Our first full slate of games and two closers lost jobs. Mother Nature and/or Al Gore (if they’re different people), how is climate different than weather if both lead to a closepocalypse? An interested party is curious. It was a bit before concussions were in vogue, but did anyone ever check Robin Ventura for a concussion when he got cantalouped by Nolan Ryan? Cause he just lamebrained up my fantasy teams by naming Matt Lindstrom the closer– Um, Grey? What’s up, Random Italicized Voice? When Addison Reed was traded in December, you said, “White Sox GM Rick Hahn named Nate Jones, Matt Lindstrom, Scott Downs and Daniel Webb as possible replacements. Due to Scott Downs’ Syndrome, Downs is out of the mix. Jones will be a favorite by fantasy baseballers (<–my mom’s term!) due to his ability to strike guys out, but I’m guessing Lindstrom will end up with the job due to that hard-to-put-your-finger-on-it closer experience quality.” And that’s me quoting you! DAH!!! I got wrapped in the allure of a young, sexy closer and forgot where my butter pickles were buttered! I imagine this shituation will get worse before it gets better, so if you have room, I’d hold Jones for now, but you should absolutely pick up Lindstrom in all leagues.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Alejandro De Aza – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and two homers as he hit out of the 7th hole, because Ventura has no idea where to hit or play De Aza. He should bench Dunn (or let Big Donkey retire), and let Viciedo and Konerko platoon at DH. I’m not even a fan of Viciedo or Konerko, but what are they hoping to get from Dunn? An 0-for-3 with a walk? He’s hitting .178 over 241 ABs in the last three Aprils. Sure, he’s fat and cuddly and has a blue ox, but at what point is it enough?
Joe Mauer – 0-for-4 with Kurt Suzuki and Brian Dozier hitting in front of him. Yeah, that should do wonders for his stats. Actually, scratch that, there’s nowhere worthwhile to bat in the Twins lineup.
Francisco Rodriguez – Got the save and Ron Roenicke named him the closer. Why did he have to wait until two outs in the bottom of the eighth to name K-Rod the closer? Does Ron Roenicke play in a fantasy league with the Brewers coaches? Was Jim Henderson seen leaving Roenicke’s daughter’s bedroom late last night? I got questions, y’all! I’d grab K-Rod in every league where he’s available; he could stay the closer the rest of the season or until May. Too hard to say. I’d continue to hold The Muppet Master, Jim Henderson, until further notice too.
Yovani Gallardo – 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks. He’s baaaaaaack! Kidding. I still don’t trust him. I’d say if YoGa still has a zero ERA after three weeks, I’d pick him up, but someone else will get to him first and I’m fine with that. My mantra is let YoGa stretch someone else’s nerves.
Ryan Braun – 1-for-4, 1 run and a steal. The roar from the crowd during Braun’s first at-bat was a grand display of apology accepted.  It was like the crowd was saying, “We’re good. Just don’t wear one of those Ed Hardy shirts again.”
Julio Teheran – 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 2 Ks. I mention the heckfire out of Teheran on this afternoon’s podcast. Could it be because I own him on every team? Yeah, prolly.
Justin Verlander – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 2 Ks. And Rudy mentions Verlander in this afternoon’s podcast. Just you wait! Or not, your choice.
Salvador Perez – 4-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI. Was a tough day for Perez. After the game, he said 4-for-4 sounds like ‘por favor’ and his abuelita had taught him good manners.
Daniel Murphy – Missed Opening Day in Metco because it was Opening Day in his wife’s delivery room.
Krispie Young – Suffered a mild quad strain in Montreal. I blame the poutine.
Juan Lagares – 2-for-4, 3 runs and his first homer. Power isn’t his thing (unless Dwayne Murphy and Victor Conte coached him this offseason), but if he’s playing every day, he could hit 7-10 homers and steal 15-20 bases. It is still unclear how the Mets will handle Krispie, Andrew Brown (who also homered yesterday), Eric Young and Lagares, especially if they give Lucas Duda outfield at-bats. I vote for Krispie, Brown, Duda, but that’s just cause it makes me giggle.
Bobby Abreu – Signed with the Mets. Now the Mets can have the Doodie Bubble outfield! You know, Bobby, Brown, Duda.
Stephen Strasburg – 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 baserunners, 10 Ks. Few extra Ks, but basically the same as his opponent, Dillon Gee (6 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks). When your ace ends up looking like Gee, you’re bound to feel indifferent.
Bryce Harper – 1-for-3. As he was trying to breakup a double play, he was kneed in the head. That’ll teach him to loaf!
Wilson Ramos – 0-for-3 as he hit cleanup, but left the game with a possible fractured hand. The x-rays came back negative, but he’s going to see a hand specialist. Nats new manager, Matt Williams said, “You have a lot of little bones in there, so we have to make sure.” Sounds like my mom when she’d cook fish. Does Ramos have two haddocks for hands?
Anthony Rendon – 2-for-5, 4 RBIs and a home run as he hit 8th. Maybe with Ramos out and Rendon hitting Matt Williams will fix his lineup so it doesn’t look like it’s his first week on the job. “So, all of these snacks in the break room are for, like, free? An unlimited supply of Bugles? This job is awesome!”
Madison Bumgarner – 4 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks, but four unearned runs. Ticker shock!
Brandon Belt – 3-for-5, 3 runs and a home run. It was…Wait for it…Here it comes…Shoot, I forgot it in my car…One second…Oh, it’s in my pocket…That homer was Belt’d! Damn, that needed less build up.
Buster Posey – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and a home run off Addison Reed, who I happen to own on every league. Payback for making Posey a schmohawk last year. Because it was a non-save shituation, this shouldn’t mean anything for Reed smla^!w3dno. Oops, sorry, was crossing my fingers a little prematurely.
Chris Owings – 3-for-5, 1 run. If you’re hurting at middle infidel, Chris is worth Ownings.
Miguel Montero – 3-for-4, 2 runs and a solo homer. As I go to sleep, I’m debating whether to pick up Montero now and drop Ramos or wait until I hear on Ramos’s test results. This should make for less interesting dreams than that time I was debating picking up Flowers for Taylor Teagarden.
Jered Weaver – 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 6 Ks. The offseason chats with his big brother are doing him less and less good.
Mike Trout – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and a home run. I’m sure glad Rudy got the number one pick in our RCL. That’s really going to make watching Trout so much fun.
Felix Hernandez – 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 11 Ks vs. the Angels or as Beyonce would sing. I can K your halo, halo, halo, I can K your halo, halo, halo, I can K your halo, halo, halo…Halo, halo.
Justin Smoak – 2-for-4, 3 runs, 3 RBIs and a home run. I just told you to pick him up in last week’s Buy. It was a real humdinger! More dinger than hum.
Abraham Almonte – 2-for-5, 1 RBI as he led off. I just went over him too in last week’s Buy. It’s all Mariners, all the time! (This has nothing to do with the wager I made in January in Vegas that the Mariners would win the World Series. No, really it doesn’t. But that would be some nice icing. I like icing!)
Sonny Gray – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 7 Ks. That’s my boy!
Jim Johnson – 1/3 IP, 2 ER and he was followed in the box score by F. Abad, which seemed almost appropriate. More like F. Jimsbad.
Shane Victorino – To the DL with a hamstring strain. The Lyin’ Down Hawaiian could miss around a month.  Jackie Bradley Jr. was recalled to take his spot on the roster. Bradley was flown to the game yesterday, but he could’ve walked. Three times over.
Grady Sizemore – 2-for-4 and a home run. Red Sox fans are just glad Grady didn’t leave Pedro in past 100 pitches.
Jon Lester – 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks. The cheers for mo’ Lester had Dustin Pedroia’s brother feeling so welcomed.
Chris Tillman – 5 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks. I don’t mind the 7+ K-rate from my number three, but I’d like it better in seven innings. Cust kayin’.
Tommy Hunter – Got the save and was named the O’s closer the morning of Opening Day because Buck Showalter reads The Game, and was playing hard to get. I still don’t think this bullpen is all said and done yet, and that’s me negging.
Johnny Cueto – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks. Okay, let’s see him stay healthy for ten straight starts. And I’m still negging!
Billy Hamilton – 0-for-4 with 4 Ks. Okay, but one of these days a third strike is gonna get by the catcher and he’s gonna steal first.
