Pitcher Profile: Updating JB’s Top 100 Starting Pitchers

1. what’s the reason behind the Shoemaker drop?

   • I love these rankings (dont tell Grey). What do you think about Cole/Wood/Richards leading my rotation?

     • @Fungazi: Was supposed to be a fresh post.. son of a

       • @Fungazi: Hah all good. Thanks man!

         Def love that start. No “studly studs” but 3 really good mid-level guys. I did an RCL and completely punted pitching in the draft, Richards/McHugh as my 1 & 2. Ack! I need to punt it a tad less next time out.

         • @JB Gilpin: I seem to have Richards a lot, just was always there around when I wasn’t looking at much else. I’m leaning hard on him this year.

           • @Fungazi: As am I, and I knew I would be given he’s missing a start or two. Looks good so far as well

2. Eovaldi is my boy this year for the late round grab.

   • @Sky: Ewwwwww, yeah I liked him a lot last year, ranked 70ish and he made it into the 40s, but man his breaking stuff was just plain garbage after a month or two

     • So is Salty at calling a game. Rothschild is gonna get him in line. You just watch!

       • @Sky: Hah, a catcher doesn’t make a slider hang!

         • No, but he can get a lot of pitches called ball rather than strike. And like I said, that’s what Rothschild is for! I think you’re gonna see some of his secondary pitches cleaned up this year.

           • @Sky: Apparently his splitter has really improved (at least that’s the hope). I already know I’m going to stream him way too much this year, but I think I’m okay with that.

             • I don’t think he’s gonna be just a streamer this year. Think he’s a draft and hold guy, personally.

               • @Sky: Completely understood. I held him last year during that killer run he had early in the season, so I will always pick him up expecting similar results, regardless of whether that’s rational or not haha. But you’ve got to think that a guy with a fastball like his only needs 1 or 2 tweaks to become something special.

                 • Yeah, everyone has their draft day targets late. He’s mine on the pitching side.

             • @Sky: @Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: We shall see! I just know I’m not grabbing him in any drafts, but that’s just me

   • @Sky:^^^ What he said^^^^

   • @Sky: Love Eovaldi as a late round guy this year. Evidently he’s scrapped his subpar breaking stuff and is going with a splitter/cutter that looks good and should neutralize lefties somewhat. Not saying he’ll be this year’s Kluber, but I think he can be this year’s Odorizzi, which ain’t half bad.

     • @Clyde Prompto: Eh, I mean Odorizzi had an unreal K rate. I think optimistically Eovaldi could up the Ks, but not quite to what OverEasy did

3. Yo JB! Owe you one for Kluber last year. Based on your firm belief i ended up with him on all my teams and won them all. Just read on Rotoworld that Jamie Garcia has shoulder issues and Martinez will get the 5th spot. Giddyup! If this is true where do you rank him?

   • @Regan: Ughhhhh I missed that while putting this together. I still have concerns with his struggles getting lefties out, had him 74 before… Probably about there again

4. You’ve got Paxton pretty darn high. He’s waiver wire fodder in most of my leagues. Any thoughts on his lofty ranking?

5. James Paxton is ranked at #24 and Shane Greene at #42. In most other rankings, Paxton and Greene are not ranked in the Top 100. Could you please elaborate on your rankings?

6. Synder is starting in AAA bro

   • @Bye Felicia: Hah I know, think he’s worth a rank though, not like he’s being converted into a reliever. I bet he’s up in a month

7. Jaime Garcia got hurt reading this (true story)

   • HA

8. Anybody got a league drafting between 12 and 2 eastern on Friday?

   • @Wallpaper Paterson: Need some above replacement levels!

9. small correction – Ervin Santana with the Twins now of course not the braves

   • @JimmyBond: Aha – thank you sir, yeah perils of using last year’s spreadsheet, mighta been wrong in my first one too, or maybe I just didn’t fix my source spreadsheet

10. I like the new Kendrick Lamar album.

    • @Wallpaper Paterson: Hah, so outta my wheelhouse. I’m like ambient and progressive metal hah

11. Rodon ?s and innings limits seems hard to count on?

    • @john: Yeah, I mean I liked him a month ago to do something and has done nothing except show some optimism. Agree it won’t be a full season worth of course

12. Keep an eye on Rafael Montero when they deal Gee here soon. Although he is a Mets pitcher, so…

    • @Catcher Fever: Hah, yeah I saw a little of his start today, looked Ok… Will need to see some starts in the majors first for him to crack in

13. Yo JB! Good stuff, man. Any chance we can get a list of pitchers with possible innings limitations this year?

    • @longbeachyo: Thanks man! Yeah I know I did the wear down and innings limit concerns last year, debated doing it this early this year… I don’t know of a consolidated list, but maybe I’ll do innings limit concerns as a listing next time out

14. Erv Santana is not on the Braves.

    • @Speer: Yup, error in spreadsheet already fixed

15. Love this list, landed Arrietta, Carrasco, Richard and Paxton in my 10 team standard roto. Will stream my 5th. Paxton and Happ have had rough springs, any issues or just ignore? Also, interesting article by Tom Boswell in the Washington post yesterday in regards to how the Nats view second Tommy John surgeries and why Zimerman will be out of wash after this yr and Strasburg next

    • @JVanSlyke: Nice work man! Well Paxton missed so much time, it’s very small sample, had a good opener though. Happ is a tad concerning, more a blip than changing anything though. Interesting, I’ll check that out!

16. I was just gonna ask about Happ. Looked like Crap yesterday. Big difference between hot air of zona and cold marine air of Seattle. Especially for a flyball pitcher. Watched that game yesterday and his stuff just doesn’t get me excited like Walker. On the other hand the pods got it going on! Like that new lineup.

    • @Regan: Hah yeah first pitch was a homer I think! Yeah pitching in SEA makes a big difference and I think he picks it up. Although yeah, Walker is a lot more intriguing… I just still have a little concern

      • @JB Gilpin: You watching him dominate the Halos today? Believe!

        • @Regan: HE GAVE UP A RUN THOUGH! So garbage, giving up ONE RUN in spring hahahaha. Yeah if he has a nice start to open the year as well, he’ll have to move up for the first in-season re-rank

17. whats up buddy..

    keeper league question..

    my keepers are Abreau, Bautista, Cano, Rendon, Fielder, Marte, Reyes, Frazier, Betts, Yelich, Bumgarner, Kluber, Zimmerman, Teheran

    who would your top 5 be of this bunch to help me this year? and maybe next year
    ortiz , vmart, A gordan, calhoun, dozier, Ozuna, iwakuma, robertson, melancon, cobb, gray, gio, darvish……waste 3rd overall pick on him in a 8 teamer?

    thanks a bunch

    • @slimbo: My top 5 keepers are those first 4 hitters thennnnnn, I think Bumgarner. I know all the innings are a concern, but he’s young. Of those left, Vmart, Dozier, Ortiz, Gordon, anddddd, ya know what I’ll gamble on Cobb. Nah, I wouldn’t draft Darvish. Any time!

18. Why are you dropping the truemaker there JB? Only 8 spots, but just curious your thoughts. I’m a big fan. K rate is on the low side, but those ratios…oo la la. He’s basically forgotten in every league and easily scooped up in early/mid teen rounds. Still big value compared to your ranking. Like the work JB, good stuff.

    • @MattTruss: Eh, just signs of regression a little bit were there last year and started slow in spring. i just found I wanted everyone above him more in drafts. mid to late teen rounds I’m still good, and I imagine I’m still higher than the consensus. Thanks man!

19. JB, whats good bro? Do you think Jimmy Nelson is your Brewer’s ace this year? Would you rather own him than Peralta in a 12 team H2H?

    Sick work, my man!

    • @OldMilwaukeePounders: Hah! Um, well real life I think Lohse can be solid enough to be the “ace”. Fantasy wise, yeah I think I’d take Nelson first for the hopeful Ks. Thanks man!

