So, this is crazy, I was in the supermarket line yesterday reading about an illegitimate child that Betty White had with a Mexican man while she was protesting with Cesar Chavez, and they named him…You’re gonna wanna sit down. His name was…Ronel Blanco! WHAT?! Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter? Shh…if you listen very closely, you can hear the one person who started Ronel Blanco on their fantasy team. Give it up for the Jays too, they made a middle reliever, who was making his 8th career start, Ronel Blanco (9 IP, 0 ER, 0 hits, 2 walks, 7 Ks) into a star. Gotta admit it’s kinda cool the way the Jays embraced April Fool’s. Well done, fellas. You totally got us! Blanco was helped by Kyle Tucker (2-for-3, 4 RBIs) and Yainer Diaz (2-for-4), who both hit their 1st and 2nd homers. So supremely nuts. 2024 MLB season, you so crazy, I want to have your baby. But not Betty White’s baby for fantasy. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Jeremy Pena – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 1st homer. That was his first homer since July 5th of last year. That, over-the-internet friend, is hilarious.
Bowden Francis – 5 1/3 IP, 7 ER. This monkey’s gone to heaven and threw its shizz at the walls.
Shota Imanaga – 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 hits, zero walks, 9 Ks. On this week’s podcast, I started to realize something halfway through: There’s only like five lineups worth being worried about. There are sooooooooooo many terrible teams. Yes, eleven O’s, though the O’s aren’t one. Teams that stink: White Sux, A’ss, Suckies, Mehlins, Gnats, the GERDians…Actually the entire AL Central. The NL Central isn’t much better, except for the Cubs and Reds, and even they strike out a lot. Some teams that are supposedly decent, but are you worried about the Mets? Rays? Jays? They were trying to lose in San Diego and Jake Cronenworth is their three-hole hitter. It’s easier to name the teams you should fear. So, Shota looked exceptional vs. the Suckies. It’s true, but I watched, and Shota looked…this can go one of two ways here…even better than the line! (Whew, Grey’s not dumb. At least not on this.) I think we might’ve underestimated Shota all draft season — well, not Coolwhip, here’s his Shota Imanaga sleeper.
Charlie Morton – 5 2/3 IP, 0 baserunners, 5 baserunners. Going off (like the Biz) what I was saying in Shota’s blurb about bad teams, I like Chazz Salt, but he was facing the White Sux, who might be the worst team. Yes, worse than the A’s.
Austin Riley – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 1st homer. He hit that off a White Sox pitcher, so it counts as three-quarters of a homer. Sorry, just relaying the new rules.
Mike Clevinger – Signed with the White Sox. Picture the scene: You’re standing, warming your hands over a trash can that is on fire. Then, you skewer a turd and warm it over the fire. That turd is Mike Clevinger. I kinda understand the A’s. They want to move. It sucks, but I get it. The White Sox? Reinsdorf wants to die with $2.1 billion while fielding the most garbage team possible vs. $1.8 billion and trying to win? It makes no sense. Any hoo! Clevinger will likely be a Streamonator call in most mixed leagues, when he’s ready in two to three weeks, and around a 4.30 ERA pitcher.
Adolis Garcia – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 3rd homer. He has 11 homers in the last 19 games, if you count the postseason. But, yeah, skip him to draft someone else.
Josh Jung – Had a slam and legs, but a fastball hit his wrist and fractured it. Some guys are like injury magnets, man. Unbelievable. This will help my preseason love Ezequiel Duran to anew again.
Dane Dunning – 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks. See my unabashed respect for Seth Lugo and Wacha, and add in Dunning as someone no one wanted all preseason, and he’s totally fine in a yawnstipating way.
Ryan Pepiot – 5 2/3 IP, 6 ER. It might be wrong of me to say all pitchers who I like are still good no matter how they look in their first start, but it’s one start! If you think one start is at all indicative of a six-month season, I don’t know what to tell you.
Spencer Steer – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 1st homer. Steer me to heaven and introduce me to Jesus! As my bumper sticker says.
Andrew Abbott – 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 baserunners, 4 Ks. Watched most of this game with Abbott and Cristopher Sanchez (5 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks), and Sanchez looked better, but neither were that exciting. It’s one start though, so going to mostly ignore what I saw.
