Let's head on over to our friends in the American League Central to see which position battles they have going on during Spring Training.
First, in Cleveland, Brandon Moss will bring his power bat to Jaco…I mean, Progressive Field. Moss will look to prove his success in Oakland is who the real Moss is, not the one that Pirates' fans dealt with. I'm not bitter, I promise.
Welcome to the 2015 Razzball Team Previews! You’ll find everything you need to know about each team to get yourself ready for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. And I mean everything folks. We’ve got line-ups, charts, Slurpee’s, lube, a guide for beginner electricians, and even a cactus! Oh, wait, yeah, like half of those things are actually what I have in front of me… But hey, what’s the point of lube and cacti if you can’t share? Truer words have never been written. We also have a very special guest… Ed Carroll from Wahoos on First, to provide his take on what the team has in store this season. So without further ado (and plenty of lube and cacti), let’s check out the 2015 Cleveland Indians!
Wanna know how dedicated I am to you? I have your name tattooed on my tramp stamp area. Yeah, your name. Wanna know how else I'm dedicated to you? I flipped guys in and out of this post, moved a few to the
top 80 outfielders for 2015 fantasy baseball, moved some more to the
top 60 outfielders for 2015 fantasy baseball, didn't move any into the
top 40 outfielders for 2015 fantasy baseball, but considered it and made sure everyone was ranked to the best of my ability in this post. You're thinking, "I'd hope you're making sure your rankings in this post are correct, these are you rankings after all." True, You. But, honestly, most of the guys in the second half of this post are irrelevant outside of deeper leagues. It's simple math. If you're in a 12-team league with five outfielders, 60 outfielders are drafted, then twenty more guys are drafted that have multi-position eligibility, another ten for utility slots or for some schmohawks that draft a bench outfielder and, add up all of that, and it equals Frank Ocean. Okay, the math is off there. It should've equaled, "About 90 outfielders drafted." And everyone knows the fifth outfielder drafted doesn't last long on your team. Sure, maybe Josh Hamilton bounces back (doubtful), or maybe Carl Crawford becomes the latest Zombino (more doubtful), but in most mixed leagues these guys aren't even being drafted. In one mock draft I did for a magazine (they still make these? Where do you buy them?), Josh Reddick wasn't even drafted and he's ranked higher than all the guys here. Never the hoo! All the
2015 fantasy baseball rankings are under that linkie-ma-whosie. Anyway, here's the top 100 outfielders for 2015 fantasy baseball:
Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2014 (18) | 2013 (20) | 2012 (29) | 2011 (7) | 2010 (3)
2014 Affiliate Records
MLB: [85-77] AL Central
AAA: [79-65] International League - Columbus
AA: [73-69] Eastern League - Akron
A+: [62-74] Carolina League - Carolina (
2015: Lynchburg)
A: [65-74] Midwest League - Lake County
A(ss): [33-42] New York-Penn League - Mahoning Valley
Graduated Prospects
Trevor Bauer, RHP | T.J. House, LHP | Jose Ramirez, SS | Roberto Perez, C
The Gist
Several of Cleveland's younger players made waves during the 2014 season. Corey Kluber pitched his way to a Cy Young award, Michael Brantley broke out in a big way (
h/t Grey), and Carlos Carrasco rode a down and up season that included a trip to the bullpen. He ended up as one of fantasy's best starters over the final two months. You could even throw Jose Ramirez into the mix, who held his own at shortstop for the Tribe down the stretch. Looking ahead, this is a system headlined by top prospect Francisco Lindor, who should be in Cleveland at some point in 2015. Beyond Lindor, it's a farm that is strong "up the middle" (catcher/middle infield/center field) and there is plenty of impact talent lurking in the low minors. It's worth noting that two of the top five prospects were 2014 draftees.