      • What are your thoughts on the holds situation in WAS, JB? Janssen is hurt already, Stammen has sucked this spring, Treinen just dropped a giant deuce out there today…the only guy I believe in right now is Barrett. I know that Smokey likes him some Aaron Barrett for this year, do you think he could be the set-up guy/even vulture some saves is Storen’s blister ain’t just a blister?

        • @OldMilwaukeePounders: I do. I’ve got some stock in Barrett

          • @Cram It: I feel like I should be investing in him more heavily since I own Storen on basically every team so far this season. In a league with holds in play he should have more than just handcuff contributions. I may take the leap where there are spots available.

          • @OldMilwaukeePounders: @Cram It: Yeah I do too, looks solid although I could see a big revoloving door through the year. Smokey knows holds/bullpen so much better than me though. Defffff a good add given your Storen ownership, but there’s also the looming guy that just pitched there! Rafeal Soriano anyone? Doubtful, but possible

20. Anthony Rendon’s going to see Dr. Death for another opinion on his knee. Somebody get the alcohol to pour on the grave of his once-promising 2015 season. And, in other Nats news, Storen just left mid-game too. Man, did Vince Young call this the Dream Team too or what?

    • @Clint: Hah it’s like the injuries the Timberwolves are ending the year with! Glad I didn’t do any early drafts, yeah I won’t be getting Rendon… Hahahaha oh that Vince Young…

    • @Clint: At least it was just a blister on his foot… Give this guy some loafers to pitch in!

21. With the “news” that Hutchison’s new slider from the end of last year really killed lefties (which have been the bane of his existence), do you think he’s one of those guys that could take a real jump this year?

    Also – I like the love for Norris, and he seems to have a pretty solid chance at a rotation spot. Do you think he can reign in the ridiculous walk rate? I have no idea if this is a valid comparison or not, but he seems to have the potential to be a left-handed spiritual successor to Salazar (wild but filthy K potential).

    Thanks!

    • @Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: Interesting, I hadn’t seen that or watched any of his spring starts. It’s possible, but I still think he’s going to have some troubles with that reliance on fastball command. A good slider certainly helps.

      Yeah I do, across all levels last year the control wasn’t awful, just some bad small samples at his AA and AAA pit stops. 21:4 K:BB in spring so far is pretty nice. Any time!

22. Porcello back-doored in! Noooooooo!

    • @Cram It: Haha, something no one wants to hear! Yeah, he was in my top 10 out, kinda had to. Blame all the TJ guys!

      • @JB Gilpin: I know, he snuck in by default. You can have him down there. I’m still totally in with you on Paxton and DeGrom though. And anti-Shoemaker with you. I think last year was pretty fluky and he gets exposed.

        • @Cram It: Me n Cram It sitting in a tree!

23. In a 12 team OPS keeper league, where I need pitching and have a deep bench on offense, should I trade Carlos Gomez ($19, must drop after this season) for Betts ($16, drafted this year) and McHugh ($10, drafted this year)?

    • @Emily Bonerface: this is my team:
      C Wilson Ramos
      1B Jose Abreu 19
      2B Rougned Odor 2
      3B Yasmani Tomas 6
      SS Danny Santana 8
      OF Cory Dickerson 10
      OF Jorge Soler 10
      OF Andrew McCutchen 43
      OF Carlos Gomez 19
      UTIL Marcell Ozuna 12
      UTIL Edwin Encarnacion 15
      B – OF Rusney Castillo 7
      B – OF Hunter Pence 9
      B – OF Michael Saunders 5
      B – OF Joc Pederson 17
      B – SP Carlos Martinez 1
      B – INF Jace Peterson 5
      SP Madison Bumgarner 32
      SP Jake Arrieta 10
      SP Alex Cobb 9
      SP Mike Fiers 12
      SP Brandon McCarthy 8
      RP Qualls 2
      RP Boxberger 2

      • @Emily Bonerface: Mannnnnn I like Mookie a lot too… That bench is indeed loaded and you need a pitcher… I might have to take it, I bet a lot would disagree with me though

        • @JB Gilpin: ya man, tough call…thanks for chiming in

          • @Emily Bonerface: Any time!

24. 12 team h2h points keeper
    Keeping Brantley 12 and Hamels 7

    Got a pre draft trade offer in to me…

    The rights to Harvey in the 9th this year (6th next year) for my 4th rd pick this year…..

    Thanks!

    • @Sange76: Points def helps the pitchers… So all 12 teams keep 2 guys right? So 4th round is more like 6th round pick… Yeah I think I’m doing that one

      • @JB Gilpin:

        Yes all 12 teams have 2 keepers this year, moving to 3 next year….since I seem to be
        Looking at the smardjizdas and lucroy a in the 4th rd, it kind of seems worth the price…
        Was actually looking at scherzer in rd 1 to make a big three of Scherzer, Harvey, Hamels if I do the deal, then go bat crazy in the early rounds since we can only roster 6 SP at a time….

        • @Sange76: Yup, agree. Oh man, that cap on pitching you def want the elite guys! Love that start

25. JB,

    Quick question about Matt Moore. I play in a Keeper (10 player maximum per league), 16 team league. Currently Moore is ranked 446 in Yahoo. You think he’s worth a flyer for a late May comeback or is their no juice left in the tank for the kid?

    • @The People’s Strudel: 16er he’s certainly on the fringe. I’ve never liked Moore better than the consensus though… Depends on who you’d drop/if you have a DL spot. Might as well use an open DL spot if you have one!

26. Last keeper in 12 Team? Helichrysum at $10 or Pineda at $2? Thanks for any insights.

27. Last keeper in 12 Team? Yelich at $10 or Pineda at $2? Dam spellcheck.

    • @Don: Hahaha that was an intense spell check! Gimme Yelich, I’ll take the O and his upside

    • @Don: Haha, a cross between Yelich and Hellickson.

28. Better Braves SP keeper… Teheran or Wood.

    • @Bobby: OMG did you even read his rankings??? [email protected]#$%^&*!

      • @Cram It: I did. Wasn’t sure if that was keeper as well. Sorry for the question.

        • @Bobby: The answer should be Wood.

        • @Bobby: don’t apologize, hang around long enough to know what his responses are worth, then just wait for the helpful people to show up.

    • @Bobby: OMG I didn’t even see the keeper part [email protected]#$%^&*^!

    • @Bobby: Yeah I think I like Wood more as well, Cram It can cool it! I think it’s a great question – both are young

29. Seeing 5 of my 7 starts in the Top 25 makes me feel all warm inside about my pitching. Though interesting to see how highly Shane Greene is rated. Half tempted to dump Trevor Bauer for him.

    Also, JB and crew. I drafted pretty well thanks to you guys, but I’m in a bind with 3 of my bench probably being demoted. Baez got demoted, Gyorko has looked okay and Yasmani & Souza might get demoted soon. Out of all of my bench only Marcus Semien looking like a great pick, yet he might be replacing Bogaerts if he underperforms.

    Should I consider swapping out the ones who do get demoted? While I’d love to keep the guys who are demoted for potential, I also want to go from 6th last year to win this year. Kennys Vargas (only mentioning him cause I got Chris Davis and no back up for him), Scooter Gennett, Jonathan Schoop, Ryan Rua, Dalton Pompey, Alejandro De Aza, Michael Saunders are all on the FA for me to consider and they’ll all be up in the big leagues to start with.

    Thanks as always and in advance.

    • @Dorian: Yeah he looks really good, love the change of parks and flashing a change-up this spring. I would def make that Bauer move.

      Yikes, yeah a lot of upside getting demoted right there. Baez I think can go, strikes out so so so much. Souza would be a drop candidate too I think. Of tohose bench guys, I like Scooter the best, but I have my Brewers bias! Hah He takes a hit though if Roenicke hits him late in the line-up, might go Gomez, Lucroy, Braun, Ramirez

      • @JB Gilpin:
        Yeah, pretty much all my upside bench is likely to get demoted. Thankfully, I’ve drafted well enough it isn’t going to kill me, but it isn’t making life easy trying to fill it entirely out.

        Think I’ll get right on Shane Greene. I’m kind of leaning towards going Vargas, Gennett, Rua (if Tomas goes down), and Schoop (DL replacement for Rendon). Seems like the best bet.