Emerson Hancock – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 baserunners, 1 K. Everyone, and this is not exaggeration, is good in Safeco. Not saying this for purely masturbatory reasons with Hancock. He’s in the rotation until Woo returns, which might be a month, and he could be worthwhile in that time at least at home like previous Marginers.
Dominic Canzone – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 1st homer. I’m cyclops with a monocle on Canzone. He’s got a solid bat, but terrible park and likely platooning. Still prolly AL-Only or 15-team mixed and deeper.
Josh Naylor – 1-for-4 and his 1st homer. That’s preseason sleeper, Josh Naylor. LFG!
Triston McKenzie – 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER. How ya gonna hang that many runs on a hat stand?
Jackson Merrill – 1-for-3 and his 1st homer. He was my lede Buy last week, and it didn’t seem like anyone was picking him up, so screw y’all!
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 1-for-4 and his 3rd homer. Fun The Jewels fast!
Brendan Donovan – 3-for-4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer, as he hits leadoff. I don’t know about this BDon guy. Uh, my podcast co-host. Brendan Donovan is fine.
Kyle Gibson – 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks. This was the day of the boring 5th starters who aren’t that bad, huh?
James Paxton – 5 IP, 0 ER, 9 baserunners (5 BBs), 5 Ks. Five walks to five Ks from Paxton is abbreviated as K-Pax, after the truly awful Spacey movie.
Teoscar Hernandez – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 4th homer. Teoscar goes to Hollywood, and you didn’t see how this would play out?
Michael Conforto – 1-for-4 and his 3rd homer. He could finally be healthy, and I tried to grab him in every league this past weekend. Not exciting, if “not exciting” is winning your league.
Luis Gil – 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 6 Ks, at 84 pitches. Pulling Luis Gil with no one on at 4 2/3 IP and an easy win on the horizon is gonna turn me into a boomer. They need to change the Win rule. No way does a middle reliever getting one out to get them to 5 IP make him more valuable. It’s stupid and needs changing. Normalize the official scorer giving the starter who goes 4+ IP the win. Please!
Alek Thomas – Hit the IL with a strained hammy, which opens a slot for Jake McCarthy. Sadly, I’ve blacklisted him.
Mike Trout – 2-for-4, and his 2nd and 3rd homer. He hit his 2nd homer to the batter’s eye, if the batter was the Jolly Green Giant and he was standing in Cuba.
Nolan Schanuel – 1-for-3 and his 1st homer. Rendon (oh-for-the-season) still hitting leadoff, but Schanuel was up to the two-hole. Just need Schanuel at leadoff and Rengifo or Neto at two and we would be so good. Someone tell Ron Washington that Rengifo wants to legalize cocaine.
Max Meyer – 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 baserunners, 4 Ks. Didn’t watch this start, but it looks to me like Meyer is exactly like “random starter from the Streamonator” only with a flashier name.
Sean Manaea – 6 IP, 0 ER, 1 hit, 2 walks, 8 Ks. Yes, it was vs. Tigers, but I also was kicking myself all draft season I didn’t grab Manaea in any deeper leagues. It was only a year ago that I loved him.
Reese Olson – 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 3 Ks. Welcome to bizarro season where all Tigers starters are great, except Maeda. Maeda is Baeda, very, very Baeda.
MacKenzie Gore – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks. Uncle Charlie vs. righties? Unhittable. Everything vs. lefties? Not very hittable either. Gore had some trouble early with hanging curves, but he’s so close to a precipice of taking command. That sentence could’ve played in 2000, but change ‘curves’ to ‘chads.’
Marco Gonzales – 5 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 2 Ks. Fun fact! Gonzales is Spanish for He went to Jared. Streamonator hates Marco, and I don’t disagree.
Dean Kremer – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks. [Kremer crashes through the door] Jerry! You’re not gonna believe this! You know the product that turns oil into a solid? I patented it for bathroom uses.
Ryan Mountcastle – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 1st homer. We were likely out way too early on Mountcastle. Like the great BBC drama he’s named after, he’s getting better in his 5th season.
Jordan Westburg – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. Mountcastle and Westburg? Am I playing fantasy baseball or BritBox?