Adam Wainwright – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 9 Ks. No Opening Day blues for Wainwright, which also wasn’t a song off his brother’s album, Out of the Game.
Jose Fernandez – 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 9 Ks. He said in the spring that he wants to have an ERA in the one’s this year. I kinda get the sense this isn’t as crazy a claim as when Kemp said he wanted to go 50/50 and have Chris Brown call him daddy.
Marcell Ozuna – 3-for-4, 3 runs and a solo home run. Probably won’t hit for a great average, but 20/10 could be in his sights like he’s Wade Boggs spotting chicken.
Casey McGehee – 2-for-4, 4 RBIs. The .002% that own him rejoice!
Jose Reyes – Likely headed to the DL after leaving yesterday’s game early to get a head start on a hamstring MRI. Be interesting to see where he’s drafted next year when he misses 60 games this year.
R.A. Dickey – 5 IP, 6 ER. If you drafted him for the bounce back, you probably see his name like D***ey.
Wil Myers – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs as he hit 2nd while Zobrist (0-for-2, 2 runs) hit third. If Maddon wears glasses so he can see and not just to look smart, Myers and Zobrist will be reversed shortly.
David DeJesus – Left yesterday’s game with a foot contusion, but it doesn’t sound serious. DeJesus was told not to walk on water for three to five days.
Matt Joyce – 2-for-2, 1 run, 3 RBIs. My batty call of Joyce was literally the only person to have multiple hits on my RCL team. Thanks, Hitter-Tron!
Emilio Bonifacio – 4-for-5 and a steal; Darwin Barney 0-for-2; Evolvo Dinosauro 4-for-7 with a steal.
Jeff Samardzija – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks. Two walks and three Ks? Who stole every letter of the alphabet and pitched yesterday for the Cubs?
Francisco Liriano – 6 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 10 Ks. Only 32 more starts like that and you’ll be thanking me!
Tanner Scheppers – 4 IP, 7 ER, 11 baserunners, 2 Ks. On the bright side, this was the longest outing of his career. So, it’s not that bright.
Alex Rios – 3-for-5, 3 runs, 3 RBIs and a home run. Rios Grande!
Josh Wilson – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs as he started at 2nd base, and the Rangers plan on platooning him with Donnie Murphy. A Murphy/Wilson teaming couldn’t sound worse unless it was talking about who’s in the new Dr. Doolittle.
Shin-Soo Choo – 0-for-4 as the Rangers scored 10 runs. Ticker tease!
Cliff Lee – 5 IP, 8 ER, 12 baserunners, 1 K. I haven’t see someone destroy The Adverb that bad since Stephen King’s book, On Writing. A highly ranked Phillie ex-All-Star makes a toilet out of fantasy teams every year. Maybe this year it’s Lee’s turn.
Cody Asche – 3-for-4, 4 runs, 2 RBIs and a home run. Don’t worry about coming to me with your tail between your legs, asking if you should pick him up. You’re all Grey’s children. I don’t love one more than the other. Okay, I do love those that drafted Asche more.
Ben Revere – 3-for-6, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and a steal. After the game, Ben said, “You Revere me,” then threw flowers at his own feet, but quickly apologized saying it was something he learned from Rajai Davis, the King of SAGNOF.
Jimmy Rollins – 1-for-6, 4 RBIs and a home run. Rollins’s home run was the first time instant replay was used to try and overturn a home run call by the manager of the player who hit the home run.
First!
Hi Grey. So I have the first waiver pick and need one more good bat and a closer (I have 2). Who do you think will add more value out of:
Sizemore
Asche
K-Rod
Lindstrom
Many thanks!
@Jackie:
Depends on league size, but I wouldn’t use waiver priority for either of those bats. It’s the first game for those guys, hopefully no one is clamoring to grab a guy just because he hit a homer (omg 162 homer pace!!!). Asche goes unseen in most leagues, so you can grab him later.
I would use priority on Lindstrom over K-rod, because I think Ventura is stupid enough to keep that arrangement, where as Roenicke seemed to indicate the K-rod thing is short term (though managers are hardly credible sources, lol).
@Jackie: yesterday he probably said Lindstrom over K-Rod half a dozen times so there’s that. And he also has asche larry like somewhere around 200 spots higher than sizemore.
It fills my heart with joy to see a full slate of games recapped. Also fills my eyes with sleep.
@Alky Sobrera:
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!
JACKIE BRADLEY JR. TO WALK ONCE MORE!
Btw, Chris Owings* for the player name to player page link.
Typical opening day for me. My top 6 hitters combined to go 1 for 23 with no runs or RBI and I lost 2 closers without them even throwing a pitch, plus I have Ramos at catcher.
Robin Ventura couldn’t manage an Arby’s.
@emporers monkey: I hear ya, man. In one league I lost both Henderson and Jones, and now Veras is my only closer, FML (and I’m not referring to Grey).
@emporers monkey:
I feel your pain. I too have Ramos. Ugh. Trying to figure out what to do with him. Hang tight? Or drop and add another catcher?
@emporers monkey:
Ha!
I’m good y’all!
@Cody Must Asche: The weird and annoying thing about Asche is that his name is actually pronounced “Ashy”, which is weird and annoying. Also, it makes your UserName a little less clever as well. :-/
@2000 Brain Cells ago: But it does make it slightly more adorable.
@John: Awww, thanks!
@2000 Brain Cells ago: My mom did my middle name bro, nothing I can do about it! They called me mustachio in little league!
@2000 Brain Cells ago: Must Asche, oh?
@Claytonio: You got it! I’m good for another bomb today against Rosie Perez so be sure to pick me up… And take the over – AJ’s “fast”ball is so straight even Adam Dunce might make contact! Prince will feast tonight! Straight BP!
@Cody Must Asche: I was pretty ticked when someone out bid me for Arenado and I got stuck with you but for today at least I’m feeling pretty ok with it.
@Wudaben: I’m better than him anyway! You did good!
@Cody Must Asche: now now young Jedi, Arenado will go deep today and you will K 3 times
Hello from Mumbai India!
Great to back reading these! F.Abad was hilarious in IMO.
@Druss: Isn’t that the place that steals all the jobs?
@ashtray:
Yes we coerced all your corporations to come here and increase their profit margins. They had no say in the matter at all.
@Drussss: I knew it!
@Druss: Thanks!
Happy Opening Day!
I’ll have questions soon, I’m sure. But for now, just tidings of joy, because MOTHERFUCKIN’ BASEBALL IS BACK!
And I have Mike Trout in my keeper league.
Life is good.
@Lines: Cool
My relievers are a mess, and I missed my chance to pick up today’s two new closers. Since all current closers are owned in my (standard scoring) yahoo league, is there anyone you’d recommend I pick up? And if so, who do I drop? Here’s my staff:
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Julio Teheran
RP Huston Street
RP Bobby Parnell
P Justin Masterson
P Francisco Liriano
P Danny Salazar
P Sonny Gray
BN Chris Tillman
BN Yordano Ventura
BN J.J. Hoover
BN Jose Valverde
BN Tim Lincecum
DL Aroldis Chapman
@Max: Hard to recommend someone to pick up without knowing who is out there on the waiver wire.
@Max: I think it looks pretty good. LIncecum would be the first to go for me.
This question is for anyone who thinks they may know the answer. I had an off-line draft tonight and we stopped 5 rounds short of the end. The commish said, we will finish the draft on-line tomorrow night and it will be a “free-for-all” starting at 6 pm (Yahoo). What does Free for all mean? Does everyone draft 5 players as fast as they can in the draft room? Does everyone ADD players as fast as they can from the add/drop page? When you add a player does your priority drop to last on the next add? It seems like an odd way to finish a draft- the fastest navigator of the site wins. Thanks for your response.
@2 Giant rings:
the answer is …. ask your commish .
@2 Giant rings: Sound a bit b.s whatever it means. I hate when people try to unexpectedly change rules.
Waiver wire roulette. Deep points league. Rank ’em please:
Junior Lake
Abraham Almonte
Emilio Bonifacio
Matt Joyce
@Commish Cauda: Lake, Boni, Almonte
Yo,
Which side in 7×7 with QS/W, OPS/AVG
A: Homer/Cano for B: Kipnis/Price
A: Cano/AGordon for B: Puig/Kipnis
Thanks man
@Alan: kipnis/Price is best pair.