        • @Dorian: Yeah luckily none were huge investments. I like those options as adds to fill ya out!

30. Hey man! Had the draft over the weekend & we start 6 pitchers

    Would you make any changes for add/drop or not yet just wait & see?

    P- max Scherzer

    P- jeff samarjadza

    P- Matt Harvey

    P- Jacob deGrom

    P- mat latos

    P- taijuan Walker

    Bench- iwakuma

    There’s a total 6 bench slots but they are shared between bats & pitchers. However I do have two open slots so I wouldn’t have to drop anyone.

    On the plus side we have 2 DL’s too.

    Available P’s:

    Matt shoemaker, yovani gallorado, Kendall graveman, john lackey, Vance Worley, dallas keuchel, tanner Roark, Wade miley, drew hutchinson, Brett cecil, Edward mujica.

    Thanks man

    • @Jake: Gotcha, yeah other than Latos really like those starters. Will probably have to move Taijuan up, like the upside.

      Of those left I’d use my ranks, I think Shoemaker and Keuchel are the best starters. Do you not have any relievers/is this a Pts league? Cecil should be owned in Roto I would think… Any time!

      • @JB Gilpin:

        We just have 6 pitcher slots so it’s up to the owner how he wants to set up, if he wants to go all in on 6 starting pitchers in the slots or if the owner wants to go with a RP in one of the pitcher slots that’s fine too/ up to the owner. Last season we started 3 SP & 2 RP but everyone used RP who are eligible as SP at the RP (only one team actually had closers, everyone else rolled with RP/SP last season) so this season we just got rid of the SP /RP tags & add one more P slot & call it a day.

        Set up is head 2 head points league.

        • @Jake: Ah gotcha, yeah in Pts I like Keuchel a ton. I think his Ks may have been a smidge higher than we see this year, but should be able to go deep.

          • @JB Gilpin:

            Thanks JB, would you drop Latos for Keuchel ? Or keep latos for now?

            • @Jake: Pts helps both, I think Latos’ drop in Ks maintains… I’ll lean indeed getting Keuchel, but I debated it a while

31. Keeper decision
    Jose Abreu rd 12
    or
    Corey Kluber rd 20

    • @TheLoadedOne: Both! Hah. Gimme Abreu

32. Hey man, do you have a top 20 list for holds?

33. Hey great posts last season & for football too- im psyched for MLB season !!

    Lol I may have waited too long to nab a 2b;?my starting second baseman is odor. On my bench I have Arismendy alcantara since he can be used at 2b & OF. Since I’m feeling so so about odor would you add any of these ? Neil Walker, howie Kendrick , Brett lawrie (2b/3b), scooter genett, michah johnson, marcus semien (2b/3b), Luis valbuena (2b/3b), brandon Philips, Jedd gyorko.

    h2h points / weekly league with espn

    • @Raging against the machine:

      Basically comes down to keep arismendy Alcantara over the above guys or drop him for above guys?

      • @Raging against the machine: Thanks for reading man! I’m pumped too! Marketing effort – play fantasy hoops next year! Tons of fun. Anyway…

        I might be too biased (big Brewers fan), but I’ll take Scooter. Will be playing every day and might hit atop the order.

        • @JB Gilpin:

          Awesome man, next season I’ll try out fantasy hoops hey why not!

          I’m intrigued with scooter especially if he’s a lead off man , would you drop arismendy alcantara for scooter? What are your thoughts on odor this season?

          • @Raging against the machine: Sweet man! We’ll look forward to havin ya!

            Yeah I def would take Scooter. 10/15 potential with .300 and 100 runs. That might be overly optimistic, but it’s in his skill set. Mehhhh, wish Odor had the speed translate a bit better, 4 SB to 7 CS last year.

            • @JB Gilpin:

              My league is a weekly lock league itll lock for the week at the first game which will be april 5th prime time game, that being said start scooter gennet or odor to start the season?

              • @Raging against the machine: Roenicke said he’ll announce the leadoff hitter after today, so any minute now we’ll have an idea of who he starts with. If Scooter leads off, def playing him, if not Odor

34. Can you let me know how you feel about my rotation I drafted? Is Bundy worth owning right now in a keeper league? If not.. Baily, Bauer, Hammel Burnett and McCarthy

    Mike Fiers SP | MIL
    Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD KEEPER
    Wily Peralta SP | MIL
    Matt Shoemaker SP | LAA KEEPER
    Stephen Strasburg SP | WAS KEEPER
    Joaquin Benoit RP | SD
    Steve Cishek RP | MIA
    Drew Hutchison SP | TOR
    James Paxton SP | SEA
    Dylan Bundy RP | BAL

    • @Chris: Any rotation with Kershaw gets an A+ in my book! Plus with Strasburg, sheesh. I like the upside guys too flanking them. How many do you keep each year? With those extra pitchers you have, I would guess 10ish, so nah Bundy isn’t keeper worthy and I would grab McCarthy

      • @JB Gilpin: We can keep 3 or 4 pitchers. 7 total keepers.

        • @Chris: Ah, yeah Bundy wouldn’t be a keeper for a while

35. No love for TJ House(party)?

    • @SwaggerJackers: Hah, nah pretty hittable last year (given he had a high BABIP) and the only month he had a sub-1.20 WHIP was that unreal September against some bad teams.

36. JB,

    Who do you like as a late round DL stash for this year?

    (Jofer was kept) QS & K/9 league

    Griffin, Corbin, Minor, Parker

    • @nightpandas: Of those it’s def Minor, only guy I have on my ranks, but he still scares me a bit

37. 10 h2h: R, H, RBI, SB, HR, AVG, OBP, SLG, IP, K’s, ERA, WHIP, QS, S

    C: Santana
    1b: Pujols
    2b: Gordon
    SS: Desmond
    3b: Longo
    OF: McCutchen, Dickerson, Billy Hamilton
    U: Myers, Duda
    Bn: Gyorko, Avisail

    SP: Harvey, Lester, Tanaka, Carrasco, Ventura, Hutchison, Peralta, Eovaldi, Bauer, Heaney
    RP: Jansen, Britton

    Not super thrilled with having both Gordon and Hamilton, but I reached a little for Gordon and then Hamilton fell to me. I also think my SP is kinda weak.

    But what do you think?

    Thanks!

    • You look heavy on speed, light on power, stronger on pitching with Tanaka a huge question mark…

    • @Harvey Wallbangers: Love Lester/harvey/Carrasco. I think your pitching is pretty good, I actually like this team a good bit. Would use Heaney’s spot for early streaming

38. JB:

    What’s the word, big fella. Sorry I was MIA during hoops this season. Real work called. Something had to give…. Nice to see your posts on SP. Generally, I tend to wait on pitching and go value and high upside whenever possible. The formula typically works pretty well for me, but curious your take. Play in a deep 14 team, weekly H2H, redraft league. 6×6 (holds), We start 11 arms weekly– here is my staff and starters:

    SP (6): MadBum, Mat Latos, Francisco Liriano, Taijuan Walker, Shelby Miller, Carlos Martinez
    RP (5): Adam Ottavino, Aaron Barrett, Neil Walker, AJ Ramos, Evan Marshall
    Bench: Kevin Gausman, Danny Salazar (NA), Noah Syndergaard (NA), Sean Doolittle (DL)

    Given the depth of the league and my staff above, I’m tempted to hold Danny Salazar for the “upside” assuming he can pitch his way back into rotation in first couple months. However, the following FA arms are available, some of which you seem bullish on –>

    Available:: Chase Anderson, Jimmy Nelson, Mike Minor.

    You like any of these guys more than Danny Salazar? Chase – solidified his spot today. Nelson – seems likely to do so as well. Minor – injured, had minor arm inflammation but no surgery needed; due back late April.

    appreciate the thoughts.

    • @EL BURRO: Real work can go to hell! Hah, missed ya over there.

      I just hd my RCL and my pitching was even more garbage than that. But I got guys I like obviously.