Bobby Witt Jr. – 2-for-5 and a slam (2) and legs (1). Witt is like Kyle Tucker, if Kyle Tucker were actually fast.
Salvador Perez – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 2nd homer. Sal P. with his 2nd, and 2nd time I’ve pointed out that Vinnie P. is playing like rotten ricotta.
Michael Wacha – 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 baserunners, 5 Ks. You’d get a serious case of the yawns if you rostered Wacha and Lugo on the same team, but you’d prolly do better than rostering two high upside starters.
Jarren Duran – 3-for-5, 2 runs and his 3rd, 4th and 5th steal. Oh, Duran wants me to name my firstborn after him? Okay, I’m down with that!
Tanner Houck – 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 hits, zero walks, 10 Ks. Streamonator loved this one, because it was vs. the A’ss. Start everyone vs. them.
Esteury Ruiz – Optioned to Triple-A, because he wasn’t getting on base enough, according to the A’s. He was hitting.429! Wearing a crown of thorns, Rajai Davis said, “I didn’t die for this.”
Better stream for this week
Reese Olson vs OAK or Brady Singer vs CHW
Bello looking nasty early. It’s the A’s, but still.
Bello hates the Oakland coliseum .
Singer or Crochet? Now that we’ve seen him do it against ATL, is it time to pick him up over Singer?
Drop Luis Urias for Foscue?
Nolan Jones experience is over!
Oven mitt
Would you drop Parker meadows for Turang
14 teamer 5×5 league but with OPS rather than AVG. Working the trade lines right now after Jung’s injury but if I can’t find any one willing to trade right now I get to choose one of JD Davis, Lipscomb, Baty, or Tyler Freeman. My heart says Baty but it’s tough to actually be excited for it. What would you recommend Grey?
Think I may need to blow a bunch of faab on Turang with this new SB rate of his…
Drafted him one year early!
Drop Frelick for Schanuel or hold?
Sure
Drop Pepiot for Reid Detmers, Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, Ranger Suarez, Zach Littel or Lugo?
Singer
Lipscomb or Baty for next 6 weeks? Thanks.
Baty
Look at this guy keeping a guy for six weeks! I vaguely remember those days.
Jung out for 6 weeks—smile.
Drop Rafaela or Julien?
Julien
Rangers calling up top prospect Justin Foscue with Jung out…he has 1b 2b 3b elig and I need a 3b elig guy in a 16tm keeper…how much faab of $100 would you spend?
$1?
.01?
Hahaha
@Grey: weekly roto. you buying into revival of flaherty? kenley too much to give for him?
Too much
yeah, thats what i was thinking. which tier should i be looking at it. is kenley plus stone or bryce miller for sale asking too much?
or kenley for bello?
Kenley for Sale sounds fine
Hello Grey! Love the Ron Washington/Rengifo thingy. Classic!
So I have some SPs that I consider questionable and some on Waivers that I may want to add (Yahoo 10 Team Points). What do you think as far as dropping and adding any?
Have: Pepiot, Meyer, M. Gore, B. Pfaadt
Available: Singer, Houck, Varland, Hicks, Gil, Lugo
I am kinda mad at Pepiot, but I am sure I can be patient. Really I can.
Thanks much Grey.
Singer over Meyer
Who would you grab to replace Jung? Busch, Triolo,Moncada, Baty or E Duran?
Baty
Are we over the Louie Varland love? Drop for Jordan Hicks or Max Meyer or hold? Thanks
Hicks
How about Hicks or Lugo?
Hicks
I have 3 pitchers to pick up because I drafted Buehler, Sewald, and Romano with my last 3 picks and are now on the IL. Who should I pick up and in what order among…?
Reid Detmers
Jared Jones
Jordan Hicks
Garrett Crochet
Lance Lynn
Ronel Blanco
Hicks, Jones, Crochet
I had to drop Duran in order to pick up a SS as I was afraid to go too long without someone in that slot (Bichette). Now I’ll probably lose Duran to another team in my league. Of course, he has a great day after I release him!
Ha, ouch
Hey grey can you help me make a lineup decision?
