Inner monologue, “Stop thinking about how you went Elly over Aaron Judge in every fantasy league. It’s not going to do you any good. Though, seriously, every single league? You want to stop thinking about that, but did you ever stop to think in the 1st place?” Dah! So, Aaron Judge (1-for-1, 4 runs, 2 RBIs, 4th homer) had a pretty nice opening weekend, clearly realizing it’s no longer the postseason. On Saturday, he hit his 1st three homers, all by the 4th inning. Then, in the 5th inning, Mark Whiten took a voodoo doll out with Judge’s jersey and started pricking the shizz out of that thing. All weekend the Brewers were hanging and Yankees were banging. At one point, they hit 12 homers in the previous 11 innings. Not quite all Brewers’ fault though, obviously. Yankees were able to use new bats; they’re calling them Torpedo Bats. “Yankees get to aluminum bats but why it’s good for baseball, my column,” by Buster Olney. So, Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3-for-4, 3 runs, 5 RBIs, 2nd and 3rd homer) was all that jazz. They walked Judge with no one on and two outs, then Jazz hit a two-run homer. Brewhahahahaha. Finally, Ben Rice (2-for-4, 2 runs, 1st homer) was all that and a box of Uncle Ben’s and Marcus Stroman (4 2/3 IP, 3 ER) couldn’t get out of the 5th inning. Welcome to Yankee Baseball! Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Max Fried – 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, as the Yankees had a 45-run lead and Fried couldn’t get through five. I’d like to say — haha, see! I told you to sell him in Friday’s Buy/Sell — and, in some ways I did just say that, but I do remember Fried started slow last year, then was more or less fine. So, I’m still saying Sell, but not because of this start.
Nestor Cortes – 2 IP, 8 ER. Nestor returned to Yankee Stadium to pay penance for his performance in the 2024 World Series. And for the crimes of Charles Manson, and Son of Sam and John Wayne Gacy and–Well, he paid for a lot of crimes!
Josh Lowe – Hit the IL with an oblique. Josh Lowe puts the IL in oblique. Without him, it’s just obque, which sounds like a James Bond villain. He’s Q, but oblong; he’s Obque.
Brandon Lowe – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. He made it look easy to homer in Big Stein Stadium, even with the Ghost of Faye Vincent trying to knock the ball down.
Taj Bradley – 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits, zero walks, 7 Ks. Love me some Taj, but this was vs. the Suckies, who look like they’re not even trying. How was Veen not able to make that team? They’re starting Martini, like they’re Mad Men.
Seth Halvorsen – 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER and his 1st save on Saturday. Rockies’ pen: Victor Vodnik sounds like an MF DOOM alias; Seth is the name of the kid in your high school who you hated, but also appears to be the Rockies’ closer. He could excel with the job in limited chances.
Mickey Moniak – 1-for-2, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. That’s all Bud Black needs to see to put Moniak in the three-hole for the next 159 games.
Gleyber Torres – Dealing with rib pain, which happened after he homered. Gleyber is now the 2nd player this season to hurt himself on a home run. We need to stop hitting homers until we figure out what’s going on. Follow, Rafael Devers’s lead, fellas.
Erick Fedde – 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 hits, zero walks, 2 Ks. Fedde was a sneaky — snekke? — late-draft pick in deeper leagues, and I could see some solid Streamonator value in shallower.
Victor Scott II – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and our first slam (1) and legs (3) of the season (as far as I know). More like Victor Scott I & I, right?! I’m very aware that people are expecting a breakout here, and maybe it happens, but hitting 8th takes a lot of the shine off a guy that you think is there.
Nolan Gorman – 3-for-4, 3 runs and his 1st homer. The pitcher threw that pitch in a NoGo zone.
Bailey Ober – 2 2/3 IP, 8 ER. [wearing a potato sack, walks into traffic, mumbling]
Willi Castro – 2-for-4 and his 1st homer. How long until Baldelli tires of hitting Wallner leadoff? I say Tuesday.
Jesus Luzardo – 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 11 Ks. Should’ve made Luzardo my comeback pick of the year, but, well, why can’t I have two? Luzardo is my Comeback Player of the Year, Part 2.
Aaron Nola – 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, but only two homers allowed. A success!
Mitchell Parker – 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 9 baserunners (2 BBs), 5 Ks. Wipeout slider to lefties, dirty curve to righties and very unassuming stuff, not exciting like MacKenzie Gore. Call him MacKenzie Bore. A Bore isn’t all bad though in deeper leagues, if he stays a Bore. The command could be wonky, so mostly just for 15-teamers and deeper for now.
Josh Bell – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 1st homer. He knows the assignment. He’s got three months to get up his trade value up.
Nathaniel Lowe – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 2nd homer. Wanna say schmotato for shallower leagues, but maybe more. We need to see more (from everyone).
Jake Irvin – 5 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 2 Ks. Ya know what Irvin’s good for? NL-Only. Know what he’s not good for? Other leagues.
Nick Lodolo – 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits, zero walks, 1 K. Lod-YOLO! Somewhat kidding, one strikeout is far from a Lod-YOLO situation, but he’s still healthy (as of this writing).
Matt McLain – 1-for-4 and his 2nd homer. Oh boy, I’m gonna have to hear it from BDon, aren’t I?
Justin Verlander – 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks. The thing with vet starters is they’re fresh in April. By May, they’re Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon.
Robbie Ray – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 4 Ks. Looked great, then Reds fans started counting down the pitch clock and it got in his head. As I always say, if you can’t get in someone’s pants, get in their head.
Heliot Ramos – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 2nd homer. That’s 2025 fantasy baseball sleeper, Heliot Ramos.
Matt Chapman – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. Yeah, but was he a sleeper like Heliot Ramos?
Jose Ramirez – Day to day with a sprained wrist. Hmm…Is he ducking the upcoming series with Tim Anderson’s-led Angels
Gavin Williams – 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 2 Ks. Adding extra giddy up on the fastball to go from zero to ninety to two strikeouts, then why bother? So, this start was pretty meh, but I’m holding for now.
Tanner Bibee – 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 2 Ks. That’s Tanner Bibee sleeper. Cust kayin’.
Kyle Manzardo – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and his 2nd homer. Manzinga! Please let him be breaking out. If nothing else, hot schmotato alert.
Daniel Schneemann – 1-for-1, 2 runs and his 1st homer. Was monocle’ing him for an AL-Only league, that’s about the only place where he plays. Or if you’re in a super deep league and lost Thairo Estrada. Is this an oddly specific scenario? Wonder why.
Gabriel Arias – 2-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer, as he manned the hot corner. Interesting. Maybe it wasn’t Jose Ramirez all those years but 3rd base. Hmm.
Jose Soriano – 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks. Was pretty far out on Soriano in drafts, and here’s my issue: Pitching is a lot of moving parts. If a part moves and becomes unglued, there’s no one on the Angels who can help him fix the issue. Also, the Angels are a 100-loss team. So, Streamonator? Sure, this was vs. the White Sux, but, in general? Nah.
Jack Kochanowicz – 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 hits, zero walks, 4 Ks. He pitches on a diamond and his name ends in initials for cubic zirconia. Something fishy here.
Kyren Paris – 1-for-3 and his 1st homer. Might have some AL-Only value, if Adell needs more time out with his hip tightness. Nothing tight about Paris. Ooh la la, oui oui, Moulin Rouge.