      Deffffff grabbing Jimmy Nelson. I’m not a Nelson champion or anything, but should be solid and showed some better breaking stuff this Spring over what I saw last year. I probably would take all 3 over Salazar, but I think Nelson is the clear option.

      Good to see ya!

      • @JB Gilpin:

        Yeah; I hear ya. Fantasy Hoops needs to be modified or maybe shortening of the season (in reality) could help. THe amount of random DNPs, starter sit on away games, etc is almost too much to bear. Ruining the faux sport altogether… onwards to baseball.

        I owned Nelson all last year, dug the minor league #s, the stuff, results were meh in his cup of coffee… so curious what you’ve seen in Spring Training that makes you bullish on him or is simply that Danny just seems to be a wild mess and needs more seasoning? Per his ST stats, he’s thrown 13 ip to the tune of a 6.23 ERA with 9 ks,/ 1 BB.

        thanks.

        • @EL BURRO: Well the end of baseball has a lot of that too. But yeah, this year in the NBA was atrocious.

          MOstly the Danny wild mess. I feel like they’re really going to get him smoothed over and take it very slow. Nelson flashed some great sliders at time that hung a lot in the majors last year. Got me hot and bothered! Hah

39. I have the following rotation in a 5×5 HTH league:
    Kluber
    Wainwright
    Cole
    Ventura
    Walker
    Paxton
    K.Gibson

    I know the further down the list you go the harder it is to really separate guys. Based on my line up above, which adds would benefit my staff the most iyo? I recently picked up K.Gibson after his strong spring performance and I have an open roster spot as well, so my question is keep Gibson and add one of the following that are available: S.Greene, D.Norris, D.Pomeranz, C-Mart, House and/or Nelson. Or drop Gibson and add 2 from that list? Obviously you have Greene and Norris ranked the highest, if this is your staff do you drop Gibson and add them both? I want to believe you on Greene but I’d be lying if I said I would have thought he’d be rated that high.

    Last question,If you had to round out your roster how do you rank these 4 bottom of the roster bats… Vargas, Morse, Cron, D.Jennings?

    • @Eric Bateman: Yeah I would, I am a little surprised Greene hasn’t been pushed a little harder. That said, yeah maybe I am a little nuts :) But love the upside.

      Of those I’d go Cron, Morse, Vargas, Jennings. I used to love Jennings but he’s such a blah. But any need for speed and I’d move him to behind Cron.

      • @JB Gilpin:
        Thanks for the reply JB! I definitely like Norris and I might go nuts along with you and add Greene. Maybe I was too high on Gibson, liked him, Pomeranz and Rodon a lot. But I think I could benefit from help now based on my staffs construction. Say I add greene and Norris decent staff or no? I know from above you’re not big on Wainwright. I also have Chapman, Perkins, Britton and Cecil as my closers.

        This is my O:
        C McCann
        1B Freeman
        2B Kipnis(some speed)
        3B C.Santana
        SS A. Ramirez(some speed)
        OF Stanton
        OF Soler
        OF Betts(some speed)
        OF Springer(maybe some speed?)
        Util Pollock(some speed)
        Util Semien
        Util Morse
        Bench Jace Peterson(sneaky speed play?)
        Bench D.Jennings(some speed)

        So based on that lineup are you dropping Jennings for Cron, standing pat? Any other observations are welcomed. Thanks in advance!

        • @Eric Bateman: I just don’t buy Gibson can do enough in Ks. With Rodon heading down, I def like Norris and Greene over those two.

          Yeah no huge speed guys, I think I might end up holding Jennings for now. I’d get Cron for Morse though, I’m just not a big MOrse guy at all. Any time!

          • @JB Gilpin: Thanks man!

          • @JB Gilpin: What says you on my team overall with said changes above taking place. Above Average, Average, Below Average in a 12 team HTH 5×5 with OBP instead of AVG? Any angles you’d try to work to improve it, finished 2nd last year.

            • @Eric Bateman: Def above average, I don’t like Wainwright too much, but if he stays healthy he could be OK. Santana should take a big step fwd. OBP helps him a ton. Nothing big comes to mind, good collection of closers as well!

              • @JB Gilpin: Thanks again JB!

40. I have AuShizz and Arenado as my keepers in a 12 team 5X5 H2H keeper league. Drafting 2nd and assuming Giancarlo will be first off the board– who do you grab next? King Felix, Sale, Carlos Gomez or Joey Bats? Leaning towards F-Her but that’s cuz I’m drunk and need help standing. Slainte!
    Also bonus question–in separate keeper league, Rendon owner with no back-up 2B; drop Yasmany Tomas for newly anointed 2B starter Jace “Don’t Call Me Joc” Peterson, Alcantara, Gyorko or Odor?
    Eternal gratitude..

    • @Comickaze: Hahaha, keep the good time rollin’! Nah in 5×5 I’m def going O. Kinda leaning Gomez for the speed for your early build.

      Ehhhh, all those guys seem about even. But you will need a 2B stop gap, and if Yasmany is your last guy, gotta get someone… Leaning Odor, but would play matchups even first few days

41. JB!!

    Drafted my second team.

    Wow!!

    Yahoo 12 Team H2H 5X5 standard settings

    Wow…
    Second pick

    C – Ramos
    1B – Pujols
    2B – Gordon
    3B – Arenado
    SS – Boegarts
    OF – Stanton
    OF – Harper
    OF – Cespedes
    UTIL – Wong (couldn’t pass him in round 13)
    UTIL – Pollock
    B – Prado (Last pick, needed Bench Bat)

    SP – Arrieta
    SP – A. Wood
    SP – Carrasaco
    SP – Fiers
    SP – Shoemaker
    SP – Hutchison
    SP – Hahn
    SP – Eovaldi
    SP – Duffy
    RP – K Rod
    RP – Rodney
    RP – Mejia

    • @TarmanGotHim: Nice! Love the waiting on pitching, and think your staff is great. Obviously I’m huge on all top 3 guys. Can’t believe Wong fell that far! That said, him in your UTIL seems a waste of a MI, I would explore some trades for Dee Gordon or Wong, hopefully Wong goes nuts early and you can sell high

      • @JB Gilpin: I was thinking the same thing, but UTIL spot is still important when I comes to weekly hitting. This is something I do plan on doing. Thanks!!

        • @TarmanGotHim: I traded Dee Gordon last year at his highest point for a 3rd rounder this year (and a few starters last year (Latos, Lee and Kennedy) as I needed pitching help… turns out they didn’t help much). (He wouldn’t have been kept by me, as my keepers were stacked)

          I’m not a Dee Gordon lover, but with your squad, I would keep him. He fills the SB need for your team, without just being a typical SAGNOF. I also like Wong in the role you have him.

          If I was you I’d be more inclined to flip Cespedes. Hitting 6th in Detroit is OK for a 3rd OF, but if he starts hot, you could probably get a ton for him to an unsuspecting owner who doesn’t realize his name has more value than his stats. I would try to upgrade SS as XB isn’t very good at all, IMO. The team is stacked though. You might not need to make any moves.

          • @TarmanGotHim: Yeah I mean, I def had to nitpick to find any issues @CMUTimmah: :)

            Def not saying UTIL is a waste, just that usually I like an OF or 1B there, just because they tend to be deeper and someone will be desperate for a MI. Nothing to do right this second, just as I mentioned, I might shot one if one is super hot

            • @JB Gilpin: I couldn’t agree more JB!!

              And thanks for your assessment fan!! I agree with you 100% the fact of the matter, aside from being a Marlins fan, is I always prepare with at least 75 mocks ore draft, haha, and I maybe mocked Gordon twice, but the strategy was moreso speed at that pick, same with Wong. I drafted Fiers and K Rod second to last and second, I was gonna take Pederson and Danny Santana, but I said, they will be available the next 2 picks. They went 5 and 8 picks later respectively. So at that point, it didn’t really bother me cause all I needed to fill was Second UTIL (Pollock) and Catcher (I am kind of risking Ramos at both C spots in my 2 drafted leagues, but my bigger money league draft is tomorrow and I have pick 5, so I am actually going to really wait and take Zunino or D’Arnaud, or actually go a bit earlier for the first time ever and take Gones or Santana which his eligibility always intrigues me.

