Okay, I cheated to come up with the rookies to do a fantasy outlook post on.  I asked Prospect Mike for his top ten prospects that will impact fantasy baseball in 2016.  I didn’t necessarily lean over and read off of PM’s test, but before the exam, I said, “Listen, Prospect Mike, we’re either gonna have words after school or you’re gonna let me look at your top ten fantasy baseball prospect list.”  What was PM to do?  Show me a PSA on bullying done by Chris Pratt?  I’d bully Chris Pratt too if I had a chance, so I don’t listen to some PSA done by a celebrity in exchange for a reduction to their community service.  Why now do I reveal my deck that is filled with 52 aces?  Because I didn’t have a clue who Nomar Mazara was, but PM is hyped up on him like Lady Gaga gets hyped up about meat dresses.  After doing some research, you could now say I… *pinkie to mouth* Nomar.  Though I still think Mazara sounds like a character actor that would appear in a John Cassavetes film.  If you’re like me and thinking, “Mazara?  Did he co-star with Seymour Cassel?”  Then, I’ll catch you up.  Mazara came on this year like a contestant on Wipeout that doesn’t get knocked down once.  A rare feat, I know.  He hit 13 HRs and stole two bags in Double-A, while hitting .284.  Bleh, whatever, right?  Yeah, he was the 4th youngest player in Double-A.  He’s only 20 years old.  Then, in Triple-A after his promotion, he hit .358.  Here’s what Prospect Mike said last year, “Now that Nomar’s arguably the best outfield prospect in baseball, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him taken in the later rounds of 2016 redraft leagues either.”  The best outfield prospect in baseball?  That gets me jacked like I just downed five Red Bulls without the resulting thyroid problems.  Anyway, what can we expect of Nomar Mazara for 2016 fantasy baseball?
June 2016.  Oops, that’s when we can expect him, not what we can expect from him.  So, not to cool your jets like a Shark, but Mazara is way too young to expect right out of spring training.  The Rangers aren’t afraid of promoting prospects quickly, so I do think Mazara has a chance for a June 2016 call up.  There is a chance that we’re reading this again next November with Mazara not getting 130 ABs in the majors in 2016, but in deep leagues, I’m taking the flyer, and here’s why…*bass kicks in, Dre tells you to listen to Grey and now I get funky*  Mazara isn’t like so many prospects that have power and speed with a huge bugaboo hiding behind Door #2.  He won’t struggle to hit .220.  He won’t be a liability anywhere.  He kinda reminds me of a young Matt Holliday, though from the other side of the dish.  I watched some of his YouTube highlights and he doesn’t struggle to hit balls a long way, but also doesn’t look like a fat turd that can’t make it to first.  I’m no scout, but watching him makes me think this is what scouts call sexy.  I’ve seen him compared to Miguel Cabrera.  Okay, no one is Miguel Cabrera until they are Miguel Cabrera, if you catch my drift, but Mazara doesn’t look like a guy that is going to disappoint.  .280 with 30 homers a season for many years, that’s what he profiles as, and someone that I’d be aggressive about in very deep redraft leagues (think 15+ mixed leagues and AL-Only), and I’d be all over him in keeper leagues.  For 2016, I’ll give him the line of 24/7/29/.272/2 in 220 ABs, as he bounces between the minors and majors for most of the year like Joey Gallo this past year, with a chance for huge upside if he’s up early and sticks.
It’s nice that the pub on Mazara is starting to be more about his play and less about his $5m signing bonus… but it still doesn’t answer the important question: Can he be a closer on Scott Kimmel’s team???
The Rangers were the messiest first place team I think I have ever seen last year. Ten different outfielders played at least 25 games. For comparison, the Royals had only 5, all of whom played at least 85 games. But the only constant in the Rangers outfield was Shin-Soo Choo, who played 153 games in RF and never anywhere else. And Choo happens to be signed through the 22nd century for eleventy billion dollars.
Mazara is listed as a RF, and generally scouted as having below-average defense. Would you guess the Rangers would toss him in LF at Round Rock to start the season and start grooming him for that role? Theoretically they have Josh Hamilton in that slot, but they only have to pay him a jelly donut a week through 2017 so it’s not like they are as beholden to make the investment look good.
Thoughts?