@Alan: I’ll take the Cano in both scenarios.
@Alan:
I’d go with Kipnis / Price
A A
@ Grey :
yesterday , you advised that owners should
drop jones and pick-up lindstrom .
am hoping that the chisox are just showcasing
lindstrom for an early trade ,
and that everyone is going to be real pizzed at you .
no offense .
@costaricanchata: Trade wouldn’t happen until end of July
Which of these three closers to fill in until Janssen comes back?
Lindstrom
Santos
KRod
@JK Smiles: if you also own janssen clearly the answer is santos. this way you will always have TOR’s closer. Or you could take a crazy gamble and take one of the other 2. If you’re doing the crazy gamble i’d say F-Rod simply because he’s less likely to destroy your peripherals. Lindstrom may be more likely to keep job than F-Rod though.
@JK Smiles:
I think I’d go with Santos.
Start Kazmir in a mixed league tonight or wait and see?
@elipitt: SON likes him at 13.1
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: SON liked Scheppers too…
@Ra’zball Al Ghul: hah, nice username!
@Ra’zball Al Ghul: SON didn’t have him as a 13.1 i think. plus we all knew it was scheppers first ever start. Kazmir’s been around for ever.
20th!
The daily recaps are back. My life is complete.
@Slim:
Yep, a good dump, a cup of coffee and the words “Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball” are the perfect start to any day.
@Birdog: I wonder what percent of these get read on the toilet. We need a poll!!!
@Birdog: Ha!
@Slim: Ha
the manager hatred for Rollins is severe. gotta love the Reyes thing. Barely over 1 day ago during draft in the message board my friend had just not taken Reyes (he said due to not wanting 3 TOR guys, since he already had E5 and Bautista), and i told him he’s lucky since Reyes already had a hamstring issue. The pick it was currently on, the owner took a long time, and then picked Reyes, i’m thinking either to show me up or my message boarding made him notice Reyes (or just a coincidence); either way HAHAHA. good stuff.
@Aubrey Plaza’s Pillow: Thanks!
Grey, is it worth a gamble to pick up Daniel Webb?
Thanks
@Paulie Allnuts: depends who you’re dropping
@Paulie Allnuts: Prolly not
Start AJ Burnett vs. Texas in a QS league??
@Cheesecake: What does the SON say?
Reed is the most frustrating guy in non-save situations, i remember owning him last year and dreading when the white sox would put him in with a 4+lead
@Lopes:
and why I ask yet again does Reed need to pitch in a non save situation..come on first game of the season, you watch now they will need him for like 3 or 4 games in a row and he will not be able to throw all those in a row. I have never liked owning closers and add to the closer, the non save situation, and I hate closers even more..LOL
Closepocalypse 2014!!! Drop Hoover for K-rod or Lindstrom? Sv+hld league.
Also thank the good fantasy baseball lord that Cody Allen picked up the win after Mastersons gem yesterday.
@The Thumb: Hold
Grey’s updates, like snorting the essence of newly-mown grass.
@Sherm: Thanks!
@Grey: if you’ve actually tried that you wouldn’t compare the two.
At least it wasn’t Webb taking on Chisox closer role. With Lindstrom, we’ve still got a fighting chance. Is it bad karma to form prayer octagons in hope of ineffectiveness?
@Tigres: Yeah, it is, sorry
Axford or K-Rod ROS for saves?
@Nick: Axford because he IS the closer.. (Until
He eventually loses it to Allen). The Krod sitch could change back to Henderson after a few games. Very short leash.
I drafted asche!
…and kept him on the bench
@E: Sonavabench!
Valverde/Parnell shituation, we grabbing Pape Grande or what?
@Swfcdan: Sure
@Grey: PArnell has @Swfcdan: Parnell has an MCL tear, so now there’s that..
WTF did I just do to that comment.. Amateur hour over here..
Yup
I have Middlebrooks as a bench bat with Arendado as my primary 3B in h2H points. Add Smoak and drop Middle for overall or is it a wash?
@Pete:
Whatever the question is, adding Justin Smoak is not the answer.
@Hawk: LoL… good call
@Pete: Wash for now
Damn it feels good to have baseball back!! I can finally get back to reading Grey’s articles every morning on the can…
@BringDaRuckus: Ha
I traded for asche bwfore the season started ! Thats gotta count for something. In case you were wondering I received tulo gio and asche for hanley sale and freri. I may have over paid but im infatuated by the slight possibility of tulo playing a whole season healthy.
@mike: Yeah, that was a slight overpay
Sonny Gray – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 7 Ks. That’s my boy!
Ha, that should be the blurb for every good Gray outing.
@Swfcdan: Grey is going to have fun with the Gray-Grey thing all year. I watched Sonny’s highlights from last night, those west coast games start far too late. Anyway, that kid is some kinda special talent. I new the curve was absurd but his cutter looked real good too. I was highly impressed.
Im in a daily league…I currently have Avisail Garcia, K. Wong and T. Frazier on my bench. Should I drop two of them for Asche and Ozuna?
Thanks!
Why? I don’t see how this fills needs? Bench bats for more bench bats?
Let the rosterbating questions begin… I have Seager and Avisail on the bench of my 14 team h2h league, lose either one for Asche, Smoak or Rendon?
@ThE sHiT:
If it’s a single season league, I’d stand pat.
If it’s a keeper league and he’d be one of your keepers, I’d think about adding Rendon.
Have hosmer, do I drop Napoli for smoak? Montero for Ramos? Drop Henderson for santos?
@Los locos:
“Adding Justin Smoak” is not the (correct) answer to any question. Ever.
I’d wait to see how bad Ramos is before dropping him for Montero but that’s almost a wash
Interesting note: Ron Shandler’s guys to steer clear of: Segura, Freeman, Bruce, Puig, Stanton, Teheran…I’m curious how this turns out.
@TheNewLeaf: Is that based on injury or production?
@DonSlaughtOnslaught: it’s based on his belief that those particular players are overvalued right now.
He must be on Crystal Meth
@Bi-Felicia:
He’s not saying don’t draft them. He’s just saying they’re overvalued right now.
Dude’s won about a zillion leagues – I wouldn’t take his word for gospel truth but I’d definitely consider what he says.
@Hawk: He also told everyone to avoid Trout in the first round last year.
@TheNewLeaf: yeah, I was thinking Shandler was an injury guy; might be thinking of someone else.
My 4 SPs combined to throw 26 shutout innings. I may be mistaken but I think they may be the only 4 SPs to not allow a run yesterday. Yet… 0 wins! They faced each other! Liriano Shark Gray Masterson.
Only in smurfland.
I guess I will need to try to think positive… at least I didn’t draft Jim Henderson or Nate Jones…
@papasmurf:
This is why we finally moved to Quality Starts for the first time this year in my twelve year old, twelve team auction keeper league. Because wins is frustratingly stupid and it only took twelve years for everyone to finally agree. After day one – EVERYONE is happy with the change. The only downside is that vulture wins by relievers are no longer possible. Yeah – vulture wins…see how stupid wins really are? Congrats on the great opening day pitching line.
Long way too go! LOL
@papasmurf: I had the same thing, only no Grey. H2H league, so they still racked up decent points.
I tossed 25 of 1 run ball with 28 K’s 91.5 in rcl
@papasmurf: at least you didn’t draft and start The Adverb AND stream Scheppers too = my ratios are already cooked
@papasmurf: Ha
@papasmurf: Same thing happened to me. Only I DID draft Henderson and Jones
@papasmurf: …and I drafted both…awesome.
Oh nvm, Gallardo didn’t give up a run either.
Congratulations to Billy Hamilton for the OPENING DAY GOLDEN SOMBRERO!
It wasn’t just that he was overmatched against Wainwright. He was absolutely clueless. Helpless. And looked…small.
GO CARDINALS!!! Reds suck!
@JDW:
He came within one or two batters of a 5th AB. That AB would have been against Trevor Rosenthal who could probably knock the bat out of his hands.
How many people are wondering if they should drop Hamilton for Rajai Davis or Nyjer Morgan right now? LOL
@Hawk: Haha – I saw that. Hamilton was on deck when the game ended. He was vying for the elusive Platinum Sombrero. He would have had it against Rosenthal.
