Debunking Position Scarcity In Mixed League Fantasy Baseball

March 3, 2016 | 2016 Fantasy Baseball Draft | 102 Comments

I wrote a detailed post last year on position adjustments where I looked at the subject from a few different angles. While I still have the same position that the concept of ‘position scarcity’ (aka boosting up the values of certain positions like C/2B/SS) in mixed leagues is false but largely benign, the illogicality of it is driving me a little nuttier this year. Hence, another post.

I will be focusing on standard mixed league formats. AL/NL-only is a different beast where ‘scarcity’ could occur at any position given the percentage of major league starting players who are drafted.

To start, here is a hypothetical question. Let’s say a player is projected at 80/20/80/5/.280. Should he more expensive in a draft as a 2B or a 3B? Catcher or SS? 1B or OF?

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2016 Disgraces and Delights: Middle Infielders

March 3, 2016 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball | 30 Comments

by: LT Murray IV

Greetings! Wow, my first fantasy draft of the year and the Academy Awards, all in one night! What a time to be alive! I’d like to imagine being there congratulating Leo, as I feel a certain kinship with him, as I, like him, have never been fully appreciated for my talent. I’ve never won any awards and am more well-known for my countless female actress/model take-downs. So what if my catches are extras and his are A-listers? “P is P, Dog!” Haha, have you ever know someone who uttered that phrase? What an embarrassment to life. If this is you, give your life to me and the Elder Gods, and we will do what we can to revitalize any hope you have of being a respectable human being. Anyway, I won’t be winning many awards for this past Sunday’s draft, for I was in the middle of a threesome with Christian Slater’s nephew and Lena Dunham, but as always, I will compete to a grizzly, disgusting, death if that is my fate.

I know I need to put out these position groups out faster than the Kardashian sisters at a Nickelodeon Teen’s choice awards after-party, so with all of our drafts are approaching, sit back, put your feet up, unzip your pants, and enjoy the show!

I am Tehol Beddict and this is Disgrace/Delight. TAKE HEED!

Want to take on Tehol and other writers in our RCL League? Join here!

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Troy Tulowitzki, 2016 Fantasy Schmohawk

March 3, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Overrated | 319 Comments

by: Grey

I didn’t think I was going to be needed to write this overrated post. I figured Troy Tulowitzki is who he is at this point. Everyone knew who they were getting. Nothing new here to see. Old hat as milliners say. Then a weird thing happened. I started looking at where Tulowitzki was being ranked, and drafted. That’s when the “what the effs” started to set in. Was Tulo suddenly reborn a Canadian superhero by the name of Mooseknuckles in his new home in Toronto? Was there something that uber-handsome, but slightly stupid, Fantasy Master Lothario, Grey Albright, was missing? Could I come up with one more question for the Rule of Three? These questions all ran through my mind. Granted, while Tulo was running through my mind, he nearly pulled his hamstring making this whole argument moot, but he was still there at the end of my soul searching. Standing metaphorically on the tip of medulla oblongata about to take a step into my subconscious. Was this Tulo or the blue Janeane Garofalo-looking girl in Inside/Out? Or is that Janeane Garofalo in a blue sweater in front of me in line at a Pressed Juicery? Should I ask her why she doesn’t gain weight again so she can regain her funny? So many questions, so little time. Tulo was about to bat in one of the most potent lineups, and, for now, had two working hamstrings, why can’t I get on board? My existential crisis reached such a fever pitch my eyes started to move in opposite directions like Jean-Paul Sartre. Anyway, why is Troy Tulowitzski overrated for 2016 fantasy baseball?

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A Day In The Life Of A Razzballer, Part 1: The Preseason

March 2, 2016 | 2016 Fantasy Baseball Draft | 51 Comments

by: Webelos Willie

Jay’s Note: I’m happy to present a unique addition to our preseason content, as one of the readers/commenters approached me about writing on the subject of “the Razzballer”. This story isn’t just unique to Webelos Willie, but to all of you as well, and maybe even the most human story I’ve ever read. Okay, maybe not to that degree, I’d probably give that award to L. Ron Hubbard’s “Battlefield Earth”, but regardless, this three-part series was such a great treat to read and because of that, I invite all fans of the site to tell us your story down in the comment section… How do you prepare for the upcoming season? How do you use Razzball? So, without further ado, here’s Webelos Willie’s Razzball story, and it just might be your story too…

It is four weeks before my draft and a lyric from a Tom Petty song plays over and over in my head. The waiting is the hardest part. MLB spring training games haven’t started. My commish hasn’t renewed our league yet. We aren’t even sure if all of last year’s owners are returning.

This is a crucial time for fantasy baseball and nothing has happened yet…

I have found that there are three components to success in fantasy baseball. Each week in this series I will mention one. The first is: Time Invested. Sometimes just showing up everyday leap-frogs you over the owners who are used to fantasy football and forget to change out their lineups some mornings. Look, fantasy football is checkers. Fantasy baseball is chess. Fantasy football takes a little bit of time every week. Baseball requires your attention every damn day for half of the year. But right now – before the baseball season has even begun – is when the time you invest really pays off.