SIgned, A Guy Who Is Still Chapped About Hubie Brooks’ Injury In 1986 That Cost Him The Championship In His NL-Only Roto League
I could see it, there’s no way Hamilton makes it longer than a few weeks healthy
@Running Frog: HA!
Wait, hold on hold on, so Grey doesn’t know everyone in the majors and minors….takes a big breath while hyperventilating… Oh wait neither do any mlb scout or gm. Nice cheat sheet pull Grey! May be starting a keep forever 12-team league so this info is gold pressed latinum. Dude sounds super exciting… Can’t wait to read Mike’s top fity…
By the way I noticed the original Sparky ankle biter is on the Hall of Fame ballot this year Vote Eckstien!!!
Eckstein will get more votes than McGwire, yes or no?
@Grey: ha nice!
Fair warning, Grey….
Prospect Mike asked me if he could borrow my VHS copy of The Perfect Weapon, starring Jeff Speakman.
Sorry, I didn’t know what it was for at the time, but it all makes sense now. Get your affairs in order.
I actually borrowed it from PM, it’s gonna be a few days
Grey, quick keeper question? I’m in a 30 team draft a actual franchise league, non-keeper re-draft league . Would you trade the astros For the Philadelphia Phillies? Considering my team from last year I think I’ve got a strong chance to compete this year! would you make the move? Wait, what, what the hell my talking about? Oh I’ve been off-seasoned rookie roofied.
@Gray’s Sports Almanac: I think you’re asking for too much.
Astros for the Phils? Why?
So sad about Hommy Tanson.
Mmmmsob
@Grey: always a bummer when someone goes so young
Was it drugs?
@Grey: organ failure
Doesn’t sound like something that just happens
@Grey: I havent seen any more details yet
Prolly won’t be word for a few, but it’s sad either way
@Grey: i’ll lay 7-1 drugs, at least as main cause.
Dynasty league, Heyward or Wheeler? Thanks in advance!
Heyward
I thought these rookie picks seemed a little un-Grey like… Prospect Gryke wagging the dog!!
Meh, I still had to okay them
And write them
@Grey: I like the collaboration. Respect. I don’t know why but it feels like this year’s rookie class is a bit weak.
I think we just came off a historically great one, so there’s gonna be some ebb
@Grey: Stupid ebb, I prefer flo
She was a nice girl
@Grey: was?
Sorry, didn’t know you hadn’t heard
@Ra’zbahl Al Ghul: Weak? Byong Ho-Park! 50 Homers!!
@Fungazi: 161 strikeouts
@Ra’zbahl Al Ghul: Ouch! It could be worse though I guess.
Jung Ho Kang hit 40 HRs his last year in Korea
@Grey: Yeah, I’m probably not reaching too far for a 1B like that. Maybe if he was a MI.
Agreed
Grey
I have two questions for you.
1) Michael Conforto is available as a free agent. Should I give up a possible 3rd round pick to attempt to sign him. If someone outbids me for him should I go as high as my #2 overall to sign him, Or hope he doesn’t get signed by someone so I can grab him at #2 overall
2) Who should I drop of these guys and make them free agents:
Ortiz
Martin
Travis
Moustakas
Ethier
Choo
Kemp
Severino
Iglesias
1) I’d give up the 3rd round pick 2) Ethier, Iglesias, Moustakas
well I also have picks 2 & 7 in the first round. Should I offer up one of them to get Conforto? It’s a silent auction. Also I was thinking of dropping Martin, Papi Travis Ethier Iglesias and Choo making them free agents
I could see offering the 7th pick of the first round for Conforto… Depends on your options on drops…
grey
What about the drops? Who should I keep
Depends who you can get to replace them
The issue is no one knows who is available until ppl make drops
Hard to say if you should drop someone like Ortiz if you’re replacing him with someone like Adam LaRoche
To answer your question…No, I had absolutely nothing to do with Hanson…the tears mmmdrop
@Wake Up: Careful, JFoh is super broken up about it…
@Nick, he does seem like he’s taking this especially hard, doesn’t he?
@Grey: I’m afraid to tell him about all the starving children around the world. And how Ted Danson will be murdered next week.
I haven’t watched this week’s Fargo yet…
@Grey: Oh me, oh my….was an awesome episode. And fyi, i’m not positive he will die, just a hunch.