Start two:
Anthony Volpe vs Zac gallen
Evan Carter vs Zach efflin
Jazz Chisholm jr vs Tyler Anderson
Wyatt Langford vs Zach efflin
Wyatt, Jazz
Grey, do you have a favorite Wolfgang Petersen movie, think mine is Perfect Storm !
Das Boot
Manager in my league lost Jung last night and needs a 3B. I have Hayes in one of my util spot, would you move him for Berrios ? Or do I let the guy sweat it a little
Sure
the red sawks were the 3rd staff in mlb history to record at least 45ks with 6 bb or fewer…and that was before houck went 10k no bb last night. historically good.
Looking good!
Trade:
Gray Rod for Eflin
Which side?
Thanks
Eflin
12 team OBP/SLG Head to head.
What 2 would you want out of:
Rengifo
Foscue
Bohm
Rizzo
Polanco
Oswaldo
Cronenworth
Kelenic
Donovan
Bohm, Donovan
Hoskins and Bibee to much for Naylor ? Looking for a 1B who can steal
Seems it
Ahhh Jung! Justin foscue getting called to replace him… also Donovan available. Which for hopefully short term?
Thanks, Grey!
Always enjoy reading your stuff!
Donovan
Trade Cease for Buehler or is WB too risky coming back from injury? 10 tm H2H: QS (no wins) and Total Ks categories
Staff:
Strider
Peralta
Cease
Lugo
Crochet
J. Jones
G. Stone
Kikuchi
Mize
Don’t see the point
Cease $24, Buehler $3
I guess I’m sour on Cease and there’s potential keeper value if Buehler bounces back?
Walker side
Hi Grey,
Tanner Houck, Sean Manaea, and Garrett Grocket are available How would you prioritize them? Could any of them be more than a streamer?
Would you waive AJ Puk or Hunter Harvay or look for another way to get any or just hold?
Thanks!!
You ranked them…I’d hold for one more start with Puk, Harvey I’d hold
Thanks for your common sense!!
If Crocket pitched well, would you waive Chas Mccormick to pick him up?
thanks
Sure, if Chas is a bench bat
Great question
My outfield is:
LF: Gurriel
CF: Durran
RF: Soler
Bench: Mullins
Therefore would pick up Crocket and waive Mccormick if crocket pitchers well. Do you agree with the above outfielders?
thanks again!
Sounds fine to waive Chas
Thanks!
Someone in my 12 team H2H points league dropped Ober. Would you drop any of these guys to grab him? Yamamoto, Kirby, Luzardo, Ryan, Paxton, Gore, ERod, Keller, JJones, Bello, Garrett, KCrawford and Gavin Stone.
Jones
grey woiuld you drop alex wood for either Marco Gonzalez, Carlos Carrasco, Spencer Turnbull, Bryan Hoeing (not sure if he is starting is a RP) or Dakotah Hudson? Pickings are slim.
Nope
what about Jakob Junis?
Seems solid
Drop Alex Wood for Jakob Junis?
Sure
Thanks again for a great write up!
10 team redraft OBP league:
Mountcastle is looking strong to open the season. Really want to pick him up for my CI slot, which is currently filled by Bohm.
I have Colt Keith on my bench as an upside stash. Most projections out there have Keith as a poor man’s Bohm this year.
It’s early but cut Colt Keith for Mountcastle?
And one more for you: for SP, Manaea or Lugo, QS league?
Thanks!
I’d want Mount
Lugo
Jung hasn’t played very long but he has had a litany of injuries: calf, thumb, wrist, shoulder, etc. Not saying he is injury prone, but injuries and/or bad luck seem to follow him. Did I just indirectly say that he is injury prone? It is almost enough for me to avoid him or at least take someone else who is closely ranked. Did I just indirectly cross him off of my draft list?
Ha, yeah, I didn’t draft him anywhere, but not sure it was by design
Hi Grey,
Who gets dropped of Siri, Happ, or DL Hall? I have Cowser’s rights and lose him if I don’t bring him up by tomorrow.
And are you buying Flaherty as more than a streamer in a 12 team mixed league?
Are you holding, and can you please rank, C. Sanchez, Singer, Flaherty ROS in a 12 team mixed league?
Thank you!
DL
Flaherty streamer for now
Singer, Sanchez, Flaherty
Thanks! Are you holding Singer and Sanchez as more than streamers?