Rollins batted second, Revere leading off. Atta guy Ryno. Now he needs to bat Byrd cleanup and slide Howard to five.
Getting my MLB.tv going tonight. Gonna try and match Matt Stairs drunken mumble for drunken mumble.
Anybody else benching Burnett tonight?
Vs Tex? LOL I’m benching anyone not named a #1 vs that line-up
@Bi-Felicia: bye felicia!
I actually started McGheeeeehheeee in Draftkings late games lineups last night due to his low price and high ranking on the Hittertron. I won enough to make up for my losses during the early games thanks to gambling on Scheppers.
I also started Abraham Almonte, someone I never heard of until a Razzball post earlier in the day. That helped out a lot too since he was so cheap, I could afford Mike Trout.
@Pacochu: Nice
“I haven’t see someone destroy The Adverb that bad since Stephen King’s book, On Writing.”
Despite the fact that I own Cliff Lee, I applaud this line.
This was my favorite line of Grey’s writeup today.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Was scrolling down and trying to come up with something clever to say about this line too…but you captured my sentiment appropriately so I will simply agree…
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Thanks!
“David DeJesus – Left yesterday’s game with a foot contusion, but it doesn’t sound serious. DeJesus was told not to walk on water for three to five days”
Lmao..it’s good to have baseball and Grey’s daily notes back
@Eric:
Seriously I love that, Jesus quote! lol..Also I have had 3 drafts this season, 2 with my own idea and strategy..one where I went over Grey’s predictions and advice and good ole funny stuff and it is by far the best of the 3, I drafted.
What I learned from the MASTER, was to draft SP’s late, SP is very, very and another very, deep this year. I took 9 bats before I took an SP and my first 4 SP’s were, Matt Cain, Jered Weaver, Cole Hamels, Mike Minor. Not too shabby!
Yes, Grey you can wait on SP’s this year..
thanks!! cheer!
@Malicious Phenom: I’d find a more competitive league
@Malicious Phenom: kind of weird since those aren’t sleeper type pitchers. pretty much anybody, including those simply using their site’s rankings would have likely drafted those pretty early for pitchers, unless you’re in like 6 team league.
@Eric: Thanks!
Need some trade advice. I was offered I. Desmond, D. Brown and C. Archer for my A. Cashner, M. Estrada and S. Castro…..League is a 12-team, 12 keeper ESPN points league with a slight premium on pitching. My other SPs are Verlander, Cobb, Fernandez, Hernandez, Pineda and Bumgarner. Do I make this trade?
Thanks!
@Btdrnks: For reference my current outfielders are Moss, Harper, Yelich and Braun and my current SS are Miller and Castro
@Btdrnks: I’d take that for Desmond alone if I had those other arms. YES!
@Btdrnks: DO IT NOW HURRY
In.a heartbeat im doing that trade
@Btdrnks:
That’s an easy yes. i’d definitely do that deal
@Hawk:
Thanks guys, I was just unsure of giving up two pitchers in a pitching favored league for a minor upgrade at SS.
Have $1000 FAAB in 12 tm 1000 min inning roto start 9 pitchers with CI, MI, and UT spots league.
Relievers are Frieri, Parnell, Cody Allen. Didn’t go crazy in my Santos bid.
3B are Donaldson, Alvarez, Moustakas.
Dropping one player on Sunday for sure for Lindstrom. Is Moustakas worth dropping for Asche? Jose Quintana my only potential droppable starter with others being Stras/Sale/Samardzija/Cashner/Gray/Archer. Definitely don’t wanna drop Rendon or Wong with starting infielders being Gyrko/Brad Miller/Andrelton. Is Arcia or Bourjos worth dropping for Asche and/or speculating on saves?
@Operation Mindcrime: Hold for now
Hey guys what’s this I hear about a Razzball – BleacherReport merger?
@Yescheese: That was an Arpil Fools joke last year or the year before if I remember correctly.
@Principal Blackman: strange that you didn’t get it here though…
Glad to hear it’s BS, bleaker report is terrible! Fluff Mag of sports
@Bi-Felicia: it’s one value comes in if you need to quickly learn about prospects.
@Grey I am looking at adding Smoak, I am looking at dropping an Sp to get him, here’s my staff: JoseF, Bailey, S.Miller, Ryu, Samardzija, Kluber, Ventura – back end is Porcello and Haren – is it worth dropping one of those two, if so, who you think? Danks a lot! ps – my 1b/corner bats are Trumbo/Rizzo.
@Amish Gangster: Don’t see the point to it right now
Lindstrom or Veras?
@TheShelbySensation: Veras
For some idiotic reasons, saves are worth the same as wins in this H2H league I joined. Should have read the scoring before I drafted… Anyway I have Grilli and Soria. Street,Hunter,K-Rod,Axford,Salas all available. Do you think any of those guys are an upgrade over the two I have? Thanks.
@Harris: No. The 2 you have are the best.
If you could only get one who would you pick up? K-Rod or Lindstrom?
@Brett: Lindstrom
a guy dropped N. Jones for Lindstrom yesterday would you add him for D. O’Day
thanks
@Pager24: Yes
I was called an Asche-hole for taking him with my last pick in the draft.
@Jim: Ha
Seriously. Belt or Rizzo?
@stynyr: Seriothly?
Do you even do rankings bro?
@Bi-Felicia: Ha
@JDW: @stynyr: I actually say Belt… He may have an all-around better year with less HR but much higher AVG more steals and slightly better counting stats… Cust sayin
@Ra’zball Al Ghul: If that’s how you ranked them two weeks ago…then fine…
But if it’s changed after exactly one game…that’s silly…
@Wake Up: that’s how I ranked and projected em. I’m still salty at Anthony Rizzballo from last year and Belt is for real troof
@Ra’zball Al Ghul: can’t blame you for that…I’m looking for a big step forward this year from Rizzo…
@Wake Up: For the Cubbies sake I hope you are right!
Good morning Grey! So happy to wake up to a morning recap of opening day (the real opening day). I came away from my auction with 3B as my weakest position. H2H 5X5 with OBP and weekly roster locks. I can roster 2 of the following: Headley, Aranado,Olt, McGehee. What would Grey do?
@ScoutAbout: Thanks! Arenado, Headley
Would you lose Parnell for Lindstrom?
@2 Cups 1 Braun: No. Parnell actually looked pretty good yesterday, 1 strike away from the save but lost Espinosa
@2 Cups 1 Braun: daaah… partial tear of the MCL
Start Matt Cain against the Diamondbacks today? Stream-O-Nator doesn’t like it one bit.
@Buzzdainer: I’d start him
Grey, I was thinking the same thing last night about catcher after Ramos went down. I’m trying to decide if I should pick up Montero, Yan Gomes, Pierzynski, Ruiz, Salty, Jaso, or Avila. Who do you think I should pick up? Or should I hold tight until news of Ramos comes back? Thanks!
@Charlie:
Grey, read an update this morning that says Ramos first tweaked his hand last week. A writer speculated it could be a hamate bone injury. If so yikes. Although someone speculated yesterday that he had a broken bone in his hand and that turned out to be false.
@Charlie: I just dropped him for Montero
@Grey:
Thank you! I just made the same move.
Starting to feel better about passing on D’Arnaud for Miguel Montero at my 12 team draft but still uncertain if I should follow The Guru’s recent suggestion of dumping Monty for Frenchie. My gut said Monty’s in a hitter’s park with big bats around him while Frenchie’s still unproven in a Mets lineup that’s placing its trust in..gulp, a 40yo Bobby friggin’ Abreu?
@Clint: Hold
So the SON hates Erasmo today, Should I sit him in a H2H?
The closepocalypse affected me deeply I have 3 teams where Jones and Henderson are amongst my 3 or 4 closers, luckily two of those leagues count holds……You know what Bel Biv Devoe said “Never trust a big butt and a closer”….Is that right? I spent the New Jack years of the 90’s on Ludes
@Ralph Lifshitz: Ha! I’d start Erasmo
Grey, great write up. If I drop ramos should I pick up salvador perez or miguel montero? Thanks.
I rather have perez over anyone you listed honestly
@Allan:
If Perez is available, grab him immediately.
@Allan: Why Salvador isn’t owned in your league is anybody’s guess. Do me a favor though; if you do pick up Montero (while someone else swoops up Perez) and he miserably fails like last year, please name your team the Premature D’backulators.