Roki Sasaki – 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, ERA at 5.79. He now has nine walks in 4 2/3 IP. [slowly applies Joker makeup] Roki ain’t okie-dokie. [cackles like a madman] Well, it’s still early, but if he doesn’t correct himself, Roki’s gonna be low-key in the minors.
David Bednar – 0 IP, 1 ER. It’s against the Geneva Conventions how they keep sending Shit-the-Bednar out there. Pirates are the first team since the 1924 Pirates to be walked off for their first three losses of a season, and I’m not sure that’s totally thanks to the Marlins, if you catch my drift.
Andrew McCutchen – 1-for-3 and his 1st homer. Also, in this game Griffin Conine (1-for-3) hit his 1st homer. Elias Sports Bureau said this is the first time a player homered in the same game as another player who caused him to say, “I’m having a senior moment or I think I know his dad.”
Max Meyer – 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 hits, 1 walk, 7 Ks. Kinda don’t even want to say anything for fear I’ll jinx him, but could Meyer be finally breaking out? Hashtag promising.
Josh Jung – Hit the IL with neck spasms. Should be embarrassed of himself. Not only is that a ridiculous reason to be IL’d but to do it on the Rangers. Look at the size of Bochy’s head and he doesn’t have neck spasms! Josh H. Smith should get more playing time for a week or two.
Chris Martin – 1 IP, 0 ER and his 1st save on Saturday, then Luke Jackson (1 IP, 0 ER) earned his 2nd on Sunday. “Things be jingo-jango’ing!” That’s Bochy talking about ideas in his head. Still unclear who their closer is, but Bochy seems to want to make Luke Jackson happen like fetch.
Jacob deGrom – 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 baserunners, 6 Ks. And no injury! (Disclaimer: This is only accurate if you read it immediately after I wrote it.)
Adolis Garcia – 1-for-3 and his 2nd homer. Uh-oh, we might’ve been out too early on Adolis.
Wyatt Langford – 2-for-4 and his 1st homer. Nice, but on a side note, is it me or does every team have, like, five terrible hitters in their lineup? There’s an Ornelas in the Rangers’ lineup and it might be the band that sang Dance With Me.
AJ Smith-Shawver – 4 IP, 2 ER vs. Nick Pivetta – 7 IP, 0 ER, 1 hit, zero walks, 4 Ks. Pivetta is usually ASS, yesterday ASS was ASS. Or vaguely meh. Pivetta looked sweet though, just wait until you start him next time out and he gives up 17 ER in 3 IP.
Osvaldo Bido – 5 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners (4 BBs), 4 Ks vs. M’s. If you go to the Streamonator, you can see which team is facing the Mariners. Why would you want to do that? Oh, ya know, no reason.
Tyler Soderstrom – 2-for-3 and his 3rd homer. His start is sparkling like the water his family invented.
Julio Rodriguez – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. Did someone hypnotize him into thinking it was September?
Bryan Woo – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 5 Ks. Woo, indeed.
Richard Fitts – 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 hits, zero walks, 4 Ks. Looked better than the line, or at least looked better as the game went along, until some late runs, when he missed location. 53 of 71 pitches for strikes, and I’m intrigued to see where Dick Fitts in or if he’s just about getting lucky. Next time he pitches, send your lady friend this:
If I send you this, I’m reminding that Dick Fitts in pic.twitter.com/hqKOsRrOP1
— Razzball (@Razzball) March 30, 2025
Eugenio Suarez – 0-for-4, with his 1st steal, and his 4th homer on Saturday. Suarez picked up right where he left off in the 2nd half. He now has 24 homers since last All-Star Break. Aaron Judge has 25. Suarez is also hitting .300+ in that time. That’s in almost 300 plate appearances. Make Eugene the capital of Oregon, rename it Eugenio and erect the statue.
Eduardo Rodriguez – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks. Didn’t disappear mysteriously in the middle of the game with a Gone Fishin’ sign replacing him, so that’s a plus, I guess.
Matthew Boyd – 5 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks. He might be an ace, but only for 75 IP. Like a low-rent deGrom. Call him AirBnB deRoom. Think he should be rostered in most leagues.
Seiya Suzuki – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. Seiya ball!
Kyle Tucker – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer. Every 1st rounder doing something but Elly or what? I’m not trying to freak out here, but I’m freaking out! (I’m not freaking out.) (I am freaking out.)
Dean Kremer – 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER vs. Max Scherzer – 3 IP, 2 ER. Dean Kremer vs. Max Scherzer would also be equally challenging in contest of “Jew or Not A Jew?” if you didn’t know better. After the game, Scherzer said he has a lat strain and it’s from his thumb soreness. Scherzer also attended med school this offseason. But still not a Jew! He did hit the IL though, so med school is paying off.
Tomoyuki Sugano – 4 IP, 2 ER. Not saying this is the case, but George Kirby had a 7 ERA after three starts last year. What’s more damaging to your fantasy teams: Overreacting or not reacting? I don’t know, but giving a guy more than one start is advisable in most circumstances.
Cody Poteet – Acquired by the Orioles. Now the Orioles can ask, “We have Poteet, can you milk us?”
Hey Grey, I need to drop one out of Robles, Campbell, Toglia, and Noot. Definitely not Noot imo but any thoughts?
Grey,
Please rank Gavin Sheets, Luke Raley, and Jo Adell?
Also rank Ryan Bliss (I like his steals and his minor league HRs), Nolan Gorman (no playing time), and Michael Massey.
Thanks.
My personal favorite manager stupidity. Blanco labors through 5. Gets out of a jam and has 85 pitches thrown. Is he done? No. They throw him out for 6th and what does he do? 7 pitch walk. THEN they pull him. Of course that run and many others come around to score but went from a sub 4 ERA to a 5+ on stupidity. No one thought Blanco would get through that inning the way he was throwing. Just crazy to not be happy he only gave up 2 in 5.
J-Ram? J-Bam!
Yay! Spring-training-Bowden is in the rear-view mirror, right Francis?
Was doing awesome. Saw the nohitter tag popup on mlb.com and he promptly gave up some HR.
@Grey: hate to ask a catcher question, but in 12 team roto leagues, do you prefer Goodman to ohoppe?
Elly homered again. Judge who?
LFFFFFFFFG
Luis Robert was removed from his game. Does anybody know if he was injured benched, or traded?
I don’t know
It was 9-0 hopefully it’s nothing
I mean EDLC out here getting 2nd HR up by 12. Robert got 1 AB. I think it is odd to sit someone then. I also think if there was an injury or trade news would be out by now.
He actually got three ABs and is soft like charmin so they don’t want him banged up in a game that’s over
Knowing LouBob probably 2 of the 3.
Elly going ham.
HAM
You’re not dropping Togs or K Campbell to pick up the Noot, are you?
BUMP ;-)
Nah
Elly is off the Schneider. Praise Gawd!
LFG!!!
He injured himself on Opening Day and will miss extensive time with a Grade 2 oblique strain. The unfortunate part of this injury is that it is a recurring one from last season, making it even more frustrating for him and fantasy owners.
Cowser. Manager said “Broken thumb. He’ll be out at least 6 weeks.”
3 IL slots. I already have Sean Manaea and Brandon Woodruff on IL I assume Lowe is the drop, right?
Didnt Lowe miss time into July last time? And this one is “worse”?
