I thought we’d do something a little different this week… instead of highlighting a handful of potential deep-league pickups, let’s take a slightly more global view of the current state of fantasy baseball. There have already been more injuries, gut-punch demotions, and surprise breakouts than I can count, and sometimes we need to just take a moment to re-group and figure out how to approach managing a fantasy team while incorporating all of the new information we now have, that we didn’t have when we drafted it. So, here are some situations that are causing me angst, as I perform a vaguely existential exercise in which I ask myself fantasy baseball questions to which I already know I may not have the answers.
And if you think you have the answers to any of these questions, please, please feel free to chime in via the comments. If you have any of your own questions or comments, those are encouraged as well, as we’re really all just one big happy Razzballian fantasy baseball family here, after all.
Q. Am I going to regret not drafting more Bryce Harper shares at the beginning of March when I could have had him for pennies on the dollar, even though he only qualifies at Utility in my league?
A. This one I think I can answer, and the answer is probably yes.
Q. Before we go any further, it seems like we should mention at least one deep-league player who might be an interesting pick-up, doesn’t it?
A. Sure, how about Taylor Trammell… 3% owned in CBS leagues, post hype prospect vibe, 2 homers in his last 4 games for the Mariners. And since I know you’re about to ask me for an NL player as well, so let’s go with Tyrone Taylor (2% owned) — off the IL for a depleted Milwaukee outfield, and already homered Thursday.
Q. Over the weekend, someone in one of my shallower leagues dropped Camilo Doval; should I drop him in my NL-only league?
A. Well, he’s been pretty useless in fantasy, but I’d say hold for now if you don’t have a better alternative since the Giants don’t really seem to have a better plan at the moment. (Look at that – Doval got a save on Wednesday; things are looking up!)
Q. Should I trade David Bednar?
A. Well, Laura, if you can spare him, the answer is a definite yes. Yes, he’s an absolute stud in beast mode right now, but you must realize that it’s simply impossible for him to continue at his current mouthwatering pace, regardless of how well the Pirates continue to play. If you need a starter or a hitter and can sell high, flip away!
Q. Can I drop Jose Leclerc?
A. Yes you can.
Q. Why did I stop drafting Jorge Mateo after grabbing him in my first two drafts, which were in October and November?
A. You stopped drafting him because you got worried he’d be demoted after he couldn’t buy a hit in spring training. Turns out he might be your fantasy MVP in those two leagues, plus he really seems to have turned a corner in terms of plate discipline, so (even though there’s no way he can keep up his current hitting pace) if you targeted him even at his now-inflated price in your other leagues it probably wouldn’t be the dumbest thing you did this season.
Q. Why do I have 2 shares of Michael Massey?
A. Massey had some impressive exit velocity and end-of-year numbers in 2022 and had every opportunity to take the starting second base job in Kansas City and run with it this season. I’m blaming this one on him, not you, but you can drop him now (actually you can’t since you have him in draft and hold leagues, but I digress).
Q. Is Josh Rojas worth holding on to in a medium-depth league?
A. I’m going to give you a mildly hesitant yes. He’s shown no power yet and not as much speed as we’d like, but don’t forget he got a late start to spring training and may just now be hitting his stride. He’s been an integral part of the Diamondbacks this year (while the likes of Jake McCarthy are now toiling in the minors), and hopefully, he’ll start running more and become a more valuable piece of fantasy teams as well.
Q. Is Jose Abreu going to suck all year? And more importantly, why do you have him on so many teams while you only have Olson and Alonso on one team each?
A. Well, I may have overestimated the depth at first base this year, especially when it comes to major power sources. But I’m holding out hope that as the weather heats up, so will Abreu, though I have to say I’m not sure why so many of us thought that he was suddenly going to hit a million home runs just because he’d be playing in Houston. One over the first month of the season would have been nice though. At this point, I guess I’m pretty much just hoping for the average to pick up in a hurry, and enough runs and RBI to keep his 2023 a total fantasy disaster.
Q. Why is Mitch Keller finally good, the one year I didn’t take a shot on him in even one deep league after hearing about all of his off-season improvements (again)?
A. Whatever deal the Pirates made with the Devil which involved them dominating the National League even while losing their best player to a devastating injury, clearly included a boost in performance for many of the Buccos, including Keller. Just try to enjoy the run and be glad you drafted a few Pirates in several leagues, at least. They’re hella fun to watch so far this year!
Q. Why did I draft Charlie Morton in two leagues, including a high-stakes NFBC team?
A. I think you were a little drunk. Because I definitely remember you swearing off Morton permanently around July of last year.
Q. I have Drew Smyly on four teams and Zach Eflin on three though; I should feel pretty good about that at this point in the season given how low their pre-season price tags were, right?
A. Yeah, you knew they’d be solid choices to fill out the back end of a stellar fantasy rotation that also includes Triston McKenzie and Jeffrey Springs in those leagues. Oh, wait… (sad emoji).
Q. Am I an idiot for using a high pick on J.T. Realmuto in, like, four leagues, some deep and some shallow? Many people I respect told me not to draft a top catcher.
A. I don’t think you are. In addition to being a great player and one of the only catchers who can even dream of being a 5-category player, I think it’s been worth it for you just to not have to worry about playing the waiver wire even in shallower leagues or being stuck with a truly inferior hitter at C in a draft-and-hold league.
Q. How about that Jose Alvarado? He is one of my most rostered players, and I started drafting him all the way back in October!
A. We’ll see how he responds after his little blow-up earlier this week, but Alvarado is your new poster child for why one should pay attention the last month or two of the season even if one’s fantasy team is out of it. There were already rumblings in Philly that the folks there were hoping he could potentially close, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a pitcher with a more impressive turnaround after an unexpected demotion, so I’m glad you noticed that breakout as well. May 2022: 6 innings pitched, with 8 walks and an ERA of 11.80, leading to a trip to the minors. August 1st through the end of the regular season: 35 strikeouts, 4 walks, and a grand total of one run allowed in 20.1 innings.
Q. This piece is getting uncomfortably uplifting. Let’s close on something else you already know you did really, really wrong this year.
A. Seven words: Jace Peterson, Kolten Wong, five teams combined.