Good luck this year!
@Aaron: hah will do
Don’t know if you saw it…Vlad signed a one day contract with LAA…threw out the first pitch…to Don Baylor…fractured Baylor’s femur…Vlad and Josh Hamilton rushed over to help…at least Vlad rushed over to help…Hamilton heard something about crack and dropped everything!
Down goes Don King… Very Weird injury
@Wake Up: Ha!
@Wake Up: I knew something was wrong right when he got the ball. His ankle looked real messed up and dude was just not moving. Horrible for Baylor
If I already have Tommy Hunter, Latroy Hawkins, JJ Hoover and Sergio Santos, is it worth still holding on to Nate Jones? Or are those four volatile enough to make Jones worth a stash?
@TJ: Can lose Jones
This just in………………… PUIG SUSPENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…more to follow…
@Wake Up: I heard Kershaw decided to hang up the cleats too. But no worries, dodgers fans, Hershiser is coming out of retirement.
Better drop him in.all leagues, grab boneface! Hehe
@Principal Blackman: @Bi-Felicia: It’s tradition…pretty sure Grey is sick of it…pretty sure I don’t care…
@Wake Up: lol! Wake has a bag with not one fuck to give out in it…
This closer crap is exhausting already….I don’t know when the Smokey article comes out but can you do me the honor of ranking these guys?
Veras
Lindstrom
Parnell
K-Rod
Valverde
@Ron: Veras, Parnell, Lindstrom
@Grey:
Parnell could be done
Bobby Parnell has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow.
An awful break for the Mets. Parnell showed diminished velocity and movement on his pitches during Monday’s game and now we know why. He complained of tightness in his forearm after the game and the partial tear was found following an MRI. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and will rest for two weeks before resuming a throwing program, but season-ending Tommy John surgery is possible if he doesn’t show improvement. Jose Valverde figures to get the save chances for New York in his absence and is suddenly a must-own in all fantasy leagues. Vic Black, Jeurys Familia, and Gonzalez Germen could be options if (or when) he falters.
Start Martin Perez (phi) or Brett Anderson (@mia) today? Anderson is around $11 on son.
Neither lol
@Derrick: Anderson
What was your decision on the Montero/Ramos debate?
@AdamH: I dropped Ramos for him
@Grey: Thanks Grey
Grey-
Sean Doolittle
Cody allen
Darren o’day
Pick 2 u prefer for holds stat with potential to b closers later.
Thanks
Id want the first 2 for holds K9. Hunter may end up losing the job, but I wouldn’t want 2 AL set up guys. Especially in Baltimore, that’s a shoebox park
Holds league RP what two are the best?
Machi
Casilla
Herrera
Strop
@John: Strop, Herrera
Well, opening day gave you plenty to write about, Grey. Nice job.
Between these closer deals and Sky getting me addicting to DraftKings my fantasy teams are a wreck right now.
@MattH: Thanks!
I’m already blowing my years FAAB budget and dropped money on both Santos and Hoover after the draft. Which one should I drop, and who should I pick up, Lindstrom or KRod? Are they worth spending say… 10% of my FAAB (I need a closer).
Why would you do that day 2 lol
@Kobayashi Maru: Lindstrom
12 team H2H league with OBP, Slugging%, Runs, HRs, RBIs, SB-CS,,, If Ramos is out for an extended period of time, which of these guys would you grab?
Travis D’arnaud
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Russel Martin
AJ Ellis
Dioner Navarro
Alex Avila
Mike Zunino
Carlos Ruiz
JP Arencibia
Ryan Doumit
:( Dark times.
Puked in my mouth a lil bit. Write each name on paper, blindfolded, toss dart at paper haha
@Bi-Felicia: That’s pretty much where I am.. Kill me.
@Kyle H: Zunino has the highest upside.
@Mrs. Featherbottom: More than D’Arnaud?
@Kyle H: I think so.
@Mrs. Featherbottom: according to years of scouting reports nobody at catcher has higher hitting upside than d’arnaud.
One more question for my 12 team, H2H, pitching categories of ERA, WHIP, Saves+Holds, K:BB, K’s, and QS. Would you drop any of these guys for K-Rod or Taijuan Walker?
Mat Latos
Doug Fister
Sonny Gray
James Shields
Erasimo Ramirez
AJ Burnett
Danny Salazar
Nate Jones
Matt Lindstrom
Rex Brothers
Fernando Rodney
Sergio Santos
Alex Torres
Thanks
@Kyle H: Jones for Walker
Whatcha say Grey on a Middle Infield WW p/u? Will be sending Rutledge to ML.
FA’s are: Wong, Ackley, Owings, Rendon, Walker, Bonificio…12 team,6X6,H2H. Thanks Man.
@happyharry: Hey happy harry, I like Wong for you. best of the 6 you listed.
Cram,
Please rank these players in order?
AJ Piers
Martin
Ruiz
Salty
Mesoraco
Avila
Ellis
Navaro
Doumit
Zunino
Jaso
Arencibia
Grandal
Iannetta
Suzuki
Castillo
Norris
Ross
Hanigan
Sanchez
Blanco
Olivo
Mathis
Hilarious!!!!
@Wake Up: I would prefer you to rank these players out of order, please.
@Wake Up: Ha. Ya know, I was just thinking about the almost unfathomable volume of idiotic, micro-management, can’t-make-a-simple-decision-myself questions, so this was fitting. I think I’m going to be pretty quiet in here if today is any indication. I just can’t keep up!
@Wake Up: Ha!
Should I drop Cody Allen or Hoover for Asche?
My 3b is Arenado and my rp’s are Hawkins, Santos, Hoover, and Allen.
No, you can’t afford to lose the closers you have!
@y4: Is Asche going to play?
Do you still love us more if we drafted Asche, but then left him on our bench for week 1? I guess I should put him in one of my DH spots instead of Hart or Swisher then? I’ve got Longo and Donaldson at 3B, so no room there.
@Milarky: Over Hart
I don’t know who is the superior Grey/Gray at this point: you for answering all of my fantasy queries and leading me to Asche (who was the only mo’fo who had stats on my team yesterday), or Sonny Gray who twirled a gem yesterday (F**k you Jim Johnson).
….only time will tell.
Another question for you….Streamonator likes Brett Anderson against Miami. After what Miami did yesterday, do you trust Anderson against them?
Thanks!
@Yager: I’d start him there if I needed to stream
Thanks [email protected]Grey:
@Yager: Barton should have been at least half-way. Jiminy-H-Effin-Christianson! From the replays you could see numbers on the CFs back as he was chasing after Donalson’s bomb. Half-way… cheat more… score! Game may have turned out differently had that been the case.
Well I gambled on closers and I may have lost. We start 3 RPs in our league, and I thought I was smart by getting Robertson, Reed and Chapman – but then I missed out on getting a healthy 3rd to bridge to Chapman. So I grabbed Scheppers to fill the third RP slot and now I’m concerned. We get a grand total of 3 waiver picks all year – do I use one on K-Rod or Lindstrom, or stay patient for a little bit to find out when Chapman may be back? Last year, our waivers produced gems like Jose Fernandez, Cingrani, Wacha – so I’m reluctant to waste one on a closer who won’t close for long.
Hold! Chapman will destroy any waiver add you.make! Even if he misses 8 weeks, which I doubt he will miss that long.Just hold out for.now it’s only day 2
Awesome!
“I vote for Krispie, Brown, Duda, but that’s just cause it makes me giggle.”
That’s me quoting you.
@Mike: Ha
Hello Grey,
Which of the following SP would you stream:
Odorizzi vs TEX
Joe Kelly @ PIT
Stults @ MIA
Milone vs SEA
Carlos Villanueva vs PHI
Jenry Mejia vs CIN
Carlos Carrasco vs MIN
the stream-o-nator is giving Mejia and Milone as the best option. Don’t know if I want to stream againt the Reds.
Thanks
@Chris: I’d go with SON
@Chris:
SON be berry berry good to Milone (+17), but berry berry bad to Chris Young (-16) who pitch for SEA in that game. Not sure Chico trust SON on SEA @ OAK 4/4…
I noticed Stream-o-nator predicts 0.4 wins per good starter. I had 5 starters get 2 wins yesterday so nice job, math.