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that Cowser would miss six to eight weeks at minimum, which means fantasy managers should expect to be without the talented 25-year-old for at least two months. The Orioles recalled Dylan Carlson from Triple-A, and while Carlson had a strong spring, fantasy managers should hope this opens up a starting job for Heston Kjerstad. Kjerstad should be claimed off waivers on the off-chance that he gets regular starts now against right-handed pitching.
5 OFs (and 33 man rosters -> not much left). And to think I was happy how I invested heavily in OF. I now start my 2 reserves (Castro + Toglia), and I think Washington may be dropping Crews.
Sterling Marte and Larnach (ugh) are next. on waivers. $100 FAAB (I spent $8 last week). How much FAAB should I invest?
Cowser
I guess all I needed for power I could have just found in Andres Gimenez and his 90ish HR pace? After hitting 9 last year and his career year was 17? Did we juice the ball again because non-power guys are just crushing it.
Also, Otto Lopez on that Profar juice. 2 HR in 17 AB and last year 6 in 403 AB.
Freeman with a “shower mishap”
Yikes.
What does this mean???
Slipped in the shower.
Aggravated his surgically repaired ankle. Swelling. Sounds like he’ll miss some time.
Dang! I hadnt seen that news yet. I couldnt tell if it was some joke I was missing or not. That sucks. Between that rib thing now that, I wonder if he will be rested for a while on the IL.
HA, yup
You reverse jinxed Elly! My fantasy team thanks you for your service! Please let Pete knows he sucks tomorrow
LFG!
Seems Pete has already heard you!
Oneil swipes another – and the best the Pirates can do for a cleanup hitter is Joey Bart? Was McCutchen not available today? Gah.
Haha
EDLC with a single, steal, bad throw gets to 3rd knocked in for a run. Makes those who took him over Judge feel a little better. Judge did nothing today!
Haha, yay
Would it make you happy if Elly homered? Cause he just did!
LFG!
2 RBI double. Man you got that voodoo doll working hard tonight!
Guess we know now where Profar’s completely out of the blue career year in 2024 came from.
Yeah, surprise
Don’t look now homie, Elly is waking up.
Finally!
BOOM!!!
LFG!
WISH I HAD HIM BUT I’M HAPPY FOR YOU THO!
Pirates got Canario! Good thing they didn’t buy that Skenes card, they would have been out of money…
Haha
Scherzer to see a hand specialist – that sounds bad. Cooked?
Yuck
The whole thumb thing was bad news. They said he had some issue with it in ST. As far as I know he has not had anything like that before, and it wasnt some reoccuring one. Bad news then to hear and I hope it isnt something that bothers him in retirement like Stras.
Wong or P. Bailey?
Wong
Junior Caminero FOR Devers – trade
KEEPER LEAGUE – BOTH YOUNG
Junior is 7 years younger.
That’s a tough call.
Caminero
Whoever had Profar on the “1st to pop positive for ‘roids” bet, congratulations on your windfall!
80 games. Oof.
Also, #TIL his middle name is “Barthelomeus”. Huh.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/jurickson-profar-to-receive-80-game-ped-suspension.html
Ha
1. Kelenic or B De La Cruz worthy of a roster spot or do they still platoon?
2. Soriano a decent SP in a 12 teamer?
1. Kelenic 2. Sure
Profar 80 game PED suspension!!!!!!
Yup
Gotta love Bautista coming in for a non save situation and giving up 2 runs. It happens every time.
As if my era and whip needed it after ober’s outing.
Its so ober.
it’s ober now, drink your big black cow and get out of here
^ rare Steely Dan reference
Kazaam!
It always amazes me how I *think* I pay attention to the offseason and then a day like today happens.
Cowser out, lemme see who they plugged in. Did they call anyone up yet…Laureano? When did they sign him? Huh. Oh, he got PH by…Carlson? When did that happen?! Did the Orioles really sign an overaged underachieving prospect to block their overaged no chance of achieving prospects?
And why is Kris Bryant batting higher than 9th?
The other day I learned that 38 year old Andrew McCutchen is still an active player. Had a PH AB. Incredible.
I mean, he is a big name returning home. Im aware Verlander and Scherzer are around too. I had no idea Carlson ended up in AAA Baltimore system.
Ha
Devers with a MLB record!
And not a good one. lol
Haha
Wilson Contreras: “Hold my beer.”
League 1 . Drop Burleson for Nate Lowe or Nootbar or hold?
League 2. Drop Burleson for Soderstrom or Nootbar or hold?
redraft league, but don’t mind holding
1. Hold 2. Hold
Only in America could you find a way to earn a healthy buck and still keep your attitude on self destruct
HA
Long Time Follower, First time posting in a while (cough, cough) Thoughts on the squad? 6×6 with OPS and Holds. We had 6 Keepers (K) from last year:
1. F. Tatis (K)
2. Y. Alvarez (K)
3. J. Wood
4. C. Bellinger
5. L. Butler
6. R. Sasaki
7. T. Casas
8. B. Miller
9. M. Ozuna (K)
10. L. García
11. W. Adames (K)
12. B. Woo
13. A. Burleson
14. M. Garcia
15. P. Fairbanks
16. S. Arrighetti
17. B. Francis
18. C. Martin
19. Cam Smith
20. O. Kerkering
21. L. Jackson
22. R. Jeffers
23. R. Blanco
24. S. Lugo (K)
25. X. Edwards (K)
*I’ve got De Los Santos stashed in my N/A spot (definitely need some SAGNOF, probably going to offer up Burleson for some RP)
Teddy! Team looks solid, man! I love the hitting and pitching — hitting looks well balanced on speed and power, I think…hard to see how it sits with MI, CI etc….think you might be a little low on pitching, just total arms, and maybe saves
Buddee!! Yeah, a little light on pitching, but I figured I could move Burleson or Ozuna (Can get big bats on the wire) Positions might be helpful, HA! C,1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, Util, Util, SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P. Feel free to use “Profar-mance enhancers”
We do like them, and I’d hold for now
*can’t get big bats on the wire. Thanks Mang! Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
@Grey: weekly roto. drop either of bleday or toglia for tork or soderstrom?
thanks!
Bleday for Soder
Greetings and salutes.
In my dynasty league I have Manzardo, Torkelson, Rice, and Busch in a steel cage to battle it out for 1B of the future status.
Do you think this strategery will bear fruit sir?
Yes
Profar about to go through some things
apparently
Grey,
I just got offered Witt & Shohei (P) for my Tatis/Robbie Ray…am I overthinking this or should i just accept and be happy with my new SS?
6×6 Yahoo redraft
Witt
Grey, in a 6×5 including ops league, who do you like ros Maikel Garcia or Maysn Winn? Thanks!
Maikel
Thank you! One more question, who do you like more ros 6×5 ops Hoerner or Winn?
Hoerner
Thank you!
Haha ok I lied. One more question. Maikel or Victor Scott ros?
Maikel
No problem
Thanks!
Hunter Greatman!
LOVE
Hi Grey,
Follow up:
Sean Burke who pitches at home vs Minn or
Max Meyer who first pitches at Atlanta and then vs Wash.
Or try to get both.
Thanks!!!
Neither
Thank you
No problem
Paddack needs to be retired to one. Eff that guy.