Just from the episodes leading up to last week it felt like he was the one to go out of that group…
@Grey: Yeah…ahh I dont want to say any more
Prolly for the best, hoping Cougs can stay awake tonight to watch!
@Grey: C’mon Cougs, you can do it! Best episode so far, lots to examine. Can’t wait for the massacre at Sioux Falls
I know, I’m hoping to rope her into watching it around 6 PM so I can guarantee she stays awake
My mom saw every cloud in every silver lining
@nick the dick: Did he go with the same Halloween costume again?
@Wake Up: Plaid shirt with only the top button buttoned?
@nick the dick: I was talking Danson…murdered for blackface?
@Wake Up: Ha Whoopi probably held a grudge all these years
Glad to hear you weren’t involved in his untimely passing… We’re still going to need to question you further…
@Grey: Amazingly, I do feel mildly responsible…
You haven’t been cleared yet, but there’s a APB out for Costaricanchata
@Grey: What ever happened to him?
That’s what we’re trying to get to the bottom of
@Grey: he didn’t like the Hitler Rap by Whitest Kids, but then showed up a week or near ago to wish you happy anniversary.
Grey is Salvador Perez worth my second first rounder (#7 overall)? If so suould I ask for his second rounder
Nah
Grey he wants one of my first rounders number 7 overall and he will give me Salvador Perez and a second round pick number 15 overall I should pass on it?
Pass
He passed as well so I guess no sal Perez
Blurb on twitter says Hanson OD’d.Sad but kinda what everyone figured.
Yeah, not surprising, but definitely sad
Grey
Just got an offer of:
I get Zobrist and Gordon
I give Travis and either kemp or Choo
he declined the offer
Okay
The Killing season two update: they are still on the same case….The same f***ing case!
Yeah, I didn’t want to spoil it, but that’s why I stopped watching
@Grey: it’s still good just committed to this one very lonnnnnnnnnng case
I bored of it
@Grey: I didnt even realize I was in season 2 until about 4 episodes in. I cant go 4 in and walk away. #offseasonfantasyproblems
You should be watching Fargo
@Grey: Next week, babys mama has her crazy 3 months of work go f**k your life portion of her job ending and we get back to normal life.
Ah, nice
BTW, I’m kinda loving the Kool Moe Dee breakdown on the Downtown song
@Grey: Macklemore?
@nick the dick: I love the look of pssshhhh on your avi’s face
I know, I know, but it’s nice that Moe Dee is getting paid
@Grey: I liked it too *hides in shame*
Good for Kool Moe!
@Grey: I guess
Grey, in my 10-team 5×5 ESPN auction keeper with $260 budgets and $5 annual escalations…
I have Bryant at $22, Machado at $14, and Sano at $10 for 2016. No one at ESPN has confirmed (and I have asked more than once) but by the numbers Bryant won’t have OF eligibility in 2016. He played 8 LF, 7 CF, and 7 RF but played multiples in the same game more than once and BR has him at 19 total games played in the OF.
That leaves me with three guys as 3B-only (once Sano gets his 10th next year).
Would you be confident in Bryant getting OF eligibility later in 2016? Or should I move one of these guys for position flexibility? I hate being in a position where if a stud hot corner rookie comes up, it’s not even worth picking him up because there’s nowhere to put him (with 3B, CI, and UT all filled).
If you were in my shoes, which would you be likely to move, and what level of talent would you expect to get back? In my head, Machado at $14 is worth roughly $50 next year, since a typical $50 guy plus a $1 guy will net about the same stats as Machado and a typical $35 guy combined. Bryant is worth a bit less since his contract is bigger. I have more trouble evaluating Sano because of small sample size, but obviously he’s a bargain as well. Machado and Sano are likely still bargains for 3 more years, maybe 4. Bryant may or may not be by then. But either way I have a hard time picturing a 2018 where I have $76 tied up in third basemen… My left side of the infield is locked up (Correa) but anywhere else on the hitting side would be an option to improve.
Obviously I can’t bury you in the specifics of my opponents’ contract statuses, but guidance like “a $30-35 1B” or “a $35 OF” or “Kershaw and a plate of fish tacos” would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
@Running Frog: unless you get overwhelmed there is no need to make a move yet. I would make an in season move based on need later
@J-FOH: Thanks. I don’t think I’ve ever been in an auction where I was completely locked out of a position like I will be at 3B. Thankfully (or unfortunately) Arenado and Donaldson are both on very favorable contracts for their teams for 2016, so I won’t be forced to worry about what I need to bid to keep another owner from getting them too cheap.