@Adele Dazeem: Ha
If Kemp actually comes back soon, this is a non-issue because I won’t add any of these guys, but if I need to go with one on my roster for a while: Brantley, Venable or Ozuna? My 4 starters right now are Stanton, Jennings, Aoki and Arcia.
@Jon: Venable
Yo Grey!
The difference between climate and weather is related to time and scale. Weather is the term we use to describe the observable temperature and atmospherical occurrences that are happening in the present, while climate describes the long standing trends and averages of weather patterns for a specific geographical region. Weather is the here and now, climate is the average of that.
In terms of baseball, you can think of it as the difference between a hotschamato and a true stud, such as Cody Asche Vs. David Wright or Jeff Locke Vs. Waino.
Great write-up by the way!
@Mrs. Featherbottom: Nice, thanks!
The one good thing about a dude that auto drafts? He ended up with 3 catchers on his team and not enough pitching. After Ramos went down, I offered him Zack Wheeler (squad is Gray, Cobb, Liriano, Masterson, Ventura, 10 team roto) for Wilin Rosario and he accepted. After being hit by a bus that backed up and ran over me AGAIN yesterday, I feel like I won the freaking lotto this morning! Of course this means Rosario will now need Tommy John surgery, I’m sure. It’s a Catcherpocalypse!
@burningbridges247: Ha
This is an absurd amount of questions. I thought answering 50 or so in basketball was a lot but this is unreal… It would take me hours upon hours. Where do you find the time to write new stuff when you’re constantly answering questions? Although maybe a better question is why am I making this worse? My bad.
So a legit question… how was our traffic in basketball this year? I’ve got one more to write this year then I’m taking a break. I was really caught off guard by how burned out I am at the end of the season. But I had a blast. I will absolutely be back next year! Woo Hoo!
@Slim: Basketball did well, you should talk to JB…
Lagares! I have Kole Calhoun and Howie Kendrick and I’m just not too excited about either…is Ozuna worth dropping either for?
@Papajeansegura: I’d hold for now
@Grey: How about Grady Sizemore?
Hi everyone:
I’ve got Dillon Gee in a 14-team mixed roto league with a 1300-inning limit … I watched a lot of the Mets game yesterday and he didn’t look as bad was his line sounds, but based on what we saw would I be better off swapping him out for Straily? Not counting that spot, I’ve already got 5 SPs (Liriano, Cobb, Teheran, Smyly, Salazar) and 4 RPs (Lindstrom, Hoover, Santos, Axford), plus Fister on the DL, in order to get to the limit.
Also, in the same league, is it a problem to go with only Rizzo at 1B? I’d like to sit him vs. tough LHP, and I could drop Gee for another 1B for those days, but FA pickings are slim: Michael Morse, Yonder Alonso, Moorland, Nava, Garrett Jones, Loney, or maybe Olt, on the idea that he’ll likely hit better vs. LHP. I’m not looking for any specific stats (the team is well balanced) … mostly just looking to avoid 0-f0r-4 evenings.
Any ideas?
@Enrique: Alternate idea on the 1B problem: I’ve got 3 guys at 3B and another guy has 4 at 1B (we don’t have a C.I. slot). Leaving out our starters, would my sending Mous or Rendon for any of Belt, VMart (1B eligible in Yahoo! leagues), or Morneau be a good idea? Based on Grey’s rankings, they all seem to more or less make sense except maybe Mous for VMart.
Grey,
I have been following your blog for a few years, and I appreciate the amazing tips…can you post an update to your closer rankings? It always seems like a shot in the dark with them…would you recommend Papelbon, Santos, Soria or Cishek, if I had one open closer spot? Papelbon is still ranked pretty high, even though everyone says his velocity is down. Appreciate the help….
Papelbon
WebCrawler still isn’t telling me Jack O. Crap about the Ramos hand injury…
@JDW: I’ve seen that the injury probably occurred last week, so I’m not expecting “information as it comes available” here.
@burningbridges247: Ahh…I didn’t know that. Thank you.
C- Santana
1b- Encarnacion
2b- Pedroia
3b- Beltre
Ss- Ramirez
Of- Choo
Of- Bruce
Of- Marte
Ut- Sandoval
Ut- Butler
Ut- Wieters
Ut- Prado
Bench- Cruz
Bench- Hill
Bench- A. Ramirez
P- Lee
P- Cain
P- Verlander
P- G. Gonzalez
P- Teheran
P- Cobb
P- Masterson
P- Jansen
P- Robertson
P- Grilli
P- Rodney
P- Henderson
I am in a 5×5 roto and looking to upgrade where I should. Rollins is on the wire would he be an upgrade over Ramirez? Also Lackey is available but my pitching seems content except for Henderson what are your thoughts?
Drop Moose for Asche?
It begins!
Rank these OFs whose names start with B. Could use SBs/runs, but of course HRs don’t suck.
Boni
Brantley
Bourjos
Byrd
I got screwed at SS during the draft. My 7×7 league counts OBP and Ks for hitters.
Who are the top two out of this list:
Gordon
Owings
Jeter
Alcides
Cozart
Also, are any of these SS’ssssss worth a stash in my NA spot:
Guerrero
Drew
Correa
Russell
Sano
Thanks, man, as always.
A couple ROS questions…
Owings or Rollins?
Bourjos or Avisail?
Thanks
Boneface or Son of Flash for bench SAGNOF?
Sonny Gray’s fastball sat around 90 all night and topped out at 92. He looked like he struggled just to get it up there at 90 and it showed in the command with an uncharacteristic 3walks in 6 innings. He pitched backwards a lot and threw more change ups and cutters than I’ve seen him throw in addition to the usual healthy assortment of curveballs. He pitched out of trouble all night long and had to go to 100+ pitches to get through 6. He’s an unbelievable competitor and probably the best fielding pitcher in MLB already and he needed both plus a lot of help from the A’s defense behind him. This could have turned ugly at several points but definitely didn’t inspire confidence. It was cold and damp here last night so let’s hope it was some combination of dead spring arm and not being able to get loose.
Brantley hit 5th in the order and he put really good swings on the ball last night. Looked very confident and had that locked in feel. Might end up being a nice call this year, Albright.
Smoak’s homer was an absolute bomb. Fastball 95 waist high and tailing back to the middle of the zone. He got full extension. High, far and gone. He also showed nice discipline earlier in the night coaxing a walk out of Weaver. Looks good.
Like I said in the off-season, it appears McClendon may have a positive impact on the Mariners at the plate. He’s a top flight hitting instructor and it’s hard to think he’s not going to be involved in that side even as a manager. 1-9 had good at bats last night.
Thanks for the insight! I didn’t watch the game, was watching The Voice…
@Grey:
What is that? The ghost of Don LaFontaine?
HAHA
@OaktownSteve: Too early to take a flyer on Doolittle? Jim Johnson is horrible.
And yes, Gray caught a foul pop-up that most pitchers don’t even leave the mound for!
@Adele Dazeem:
Doolittle also only hit 92 last night. He’s added a slider this year. It’s been a solid year now since I saw 95-96 out of him. I’m starting to question whether it’s coming back. He just doesn’t look quite as dominant as he did for that short stretch.
Gregerson looked filthy. I think the AL not having seen much of him is going to make him particularly effective early on with that slider.
Cook will be back later. Hard to handicap who the next in line will be. Initially I thought that Gregerson will continue to be slotted as the 8th guy because he’s always excelled in that role, but he looked real good last night. FWIW he’s the one I grabbed while watching last night.
Of course Johnson’s got plenty of leash here early. Keep in mind it wasn’t a save situation and a lot of closers struggle with that anyway.
Hey fellas,
In my 12 Team H2H league, Reyes is on the shelf with a wonky hammy and I’m in need of a SS. Unfortunately, I can’t play the waiver wire because I’ve used all 4 of my adds for the week to grab Smyly, Porcello, Santos and Erasmo. Probably should have saved at least one add but what are you gonna do?
Anyways, I was offered his Jhonny Peralta for my Jim Johnson. I tend to value Closers a lot less than the other guys in my league and Johnson is a ticking time bomb as evidenced by his time in Baltimore. Peralta isn’t going to win me any one category on his own but he also won’t kill me in any. My other closers are Santos and Henderson (can I even call him a closer?) Should I take this deal?