              Puljos healthy in that lineup was a great pick at 1B. I waited 45 seconds going Frazier or Puljos, Frazier or Puljos, the only reason I almost went Frazier is for Steals and eligibility.

              Also, I like 1B and OF in UTIL spot it must eligibility, but Won’t was hard to pass up, and I do plan on trading him.

              Dee looks fantastic in ST, so hopefully he’s the real deal, as I am a Fish Fan regardless lol.

              • @TarmanGotHim: Oh, and I am not a huge XB fan, but good lineup and potential and I kinda went by Greys rankings. HIs rankings tend to do a lot for me.

                • @TarmanGotHim: Awesome, yup agree with all-a-dat.

                  Frazier I’d be surprised if he gets 15 steals, but should be dub digits.

                  Let’s hope Gordon can keep that average up and take some walks! All he needs. I’m not huge on Bogaerts either, but I lucked into him in like late teens in my last draft. I’ll take the gamble there!

                  • @JB Gilpin: That was the same for me with CB. I got him really late. To clarify. Won’t was round 11, and I couldn’t make my mind up there so he was the guy that was to be taken. Haha. I’ll dro my team to you tomorrow after my draft.

42. Just finished my draft and here is my pitching staff in a H2H points league and below that the pitchers that are available on the wire. Although we have two spots for RP I skipped RP in the draft and filled the spots with RP eligible SP.

    Current Team: Arrietta, Gray, Carrasco, Shoemaker, Kennedy, McHugh, Keuchel, Pineda
    Waiver Wire: Clippard, Reed, Lohse, Paxton, Miller, Porcello, Dickey, Greene

    See any moves I should make immediately to improve this staff?

    Thanks!

    • @Ron: Nice set of guys you have there! H2H points def help Keuchel. Mannnnn, I like all your guys but still feel Paxton should be in there. Prob dropping Ian Kennedy, but I know a lot of people will disagree with that move. Any time!

43. The pitcher I’ve got my eye on right now is Wojo in Houston. He’s been phenomenal and he pitches tomorrow. If he gets a spot, he may be a sneaky pickup.

    • @colonel Angus: Yeah he’s been great this spring. I might have to watch some of that one too! It would probably take a few starts in the majors for him to crack the top 100, but my eye is on him too

44. Hey JB

    Nice article. I’ll definitely be following the in-season re-rankings.

    I went a little overboard on bats in the draft leaving me light on pitching. Which pitchers do you think I should target for someone like Adrian Gonzalez? I’ve been offered Jordan Zimmerman. Seem like a fair swap?

    Thanks in advance!

    • @SDB:

      This is who I’ve got at SP btw:

      M.Tanaka
      G.Richards
      M.Wacha
      T.Walker
      M.Shoemaker
      M.Fiers
      K.Lohse

      Should I trade for a SP?
      Adrian Gonzalez is in my utility spot; if I trade him, he would be replaced in my starting lineup by subbing in and out Pedro Alvarez and Alex Rodriguez from my bench.

      • @SDB: Thanks for reading man! Yeah JZ seems perfectly fair to me, I totally buy JZ’s nice Ks and 2014 numbers. If Gonzo is there in UTIL, yeah I’m good with that trade – although don’t love who you have right now as fill ins haha. But guys will emerge early on off the wire as well

45. JB — love your rankings. Much more enjoyable then those other sites (ESPN) which are typically a hot mess. How would you adjust your rankings at all for a H2H points league, if at all? I’ve got Kluber, Strasburg and Sale as my keepers, but I was toying with trading one of them and a draft pick for Harvey and the other guys 2nd round pick. What are your thoughts on this? Is Harvey going to throw enough innings that it’s worth the risk?

    • @Ryan741: Hah thanks man! Although a few might be a tad messy :)

      Whoa, nasty core! Sure I’m good with that, I like Strasburg the least so he’d be my first choice to make that trade. H2H just the lower K, more innings volume guys move up. I think Weaver should be fine. Shields would go up, Latos I think is a lower-K guy now but he’d go up, and def Fister would go up. I do think Harvey will throw enough to warrant that trade for ya

      • @JB Gilpin yeah, I’m trying to get the other guy to offer up Harvey and his 2nd and 3rd round picks for something like Stras and my 6th and 7th and then grab 2-3 of Carassco, Richards, Tanaka, DeGrom, Iwakuma, Wacha, McHugh

        • Also was offered Jordan Zimmerman, Bautista and a 10th round pick for Sale and my 3rd and 4th. I’m doing one deal or the other, not both.

          • @Ryan741: Yeah I like both trades actually… I think I like the first one better, giving up a 3rd AND 4th seems like a tad too much. Maybe if it was just the 3rd or 4th I’d do it.

46. Jb my starters in a h2h points league are strasburg, zimmerman, arrieta, carrasco, a. wood, shields, latos, hutchison, and shoemaker. Paxton and walker are both available. Should I drop anyone for them? Not sure how your ranks translate to points leagues. Was considering dropping hutchison and shoemaker for both of them.

    • @Allan: Def losing Hutch for Paxton. I think Paxton can go deep enough and he’s about the same for me in Pts. Walker… Ehhh, I mean I know all the buzz is out there, but I think I’m holding there.

47. Thoughts on Adam Warren as a SP?

    • @danny almonte: Ehhhh, not a huge fan. A little too walky haha

48. AL Only Keeper League, keep 12MLB, 4 Minor League players each year. Stoman won’t help me this year…but will any of these others?

    Give: Stroman
    Get: Heaney, Appel, Hunter Harvey

    Thanks for your insight.

    • @Turd Ferguson: Heaney should be up at some point… But I don’t know about “help”… That said, it’s a fairly big haul. In AL only I might do that

49. Hey JB, these lists are awesome, love getting your perspective in addition to the other writers. Can I get your thoughts on my points league staff? League is 10 teams with 5 SP slots and 2 RP slots. And it’s weekly.

    SP: Max Scherzer, James Shields, Garrett Richards, Yordano Ventura, Collin McHugh

    RP: Alex Wood, Kenley Jansen

    Bench: Matt Shoemker, Carlos Martinez, Kendall Graveman

    I’m not really sure how to handle the RP slot — I think Wood will score more points than every closer, but I couldn’t decide whether Kenley will do better or a more fringe-y SP/RP like CMart or Graveman. So I have them both for now. Also not sure how to make room for the (at least) one two start guy I want to stream each week…

    • @PhrasingBackInTheMix: Thanks man! Love that staff, Shields should be solid. Graveman for sure is a great add as end of rotation in Pts. Love having the SPaRP guys in there like Wood, and you’ll be starting Graveman there until Jansen is back. CMart as yet another option helps, so I’d def give it a couple weeks before deciding who to lose to start streaming

      • @JB Gilpin: Thanks! One follow-up question as I keep hunting for those SP/RP guys in the points league — would you drop Carlos Martinez for Daniel Norris?

        • @PhrasingBackInTheMix: Yeah I think I would, CMart makes it close being NL, but with his issues with lefties, I bet he doesn’t pitch as deep, usually

50. Thanks for the update – good stuff as always. Any thoughts on Rafael Montero’s value? I know his role is currently unclear, but it sounds like he should earn a rotation spot before too long. Thanks!

    • @AlwaysNextYear: Thanks man! Ehhhh, he’s interesting, I like his kinda different delivery, would need to see him locked in the rotation and contributing before he’d crack in, but certainly on the radar

      • @JB Gilpin: Thanks for the reply! He’s definitely on my radar. I like his strong track record in the minors, especially the K and BB rates. He never really got hit particularly hard, even in Las Vegas. So while his 2014 MLB numbers were pretty meh overall, I think he can be a solid mid-rotation guy. But I suppose he actually needs to lock that down first.

