Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts are indeed on the Dodgers. Whether Ohtani placed any bets on the Dodgers, baseball, or any sporting event remains to be seen. If I’m giving my opinion, which I am, I believe he is at least somewhat guilty. At a minimum, there is a money trail from his account to a bookie. Why doesn’t bookie rhyme with Mookie? The English language is wacky. If I were a betting man (like Shohei), I would bet that either he had a hand in the gambling, or at least knew what his buddy was up to, and allegedly covering his debts was a big mistake. I hate to say it, but if there were any bets placed on baseball, Ohtani should be done. Time to wake up and smell the Pete Roses. But who knows how Rob Manfraud will handle this. I heard he was seen at Target buying white gloves, a broom, and a rug.
It’s been a while. For those wondering where I have been, I will tell you. I have the pleasure of working at Razzball’s Center for Fantasy Baseballers Who Can’t Draft Good and Who Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too. It has been an enlightening experience and one that I will cherish for a long time. And for those wondering where my spreadsheet is, unfortunately, my interpreter stole it from me.
Here are the takeaways I recall from the spreadsheet before my interpreter claims he “lost it in a bet” with some Japanese guy from Los Angeles.
Spencer Strider is the number one player in points leagues when comparing players across all positions. Does that mean I would be picking him with the first pick. Nope. I’m taking Ronald Acuña Jr. and not thinking twice about it. If this was last year when Strider also had RP eligibility and we hadn’t experienced Acuña’s 40-70, 776-point season, then I might be singing a different tune. But my name ain’t Brady Singer, a pitcher that does not crack my top 100 SP for points leagues. There are probably a few hitters I’d be taking ahead of Strider, despite my rankings. Why? Because hitters are more consistent and less injury-prone. Which hitters? Probably Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Juan Soto. Jose Ramirez is borderline.
In daily lineup leagues, I am a big fan of Spencer Steer and Luis Rengifo for their multi-position eligibility. Speaking of position eligibility, a case could be made for Mookie Betts to be the number one player considering he can be slotted at three spots on the diamond, including 2B and SS. I’m Cust kayin’. How’s that for a Razzball term? Now if I can just work “$12 salad” into this post I’ll be good to go. Technically I just did.
Without much detail, here is my take on the players at each position. “Best” is defined as the player that will get the most points at the position. “Value” is defined as the player that will provide the best return on your investment if you are able to draft them around their ADP. “Bust” is the player that will provide a poor ROI.
Catcher:
Best: Adley Rutschman
Value: Luis Campusano – My favorite catcher in two-catcher leagues.
Bust: Salvador Perez
First Base:
Best: Freddie Freeman
Value: Vinnie Pasquantino
Bust: Cody Bellinger
Second Base:
Best: Mookie Betts
Value: Andres Gimenez/Bryson Stott
Bust: Matt McLain
Third Base:
Best: Jose Ramirez – Feels like he’s held this spot forever.
Value: Alec Bohm – Bohm goes the dynamite.
Bust: Royce Lewis – Not exactly the Rolls Royce of 3B picks.
Shortstop:
Best: Mookie Betts/Bobby Witt Jr.
Value: Nico Hoerner – Most boring fantasy pick ever?
Bust: Elly De La Cruz – His hype has ruined his ADP.
Outfield:
Best: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Value: Chas McCormick/Andrew Benintendi – Thank me later.
Bust: Adolis Garcia
Starting Pitcher:
Best: Spencer Strider – Keeps on making strides.
Value: Shane Bieber – I’m a Belieber.
Bust: Carlos Rodon – Rodon’t.
Relief Pitcher:
Best: Edwin Diaz – Who’s got ED?
Value: Tanner Scott – Does he spend a lot of time under UV lights?
Bust: Kenley Jansen – Hard pass.
Follow malamoney on Twitter at @malamoney
