Well, this is icky. I don’t know what MLB is doing by reporting that they’re not reporting Covid cases. I mean, I think I get it. It’s icky and it’s tricky and — “Shut up, brain, don’t start singing Run-DMC.” — and AND and I don’t know! But not reporting it is doing what exactly? They report injuries to Mitch Haniger that make you want to cross your legs. They report injuries about how a guy fell in a bathtub with a deer — hello, Clint Barmes! — but they don’t report Coronavirus? I just…I don’t know. Not sure it’s the answer. With that said, the Phillies placed Scott Kingery, Hector Neris, Tommy Hunter and Ranger Suarez on the IL yesterday without even a press release. Someone just happened to notice the roster moves. Does that mean they have Covid? Again, I don’t know. Since they announce literally every other injury, one can conclude. How serious is their symptoms? Again, no idea. This is gonna be one helluva 60-game season, huh? My solution is, if you really don’t want Covid speculation, just don’t announce any injuries at all. Change the IL to the ILL and whether it’s a hammy or Covid, don’t say anything. Just say they’re ILL. As for fantasy, Neris’s loss for saves could be huge, but we don’t know yet he’ll miss any of the season. I’d hold him. If you want to speculate, I guess Adam Morgan or a committee (which is atrocious for a 60-game season). As for Kingery, again, we don’t know how long he’ll be out (or why he’s out), so hold. This could be a boost to Adam Haseley. He could be a top 60 outfielder with everyday at-bats, and worth a shot. Or not. Wheeeeee! A 60-game season! Anyway, here’s what else I saw for fantasy baseball:

Mike Leake – Opted out for the year. Sounds like Mike Leake has gained fantasy value!

Ian Desmond – Opted out for the year. The Rockies have an extra spot to play Sam Hilliard or Garrett Hampson or Raimel Tapia or–Did they just sign Matt Kemp? No, they did not. Please tell me this is just a cruel joke. I’d laugh if it wasn’t so predictable. Bud Black is the fantasy baseballer’s archenemy, who goes by the name Black Bud and has a black rose on his chest plate and nothing but no-upside vets in his lineup. Every fantasy baseballer’s last words, “…Rox…Bud…” So, Raimel Tapia and Sam Hilliard went from 70% to 75% playing time, and were upped in the Steamer projections. Kemp is still bleh, unless he gets at-bats. Oh em gee, he’s gonna get at-bats, isn’t he?

Jose Quintana – Required thumb surgery after injuring himself while washing dishes. Sucks for Quintana, but it shores up my excuse to never wash dishes again. I’ve removed Jose Quintana from my 2020 fantasy baseball rankings (which are all on 60-game projections). Cubs said he’d only miss two weeks, but, um, yeah right.

Melky Cabrera – Signed with the Mets. Kinda like this signing from a real baseball standpoint, because I have this weird love for Melky. Wonder if I was breastfed too long. Any hoo! Melky is nothing for fantasy.

Hunter Strickland – Signed with the Mets. Brodie Van Wagenen, “Wow, Hunter Strickland is that good at punch outs when trying to close the door?” Mets Intern, “Um, you’re misunderstanding.”

Gordon Beckham – Signed with the Mets. In related news, the Mets visited the set of Antiques Roadshow.

Jorge MateoPadres acquired Mateo from the A’s for a player to be named later. A’s later said, “The player to be named later is Fernando Tatis Jr,” and the Padres said, “Damn, you got us.” Mateo is at best a burner who could steal 20 bags in 60 games. At worst, he’s the guy who they bring into games to stand on 2nd base in extra innings. Actually, I might’ve switched those two. Mateo might just be a pinch runner, but if he’s seeing real reps in Summer Camp, I will scream bloody murder about my Profar shares and move Mateo into the rankings.

Tyler Rogers – Option for the Giants’ closer role. Usually I’m goofy on goofballs for closers in waiting or possible closers, but, in 60 games, I’m not exactly ratcheted-up for a possible closer who could get three or fewer saves.