Haha
Hi Byron, this is Carlos. Say I have a crazy idea…hear me out. What if we both get hurt on the same day this year. We can be rehab buddies! Great…great. How’s Monday the 31st of March work for you? I hate working in April anyway.
By the way…they might both be fine. The Twins pulled the plug early today.
They’re not hurt tho, are they? Wasn’t just the Twins were getting beat so badly
I thought they pulled Buxton after 1AB. I mean yeah getting beat bad but he was PH early. (Not watching just looking at box score)
Maybe, I don’t know tbh
i jumped the gun i guess but thats a damn early pull. i looked at the box and just assumed…who could blame?
Maybe you’re right, I don’t know tbh
Great! Now I am going to have to redo this:
Who would you pick? SVHD league
Martin,Hodge,Holmes or Strahm
Strahm
Drop Wong for Ruiz?
Never mind you already answered my exact question!
Never mind you already answered my exact question! Would you add Wells or Ruiz.
Sure
Nico Hoerner and Andres Gimenez are both on waivers. I currently have Westburg at 2B and Veintos at 3B. Could move Westburg to 3B and drop Veintos or Houck to add one of them. Hold or drop Houck and keep Veintos? Have plenty of power and may need SB and OBP. Thanks
Drop Houck, though not sure why you need another bat
I’m not 100% sold on Veintos. Wasn’t able to get the 2Bs I was targeting in my draft. Both players provide SB. I have Carroll and Tucker as my main threats for steals. Im pretty loaded in my 10tm 6×6 keeper league but haven’t won since 2017. Looking to break my drought and just subscribed!
C Wells
1B Freeman
2B Westburg
3B Veintos
SS Betts
OF Tucker, Carroll, Trout
DH Schwarber
Bn Walker, Adolis
IL Norby
SP Wheeler, Bibee, Springs, Senga, Gausman, Ben brown, David peterson, Rodon, Houck
RP Bednar, Suarez
I wrote a Vientos sleeper, and love him, so you’re asking the wrong person
Haha! I will take it as a hold.
Ober: dam I blew it
Paddock: hold my beer fam
HA
Oh, also Witt Jr. has also done virtually nothing so far. Who I took over Ohtani & Judge. Because I’m smart and very good at fantasy sportball.
4 days bro…
That’s 3 days too many!
=/
lol
He just stole 2 bags
Ok that’s fair. Some power would be nice.
Patience, grasshopper
RU in my league? I’ll trade you, bro!
Too late, dropped him to the WW. The bum.
Could you rank Miguel Andujar, Josh Smith, Alan Roden, Yoan Moncada, Kyren Paris in an AL only.
Thanks.
Smith, Roden, Andujar
Kjerstad or Nolan Jones
Kjer
OK Grey, I know you love these questions, but what do you think of this team? It’s an 11-team 6×5 (SLG% added). You can see how deep it is by how many starting roster spots are in there (bench spots are noted as reserve options – everyone else starts):
C: Jeffers, Goodwin
1B: Olson, Busch
2B: Gimenez, Bogaertz (also SS)
SS: Turner, Lindor
3B: Vientos, McMahon
OF: Tucker, Carroll, Burleson, Ward, Greene
Rook Hitter: Crews
Util: Nootbar (OF), Baty (3B, soon to be 2B)
Bench: Stephenson (C), Schanuel (1B), Lux (2B), Muncy (ATH SS), McCarthy (OF), P. Smith (OF),
SP: Glasnow, Bibee, Schwellenbach, Flaherty, Sanchez, G. Williams
Rook Pitcher: Fitts
Bench: Eovaldi, Lugo, Sasaki
RP: Bautista, Suarez, Faucher
Bench: Holton, Pagan
Looks solid, bit goofy to have 12 bench hitters and so few SPs
Yeah I get your point. But for context, we only get 5 free waiver claims during the year, afterwhich they’re $5 each. So there is big incentive to backup positions as much as possible so you can focus your claims on true injury replacements or likely impact. Either way I should probably have another starter or two, but our draft was an in-person marathon and I was hammered at the end.
Do you see any immediate holes? I don’t like Busch or Schanuel as my second starting 1B so I’m thinking of prioritizing Rice on waivers.
Ok, I didn’t know the ins and outs…I see no holes, but it’s 4 days
Dude in my league does that just about every year. Madness.
I’ve asked him and he said it gives him an advantage because he’s always got a full lineup.
He spends early on elite SP, and he figures the less pitching he has, the less chance of getting shellacked.
It’s an interesting theory. Dumb, but interesting. He’s basically the exact opposite of my draft style. lol
Yeah, like I said, it was a long day of drinking & drafting. Should have at least sprinkled in some more SPs. Thanks for the feedback!
Hahaha
See I would have gone with Dick Fitts like throwing a Dick Fit. But that’s just me.
We have plenty of time
Moutcastle was dropped. Worth a wavier claim? 10 team Roto ops added.
Sure
I think you need to just start preemptively
answering “noot” before even reading the question. By my rough calculations, you’ll have an 83.6% chance of being correct.
Haha
To be fair “to be faaaaaaair” they only started counting down the pitch clock after Ray was penalized for a violation.
So the wheels were rattling just a little bit, but then came completely off when the heckling started.
And Maikel goes yard as I type yeah baby! If only his parents knew how to spell.
Gotcha
It was still an excellent schtick. We don’t get as much fan schtick these days. Thanks, Obama.
Ha!
Grey! Glad to be back for a new season.
Early closer prospecting – Pagan or Slaten?
Thanks!
Pagan
Thanks buddy
No problem
1. Any swaps?
WW: Casas, McMahon, Friedl, Goodman
Warren, Arrigheti, Rasmussen, Bednar, Alvarado
2. Thoughts on team…12 teamer
Wil Contreras
Vlad, Machado, N Lowe
Lindor, Altuve, Campbell
Tucker, Suzuki, Scott, Donovan, Cast
Util – Nimmo, O Lopez or Steer
Yamamoto, Shota, Steele, Eovaldi, Eflin
Iglesias, Finnegan, Estevez, Hodge
Holds and saves are separate cats
IL Kirby
Casas over Nimmo…Rasmussen over Lopez
Hey Grey, would you trade Albies and Woo for Langford or is that too steep?
Too steep
I assume swapping Albies for Bellinger is still a fade?
Yes
Assuming Bednar continues to suck, who do you like more to take over the closer role?
Holderman or Santana?
Or perhaps The Alderman Santana…coming to the BBC this Fall.
I put my money on Santana because you can’t have a closer named Holderman.
Hey now! I made that joke months ago! I still giggled.
Santana
@Grey: weekly roto. need to start one of these guys. who do you like?
noot – 3 vs laa, 3 @ bos
j dominguez – 3 vs ari, 3 @ pit
bleday – 3 vs chc, 3 @ col
thanks!
Noot
Started 3 Angels and got 3 QS. Give me groundballs or give me death!
Shane Smith (if I got the name right) has to be excited. If he sucks for the CWS, the Brewers have 3 rotation spots warm for him to fill. He playing that Rule 5 chess!
Dick Pitts looks like he got a little Super Trooper in him.
Tylers Oderstrom, a scent of Sacramento; cologne for men.