Here’s how I am spending my time right now during the fantasy baseball preseason…

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My Dynasty Addiction: Navigating First Year Player/MiLB Drafts

March 2, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 43 Comments

by: Geoff

Over the last month a large percentage of your questions have been focused on minors only and first year player drafts. Up until this point I’ve tried to handle your questions the best I could on a case by case basis. On who to take, where, and which player was a better fit. It was fun, I shared my biases, and you thought I knew what I was talking about. See, here’s the thing, I’m not so much an expert as I am an avid player. More than anything else these are my diary entries as I try to deal, day by day, with my crippling fantasy addiction. So today I’ve decided to give a real world snapshot of three different league’s first year player drafts. Below you’ll find a brief description of each league, and a look at the first round or two of each draft. This should give you an idea of what people are doing in actual dynasty fantasy baseball drafts in 2016. Better to show than tell, if you catch my drift.

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Aroldis Gunning For May Return

March 2, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes | 238 Comments

by: Grey

Baseball commissioner, Rob Manfred, took the podium yesterday and said, “Whether it’s the speed of the game, popularity of the game — as indicated by TV ratings — the amount of open-handed palm grabs of a crotch or spousal abuse, we will not become the NFL. For better or worse, the number seven is indivisible under God and so are we!” And with that, Our Man Fred suspended Aroldis Chapman for 30 games. Trying to stay positive, Aroldis commented that he would not appeal the suspension but that “I am very glad I can still own a gun; I am getting married, after all.” One of the top closers takes a huge hit in value, I knocked him out of my top 100 for 2016 fantasy baseball, and took him down in my top 500. His auction value dropped from $20 to $9. Hopefully, he can make up lost salary with endorsements for Smith & Wesson and as the opening act for Smif-N-Wessun. A double threat of new income! Andrew Miller received a slight boost, as well. There’s also a long shot scenario that the Yankees are comfortable with Miller in the ninth, when Aroldis returns, and Chapman becomes the world’s best setup man. Before you scoff, you scoffer, it’s not like Miller isn’t good. Gun to my head, I’d draft Miller in any league. Unless it was Aroldis’s gun, then I’d politely ask him who he wants me to draft and tell him I’ll happily marry him. By the by, in just a few short years, Aroldis has been caught leaving a woman tied to his hotel room bed, choking a woman and firing gunshots. It’s no wonder this is his new Topps baseball card. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in spring training for fantasy baseball:

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2016 Fantasy Baseball Pitchers With SP/RP Eligibility

March 1, 2016 | 2016 Fantasy Baseball Draft | 67 Comments

by: Rudy Gamble

For those of you in leagues where SP and RP are rostered positions, the below list includes all SP/RP eligible pitchers (defined as 5+ Games Started and 5+ Relief Appearances in 2015). You can arrange the list via seven categories; 2015 games started, 2015 games pitched in relief, projections for both 2016 games started and games pitched in relief, and by ERA, WHIP, and K9. Any questions, feel free to post them below!

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Podcast: “Please Be My Friend Again!”

March 1, 2016 | All Podcasts, Fantasy Baseball Rankings | 28 Comments

by: JB Gilpin

Whew, things get spicy this morning on The Razzball Baseball Podcast! Hopefully you like our new publish time, and can enjoy Grey and I yelling at each other during your morning commute! On today’s show we recap the news since the last pod including Dexter Fowler‘s return to the Cubbies and a sleeper OF situation in Cleveland. Then the hot tamale. We debate Grey and I’s (grammatical error just for you!) SP ranks. My top 100 SP will be up Friday morning, but Grey still dissected it like a frog in a 3rd grade classroom. We get heated over the sleeper potential for Joe Ross, Yu Darvish‘s impact off TJ, but make amends with a collective drooling over Carlos Rodon. Here’s our latest edition of the Razzball Baseball Podcast, now with more arguing!!!:

Download from iTunes

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Sonny Gray, 2016 Fantasy Schmohawk

March 1, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Overrated | 240 Comments

by: Grey

This happened during the holiday season in my house: Me, “Do you know what not winning the Cy Young did to your mother? I don’t care, personally, if you throw your life away being an ace while never bringing home the postseason hardware, but your mother, she told all of her friends at her Wally Lamb book club for three straight months that you were going to win the Cy Young. She even made me go to Costco, on a Sunday during their busiest time, and buy burgers and buns for a Sonny Gray Cy Young party. Then you only receive one 2nd place vote and no first place votes. I’m disappointed, and you giving your mother and I Billy Butler BBQ sauce for Christmas doesn’t really make up for it.” Sonny, “Sorry, Pops.” “Did you even buy this or did you get it free?” I then threw Billy Butler’s BBQ into the fireplace and screamed, “Did you?!” It was an ugly scene. He’s my boy, Sonny Gray, and I love him very much, but it’s time we look at him through a non-familial gaze. Last year, he had a 2.73 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 208 IP while breaking out as a number one fantasy starter. Or did he?! Ah, Reversal Question, you are quick…Or are you?! I am!…Or am I?! Anyway, what can we expect from Sonny Gray for 2016 fantasy baseball and what makes him overrated?