@B.J.: its a lot easier to replace a closer than an SS, especially early in the season. I’d take it if there’s no decent SS on your waver
@Spyre: thanks Spyre, there’s not much. The best ones are Villar (yuk) and Escobar (*yawn*). Of course I screwed myself by burning through my 4 adds for the week. But I’m leaning towards taking it. If Johnson falters in a few more non save situations he may not be long for the job.
Valverde, Veras, or Lindstrom?
Veras, Lindstrom
Expanded list. Rank:
Perkins
Balfour
Soria
Santos
Valverde
F Rod
@Toxic sponge: as listed
Down goes Parnell!! I’m guessing Valverde is the RP to grab? Parnell has a partial MCL tear, gonna take two weeks rest before he decides on surgery!
But man, the only man to get me saves among Addison Reed, Santos, Valverde, and Axford was John Axford…..SAGNOF?
@Zar: Oh, and Parnell blew the save, costing Valverde the W…
Oy… Yeah, Valverde is the one to grab
@Grey: Thank you Grey, Picked up Santos and Valverde before they were closers on your advice!
Nice
Hey Gray do I Drop Delgado for Garza with 4th waiver spot… 12 team 5X5 standard roto. Or drop Henderson for Garza or stay!!!
Pitching is
Strasburg, Masterson, Archer, Wheeler, E. Rameriez, Milone, Cingrani, Delgado, Santiago, DL Walker
RP Johnson, Henderson, Farquhar.
Thanks it’s great to have the season finally started, look forward to your posts every morning!!!
BB
I’d hold for now
****Bobby Parnell has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow.**** Will rest for two weeks before resuming a throwing program, but surgery is possible
@Game of Throws: Just dropped Henderson for Valverde…. Might have been the wrong move, but what the heck!
@Game of Throws: Would you drop Hoover for Valverde?
Sure
Ken Rosenthal [email protected]_Rosenthal
#Mets: Parnell has partial tear of MCL in right below. Prescribed complete rest for two weeks. Could need surgery.
Papa Grande time?
I’m sure glad nothing happened today in closer news. Krimmy.
@Smokey:
Insanity! Can’t wait for your closers report on Thursday. Too many people playing musical chairs.
Quick, I think it’s time to ask for a raise. Ask for an extra .25 a word!!!
Glad I punted on Saves this year.
More steals/runs this season: Dee Gordon or Bonnificio?
Bonifacio, toss up
Yes, I drafted Asche, too, per Grey’s instructions, but dropped him for Josh Fields or something (sad trombone).
But seriously, Grey, how is it that you are ahead of everyone else with these Domonic-Brown-types? Is it really Rudy? Will you turn your back on Asche next year like you did Brown?
Prolly with Maikel there
“Schtuppered”: Foolishly starting a lower range prospect on his first ML start and paying the price.
Hehe
Have 4 moves for the rest of the week. Dropping bench bats in Avisail and/or Villar for Valverde and/or Hunter? What about Venable or BJUpton over either of those for bench bats?
Arenado, Avisail, Villar are bench bats. Soriano, Rodney, Veras, Lindstrom are my closers – we can play up to 6 at a time.
H2H – H, R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OB+SLUG, W, QS, SV, KS, KS/9, ERA, WHIP
@Wilsonian: never mind, Valverde is gone.
Avisail for Hunter, I’d hold otherwise
@Grey: Use my waiver claim on Hunter dumping Avisail?
Grady Little jokes still hurt. Not cool Grey, not cool.
Ha
I KNOW this is an overreaction from 1 stinkin day of baseball but I must ask…Grady or B. Moss? 12-team points league that has -1 for K’s.
Moss
Grey, per your advice I grabbed Nate Eovaldi. I fully expect him to get a bit beaten up tonight at home against Colorado. You don’t shut down the Rockies two games in a row. But look at Eovaldi’s next few games if the rotation holds and he should be in for some real nice games. Others might want to nab him – even after he gets punched in the mouth tonight.
As for Jose Fernandez with this schedule? 9 starts, 66 2/3IP, 81 Ks 17BB, 10ER (1.41ERA & 4.76 K/BB)
Home vs. Padres
Away vs. Phillies
Home vs. Seattle
Away vs. Atlanta (The Atlanta Whiff Machine)
Home vs. Atlanta (AWM)
Home vs. Mets
Away vs. San Diego
Away vs. San Francisco
Home vs. Phillies
Most of his upcoming games are in big parks. I won’t let tonight make me panic.
Cool
Rumor is that heath bell, brad lidge and Kyle Farnsworth will all be named closer next week.
Seriously though. K-rod and Valverde. What is this, 2011?
Who do you like LEAST from these guys? Bourjos & Brantley flip flop for my 5th OF spot. Rendon is on the bench. Asche is Free Agent I’m thinking about picking up.
Rendon (My MI’s are Cano, Alcides, Hardy)
Bourjos
Brantley
Asche
Jim Henderson or Jose Veras?
Veras
Hey Grey,
I know you are getting many Ramos questions today, but here’s one more:
Do I drop Ramos for one of Castro, Gomes or Pierzynski?
Thanks much Grey.
Castro
Is it worth it to wait for more news on Parnell to be placed on DL or cut bait now? I need replacements and really don’t have time to wait this one out…Thoughts? Thanks
Prolly can cut now
Still snowing up here in the great white north……
If Ramos out for a while who would you replace with ? Mesoraco (back soon), a crappy Avila tier guy or an upside play like Grandal or Pinto (15 teams/keep 11)
Mesoraco, but I’d hold until more news came out
Henderson already pissing me off like last year when he gave way to K-rod when they were shopping him. Drop Henderson for Valverde or keep him until he closes again? H2H not roto.
@Fungazi: Or can drop the Ginger Ale man Tanner Schweppers, but wanted to give him more than 1 start.
@Fungazi: Unless it’s a really deep league, I would drop Schleppers. I don’t think anyone would pick him up for a while at least.
Go with Valverde
@Grey: Done, thanks.
As I was watching the Mariners game last night…I was thinking…wow…I’m drunk…but, I was also thinking…wow…King Felix does not look that sharp…and then you look up and he’s got 11 Ks…imagine when he’s at home and really rolling…
@Wake Up: I was thinking the same thing…the drunk part…also was thinking that Felix was pitching angry…Trout seems to have developed a 145 million dollar strut from the on deck circle, and it can’t feel good to give up a HR to that…little punk kid
A SAGNOF testimonial:
I left my RCL draft with no guaranteed closers (after early RP runs that didn’t involve me, I ended up with Qualls, Soria, Santos, Farquhar, and Vic Black). Only a couple of days into the season, and without trading anyone, I (think) I have 4 closers- Qualls, Soria, Santos, and K-Rod. Who the hell knows how many closers I’ll have next week, but goddamn! I’m stoked today.
Haha
@royce!: Ha! Was just looking at the same team with one of my RCL teams. I only drafted Robertson, then grabbed Brothers, Soria, Santos and Bell late. Added Valverde and Lindstrom middle of last week and BAM! From 1 to 5 in a matter of days. Silly closers
@MattTruss223: by May you could also be back to zero…..cust kayin’
@J-FOH: Thanks sunshine
Drop any of these pitchers to pick up Valverde?
Sale
Cole
Teheran
Bailey
Gray
Dickey
Weaver
Ventura
Porcello
Perkins
Nate Jones
Lindstrom
Santos
Jones
@ashtray: Not to rag on you specifically, but I don’t get why people list stars like Sale or Cole for these posts. Would anyone ever drop Sale for Valverde?? Cut your list a bit.
Guy wants to trade me:
Freddie Freeman and Matt Holliday
FOR
Adam Jones and Nick Swisher
…Is that a no-brainer? I’m overthinking it…
BTW – It’s a 7×7 league, we also could hits and walks
@gleamteam_matt: I’d take Freeman, but it’s close
I got screwed at SS during the draft. My 7×7 league counts OBP and Ks for hitters.
Who are the top two out of this list:
Gordon
Owings
Jeter
Alcides
Cozart
Also, are any of these SS’ssssss worth a stash in my NA spot:
Guerrero
Drew
Correa
Russell
Sano
Thanks, man, as always.
@ashtray: Alcides, Owings…. Guerrero
Someone dropped Casey Janssen worth using my #1 priority to DL him?