Bido cracks me up. If I remember correctly he loaded the bases in the first, including FB to the ribs of JRod, then got out of it. I believe he gave a leadoff walk another inning, then hit a batter, still got out of it. Dude was wild. Got through 5 unscathed and for some reason they sent him out in the 5th where he promptly walked (maybe on 4 pitches?) the leadoff guy and they yanked him. RP comes in and commits and error and that runner eventually comes around and scores. What I am really trying to say, is that maybe Bido is a killer and likes hitting people. Got Brent killing Rookers out there. Not too far fetched.
I mixed for Schneeman with the Oak Schnwhatever from last year. Was trying to figure out how he got reps and then realized Guardians.
Lodolo got me all scared with that 1K. Figure it just the cold in the spring, right? RIGHT?!?
Bednar is just doing it for the laughs at this point right? “HAHAHAHAHA F THIS TEAM, F THAT TEAM, F YOUR FANTASY! I. AM. STILL. CLOSING. FOREVER!!!”
I got a small investment in soon to be Pirates closer Dennis Santana he said with moderate to light hope.
Haha, yeah
Did you get your Porter Hodge shares lined up?
Ha, nah
The doors are closing…please stand clear of the doors
Haha stop
Morning Grey,
Glad to be back at it another year!
1) OBP League, start CES (7g – Tex/@Mil) or Torkelson (6g -@Sea/CWS) this week?
2) How would you rank Megill, Fitts, ASS, & Verlander for ROS upside in a QS league?
Gracias!!
1. CES 2. You did
Which one do u prefer?
Severino home vs Cubs
Mize at Seattle
Warren home vs Ariz
Woods-Rich at WhiteSox
Warren
I currently have Wilyer Abreu and Strahm stuck on my IL so I can’t pickup anyone. Would you drop Friedl to activate Wilyer or drop Wilyer? I would probably need to drop a SP to activate Strahm. It is a SVHD league so I want to hold onto Strahm. It is a keeper league so I am leaning toward dropping Wacha over ASS or would you drop ASS? Or leave them both there for now?
My SP:
Cease
Flaherty
Freddy P
Robbie Ray
Pfaadt
Wacha
ASS
IL:
Kirby
Tobias Myers
Schmidt
Drop Friedl…leave both for now
Hey Grey – OPS league. Garrett Mitchell (3 v. KC, 4 v CIN) or Campbell (3 @ BAL, 3 v. STL)?
Thanks.
Campbell
Hey Grey – weekly lineups roto:
Mountcastle and Gallen for PCA and Kurtz?
With Campbell and VSII with starting gigs, I suddenly have a ton of OF eligible guys but am light on corner (Toglia CES currently in those two spots) and SP bench.
Thanks.
Gallen
Thanks!
No problem
@Grey: weekly roto. need to start two of the following. all are pretty awful matchups.
meyer @ atl
sasaki @ phi
wacha vs bal
roupp @ hou
thanks!
Wacha, Roupp
Jung, Noot or Soder if all are healthy Need power
Soder
Someone in my league already dropped Casas after his 1/16 start. I avoided him in the draft, but if I can get him off waivers is he worth a pick up over any of these: Rengifo, Crews, Nootbaar, Holliday, or Jasson Dominguez?
Over Rengifo
I forgot to put H. Ramos on the list. Still Rengifo?
yes
Okay, thanks!
Is Arrigheti a must roster in a 12 teamer or streamer?
Streamer
Can Torkelson really turn it around this season?
Former 1st overall pick looked good in Spring and this opening weekend.
Worth picking up to replace Cowser and his stupid broken thumb?
Yes
AL-only keeper, 5OF, looking to deal an OF for SV–give Adolis or Mullins?
In a vacuum probably Mullins but worried it’d leave me light on SB (M Garcia and Altuve are my other main threats, then Kim when he returns).
Adolis
Have Jobe in my minors in my keeper.
Would you bring him up for this start @SEA or take a wait and see approach?
Meh, wait and see
Josh Lowe – drop or keep? I could use the SBs but those darn obliques can take a month or more to heal.
vs. who? just to drop?
Most of the guys sitting on waivers are injured but I could add J Walker, G Springer, T Story, J Young or M Shaw from the waiver wire as a replacement.
Those sound terrible, but do you need someone? Is Josh Lowe injured and in your lineup?
No, I can keep him in a reserve spot. Unlike last year right now I have enough healthy players to fill out a team so I don’t need him just yet.
Hold
Of course right after I drop him Matt Shaw gets a pinch hit HR in the first game then his first double of the season in the next game. This is why Cub fans like me can’t have nice things.
You still in on Shaw for this season? He’s still only 4-24 at the plate (.176) but his last two games have been better as noted above.
Also, I think I posted comments to you a week or so ago that I was expecting big seasons from Heliot Ramos and Adolis Garcia. Early returns are looking good, Louis, with a 1.467 OPS from Garcia and 1.250 OPS from Ramos. I’m sure both of those figures are totally sustainable the rest of the year…lol
I have him in an NL Only league
Mize or singer this week?
no idea of matchups
Trade Devers and Edman for Ozzie?
sure
Kjerstad over Fraley in a 12 teamer??
Sure
Soderstrom or Helios Ramos?
Soder
Weekly lineups, Ks & QS (no wins) & Svs+hlds
1)Deploy Jobe for his 2 start week @sea vs CWS
2)Start Reese Olson vs CWS
3) Sit both and use an extra RP (Estevez)
1. sure 2. ok 3. no
Assuming Manfred holds the line on these torpedo bats, once the rest of the league starts using them too, are there any non-Yankee hitters who you could see greatly benefitting from switching bats?
Jeffers already uses them
did i ever get “double dare” into the glossary? the iffy two start week?
anythehoo…sean newcomb, ladies love luis
I picked up Povich, Double Dare!
go ahead, i dare.
-robert conrad
Haha
That’s rock solid.
In the highly likely event that Civale goes on the IL, would you take a chance with Logan Henderson at the expense of dropping stash SF’s Birdsong?
Yes
Bingo! Out of the mouth’s of babes, Civale to the 15 day IL. Now we need to see his replacement although both Meyers and Woodruff might be closer than originally anticipated.
did they announce henderson? any chance it’s misioroooooski?
Haven’t seen any replacement named as of yet.
Grant Anderson to the rescue for Civale
What
I want Henderson
Hey Grey, great writeup. Weekly lineup which one sits?
Taj @ Tex
Soriano home v Cleveland
Rocker (at Cincinnati home TB)
Roupp at Houston
Rocker
Is stremamator working right? I’ve seen a lot of negative values in it and significantly negative values too.
Question for Rudy, and I think he answered in the comments already
Would you move Jose Soriano for Victor Scott?
Yes
Start 5 in weekly. Who do you think?
Pfaadt @ Wash
Sale @ LAD
Crochet @ Balt
Arrighetti @ Minn
Taj @ TX
FreddyK/BB v KC
Ryan v Stros
Ray v Sea
Pepiot v Pitt
Sale, Crochet, Ryan, Ray, Pepiot
Thanks
No problem
10 man points league, week 1 ends April 6
Cowser down with thumb, to IL
Need a new OF candidate:
I’m between Willi Castro (MIN) and Wilyer Abreu (BOS)
Castro gets at least the game to play today while Abreu rests, so I’m leaning Castro on that and matchups with CWS and HOU upcoming for him too
What say you?
Castro
My man Grey!
Yeah!
Should I demote Toglia or Jasson Dominguez temporarily to play Nootbar?