I expect I will field a few offers during the offseason…
@Running Frog: what do you mean locked out, you have two 3rd basemen
@J-FOH: Locked out in the sense that I can’t bid if one goes cheap (unless I can guarantee being able to trade). If I’m holding those three and Arenado is at $21, it’s a rough situation to bid $22 I can’t afford to spend or watch him go…
I’d move Bryant for a top ten OF if I could, I wouldn’t force a move
@Grey: Thanks, Grey. That’s exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for.
No problem
Possible deal on the table. I give up Marte for Perez. Would you do that deal?
@Scott Kimmel: No
J-FOH ok tell me why not
@Scott Kimmel: Marte is better
hmmmm ok thanks j foh Perez would be a nice backup to posey
@Scott Kimmel: never trade a starter for a back up
What JFOH said
Grey I currently have 32 guys on my roster I would like to get down to 25 to sign players for free agency and the draft. I have 9 guys I am thinking of dropping to make free agents. Papi, Choo, Ethier, Moustakas, Martin, Travis, Osuna, Iglesias and Severino. The ones I am sure about are Ethier, Choo, Martin, Travis and Iglesias. I need two more to get down to 25. I am going for Conforto with one slot. Which two should I drop to get me to 25?
Moustakas, Severino
Grey
Just got a trade offer and want your opinion on it.
I give Encarnacion and Marte and I get Perez, Gordon, Adrian Gonzalez and Zobrist
What do you think
Terrible
Grey terrible for me? Explain why
Cause it’s terrible
For who the guy giving up the four or me giving up e5 and marte
You’re giving up the best players in the trade
Here is his roster. If he wants Marte and e5 who should I ask for from his roster? Does he have anyone I would want that would make me give up e5 and Marte
C Salvador Perez (KC)
C Matt Wieters ()
1B,3B Chris Davis ()
1B Adrian Gonzalez (LAD)
1B Justin Morneau ()
2B Howie Kendrick ()
2B,3B,SS Marco Semien (OAK)
2B Kolten Wong (STL)
2B,3B,OF Ben Zobrist ()
3B Pablo Sandoval (BOS)
3B David Wright (NYM)
SS Jose Reyes (COL)
OF Jay Bruce (CIN)
OF Kole Calhoun (LAA)
OF Nelson Cruz (SEA)
OF Adam Eaton (CWS)
OF Alex Gordon ()
OF Matt Holliday (STL)
OF A.J. Pollack (ARI)
OF Steven Souza (TB)
SP Chris Archer (TB)
SP Dan Haren (RETIRED)
SP Phil Hughes (MIN)
SP Hisashi Iwakuma ()
SP Dallas Keuchel (HOU)
SP Shelby Miller (ATL)
SP Brandon McCarthy (LAD)
SP Rick Porcello (DET)
SP,RP Tanner Roark (WAS)
SP James Shields (SD)
SP Edinson Volquez (KC)
RP John Axford (COL)
RP Addison Reed (NYM)
RP Fernando Rodney ()
RP Huston Street (LAA)
@Scott Kimmel: Give it up Kimmy. You don’t need to make useless deals every day, it’s the offseason. Maybe try figuring something out for yourself instead of asking Grey to police every little thought that zips through your head.
I now know why you call yourself nick the dick. If I want your opinion I’ll give it to you.
@Scott Kimmel: You, sir, are ridiculous. Even more ridiculous is that if Grey said yes, move Edwin and Marte for a pile of dogshit, you would do it since you apparently can’t think for yourself. So just keep posting peoples rosters everyday and asking silly repetitive questions, i’ll be here when you need me.
Pollock, Chris Davis and Archer
But there’s really no one on this person’s roster worth trading those guys for
the thing is nick I would believe him over you because half the time you talk completely out of your ass. When I am not sure I will ask the professional in grey not the nobody like you
@Scott Kimmel: I’ve never offered you trade advice. Just telling you how crazy it looks to post your roster and someone elses roster every day and say, ‘who should I ask for?’ How about nobody. Why are you dying to trade so bad? You really need to trade your good players? It’s a bit much and you’re the only one who can’t see that.