Every year we get together in a Schenectady Sheraton to give away fantasy baseball awards for the past season. I'm your host, Grey Albright and I'm joined by Random Italicized Voice -- What's up, guys and four girls?" On the red carpet for everyone's arrival is the Comatose Rangers Fan, "Let's get started, I need to get home to see my Rangers face the Tigers!" Joining us up on the balcony is Kevin from ESPN's "Get Him In Your Lineup" Department, "I'm high above the crowd, in more ways than one!" Today's very special musical guest opening the show is...Counting Crows! Coming straight from opening for Pink! Not playing on stage prior to her performing, but literally opening a door for her. They now work as doormen. At hotels. It's very sad. Anyway, here’s the 2014 Razzball Year End Awards:
Here's a scenario for you: Hanley Ramirez and Carlos Gonzalez get onto a plane. Knowing their inability to stay healthy, you A) Get off the plane. B) Purposely get yourself thrown off the plane by calling the male flight attendant, Mr. Stewardess, and asking him if he's the pimp for the female stewardesses and if you could have a multi-person shag in the lavatory. C) There's no C. Any of the above answers would work, even C and there wasn't a C. CarGo can't stay healthy and Hanley doesn't seem to want to. If you count 145 games played as a full season, CarGo's played one full season. This year, he might not play in 71 games and he's at 70. Yes, he could be done for the year. Yes, it's bad news with CarGo. Freight so. Even if he plays again, he has 11 homers and 3 steals in 70 games. Yunel Escobar looks at that and talks to a trademark attorney. It's gonna be fun next year hearing people draft CarGo while they say, "I just need him to stay healthy for 120 games." Those people are called delusional. As for Hanley, he's supposed to return as soon as his DL stint is over, and he should as long as he doesn't have to play hard in a rehab assignment. That would be impossible for him even if healthy. Anyway, here's what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
I don't know about you, and let me preface this by saying most if not all of my league mates at least know I contribute fantasy baseball (OPS) content, but I keep getting the old "But, he's a Catcher/Shortstop so he's worth more" and from a position scarcity perspective, that's obviously true. However, I am A) going for the win-now so all I want is to take the lead in certain (all) categories and B) position scarcity-schmarcity: give me the best available.
So it's time for your 5x5 (HR,SB,R,RBI,OPS) rankings for both position scarcity and position schmarcity.
FYI, I use the FVAR (fantasy value above replacement) approach to fantasy valuation vs. SGP (standard gains points) approach since I don't have all of your leagues' current and historical information. Feel free to look this up or ask below.
For reference, here are the positional replacement 5x5 values and associated players (the 5 z-scores for each category are summed up; the sum is adjusted in each position by this positional replacement value i.e. each Catcher gets .73 added to their z-sum while each First Baseman only gets .01 added to their z-sum i.e. all catchers values are inflated more because of the lower replacement-value):
Yesterday, Alex Cobb's line was 8 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 12 Ks. March Grey, "You're welcome." April Grey, "Figures you show your face now." May Grey, "You know how much crap I took for you, March Grey?" June Grey, "Seriously!" All the Greys start yammering over each other. March Grey, "Hey! Hey! Hey! July Grey, defend me here!" July Grey, "Don't be too hard on him, Cobb was injured. He has a 2.23 ERA in July." April/May/June Grey, "Shut up!" March Grey, "What about the Ks, July Grey? Tell them about those too." April Grey, "We don't want to hear it!" July Grey, "36 Ks in only 32 1/3 IP in July. Oh, and in April his ERA was 1.89, so I have no idea what your problem is." April Grey, "Peer pressure." March Grey, "April Grey's still in a daze from Dozier's April." June Grey, "Yeah, April Grey, how's Mike Morse doing too?" April Grey, "You know what? I'm hanging up now." May Grey, "Probably wants to check on his Brett Lawrie-led offense." So, Cobb hasn't been dazzling all year like I expected, but his ERA is down to 3.54 on the year, his K-rate is 8.6, walk rate is 2.6 and his xFIP is 3.27. Everything I liked about him in the preseason still stands. March Grey, "That's what I'm saying! Now, are you sending the bail money or what? This Nicaraguan prison sucks. Greys? Are you guys still there?" Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Before we commence with the jamming and the cramming and the whatnot, let your humble-but-nonetheless-handsome Guru pull on your dirty turban about something here – The Razzball Fantasy Football 32 in 32 in 32 Tour kicks off August 4 in Seattle! The Goo and that podcastin’ broadcastin’ master Nick C-A-P-O-Z-Z-I will be hitting the road for a 50,000 mile frenzy of fantasy ballin’ depravity that’ll make Motley Crue’s 1984 tour look downright virtuous.