Sure, Toglia
Batty call
Refrensynder at Povich or
Hjerstad vs Newcomb
Hjerstad
ESPN Points, ROS only…please rank
Lugo
Pepiot
Gavin Williams
Reynaldo Lopez
Thanks
Lopez, Pepiot, Lugo
Would you drop Taylor Roger’s for any of these relievers?:
Halvorsen
Sands
Reed Garrett
No
Cowser to the IL… Surely that means it’s one of those sexy prospects about to get their time to shine!!!
I’m sure!
Breaking Win’d with Max Fried for all you glossary readers.
HA!
My league has IL slots, but I went through this whole song and dance with Jung last year. Always something with him
12 team league would you be ok parting ways with him ?
Sure
Hey Grey, in a 12 TM ROTO using only 3 OF, is Jung Hoo Lee worth $1-$2 ($100) FAAB? I do need BA but have Steer at U I could use or Robles on bench…….
Yes
Jeffers or Goodman?
Jeffers
Morning Grey,
I’m in panic mode, I know it’s a long season but feel like I need to make a move. 12 team H2H,
drop Casas for Soderstrom or CES?
Hold
Casas is lost since he fractured his ribs (swings too hard) last year. Soderstrom (not close)
Hey Grey! So glad baseball is back and i can start my days off with your recaps!
In a limited moves (40) league (10 team 5×5 obp roto with Hits as and additional category) someone dropped Matt McClain
1) Would you Drop India for him?
2) Kristain Campbell and Soderstrom are also on the wire, would you drop India for either of them instead? Who do you prefer?
thanks!!
Thanks!
No problem
OBP and BBs as categories league, keep Hoskins or cut bait for Soderstrum?
Yes, cut bait
Anyone worth an add? Need a little help at MI. IKF, Gorman, Perdomo, Rosario, Cronenworth, McKinstry
Not really, I guess Gorman
Drop Wong for Ruiz or stay patient? Have Alvarez on IL.
Drop Wong
Hey Grey, your comeback player of the year Part 2 is Luzardo (love it), who was CPOY Part 1?
Strider
Small 9-team 6×6 (QS & W) daily roto. Who do you like more?
1. Ray – looked great end of year last year when he came back and during spring when he employed a new changeup he learned from Skubal. Great for 5 innings in his first start until serving up a couple HR in a hitters park and the fans taunting him.
2. Gore- destroyed the Phillies. Some say it was the shadows that contributed to his 13K, but the Nat’s hitters dealt with the same shadows.
Who do you like more for a 6×6 daily roto (W & QS)?
Oh, sorry, Ray
Thanks!
No problem
Kristian Campbell or Crow Armstrong ROS Ks Avg OBP SLG league
PCA
Chris Bassitt became the first to throw 100 pitches in a game this season.
Well done, Bassitt
Great weekend round-up Grey! Nice to be back!
10 team H2H 7×5 with R, Hits, Avg, BB, HR, SB, RBI as the hitting categories.
Which 1B should I play this week?
CES 7 games TEX/@MIL/@SF
Soderstrom 6 games CHC/@COL/SD
Vinnie P 6 games @MIL/BAL/MIN
Hitter on has them ranked CES/Vinnie/ Soder
Thanks!
LG
Thanks! CES
Morning Grey!
Which one of these guys would you start this week out of these RPs if you are prioritizing saves first, and being actually not terrible second?
Faucher (6, NYM, @ATL)
Holton (6, CHW, @SEA)
Pagan (7, TEX, @MIL)
Faucher
Would you do christian moore for “ASS” ( Braves pitcher ;))
Yes
OK, this is gonna be ugly…bottom half of pitching lineup…. please rank top 4 for next week only:
(My hitting is great, honest!)
Boyd vs SD
Rocker @Cin, vs TB (2 starts)
Reynaldo Lopez @ LAD
Cortes vs Cin
Jake Irvin vs Az
Mahle vs TB
Canning vs Tor
Thanks
Boyd, Canning, Irvin, Rocker
Hey Grey, just looking for your affirmation on which ONE of these guys to start this week:
Eovaldi (@CIN)
Gavin Williams (@LAA)
Lugo (BAL)
Thanks as always!
Gavin
Was the Dick Fitts/Wong battery the most phallic in history?
if only Dick Pole were still around as a pitching coach
HA
Where is Richard Lovelady…lol
Haha, yes
Hey Grey, drop Wong for Herrera?
Sure
Thanks; or rather for Goodman? Torn, he’s tearing it up through the thin air
Try Goodman
Thanks grey
No problem
It’s only 3 games and you’re dropping yourWong already? 159 to go
Ha
Hey Grey,
Would you lose Jake McCarthy for Maikel Garcia or anyone else interesting on the wire, or give him a bit more time to get that speed going and see what he can do against righties? He’s not exactly holding off Alec Thomas out of the gate.
Thanks!
Yes, Maikel
Rank ’em in a 12 teamer for 2 U spots…Toglia, Schanuel, Fraley, D.Hamilton
You did
Does it seem like the Stream-o-nator hates pitchers this year? I’ve used it every week to plan my starts in a starts cap league for years and it just seems like there isn’t as many good starts right now…
For example, you throw on the 10 day version and there are 80 starts that are even plus $. 30 teams play 8 games a piece over the next 10 days, that’s 240 games. So, only 1 and 3 starts are plus $$? Mackenzie Gore at negative 25 big ones?
Do the pitchers suck? Are offenses better? Rays and A’s mickey mouse parks? Torpedo bats? Change in the SON calculation? Normally we’d think that early spring would be a dormant time for offense.
Or have I stumbled upon the realization that my entire staff should be middle relievers? :)
Love having baseball back and a reason to check in with you daily!
I haven’t noticed, it’s early, most values are coming from historic vs. this year
J.Soriano or a healthy C.Schmidt?
Schmidt
Love the site and have been a subscriber/donator forever. I’m pretty sure I even own the “Who is Grey Albright?” manifesto but is there any way we can chill out on the ads for subscribers? The paragraphs on the pages are literally jumping around the screen when you try to read them!
It’s $10 per year to get rid of ads https://razzball.com/membership-account/subscriptions/?pa=mainmenu – about $1/month
I’m already in this subscription level “MLB Roto Deluxe Daily/Weekly w/ Ad Free (Season)” and still have ads.
You should not….Is your email the one you’re commenting with? Rudy will reach out
can you email me a screenshot ([email protected])? either you are not logged in or maybe one of our ad units has gone rogue and i need to figure out which one :)
Yes, was using the same email/login I subscribed as. Let me do some testing and get back with you Rudy. I use Firefox w/ an extension called “Multi account containers” which allows me to keep tabs grouped into separate account containers and it’s possible that your ad coding is conflicting with that.
It’s been happening all spring and even when I clicked on Grey’s ad subscription link it took me straight to the subscription page that showed my current subscription so I was definitely logged in. I just briefly logged into Edge and it’s working properly there.
Second year in a row that Ober has coughed up a snowman in his first start. You could do a Weird Al Yankovic version of a Brittany Spears song about it:
Ober did it again
F***ed up my team
Got shelled in the game
Oh baby, baby
Yup
I went with your original advice and didn’t start AJS at SD. Thank you so much! Really glad that I listened!