        • @AlwaysNextYear: Yeah that’s the thing, even with Wheeler going down, the Mets have unreal SP depth with Syndergaard looming as well

51. How confident are you with Brandon McCarthy (10.9% ESPN owned) over Hyun-Jin Ryu (100% ESPN owned)?

    • @Scott: Eh, I’m gonna drop Gausman for McCarthy instead.

      • @Scott: Ryu, I believe, is having arm issues, probably the reason for the lower rank.

        • @Scott: @CMUTimmah: Yeah that’s shocking to me that Ryu is at 100% given he had shoulder issues start him on the DL last year, ended his year last year, and is back again to start this year. But yeah, Gausman unfortunately seems headed to the bullpen, he indeed would be my first drop

52. What’s your view on streaming pitchers. I like Clay Buchholz for opening day…

    • @Scott: Ehhhh, I don’t like streaming too early, and it’s ironic against the Phillies. I streamed Scheppers in a few leagues last year, opening against the Phillies. And homeboy got rockkkkkkked haha

53. Nice list JB! Good read as usual.

    I’ve fallen off the Sonny bandwagon for this year. Fun while it lasted though. Gay marriage must be legal in your state, and you and Harvey had to have been first in line to make it official. I see no other reason Harvey would be at #9.

    I have a big draft tonight and I haven’t seen many people in previous drafts take any interest in him. I just might take a stab based on the bedroom eyes you’re flashing towards Shea stadium.

    I joke! Much respect for your ranks, I changed up my plans based on them so I hope you know your shit! Many of these picks will be easy. Good luck this year!

    • @ShawnOfTheLivid: Hah, we are acknowledged as a civil union! Looks too good, confident, and maybe I’m reading too much into this 3rd tendon thing.

      Really? He went in the 70s my last few drafts. So I think he’s buzzy. Thanks man, good luck!

54. Shane Greene at #42 ahead of guys like Quintana, Hutchinson, S. Miller, Archer, Odorizzi, etc. seems waaaaaay off. Greene’s minor league K-rate is way lower than last season, he has mediocre control, and he has never pitched a full MLB season. Can you explain why you like Greene so much?

55. Derek Holland not Derrick

    • @Lee: Oops! KNew that, another spreadsheet error from my source.

56. 10 team H2H points league Scoring:

    WIN (+3), LOSS (-3), IP (+3), K (+1), BB (-1), SAVE (+3), ER (-2), HIT (-1), NH (+10) PF (+15)

    (4) SP: Scherzer, Cobb, L. Lynn, P. Hughes
    (3) RP: Chapman, Kimbrel, C. Martinez [SP/RP]
    Bench: (I. Kennedy, C. McHugh, Smyly, Lackey)
    Bench Total: (5)

    Available pitchers include guys like Fiers, Paxton, Shoemaker, Hahn, Collmenter, Hammel, Eovaldi, Bauer, and Greene… anyone on my team worth dropping for any of them?

    • @al: Yeah I’m all in on Paxton obviously, I’d def get him over Lackey and prob getting Shoemaker for Kennedy

57. 12 teamer with losses as extra cat to combat streaming somewhat. deep benches so i have 2nd most starters (only guy that has more completely punted even using his RP slots)
    rotation is price/wood/fiers/liriano/hutchison/peavy/burnett/hammel/porcello/house/greene/syndergaard (NA 1 slot).
    so your rankings say i should drop porcello (for sure) and burnett for happ and d.norris? others around this area that are free are nelson/c.anderson/rubby. all the others from where you have d.norris to where you have burnett are gone.

    • @goodfold2: oops, so technically yr rankings say i should throw away house/porcello/burnett for d.norris/happ/ and nelson.

      • @goodfold2: Yeah I’d def make all 3 of those moves. Especially with losses, Nelson and Norris should get some dynamite run support to help fend those off. Porcello should too, but I’m such a non-believer haha

58. in 20 teamer dynasty with K per 9 / QS/ double plays and minimum 35 innings per week (and we can have either 12 or 13 total pitchers, and we start 7 RP as well) and this staff, hammel/quintana/liriano/holland/greene/darvish (still waiting on DL even though he got TJ back on the 17th)/house do i drop house for d.norris or c.anderson, i see you really don’t like house when compared to these two.

    • @goodfold2: Yeah I’d def get Norris, I’m not huge on House, I think he can be OK but offers very little upside – and K/per/9 will be huge for Norris

      • @JB Gilpin: norris was grabbed at around 8 AM by the TOR team (we have to keep at least 9 players from whatever team we are named after, i’m TEX), i’m thinking norris just came into yahoo recently, since i’m sure TOR would’ve grabbed him earlier otherwise. in this case i guess drop house for c.anderson. this is my 6th SP spot, so it would be the stream spot anyway. We drafted these teams last year and got to keep predraft as many of our team named players as we wanted. TEX at the time seemed VERY good at offense. here’s hoping kela makes bullpen and soon steals feliz’s job, as i dropped that bum last year before he came back with no velo from AAA.

        • @goodfold2: Dude, I’m gonna make a league like that next year – where do you play it? ESPN and Yahoo don’t have 30 team leagues I don’t think…

          Nah Norris shoulda been in there, he pitched in the Majors last year. Weird oversight from the TOR owner… But yeah gimme Anderson over House, underrated year last season

          • @JB Gilpin: it’s a 20 teamer, somehow last year drafting 11th overall (we have no MIL/MIA/COL, so those players went high obv) i got STANTON, crazy shizz there. Cliff Lee, at his age, and a few very questionable others went ahead of stanton. also got gyorko in the 2nd round, still have him. prospects are pretty sick too with urias/bradley/gallo/profar (DL)/a.jax (the new one)/franco. yahoo league.

            • @goodfold2: Gotcha, yeah love your farm. Urias is gonna be goooooood

59. Congrats on the promotion new razzball podcast guy! Great work with these SP rankings, must be the easiest job in the world with all the good SPs coming out of our ears these days, or does that make it the hardest haha.

    Love your high-ness on Sale and Paxton first time I’ve drafted Sale this year ($22) but I’ve always been a Paxton fan. Some interesting calls, Verlander and CC so high? Drafted Cobb but didn’t freakin know about his injury then (!), however it might have led to a bargain buy ($11), is his ranking here already adjusted for that? Liking the Yordano and Cole love too.

    • @Swfcdan: Thanks man! Hah, it was harder this year! I feel like 70-120 is such a hodgepodge. Last year I feel like 90ish was good then struggled to fill it out.

      Hah, yeah CC has velo this spring and Verlander had some rough peripherals that show he could be OK. Unlikely I’ll draft either, but I am getting my guys like Norris, Greene,, McCarthy late. Yup! Cobb is already adjusted, I think I had him in the 20s and he shouldn’t miss too much time, I agree he is becoming a value.

      Thanks man!

      • @JB Gilpin: Paxton getting roughed up but I guess that’s what those Chi Sox can do to ya. Still believe!

        • @Swfcdan: Yeah velo not looking great, but he’s still a little behind after getting hurt falling haha

          • @JB Gilpin: Falling? Don’t tell me it’s another crazy baseball injury haha, let me guess fell off his horse riding in the offseason (total stab in the dark).

            • @Swfcdan: Hahaha nah he was doing sprints I think and fell and sprained both his forearms

              • @JB Gilpin: Damn you sprinklers!

60. Shane Greene and Brandon McCarthy on all my teams. Woohoo!

    • @Scott: Woooooo, let’s do this! Got em both in my RCL league as well, probably will end up with both in the writers league draft tonight too

61. Hey boss….

    Would you drop semien, Danny santana or ottavino

    For any of these guys
    Moss, Rios, souza, Kennedy, shoemaker, Jensen

    thanks

    • @slimbo: I’d rank them Santana>Semien>Ottavino. If you arne’t starting Semien, yeah I’d drop him and Ottavino for Rios and Shoemaker probably

62. JB!

    Drafted m y final team.