Razzball Radio will have shows from all 32 NFL cities and I’ll be posting the daily dirt on the
football side of things so you can follow along. We hope to meet, greet and tip a few back with all you Razzicians, Razzaholics, chronic Razzturbators
and four girl readers. There are still some spots available, so get your tix
here and you could win a trip to Vegas with the Razzball crew.
If you’re still with me, let’s high five and chest bump because that means your fake baseball team is still in the hunt. We are about to hit the most important month of the fantasy season. August is the time of year where the contenders separate from the pretenders and fantasy legends are made. If your team is muddled in the middle of mediocrity, it’s time to make some bold moves and push toward the top. If your team is king of the leader board, a minor roster tweak or twerk could be the move that wins you all the cash, prizes, glory and glory holes that come with a fake baseball championship. If your team is stuck in last place, may I suggest fantasy cricket, getting a girlfriend or binge drinking – see you next season.
This week’s jammers and crammers are a collection ex’s we thought we had sworn off forever. Much like my ex-girlfriend Brenda, they are hard to resist when they call at 2 a.m. promising everything will be different this time. Then, after a couple days of bliss, you wake up to find your wallet gone, the tires slashed on your car and a bunny boiling on the stove. However, we be desperate as
Ryan Zimmerman,
George Springer and
Troy Tulowitzki hit the DL. Who saw that coming?
"I did, Guru." Brenda! The court order states you have to stay at least 500 feet away from this blog. It's time to Jam it or Cram it!
I don't know about you, but even I get hung up on the individual site rankings for my leagues' player pages, even though they have little to do with the categories that we use. For example, in my CBS dynasty league, we use Runs Produced (RBI+R-HR), net Stolen Bases (SB-CS), Slugging, On-base Percentage, and Plate Appearances [Jay's Note: We use OBP, TB, W+QS, 2*Sv+H in a couple of my dynasty's], yet I am still at times impulsive to pick-up whomever sits at top of the sites' rankings, which is based off standard 5x5 formats. Well, you're welcome-- This post is to help you distinguish the value differential for OBP and OPS leagues relative to the ESPN player rater rankings. It should give you targets to trade for or trade away.
How great would it be for the Braves to trade for Marlon Byrd? Byrd and Ervin reunited. Byrd, of course, would have to bleach his skin like Sammy Sosa, put a giant yellow Brillo pad on his head for hair and wear some butt-hugging shorts that even white boys got to shout, "Baby got back!" Then Isiah can show up early, kiss them all on the cheek and watch from the sidelines. Ah, to dream (team). Due to a slightly inflated BABIP, Ervin Santana's ERA is up a tad from where it should be. Right now, he has the 27th best xFIP, right in front of Adam Wainwright. Speaking of Wainwright, Ervin's K-rate is better than his. Is Ervin Santana pitching better than Wainwright? I wouldn't go that far, but I wouldn't go so far away from that statement either. Doesn't anyone stay in one place anymore? It would be fine to see your face-- Sorry. The great thing about Ervin compared to a Wainwright, he's not even owned in some leagues. In the leagues where he is owned, how much would it take to get him in a trade? A Brain Freeze? A potato chip that's in the shape of Sloth from The Goonies? A free ticket to an autograph show where Shelley Duncan is dressed up like Tackleberry from Police Academy? I.e., not much. Go, get Ervin, he's magic, abracadabra. Anyway, here's some more players to Buy or Sell this week in fantasy baseball:
Something many of you don't realize, but one of the first people to talk to a player that was just traded is his new team's tailor. The Yankees tailor got on the phone with Chase Headley to find out what size jersey he wears, and Headley looked down, beaming to be out of Petco, and said, "Giuseppe, you might want to take out my inseam too." I wonder if the flowers smelled a little better as Headley stepped into Yankee Stadium for the first time. Sure, in contrast to his hour long ride through the Bronx, getting lost in Hunts Point, anything would smell better, but it can't be worse, can it? His career in away games prorated over a 162 game season is: 79/19/79/.286/14. Doode's David Wright! Well, almost. Which is sad for Headley and Wright. More sad for Wright. What a guy does in only half a season can be anywhere from bupkis to I-want-to-bump-grind-and-kiss. Will Headley suddenly be mixed league worthy? Yeah, for at least a flyer, if nothing else. Anyway, here's what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Page 3 of 16«12345...10...»Last »