I have intriguing choices whether to start or sit these three as the week begins;
1. Bowden Francs is home vs Wash
2. Kumar Rocker is at Cinn
3. Will Warren is home vs AZ
Thank you and have a great week!
I wouldn’t trust Kumar, other two seem fine
Thank you!!
How much upside does Max Myer or Richard Fitts have or are they are just streamers?
Other RP’s on the wire, are
Tyler Horton
Wandy Perelta
Anthony Banda
in summary, would you keep Romano or choose one of the above RPs or Meyer or Fitts?
Thanks for all your amazing efforts and help!!
Depends on the league — I’d go Meyer
Thank you!!
No problem
Morning & Happy Eiffel Tower Day (88% sure it’s the physical structure…)!
Hope you had an awesome Opening Weekend!
Got 3 questions for ya today:
Question 1.) Jackson Jobe was dropped. You cutting anyone from my current squad for him (full roster below):
Question 2.) Only rostering 3 (healthy) OF-ers & sounds like Cowser might be dinged up; would you drop anyone for Victor Scott?
12-team, 6×6 (OBP/QS), H2H
C: Jeffers
1B: C. Walker
2B: Arraez
3B: Rengifo
SS: CJ Abrams
OF: Judge, Jazz, Cowser
UTL: Swanson, X. Edwards
BN: Cam Smith, Mason Winn, Hoerner
SP: Cease, Bryce Miller, Lugo, R. Lopez, Clay Holmes, Sugano, Littell, Mize
RP: Helsley, Robert Suarez (can start 3 max)
IL: Acuna, Kirby, Ranger Suarez
Question 3 (different league – 10-team, 6×6 (OPS/QS): I’m continuing to hold onto Kirby Yates who’s provided help in the K, ERA, & WHIP cats, but in a league that doesn’t count Holds, are you still holding onto him?
Thanks in advance!
Edit to Question 2:
Cowser just hit the IL… only got 3x IL spots. You cutting Ranger Suarez?
Thank you!
I assume you like Scott over the likes of the following available OF-ers, right?
Springer
Jake McCarthy
Friedl
Tyler Fitzgerald
Jung Ho Lee
Kjerstad
Yeah
thanks again
No problem
3 quick ones, H2H league. Start or sit Sale at Dodgers. I have solid alternatives. Start or sit Devers, I have solid alternatives. Which OF would you start. Castellanos vs Rocks/Dodgers, Heliot Ramos @ Hou vs Seattle, Riley Greene @SEA vs White Sox. Thx in advance.
Start Sale — start Devers — Heliot
12 team 5×5 Roto: I’m a little terrified of starting M Kelly @ NYY, but other options aren’t great: Houck @ BAL or Romano who may or may not be closing. Thoughts? Thanks!
Romano
trying to decide if I should avoid the headache and trade devers.
1) would you trade devers
2) Would you trade devers for K campbell in dynasty league
3) Devers/Ray for Schwellenbach/x issac is not enough correct?
I traded Devers for Westburg & Cease. People still love Devers so I would start the asking high.
Grey! 6×5 including ops. Who’s better ROS between Victor Scott or Nico Hoerner? Thanks!
Great Scott!
Scott
Thank you!
No problem
12 team H2H with the dreaded catcher question. Please rank Ruiz, Goodman, Realmuto, Herrera and O’Hoppe.
Thanks!
You did
I need to drop one
Puk
Luke Jackson
Pagan
Trevor Mcgill
Estevez
Or
Ober
Robbie Ray
Pagan
Did you know the NL record for most consecutive strike outs for a hitter is held by a pitcher? sandy koufax struck out 12 times in a row. for non-pitchers it’s 9 held by k heroes Eric Davis and Mark Reynolds. Anyway, totally did not look that up because i hold some Dylan Crews.
Now you and I need to have a talk…
I’m going to need you to leave my beautiful Justin Verlander alone, this year. No injury talk! No ageism! Remember I still have the Albright voodoo plushie and a year’s supply of pins.
Crews was ugly. TBH I only saw Saturday’s game but he was lost. I hate in when guys can’t do any better than someone randomly pulled from the seats.
Grey will say, Meh, it’s early.
It’s not early, it’s late, panic!
HAHA
HAHA
haha!
Thanks Grey, great weekend! If you had a draft today, would J. Merrill be a 1St rounder? And who do you like better this year, he or Langford? Thanks
Nothing’s changed from my ranks
Instead of sampling fantastic four in his beats, Victor Vodnik samples Coors commercials
HA!
So for points would you rather start Rasmussen V PIT or Jobe at SEA?
Rasmussen
Bench bat for the oft injured/illness Mookie at 2B, Gimenez or Willi Castro? Tough passing up Gimenez in the cleanup spot, no?
Giminez
Andres
For this week:
Walker or Doval
Both got saves but Doval was cleaner.
I hate closer shituations like this
Check Walker’s health update….did pitch due to back discomfort I think….if he is healthy, he is the closer.
Ah, missed that .Thanks.
Walker
Been offered Gallen and Jose Miranda for Aroldis Chapman and Kristian Campbell – What doth the Lothario say?
Depends on needs…Gallen slightly better
11 team 5×5 OBP.
Obviously, a big injury risk but that springs start on Friday was nice.
I know they haven’t pitched yet but pick up Springs over Francis or Mize?
Sure
The bat story is hilarious because there’s so many people losing their minds over it but then bit by bit the story comes out that only a couple Yankees are using them and there’s been players on other teams who have been using them for awhile. Yankee derangement syndrome at it’s finest.
I thought I saw somewhere that everyone was using them in Spring?
Disagree. The whole thing is bizarre. Why would the MLB allow a team to have modified bats? Shouldnt there be a standard bat shape? Can pitchers request baseballs with more seams for grip? Or less? The idea that a team can have a different bat design is just strange. Yankees or not, how the MLB again was behind on stuff like this is both surprising and unsurprising. Look at how they handled the sticky stuff ban/mid season deal they did in was it 2019? 2021? Deciding after the fact instead of laying down the law before the season starts.
I wondered about The bats being legal but they are legal according to the rules. Judge isn’t using the new style. Pitchers often ask for a new ball for certain pitches if the one they are given isn’t what they want. Granted, they get one chance. I think barrage was more a fluke than anything and mostly on Cortez. Even though he gave up two dingers, Peralta was pretty decent in his start. The Volpe HR in that game was maybe helped by the bat as that one just drifted out.
MLB screws up a lot for sure but I doubt they’ll re-write the bat rule since this has created buzz.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TERRIFYING TRUTH… OR DO YOU WANNA SEE ME SOCK A FEW DINGERS?
Apparently there is no rule regarding the shape of the bat, only max length and max diameter. Torpedo bats have been approved for years, just not widely used. Ketel Marte used one years ago.
HA
I read where Ober was sick over the weekend and need IV fluids on Saturday. This according to CBS and the Minneapolis Star. I hate Baldelli. One thing to start him if he “insisted”. Another to leave him in after he was obviously not right. Next year all Twins have a Baldelli penalty . They get lowered 2 rounds ( or $30-depending on the format)
On another note, does anyone know why Westburg was available in an “emergency’ only according to the team? Should we be concerned?
Don’t know. I thought its a case of Hyde trying to get everyone early season at bats and he was odd man out. It seemed strange given his start to the season and coming of a 2 HR game
Next year, I’m not starting Ober in his 1st start…Undisclosed on Westburg, I’d guess stomach ache
Nick Pivetta’s1-hit effort over 7 innings moved him to the top of 100 Best Starts list.