Joey Bart – Made the 60-man roster. Hoping they move Posey to DH and just let The Bartman catch. Ay carumba! Fo’reals, it would be better for both of them. Posey is not interesting for fantasy if he’s DH’ing either, but Bart? Can I get a chef’s kiss, nah’mean? Here’s my Joey Bart sleeper from the shutdown.

Jordan Hicks – Will begin season on the IL. Avoid this whole shizzshow. I mean, I guess Giovanny Gallegos (say that shizz fast 117 times!), but, yeah, it’s gonna be a mess.

Colin Moran – Derek Shelton, Pirates manager and person who has a name like you want to say, “Hey, did I go high school with him?”, announced that Moran has the lead on the 3rd base job. Certain teams should be taken over like they do in the corporate world. Send Gordon Gekko in and bring up to the majors Ke’Bryan Hayes and Ryan Mountcastle and Ke’Ryan Hayescastle and whoever else!

Ryan Zimmerman – Opted out for the season. He wasn’t ranked in my top 20 1st basemen back in January, because I can see the future, but I have major blindspots about the present.

Joe Ross – Opted out for the year. Joe Ross on the phone with his brother, “What are we having for lunch?” “Sliders.” “We always have sliders.” “Yes, until we get hurt.”

81 Comments
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Ellis
Ellis
2 years ago

Where would you rank Stripling now that Price is out

Thank you!

Duda Want to Build a Snowman?
Duda Want to Build a Snowman?
2 years ago

Happy 4th grey! In a 12 team roto with no min IP and 3 move-per-week cap, what do you think about a 3-SP, the-rest-relievers pitching strategy?

My thinking is, wins are flukey as ever, starters will be a mess to predict IP-wise and teams will lean on their stud relievers.

For example… wouldn’t a staff of Lance Lynn, Urias/Maeda, Yarbrough ….then like Hader, Giles, Hand, Nick Anderson, Lugo, Presley, Stripling be interesting?

Duda Want to Build a Snowman?
Duda Want to Build a Snowman?
Reply to  Duda Want to Build a Snowman?
2 years ago

I should note that QS is also a category, but who’s logging 6ip this year ?!! Bieber, Verlander?

Duda Want to Build a Snowman?
Duda Want to Build a Snowman?
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Makes sense. Thanks!

Uncle Ernie
Uncle Ernie
2 years ago

Hi Grey. Happy Summer. Looking at this offer with temptation. My Trout and Springer for his Lindor and Starling Marte. In a vacuum of course. Thanks

Uncle Ernie
Uncle Ernie
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Yes with keeper possibly

krazyivan
krazyivan
2 years ago

Happy 4th Razzballers! Stay safe and have some fun. Grey, we need a Lonely Island version of “who let the dogs out” with Tapia, Hilliard and Hampson on back up vocals.

david
david
2 years ago

Just read that 31 players have tested positive for corona after the first round of mandatory tests. No doubt we all wish them and their loved ones well, but I’m sure we would all like to know who they are.

The Great Knoche
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Freeman, Perez and more. How are they gonna finish this season? Rapid testing on site as they walk into ballpark?

The Great Knoche
The Great Knoche
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

You see the Stanton liner off Tanaka’s melon?

Hernan
Hernan
2 years ago

I’m just praying none of my DC and Fantrax’s D&H players spent their off season impregnating their better halves….., Now Trout is saying he’s not sure if he’ll play, Zach Wheeler too…, wonder if anybody has a list of pregnant players…..Razzball Rules!!!!

FrankGrimes
FrankGrimes
2 years ago

Your boy the dentist has the ‘rona
F this season and F Jim!

FrankGrimes
FrankGrimes
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

I’ve only seen the first season. Currently finishing BoJack.

Btw shadows was real good. Hate waiting for new seasons of shows haha.

FrankGrimes
FrankGrimes
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Enjoying it. Has a couple real laughs in every show.
The story arc hasn’t disappointed so far.
It’s worth watching imho.

FrankGrimes
FrankGrimes
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

I would think you’d enjoy it.
I hate that arnett dude but it’s still good.
Hoping new Fargo gets released soon.