    This is 6X6 with QS and Hits

    C – Zunino
    1B – Abreu
    2B – Betts
    3B – Donaldson (Arenado in the other 2, variety and I like Donaldson, had I know Arenado would of been around in round 4, would of been intriguing)
    SS – Danny Santana (Rd 11, in up next with button on Alexi, taken right before me 2 drafts in a row)
    OF – Upton
    OF – Yelich
    OF – Cruz
    UTIL – Pederson (Reached)
    OF – Myers
    B – Khris Davis

    SP – Cole
    SP – Arrieta
    SP – Ross
    SP – McHugh
    SP – Odirizzi
    SP – Keuchel
    SP – Shelby Miller
    SP – Peralta
    SP – Graveman
    SP – Greene
    RP – Storen
    RP – K Rod

    I know you don’t like Ross, but I don’t know why. Lol.

    I personally like my SP.

    • @TarmanGotHim: Nice work! Yeah Ross is fine, I mean as a #3 I don’t mind it. I just hate his delivery, I think he’s too prone to control issues, which made him almost unownable late last yr. Keuchel I got in like the last round of our Razzball staff draft I like, obviously like Greene, I think it’s solid!

63. Any concern over McCarthy’s rough spring? Who do you like better Greene or Mccarthy taking into account each SP’s spring performances.

    • @Eric B: Not really, although I haven’t reached for him in drafts like I might’ve previously. Still McCarthy for me, but they’re close

      • @JB Gilpin:
        Thanks for the reply
        This is my current roster:
        This is my roster: ESPN 12 team HTH mixed 5×5 OBP instead of AVG
        C McCann
        1B Freeman
        2B Kipnis
        3B Santana
        SS A.Ramirez
        OF Stanton
        OF Springer
        OF Soler
        OF Betts
        Util Pollock
        Util Avisail Garcia
        Util Lawrie
        Bench Semien
        Bench Burns
        Bench Jace Peterson

        P Kluber
        P Wainwright
        P Cole
        P Walker
        P Paxton
        SP Ventura
        SP S.Greene
        RP Chapman
        RP Britton
        Bench RP Perkins
        Bench SP/RP D. Norris

        So with that team do I have enough speed to drop say Burns(speculative add with Crisp on DL but still not guaranteed a starting spot) for McCarthy? Or should I hold tight with this staff, also available on the wire are Santana, House, J.Nelson, Pomeranz, maybe a stash of C.Rodon…based on our previous discussion of the concern regarding Wainright I want to make sure I have as good a staff as possible.

        • @Eric B: Bradley is also available, so who would you take based on my above roster?Add McCarthy or Bradley and drop Burns or hold with the above staff?

          • @Eric B: I’ve added Bradley in two leagues now, so he’s shooting way up. I had no expectation he’d be in the starting rotation. I’d lose Burns for him. I’d also lose Jace PEterson for someone, I don’t think you need two bench utility infielders. So I’d grab McCarthy for him

            • @JB Gilpin: Thanks JB. I dropped Burns for McCarthy already. My dilema with Jace is I dont really have a back up option at SS behind Alexi and he is 2nd and SS eligible. I also worry I dont have enough speed which led me to want to hold onto him…and I’m a Braves homer lol. So after adding McCarthy my team looks like this:
              This is my roster: ESPN 12 team HTH mixed 5×5 OBP instead of AVG
              C McCann
              1B Freeman
              2B Kipnis
              3B Santana
              SS A.Ramirez
              OF Stanton
              OF Springer
              OF Soler
              OF Betts
              Util Pollock
              Util Avisail Garcia
              Util Lawrie
              Bench Semien
              Bench Jace Peterson

              P Kluber
              P Wainwright
              P Cole
              P Walker
              P Paxton
              SP Ventura
              SP S.Greene
              RP Chapman
              RP Britton
              Bench RP Perkins
              Bench SP/RP D. Norris
              Bench SP McCarthy

              I could stand pat,add Vargas or Cron for power..do you like either of them for a power bat btw? Also as it stands now to me I question Greene the most on my staff. I know you like him, do you like him over Bradley or the addition of a power bat for this roster? Also thoughts on McAllister, hearing a lot of post draft hype for him too.

              • @Eric B: Also regarding Jace being expendable. If I’m concerned about speed(wanting to keep Jace) do you think Semien becomes the most expendable bat on this roster? If so it comes down to Greene vs Bradley on my staff? And Burns, Cron or Vargas vs Semien for my batters.

                • @Eric B: Yeah I’m def fine losing Simien instead, I thought Jace was only 2B but maybe that’s in a different league.

                  Still Greene over Bradley for me, but they’re close. Bradley is way up on my board though. I think greene has just as much upside.

                  Don’t trust Burns will play every day. I think you have enough power, but if you’re keeping Jace over Simien, then gimme Cron

                  • @JB Gilpin: Man, I really appreciate your insight.This is an ESPN league so Jace is SS and 2nd eligible. So I think we’re on the same page;hold with my staff and you agree Cron offers my lineup more than Semien or hold there too?

                    • @Eric B: Meant to add do you like Semien over Jace ? If so do I have enough speed to cut Jace loose for Cron or am I better served just holding for now?

                    • @Eric B: Overall, yeah gimme Semien, but the speed for Jace I think helps you more, would keep Jace. But wouldn’t keep both which I think is your question, one can go, and would lose Semien for Cron indeed. Hope that helps!

64. Looking to make some swaps in my H2H points league. I’m debating trading Jordan Zimmerman and my 6th round pick for his 1st and 3rd. I would like to grab Shields with the 1st and then grab some combo of Carrasco/Richards/DeGrom/Wood/Arrieta with the 3rd round. Is this worth the risk of trading Zimmerman?

    • @Ryan: I do like Shields in Pts… H2H Pts, so you have the RP spots that can be starters right? Kinda like getting Carrasco there in the 3rd, I think that’s enough of an upgrade to do it

      • @JB Gilpin Yes, we can use RP for starters that qualify there. But we also have a limit of 10 starts per week. I’m hoping Carrasco will be there in the 3rd, but I know for sure that some combo him, Richards, Wood, Arrieta, DeGrom, McHugh or Iwakuma will be there for sure.

        • @HotCarl: Yeah all those guys are in the same realm, I like it!

65. some twerp dropped paxton in 12 teamer. use 4 waiver claim here, i’m guessing so , dropping burnett, my lowest from your above ranks?

    • @A Wesley Snipes Life: Yup sounds good to me! Dumb twerp haha

66. Drafted:

    Zimmerman
    Carrasco
    Wood
    McHugh
    Paxton
    Norris
    Greene

    With our league waiver time ending tomorrow, wondering if I should add Graveman and/or Hendricks and/or NOW Archie Bradley is the fifth starter in Arizona…?

    Does Chase Anderson’s position in your rankings indicate he is a streamer?

    What is your updated ranking on Tajuan Walker?

    • @Jonas: I will stop hating on Chasing the Waterfalls Anderson; but I plan on dropping some bench bats for the above pitchers.

      • @Jonas: 12er, yeah Anderson is probably in that stream fringe. Walker is in there “about” right, I’d rather have Archie Bradley which I know is an uncommon thought. I’d add Bradley then Walker, then use the above ranks, I maybe should’ve move Walker up a tad more for upside.

67. JB, what are your thoughts on Cobb? Worth taking a risk? I was offered Cutch/Cobb and a 3rd round pick for Bautista/Jordan Zimmerman and my 6th round pick….

    • @Ryan741: Sure, I think he’s draftable and worth owning. Sheesh that’s a tough trade though. Roto or H2H league? And is it only 2 keepers? If it’s only 2, I think I do it since the 3rd round pick should be an upgrade too

      • @JB Gilpin it’s a H2H points league. And it’s actually 4 keepers per team. Obviously SP is key, so I’m debating taking a chance on Cobb and then drafting Carrasco or Arrieta with the 3rd round pick.

        • @Ryan741: Yeah if Carrasco and Arrieta are there in the 3rd, I don’t think they’re much a downgrade from JZ. It’s just a risk for sure… But if you feel either one of those guys will be there, I’d do it!

68. JB what are your thoughts on Masterson? I have Salazar on my bench and I am looking to drop him and pick up another pitcher.