Nice!
Casas or Soderstrom?
Casas
Hi Grey,
I’m in a 5×5 (OBP instead of AVG league)
Would you trade Casas and Schwarber for Josh Naylor and Rooker?
Thanks
No. Pretty sure Schwarber gets a significant boost in in OBP.
Sure
Would it be a good time target McCullers?
Ok
Grey!! Are Aaron Nola and Pablo Lopez the same guy?? Have we looked into that? Exceptional peripherals!! What’s the catch? 2 HR allowed per start.
Trade question…I am deep at OF with Yordan, Chourio, Trout, J Rod and Yelich…would you try to swing Arozarena for Torkelson in the hope the breakout is real?? I mean, the probability of Arozarena being decent is higher, but we know what he is…Spencer seems to have the higher ceiling.
Thanks.
Sure…aren’t going to be many times you are starting Aroz absent injury, so go for it.
Yeah, good point…No
No as in keep Arozarena?
Yes
Gorman or lad muncy?
Muncy
Need to drop either Nico Hoerner or Maikel Garcia. Garcia has had the better start but Nico the longer track record, though may still be recovering from surgery. . Wish I could keep both since I’m weak on steals but don’t have any other options
Keep Nico
Hold
Thanks. Cowser to the IL bought me a reprieve on making a choice it looks like
Yeah
As Mr. Pants mentioned in his report on Friday’s games, Oneil Cruz recorded a slam and legs.
Ugh, Pants got to announce our 1st slam & legs
It’s just one weekend. It’s just one weekend. It’s just one weekend.
This is what I’m telling myself, despite being in last place, losing by more points than I’ve scored in an eleven team Otteneu points roto league.
Here’s my team. I’m fine, right?
C – Sal Perez
1B – W. Contreras (STL)
2B – B. Lowe
3B – Ramirez
SS – Edwards
CI – Burger
MI – Hoerner
OF – O. Cruz, Castellanos, Julio, Happ, Teoscar
UT – Morel
BN – Raleigh, Aranda, Story
IL – Yoshida, Meadows
SP – Bibee, Castillo, Steele, Sanchez, Bubic, Roupp
RP – Whitlock, Holton, S. miller, Sands, Weaver, Santillian
IL – Kirby, Manaea
Before you say it, Raleigh was laying on the WW and I had to pick him up before someone else did. Massive power potential. We don’t lose extra points for hitter k’s.
I’ve been benching SP early on because of bad $ values on the Streamonator and everyone else seemingly has Yankees but me, so their totals are higher. I’m trying to build pitching points by having productive bullpen innings. Helped me win $$$ last year.
I think I’m fine, I know it’s early and I don’t like to make massive changes too soon. I like to trust the process.
It’s just one weekend. It’s just one weekend. It’s just one weekend.
Your bench bats make no sense, not just Raleigh…Wasting spots on your team…looks fine tho in general…Morel and three catchers is goofy…Pitching seems fine, tho lots of RPs and not enough SPs
Can you explain why they’re wasted spots? Because of their positions? They’re not good enough? I personally think Ariana will break out. I don’t like Story, admittedly.
Keep Aranda then, but they’re sitting on your bench and you can start SP in a good matchups and collect points while instead you’re getting nothing
I see what you mean now…from a strategic standpoint.
Thanks for the insight.
No problem
Manzardo or Burleson ?
Ty
Manzardo
Manzardo
Grey!!!!
Awesome report!
a. Start any of these guys in standard RCLs?
Francis home against Washington (Soroka)
Jobe at Seattle (Hancock)
Ronel Blanco at home Giants (Hicks)
b. Rodney Dangerfield quote of the day for March 31, 2025
My daughter she’s something. The guys call her Federal Express, ’cause she absolutely has to be there overnight.
Cheers,
Ante
A. All three
Would you start Grant Holmes for the dodgers? Me thinking no
Tempting in a weekly league, as he gets the Marlins over the weekend
No
No mention of Jordan Westburg?
The irony is you did it yourself. Not trying to be an ass, but you can also shout out guys down here.
You mean how he hit two homers Saturday and then was benched Sunday? I’m sorry “rested”.
Here you go princess: Jordan Westburg was not in the lineup on Sunday. Westburg? More like Restburg!
Haha
He was rested, sounds like he had a tummyache
So far this year I’ve lost both Mookie and Westburg to bellyaches. Might be time to do a two for one deal and acquire the services of Kaopectate and Imodium?
Haha
Pick two to start for the week: Mountcastle, Ramos, W Castro and McCarthy. 5×5 league.
Heliot and Castro
Ramos, Castro
All pitchers have some bad starts during the year, but Ober really goes above and beyond. He has apocalypse starts. Look at these gems from last year…
1.1 ip, 8 er, 3 hr
2 ip, 9 er, 2 hr
2.2 ip, 8er, 2hr, 5 straight hits today. It was the cardinals too. You don’t see a good pitcher have starts like this that often (3x within a calendar year) unless he is is hurt or tipping pitches.
ober me once, shame on you, ober me twice shame on you and me, ober me thrice and, well, i don’t even know what to tell you…
Why does he do this to us
So I read Ober was apprently sick (flu). He had an iv. How did he not get scratched? I now have another reason to dislike Baldelli.
I wish he were scratched
Hey Grey!
Long time, no speak, right? Well, I’m back after an absence last year…had A LOT going on. Anyway, as typical, I’d LOVE to get your take on my fantasy team. It’s a 12-team roto, 6×6 and Saves+Holds league. My lineup includes the following players:
C – Realmuto
1B – Freeman
2B – B. Stott
3B – Bregman
SS – Witt, Jr.
CI – C. Smith
MI – Bichette
OF – J. Merrill, S. Suzuki, R. Arozarena & V. Stott
U – Kjerstad & W. Abreu
BN – D. Crews & L. Raley
SP – R. Blanco, Pfaadt, M. Meyer, M. Gore, M. King, F. Valdez & Ohtani (IL)
RP – P. Fairbanks, J. Jobe, B. Abreu & M. Strahm
As of this writing, I’m in 3rd place, 3.5 places out from 1st. Please advise of any adds/drops of players that you think I should make. And as always, MANY thanks to you for all of the GREAT articles and the time that you take to share your wealth of knowledge about the AWESOME sport of baseball!
Blessings,
LadyScorpio
Good to see you! Kjerstad seems unnecessary, but I don’t know the options, and I love the pitching, don’t have anything to say on that
Hi Grey – Thanks for another season.
Need power: Soder/Tork/Mount or the Reds guy—Concepcion?
Want to dump Buehler. FB 93 mph won’t cut it. Megill/Springs/AJSS?
I’m assuming you mean Christian Encarnacion-Strand?
Yessir. Sorry
Tork
Wouldnt dump Buehler after 1 start. If you are going to, see how AJSS pitches today, if he’s decent, probably him.
CES — Springs
Thanks
No problem
1) 12 team 5×5 league: Sasaki at PHI or Leiter at CIN? Or play it safe with neither and use a solid RO like Strahm or Adam?
2). Same league for RP: use Halvorsen for the week or Strahm or Adam instead?
Thanks. Good to have baseball back
1) Neither
2) Halvorsen