@Scott Kimmel: again with asking the same question, getting the same answer 3 times above. that’s the ridiculous part, it’s not asking or showing rosters part. it’s some sort of dyslexia or near it.
You: should i do trade X
Grey: no/terrible/don’t do it/
You: why
Grey: it’s bad for you/terrible/don’t do it
You: which side is terrible
Grey: the side you asked about, i’ve assumed each time i’m helping YOUR team
Repeat 2-3 times a post for last few weeks. Except the times that it’s added 2 up to 5 versions of above, rather than 3.
So when you ask about your team and anybody says it’s bad, they mean for your team it’s bad (every time, not just part of the time)
In other news, does Frank White stay at the opposite side of the yard at family barbeques? That should be a big clue.
Aaron Hicks to the Yankees, depending on who else the Yanks sign do you still like his sleeper upside going into 2016 Grey?
Yup
@Grey: didnt see that one coming
@J-FOH: same…I think the Yanks got a steal
Yeah, agreed, Twins can’t have anything nice, sadly
@Grey: guess it means its either Buxton or Bust in the twin cities
It should’ve been him and Hicks
@Grey: for what? CC’s drinking problem
I don’t get it
@Grey: what would the Yanks trade for Buxton
I meant in the Twins outfield it should’ve been Buxton and Hicks
You get your Fargo on?
My mother would see every cloud in every sliver lining…
@Grey: Even when it’s in Dave Chappelles white news anchor voice, it’s still so good….he was touching his hair again with his head in the box!!
I was a little confused how Chief didn’t kill both brothers and only one, but such a minor quibble in an amazing episode… Landry from Friday Night Lights is effin astounding too… And really hard to look at…
@Grey: Never saw FNL, who do you mean? whoever it is, they’re all pretty damn good. Even Danson’s few lines are good. ‘So, we’re rooting for nausea now. We’ll just be here eating sugar cereal and playing with my service weapon’
Ha, nice pull on Danson, agreed… Landry is Plemons, The Butcher
@Grey: oh yeah he’s phenomonal. The Minnesota accent makes his naive, wanting the American dream type character even more believable. Even the guy who played Reagan was good, starts talking about being in the war and you realize he’s talking about being in movies. That bathroom scene was weird, you don’t really see Salverson talk like that, stuttering about his wife’s cancer being the evil world manifesting itself….what I think is Danson dies soon by a bunch of goons, Dodd gets killed by his own family, prob the brother Bear, and Salverson’s wife somehow dies from something other than cancer
I couldn’t believe that was Bruce Campbell as Reagan… From Evil Dead.. Yeah, I didn’t fully buy Solverson in the bathroom, but it was minor… Agreed with what you think happens, I think Solverson’s daughter somehow solves a last piece at the end, like where someone is hiding or something…
Grey if I ask for archer Zobrist Davis and Perez for e5 and Marte am I still giving up too much?
You’re giving up the best players in a trade, giving up the best players is never a good thing
D.Travis or Refsnyder?
Grey,
This is the list of players people dropped making them eligible for free agency:
Russell Martin C
Adam LaRoche 1B
Justin Morneau 1B
Ryan Zimmerman 1B,3B,OF
Odubel Herrera 2B,SS,OF
Devon Travis 2B
Zack Cozart SS
Jimmy Rollins SS
Pablo Sandoval 3B
Andre Ethier OF
Torii Hunter OF
Homer Bailey SP
Dan Haren SP
Phil Hughes SP,RP
Lance Lynn SP
Brandon McCarthy SP
Henry Owens SP
Rick Porcello SP
Erasmo Ramirez SP,RP
Tanner Roark SP,RP
Eduardo Rodriguez SP
John Axford RP
Dylan Bundy RP
Addison Reed RP
Do you see anyone I should go after to sign? You already know I am going after Conforto giving up either one of my first round picks (#2 and #7 overall) or my 3rd round pick (#23 overall). You said something about dropping Ortiz if LaRoche was available.
i made Martin Ethier and Travis available for free agency. If I get Conforto should I drop Choo
his was the biggest name last year that yahoo completely F’ed us on, since he’s still not in it. I’d in mid of last year had stashed him ‘cept for this mickey mouse yahoo shizz. when yahoo blows up by my hand (if), and i miss out on getting this dude in say 30% of places i could’ve stashed him last year MAZARA is what i’ll be screaming.