind of crazy how good Villar has been this year. At one point in June I was practically giving him away and almost made a deal for Tanaka but other guy backed out. Lucky me
Yeah, sometimes better lucky than good
Civale
Hold
When we talk again on Monday, I will be a champion! Speaking it into existence.
Haha this was not supposed to be a reply. My bad!
Nice, Pizza!
Weekly league roster lock at noon on Monday. Is rizzo worth a waiver move with that ankle he playing today.Would have to cut Canha. Thanks for sharing your knowledge all year.
Yeah, Rizzo
No problem
Reposting this from your other column, that I got in on too late. Just curious your opinion:
Man, you must own Segura on a team or two. Because you clearly share the same frustration with him that I share and I have him on a team.
Something that has bothered me about Segura is that he’s been traded like 8 times. Since 2012, Segura has played for the Angles, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Mariners and Phillies. That’s five teams in eight years.
I’m thinking that management/ownership gets Segura on their team and it doesn’t take all that long to figure out there’s a personality flaw or something here. Nobody wants to hold onto this guy. Wonder why? I don’t think he’s fully committed to anyone but himself, so teams pass him on.
This year I thought Segura was in his best position to succeed since Arizona. And yet, he’s been a major disappointment, especially in that lineup. The only time I used him all season was when Trevor Story was on the DL for three weeks. Segura is basically a backup now. And his trade value is shit.
Yeah, I own Segura, unfortunately…He’s been barely ownable in mixed leagues, and I thought for sure he’d be good this year… Screwed the pooch on that one… He’s been so bleh
Just how bad do you envision Caleb? I plan to pick him up for his Monday start (@ NYM). He’d be replacing next weekend (!) away (!) starers:
– Plesac @ CWS; and
– Yarbrough @ Tor.
Not sure how much one can trust next weekend assignments (and I don’t think SON loves either).
Do you agree with both moves?
I’m pretty scared of Caleb
What about next year?
Could still like him next year but he’s slipping in my view
Slipping from love to like
You holding out hope on Segura or is he a drop for you?
Thanks
Can drop him
Segura’s back in the lineup… oy, let’s see how he does.
Wow, surprising
Update: Segura scratched from lineup…what a mess
He’s clearly not ready to play and will only seriously hurt himself if he tries.
Noooooooo!
5th!
Hehe
Austen Nola is catcher eligible (Iin ESPN). Picked him up a few days ago (Yea!) and now own 2 catchers in each of my ESPN leagues (Garver; and Contreras are bench bats in each). With one week to go, still need a few more opportunities.
That’s a lot of catchers
Twoi leagues, each with 1 bench bat. And Nola qualifies at 1B,2B, and C. And not a lot of great talent for alternate bats (Solak was my cut in each league).
Who are your top 5 closers/potential closers for 2020 that you’d add to keep for next year? So guys that are likely on the wire that I’d want to add before the end of the year that I could then keep next year. In my league, some guys I’ve noted are G. Gallegos, Nick Anderson, and Andrews Munoz.
Ooh, I like this… Someone has to take over in St. Louis, so maybe Gallegos, they could sign someone tho — Marlins need a closer — Red Sox need someone — Cubs need someone — who else?