Big Magoo
Big Magoo
Reply to  FrankGrimes
2 years ago

F the unsterilized root canal

Smitty
2 years ago

Jeez 2 days in and already a list like this. Gonna get crazier as we go, and tougher to keep up. Speakin of which, weren’t Profar and Mateo fightin for PT up north? When do the exhibition games start?

The Great Knoche
2 years ago

Wanna know something funny? We did that early NFBC draft 7 months ago.
Wanna know something less funny? I took Kingery and Neris back to back in that draft in rounds 10 and 11.
I also handcuffed Neris late in the draft with Seranthony Dominguez.

Antiques road show is awesome! Mets should grab Fernando Rodney next.

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  The Great Knoche
2 years ago

Should’ve handcuffed Seranthony Hopkins and whispered chickabee chick chick chickabee ressa ressa me…

Matty
Matty
2 years ago

My favorite recent bonkers baseball rumor would ruin the Joey Bart dream- Barry Bonds is coming back to DH! (and reset his HOF clock)
If the Rox are going to prosblock everyone in every way possible they should at least sign Bonds to make it entertaining.

Dave D
Dave D
2 years ago

Looking at the first three NFBC drafts since July began, bona fide closers are really on the rise. Hader went 38 in one draft. ADP’s now Yates 56, Osuna 61, Chapman 65, Jansen 69, Liam 70, Hand 79, Taylor Rod 82, Diaz 88. We’re looking at a 40 ADP jump here. At these inflated prices I think Ill grab one later and use the FAAB to scavenge. Can you imagine passing on Abreu to take Hand? Or passing Muncy to take Diaz, Sano or Soler to take Giles? CRAZY.

Also, I noticed Mondesi now sitting at 21. Saves and steals are getting quite the bump!

Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Somehow I got him at #47 in my first DC. Even more remarkable is the NFBC hasnt taken that away yet. I kinda like that team.

Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Yeah, no way you pass on Ketel at 47. But, hey, you got Jansen at 129 i our DC. What a deal now! Gallegos at #2 is iffy, but a better bet than my #2. Ive got Robles and…. Rafael Montero???

Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Ask Graterol that on September 3rd…

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  Dave D
2 years ago

Imagine no karate lessons?
It’s easy if you try
No need for crane kicks when there are choke holds
BJJ lessons are what you should buy

Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Wake Up
2 years ago

Imagine no Depakote, Lithium,
nor even any Abilify?
No need for strangleholds, restraints,
Nor meds against will
A padded cell is what you should try.

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  Dave D
2 years ago

Another swing and a miss ole boy!

Keep grinding…you’re bound to find something you’re good at!

Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Wake Up
2 years ago

Well, maybe you should pony up, join Grey and I in an NFBC league and see if you really have anything to brag about. It seems like hot air until you a little more game than a rhetorical one.

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  Dave D
2 years ago

Imagine going to someone like you for advice ?

Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Wake Up
2 years ago

It happens everyday. Deal with it.

Are you here to talk baseball or simply to troll?

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  Dave D
2 years ago

I’ve been here talking baseball for over a decade now. Helping people on a daily basis…answering fantasy baseball related questions when asked for years.

Ask around.

Imagine thinking for a second that Grey doesn’t think you are an asshole?

The only advice you should be giving is to yourself to look inward and continue to do the work.

Dave D
Dave D
Reply to  Wake Up
2 years ago

Im not sure where all your animus comes from, but it seems misdirected. Im a pretty happy fellow. How about you? You make all kinds of assumptions about me. I guess that’s your prerogative. As far as giving advice, I do agree with looking inside and doing one’s own work. I can assure you that is a daily task for me.

And as for this site, maybe in retrospect it was a mistake to diverge from baseball and talk COVID shutdown stuff. But I, like you and everyone else , have been severly impacted by it, so I did indeed vent here. But at this point I’m only here to talk baseball. Im not here for anything else. If you want to bury the hatchet with me, Im glad to talk baseball. But Im not here for any other reason.

Big Magoo
Big Magoo
2 years ago

The Giants already have a DH, silly. An All-Star from a year ago who has no awkward qualities whatsoever. But you already knew that.