Meh, maybe if I were desperate, and depends on the league
Thanks, 12 team mixed?
Meh
If Puk looks awful again tomorrow would you drop him for Flaherty, Lugo, Gil or Houck
Its a 10 team league.
Thanks
Yes
I assume Flaherty would be your first choice
But I have learned not to assume anymore :)
Who would be your 2nd choice?
Lugo
Gotcha Thanks
No problem
It’s only been a couple of games, so should we revisit outfielder predictions? OF course! (See what I did there?!) Which two do you like most out of Conforto, Frelick, Haniger, J.Walker, Lee?
Hi Grey,
I have Nolan Gorman at 3B. Would you stay the course who pick up Matt Chapman or Tyler Freeman?
Thanks!!
Hold
A. Bohm or Jake Burger? I think Bohm is better, but Burger is hot so far.
B. I need to cut either Chris Martin or Yanier Cano? I’m trying to balance several considerations:
Martin likely to get save opportunities (Kenley back issues). Although Saves and Holds are separate categories, I would prioritize Saves at this point in season. Baltimore will provide more opportunities. But Cano is showing control problems.
A. Bohm B. Martin
12 team H2H 6×6 OPS. Who is the better bench piece: Ezequiel Duran, Foscue, or Turang?
Turang
12 tm 6×6 with OPS. Who is the preferred bench piece between Turang, Ezequiel Duran, and Foscue?
Turang
Good Morning Grey,
I have Jackson Merrill or Thairo Estrada at SS. Do you look at matchups to decide who to start? Who would would you start? Any criteria would be appreciated
My OF today is Gurriel, Duran and Soler. My bench is Mullins and McCormick. Does that make sense?
FYI: Mike Conforto is available on waivers.
Thanks so much!!!!
I’d start Thairo
It makes sense
Thanks!!
No problem
Jung replacement options. Could you please give a top three from the following:
– E. Duran;
– T. Lipscomb;
– W. Castro
– R. McMahon
– J. Polanco
– JD Davis
Thank you!
Polanco, McMahon, Lips,
hi grey!
hunting for a W and or QS
Assad vs. COL (cruddy out here in Chicago today) or
Abbot @NYM?
Assad
Hey to the Hey, Grey!
You think Houck is worth holding? I was just going to move him out of my streaming spot, but Oaktown’s writeup here got me excited for him. I’ve got other roster options.
Also, what’s more frustrating that being stuck starting established bats having quiet starts (looking at you Judge) and therefore keeping super exciting guys like Jackson Chorizo on the bench (I want to make that sausage moniker stick).
Lurrrrrrrrrrrvessssssssss!!!!
I like Houck, worth holding vs who
Lurves! That is very frustrating
Meh, I could drop Rodon, and was thinking of streaming Smyly tomorrow.
Smyly sounds awful, but I don’t know his matchup
He’s got the Rockies at home and the robot lurves it (22.1), but that’s not as much as I lurrve you!!! (197598480134929.2).
Sounds fine, but I don’t trust Smyly…is that your phone number?
hahahaaaaa
Hey Grey
10 teamer 5×5
1. Campusano or willson contreras for catcher?
2. Will benson or Jose Siri for OF?
3. Pick 2 – king, singer, Wacha, detmers, blanco
Thanks buddy!
Willson
Will
Singer, Wacha
Need to drop 2 in a 11-team 5×5 redraft league to make room for Jung replacement and Wacha:
Colt Keith, Frelick, Henry Davis, Stone, Finnegan, Steele
Hate to drop Keith and Frelick back into the FA pool so soon, but not sure what else to do.
Keith, Davis
Wow…look at the career averages of the Dodgers lineup when facing Webb…they own him. Start or sit Webb?
Start
In a limited moves points league, Polanco or Donovan?
Donovan
Just heard Estuary Ruiz was wearing an anti-ownership t-shirt, which is the real reason he was sent down.
An armband, and I doubt it
Nothing the A’s do makes sense, so yeah, probably some other dumb reason. Like the owners watched Major League & decided to make Rachel Phelps dastardly plan their actual business model.