    Masterson, House, Niese, Pomeranz, Brett Anderson, JA Happ, Marco Gonzo, Chase Anderson are all available. You would go with Happ?

    • @AMolnar: Ehhhhh, low velo killed him last year, tough to see it come way back. Yup, gimme Happ!

69. Hey JB. Current Team with Starting Roster below. Waivers runs tommorrow Would you drop anyone to get Carlos Martinez or Archie Bradley or Graveman or Paxton. I already own 2 Seattle pitchers. A little hesitant to have 3 especially after Paxtons Spring. I was thinking Maybe Brett Lawrie for Carlos Martinez or Paxton? Still feeling good about McCarthy and Paxton?

    C-Salvador Perez
    1b-Chris Davis(1b/3b)
    2b-Jason Kipinis
    ss-Hanley Ramirez
    3b-Nolan Arenado
    OF-Trout
    OF-Harper
    OF-Danny Santanna (ss/of)
    DH-David Ortiz
    Bench-Jayson Werth
    Bench-David Wright
    Bench-Brandon Belt
    Bench-Brett Lawrie (2b/3b)
    Bench-Joc Pederson
    P-Jeff Samardjia
    P-Jake Arrietta
    P-Hisashi Iwakuma
    P-Colin McHugh
    P-Matt Shoemaker
    RP-Kelly Jansen
    RP-Neftali Perez
    Bench-Brandon McCarthy
    Bench-Mike Fiers
    Bench-Taijuan Walker
    Bench-Andrew Miller

    • @Bob: yeah I’m not too worried about their Springs, Paxton missed a good chunk of time too. I’d grab Paxton for Lawrie

70. JB–what the heck do I do in my 10 team AL-only roto dynasty league? It’s 6×6 (W, K, ERA, WHIP, Saves, Holds) and we need to have 9 pitchers.

    I kept Hughes ($6) and Smyly ($6). Aces go for top dollar (i.e. Sale and Price were both kept at 36).

    King Felix is available, but he’ll probably go for 30+. Samardzija is the next highest rated guy on your board, then next tier guys like McHugh, Pineda, Kazmir, Shoemaker, Keuchel, Greene, etc.

    Would you recommend spending money to get starters of that quality? And if so, how much? Or should I just take a few flyers on upside starters and focus my money instead on relievers to try winning ERA, WHIP, Holds, etc?

    I appreciate the help

    • @Abe Froman: I’d def go for a few of those guys. I think McHugh and Greene I’m higher on that most, I’d probably enforce a high price on Felix with the intention of not getting him then get those two.

      • @JB Gilpin:

        Sounds good–thanks.

        I’m rolling with Arrieta, Richards, Carrasco, Wood, Pineda, McHugh, Greene, Paxton, and Shoemaker in my 12 team mixed league, so clearly I trust ya! Happy Opening Day

        • @Abe Froman: Hah awesome man! Def looks like a group of guys that are all on multiple of my team! Happy opening day man!

          • @JB Gilpin:

            Update–my staff is Hughes, Smyly, McHugh, Happ, Greene, and then Farquhar, Street, Cecil, Tazawa as relievers for holds/ratios.

            Guys were going for crazy prices. Felix went for $47?!

            • @Abe Froman: Eesh yeah that’s a bit of a downgrade group of guys, def not a Hughes fan even before opening day. That said, relievers are good and love McHugh, hoping he starts off big!

              • @JB Gilpin:

                Hughes was a keeper of ours at $6. Which, compared to the prices some of these guys went for, should (hopefully) be a decent value.

                Fingers crossed on Greene and Happ!

                • @Abe Froman: Ah, at that price, for sure. Just hope he keeps it in the park! Greene getting this long rain delay is foreboding ahhhhh! haha

71. Hey JB, thanks again for all the help from above, we went back and forth so much there wasnt a reply button after your last response lol. One option I forgot to mention on the wire is Jennings who I could drop Jace Peterson for; To jog your memory I’ve included my team again:

    This is my roster: ESPN 12 team HTH mixed 5×5 OBP instead of AVG
    C McCann
    1B Freeman
    2B Kipnis
    3B Santana
    SS A.Ramirez
    OF Stanton
    OF Springer
    OF Soler
    OF Betts
    Util Pollock
    Util Avisail Garcia
    Util Lawrie
    Bench Semien
    Bench Jace Peterson

    P Kluber
    P Wainwright
    P Cole
    P Walker
    P Paxton
    SP Ventura
    SP S.Greene
    RP Chapman
    RP Britton
    Bench RP Perkins
    Bench SP/RP D. Norris
    Bench SP McCarthy

    We had discussed dropping Semien over Jace for Cron because I needed speed…do you think a better play is drop Jace for Desmond Jennings to help my speed and keep Semien instead?

    • @Eric B: Hah, all good man. Gotcha, yeah I’m just not a big Jennings fan at all… That said, wrestling DJ vs. Cron… Ya know what, going with the gut so gimme Cron! Although be sure he’s on your bench today vs. Felix hah!

      • @JB Gilpin: Well, someone beat me to Cron. Based on what I’d read from you and Grey’s columns concerning Wainwright I took a deal I was offered and flipped Wainwright and Jace for Odorrizzi and Danny Santana. Got a little speed and SS/OF eligibility in Santana and an up and comer projected to put up similar numbers to Wainwright. What says you about the deal and about my lineup as currently constructed?
        This is my roster: ESPN 12 team HTH mixed 5×5 OBP instead of AVG
        C McCann
        1B Freeman
        2B Kipnis
        3B Santana
        SS A.Ramirez
        OF Stanton
        OF Springer
        OF Soler
        OF Betts
        Util Pollock
        Util Avisail Garcia
        Util Lawrie
        Bench Semien
        Bench Danny Santana

        P Kluber
        P Odorizzi
        P Cole
        P Walker
        P Paxton
        SP Ventura
        SP S.Greene
        RP Chapman
        RP Britton
        Bench RP Perkins
        Bench SP/RP D. Norris
        Bench SP McCarthy

        • @Eric B: I think some people might disagree, but I like that deal. Waino was scoreless, but the Cubs line-up is still young and he wasn’t very efficient. Plus it’s only one game. Looking good man! Kluber is so good…

          • @JB Gilpin: Yeah it was risky I suppose but overall I like my roster now. I think Santana is an upgrade over Jace in R’s and Likely SB’s… I’m obviously hoping Odorizzi delivers on his sleeper potential. We can only keep 4 players per year for a max of 3 years in this league so I’d have never kept Wainwright anyway. I appreciate all the feedback, hopefully McCarthey, Greene and a few other arms can take the next step and solidify my staff. And I do have Kluber who I can still keep 1 more year as a 23rd round pick no less…finished 2nd in this league last year. Hopefully I’ve got enough balance to make a run again…

            • @Eric B: Nice, yeah I think you’ll be solid, good luck this yr!

72. JB take Latos off completely NOW! ERASE HIM!

    • @SheriffMcRawDawg: Hahaha, I’m having trouble seing the fantasypros ranks, they made it different now that the season has started, but I know I was well below the consensus. He looked awful

73. Werd! Who makes a better DL stash (there is clearly nothing on the dl about Grey’s ‘stache): Medlen, Corbin, or Beachy?

    so many tanks

    • @handy afterall: forgot to mention… 17-team league.

      • @handy afterall: Hah, ummmm that’s a good one. All still a little more to go, ya know, gimme Corbin!

74. Drop Latos for McCarthy? Worth using my 2nd waiver status? 8 team NL Only.

    • @I’m Keith Hernandez: Wow surprised McCarthy is avail in NL only, even only 8 teams! I had McCarthy ahead coming into the year so i’m good with it, but would try to drop a bench bat or something – I think both should be owned

      • @JB Gilpin: yeah someone dropped him. We have very shallow bench so only person I could drop is Latos. Other pitchers are Arrieta, Ross, Wood and Fiers

        • @I’m Keith Hernandez: Gotcha, yeah def not losing any of them. Velo looks good from McCarthy tonight, he starts slow usually but I like him over Latos for sure

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