@closer go round: Sure
after seeing the picture that Nick posted ,
it seems Rudy is quite Asche .
@costaricanchata: Ha
What kind of hitter to pitcher ratio do you set for your bench players (5 man bench)? 4 hitters, 1 pitcher?
@sul: 4 SPs
I was just offered choo for my kris bryant and brandon phillips in my dynasty league. Right now I have neil walker I can move in to take phillips place and my OF consists of justin upton victorino dominic brown. Is this a trade worth considering?
@Ryan:
no
Owings or Hardy?
@pakestwo: Hardy
Gregerson, Brothers or Nate Jones. Which 2?
@Will: Not Gregerson
OK so I was so drunk at draft and it was my first auction draft at that. I didnt notice the number of players that I filled my roster with that I ended up having over $20 left and didnt get any of my $1 targets. FUCKNOFF!
The positive is that I ended up with pretty much every player on my team at under what I had them valued at.
12 team h2h, avg, R, HR, RBI, SB, OPS, W, ERA, K, WHIP, S+HLD, QS
C – Lucroy
C – empty
1B – Hosmer
2b – Phillips
3B – Bogaerts
SS – Tulo
IF – Starlin
OF – Marte
OF – Cuddyer
OF – Beltran
OF – Jennings
OF – Brantley
UT – Lawrie
BN – Gyorko
BN – Adams
BN – Seager
BN – EverCab
BN – Rizzo
SP – Teheran
SP – Tillman
SP – Masterson
RP – Grilli
RP – Cishek
P – Ventura
P – Cingrani
P – Hamels
P –
There are a lot of quality RP on the wire and I was thinking of making some trades to get rid of all my bench hitters.
How’d I do and can I survive without any superstars?
@Jay_0321: Yeah, you should be fine, you look a tad low on power, which isn’t terrific
Matt Harvey didnt get drafted and I was thinking of putting in a claim on him and stashing him in my NA spot. Thoughts on what dollar value I should put on him?
@Jay_0321: $2
Ozuna or Asche? Thanks.
@Phil Rizzuto Is Alive!!!: Asche
Drop Henderson for santos valverde axford Vera’s or hunter?
@Los locos: Veras
Hi Grey, anyone else — This is a version of a question skipped above, which admittedly, wasn’t in the patented easy-to-answer “A-or-B?” format. It’s for a 14-team redraft roto league. Two questions:
1. Gee or Straily?
B. Would you NOT trade Moustakas or Rendon for any of the following? Belt, VMart, Morneau, Matt Adams, Abreau, Ryan Howard? (I’d like a backup 1B and have a two extra 3B — No C.I. slot in this league).
Thanks!
@Enrique: Gee….No
CLOSER ALERT,
IF YOU NEED A CLOSER OR WERE CONSIDERIND JOSE VALVERDE NYM CL..GET HIM KNOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE..
CLOSER ALERT!!
BREAKING NEWS:
Bobby Parnell has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow.
An awful break for the Mets. Parnell showed diminished velocity and movement on his pitches during Monday’s game and now we know why. He complained of tightness in his forearm after the game and the partial tear was found following an MRI. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and will rest for two weeks before resuming a throwing program, but season-ending Tommy John surgery is possible if he doesn’t show improvement. Jose Valverde figures to get the save chances for New York in his absence and is suddenly a must-own in all fantasy leagues.
@Jesus DeJesus: Yup
just got offered Fielder/Laurie for Ortiz/Kinsler. Already have Pujols at 1B, but anytime I have a chance to grab a top 10 player I usually pull the trigger. Thoughts?
@Mitch: Fielder side
@Grey: Coo’. So next part: Right now I’ll have Gyroko 2B and Laurie 3B. Asche and Frazier both available on WW. Roll with one of them over Laurie?
Drafted 14-team H2H last night and like my team, but have a gaping hole at 2B after Wong and Rendon got snatched up at the end of a position run right before my pick in the 16th. I’m starting Kelly Johnson; the league settings (9×9, with OPS, DT and BB added) favor power and patience, but still, barf.
I picked up Profar to stash on the DL, and Baez in my Minors slot, so hopefully this isn’t permanent, but still I have a couple burning MI questions:
1) At MI I need a stopgap until Bogaerts gets eligibility next week. Stick with Scooter Gennett, who I picked up following his 2 hits last night, or go with Flaherty or the currently healthy Brian Roberts?
2) Starting next week, I will slide Bogaerts into MI and have a bench slot where I pretty much have to put another MI due to roster restrictions. Go with one of the above, or pick up Semien (who should have 2B eligibility by then), Beckham or Schoop?
3) Am I OK with Johnson et al until Profar or Baez arrive, or should I try to swing a trade? I could dangle Moustakas, who was my intended Util and Zimmerman insurance, and replace him at Util with Smoak, Bourjos or Ozuna. Was thinking Moustakas and a low-end closer for Hill (there’s a needy team starting Dominguez at 3B and only Balfour at CL).
@Steve Stevenson: 1) Hold 2) Let’s see how this week shakes out 3) Maybe
With Flores getting called up you like asche more over him?
@Jason: No
Opening day starters in one league: Liriano, Masterson, Gray. 19 IP, 23 K, 0 ER…and no wins. Have I ever said how much I hate wins?
@Sky: clearly you hate to win, judging by your 12th place in FCL
boom
Winning is so 2009. Just ask the Yankees. I’m a trend setter!
@Sky: ha same with the Phils. i’m setting my sights moderately in FCL. So much for my “trade Cliff Lee master plan”. Good luck with your Mets-a-reliefa-looza.
Saves are my second least favorite stat. So little to do with talent, it’s not even funny. At least you got a conshellation prize!
Oh thank the stars, we are back!
So I didn’t end up drafting a closer but the wire is loaded with castoffs already. Only pick 2:
Hunter
Henderson
Brothers
Farquhar
Hawkins
Santos
K-Rod
Lindstrom
Hoover
Qualls
Many thanks!
@Jail: Lindstrom, HUnter
@Grey I’ve been offered Anthony Rizzo for Nolan Arenado. Keeper league (turning to dynasty next year). I have Longo at 3B and Posey C/1B and Davis at 1B. I’ve kept Arenado in my ML spot since the beginning of last season (if you don’t remove them after they reach the 150 AB’s they can stay) and I was planning to keep Arenado in the ML until next year so I could essentially have an extra keeper. 9 keepers + 3 ML’s after this season before converting to full dynasty.
Would you take the Rizzo for Arenado deal?
Appreciate your advice!
@DBo: I’d take Rizzo
@Grey: Thanks!
Better DL stash:
Taijuan Walker
Derek Holland
@Jail: Walker
Please pick one from Valverde, Lindstrom, or Qualls,
@tom: Lindstrom
Would you drop any of the following for Lindstrom? Also have Nate Jones.
Todd Frazier, Avisail Garcia, Tim Lincecum
Arenado and Calhoun are my other backups at 3b and OF
@Robert:
Have Rosenthal, Janssen, Hunter, Santos, Nate Jones
Early in the year why are people in a rush to pick up guys off the waiver wire after having one good game? They could have drafted them.
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Hi Grey, looking at your rankinngs, you have Bourjos at 127 and Brantley 165, yet you project better numbers for Brantley. Who do I pick up?
520 74 12 58 20 0.263 Bourjos
522 69 12 77 20 0.280 Brantley
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Ramos replacement…suzuki grandal ruiz zunino ianetta castillo navarro
Is grandal going to be playing 4-5 days a week?
C- Santana
1b- Encarnacion
2b- Pedroia
3b- Beltre
Ss- Ramirez
Of- Choo
Of- Bruce
Of- Marte
Ut- Sandoval
Ut- Butler
Ut- Wieters
Ut- Prado
Bench- Cruz
Bench- Hill
Bench- A. Ramirez
P- Lee
P- Cain
P- Verlander
P- G. Gonzalez
P- Teheran
P- Cobb
P- Masterson
P- Jansen
P- Robertson
P- Grilli
P- Rodney
P- Henderson
I am in a 5×5 roto and looking to upgrade where I should. Rollins is on the wire would he be an upgrade over Ramirez? Also Lackey is available but my pitching seems content except for Henderson what are your thoughts?
Gray,
With Asche sitting tonight vs a lefty do you think this is going to be a platoon?
@brett: he’s bad at lefties.