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Top 100 Keepers For 2016 And Beyond

February 29, 2016 | Keeper Leagues | 206 Comments

by: J-FOH

What goes through J-FOH’s head when he does these ranks? I’m glad you asked. Wait… you didn’t ask? Are you sure? No? Not at all? Sheesh, thanks guys… and four girls. I’m going to be my usually contrarian self and tell you anyway. I’m looking at players from their floor to their ceilings over the next 3-5 years (and beyond). I’m looking at games played over the previous few seasons, projecting risk going forward, and predicting how they will age based on their skill set. A player whose value is heavily dependent upon speed will usually lose that speed going into the 30’s and players with power will usually keep that a little bit longer. There are always guys who defy the odds like David “I never juiced” Ortiz or Adrian Beltre. They are a special breed that should never be slept on ’til the day they retire. There is science, stats, and anecdotal B.S., and then there are “those guys”. Joey Bats and those sweet bat throws would fall into that class for me. Excuse me while I preach for a second. I love bat flips. I think they should be mandatory for any home run after the 7th, 6th for the Yankees. This is a kids game that is suppose to be fun and guys like Mad Bum need to either throw the punch or shut the front door. Any a-hole can stand there shouting with a team behind him. At least Robin Ventura had the cojones to try and fight. (I want that shirt!) Now that we have my major side track out of the way, let’s move down to some words about the list before we get to the list. Note to self, take an english class at the local adult education center next year.

Take on your favorite writers in the 2016 Razzball Commenter Leagues! Join here…

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Podcast: “I Don’t Think You Want That Near Your Blue Moon”

February 29, 2016 | All Podcasts | 15 Comments

by: JB Gilpin

On a special edition Razzball Baseball Pod, I get to sit down with Rudy Gamble and break down his 2016 15-team mixed LABR draft. Huzzah for the deep leagues! We first start with headlines in baseball that got all sorts of out-of-date due to news right after we recorded, then talked some of Rudy’s draft strategy and break down most of his picks and the machine-like decision making that went into them. “It’s IN the computer!” The first-round selection of Kris Bryant drew a lot of flack, Rudy goes through who he felt were value picks, and a few prospect selections he made at the end of the draft. Here’s our latest edition of the Razzball Baseball Podcast:

PS – Starting tomorrow, we’re moving the Podcasts to Tuesday mornings! Unlike our former pre-taping timeline, we’re now going to record much closer to the publish date to give you the Razzball goods without being in our time machine. So we’ll be back tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM EST!

Download from iTunes

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Fantasy Master Lothario’s Strategic Method of Domination Henceforth (Otherwise Known As FML SMDH)

February 29, 2016 | Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy | 256 Comments

by: Grey

For those that are new here, welcome. I’ve gone over my fantasy baseball draft strategy previously. Luckily for you, I will happily coddle you. Unluckily for you, I think coddle means to fart on your pillow when you’re out of the room, causing you to get pink eye. For all your previous misguided attempts at drafting in fantasy baseball leagues, you might be SMDH or telling yourself FML, but now you will be SMDH like, “Look at me smiling like I just smoked some reefer and shaking my damn head at my new knowledge of fantasy baseball drafts.” Or you might be telling yourself FML, but now you mean it like, “I just got my life drunk on a case of Pabst and we’re going to screw for the first time real romantic-like. Could someone light a candle while I eff my life?” Fantasy baseball strategies are as old as the earth, if the earth were ten or so years old. There’s a LIMA Plan (Low Investment Mound Aces) by Ron Shandler. There was a ZIMA Plan by Matthew Berry; it involved a lot of stumbling around, groping and the hiccups. There’s been a Punt One Category draft strategy. There’s been a Punt Two Categories draft strategy, which was conceived by a leaguemate of Punt One Category who just couldn’t stand being upstaged, and there’s the Forget When Your Draft Is So Your Team Is Autodrafted strategy. I love when my leaguemates use that one. Then there’s my fantasy baseball snake draft strategy, Fantasy Master Lothario’s Strategic Method of Domination Henceforth or FML SMDH. (You might even want to use this strategy for our Razzball leagues. Join now. Thank you.)

FML SMDH has five basic steps. If you follow these steps, you will place near the top in all of your leagues. No plan is foolproof because, unfortunately, they still have to play the games, but FML SMDH puts you in the best position possible to win coming out of your draft. Actually, this plan is foolproof and you should ignore the previous sentence that said no plan is foolproof. No sentence is foolproof, that’s more accurate. Okay, onto the steps:

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