DH Matt Kemp sounds about right too. Is Logan Morrison a FA? He might be the next signing for the Rockies.

Thanks Mike Leake. Looks like that Young/Kelly bench combo gained value in my DC league. You know, the only league that remains in my portfolio *sigh*

I wouldn’t be surprised if this season was canceled entirely in the near future. Is 2020 over yet?

The Great Knoche
Reply to  Big Magoo
2 years ago

Gangly Man Bird and Big Panda DH combination by the Bay. Gotta love it.

Rockies are gonna go sign Scooter Gennett next.

The Great Knoche
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Matt Holliday could be waiting for the stretch run.

Big Magoo
Big Magoo
Reply to  The Great Knoche
2 years ago

Scooter’s on speed dial, for sure

William Hung
William Hung
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

LoMo got a blurb from RW today:

Logan Morrison told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com that he’s dropped 20-25 pounds since spring training was shut down.

Morrison began changing his diet over the offseason but said he didn’t perfect it until late March or early April. LoMo was having a good spring training before things got shut down and the introduction of the designated hitter and larger rosters should give him a better chance of cracking the Brewers’ Opening Day roster.

The “preseason” hype train aptly starts with LoMo!!!

Big Magoo
Big Magoo
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Less than 100 ABs for the VP? Bet accepted. I would accept a gentlemen’s bet, but you need, you know, gentlemen for that.

Yeah, my other four teams were OC leagues. Gone without a trace. Not a waste of time at all!

What about you? Aren’t you in like 18 best ball leagues?

Big Magoo
Big Magoo
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

At least it keeps you busy and invested once things get going. Low maintenance is nice too.

60 games + random, sudden IL stints + 3 inning starts from SPs. Should be fun/not fun.

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  Big Magoo
2 years ago

Young Kelly never was benched for many, Slater on the other hand should’ve been sent down years ago…

The Great Knoche
Reply to  Wake Up
2 years ago

And Jesse Spano just went down.

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  The Great Knoche
2 years ago

Turtle was always underrated…time to shine!

Big Magoo
Big Magoo
Reply to  Wake Up
2 years ago

Oh that Slater. Such a Chad.

Kelly’s at the Max with three other people all sitting 11.5 feet apart. Those crazy kids!

Wake Up
Wake Up
Reply to  Big Magoo
2 years ago

HA!

galica
galica
2 years ago

Grey!!!

Some grim news, man! You really are the Fantasy Master Lothario (emphasis on the lothario part today!)

a. MLB quote of the day for

‘Hypothetically, if there was no earthquake, I was liking our chances.’

Will Nuschler Clark, Jr., aka ‘Will The Thrill’ or just ‘The Thrill’ among friends or just plain old ‘Will’ at the dinner table. The Giants will retire his uniform ‘#22′ some time this year. Well, it’s being planned. No fans will be in attendance so they’ll just have a laugh track and he’ll crack jokes of how he doesn’t like Rafael Palmeiro.

Clark won’t be going to the HOF, he didn’t play well enough for long enough plus his last year he only got 4.4% of the votes. He was a good 1B and replaced Palmeiro wherever he went – replaced Palmeiro in Texas (1994 – 1998) and then replaced him when he went to Baltimore (1999-2000) when Palmeiro returned to Texas. Had a very nice swan song with the Cards’ down the stretch to replace an injured McGwire and could have stayed on but chose to retire after the 2000 season.

b. Have a nice weekend.

Cheers,
Ante

galica
galica
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Grey!!!!

a. Happy 4th, man!

b. Please do not do ANY of the following for the upcoming weekend.

1. Build a bonfire
2. Invite your nephew over to tie up a random chick on your bed
3. End up in prison for the rest of your life for a crime you DID NOT commit!

Cheers,
Ante

galica
galica
Reply to  Grey
2 years ago

Grey!!!

Damn! Well, don’t get the blood on your Swiss army knife that somehow lands on the detective’s shoe as he illegally enters your bedroom! Duh, just don’t get locked up man!

Cheers,
Ante