Think it was a money decision, surprise there
Hey Grey,
10-tm H2H cat keeper (keep 10) CATS – (9) R,H,HR,RBI,SB,BB,AVG,OPS,XBH – (8) W,CG,SV,K,GIDP,ERA,WHIP,QS. LIMIT of 3 moves per week (no streaming). We also get (4) IL spots
Sorry in advance but could really use your input. Drafting Late this year and I have 2X picks in the first round, then I don’t pick again until the 4th round so I need to make these 2 picks count. I’ve got pick #5 and pick #7
These are the top guys available to me (below) and my team (so far) with my keeper selections. The guys in the draft typically go hard on pitching (most teams will have10-11 pitchers) and young hyped talent.
Who are your top 5-6 guys from the list below/ any you’d reach for ? Worth reaching for Kutter for my 7th pick?
Available players:
HIT – William. Contreras ©, N. Jones, C. Yelich, T. Casas, T. Hernandez, G. Springer, L. Thomas, L. Arraez, MJ, Melendez ©, S. Suzuki, B. Nimmo, Y. Diaz, V. Pasquantino, R. Greene, N. Lowe, S. Torkelson, S. Kwan, I. Happ, W. Adames, S. Steer, CES, E. Tovar, Y. Diaz ©, E. Carter, L. Gurriel, A. Santander
PIT – Z. Eflin, J. Ryan, C. Ragans, Ryce Miller, Y. Yamamoto, J. Musgrove, J. Luzardo, C. Sale, S. Imanaga, T. Bibee, C. Rodon, S. Gray, M. King, Y. Darvish, J. Montgomery, A.J. Puk. J. Verlander, H. Brown, Nester Cortes, G. Williams, K. Crawford, C. Javier, N. Pivetta, B, Pfaadt, C. Morton, R. Pepiot
RP – P. Fairbanks, A. Munoz, R. Iglesias, R. Helsley, C. Doval, D. Bednar, E. Phillips
My team:
C –
1B – P. Goldschmidt
2B – M. Betts
3B – N. Arenado
SS – C. Seager
CI –
MI – G. Torres
LF –
CF – J. Chisholm
RF – A. Garcia
Util –
BN –
SP – G. Kirby
SP – M. Fried
SP – M. Steele (IL15)
RP –
RP –
P –
P –
BN –
BN –
BN –
BN –
BN –
Thanks, Marv
Yamamoto, Casas, Teoscar, Ryan, Eflin…I don’t mind reaching for Kutter, I wrote a sleeper for him
Grey, we finally did our draft on Friday so curious as to your thoughts. Deep 11-team 6×5 league (add SLG%). Some of these guys are prospects/keepers which is why they’re still on my roster.
C: K. Ruiz, L. Campusano
1B: Olson, Casas
2B: Torres, Stott
SS: T. Turner, T. Estrada (also SS)
3B: Bregman, Rengifo (also 2B, OF, SS)
OF: Carroll, Tucker, Suzuki, Gurriel, Frelick
DH: Kepler (OF), L. Tavares
Rook Hitter: J. Ortiz
Bench: W. Flores (1B/3B), N. Velazquez (OF), Manzardo (1B, Rook), Kjerstead (OF, Rook), Crews (OF, Rook), McLain (2B, SS)
SP: Gausman, Glasnow, Morton, Bibee, Sanchez, Civale
Rook P: G. Stone
RP: Doval, Jansen, Ginkel
Bench: B. Garrett, Eury Perez, R. Olson, Lugo, J. Leasure (RP, Rook), M. Meyer (Rook)
I like the hitting, but you look weak on power…High on speed, it’s not bad tho…I like the 1B a lot, assuming you can play both, I hope…Pitching looks solid, I like the team!
Thanks Grey, I kinda suspected I was a bit weak on power but didn’t want to lead the witness. Will try and target a bit of that on waivers and through trades. Now get ready for a ton of “who should I pickup” and “would you do this trade” questions! First one – I’m assuming trading Stott for Burger, Paredes or Bohm is an over-reaction? Would mean sliding Rengifo to 2B.
Haha, nice…Hold Stott
Thanks! OK, now here are some names that are available. Would you drop anyone on my roster to claim any of these guys? Some context – we get 5 free waiver claims, and then they’re $5 each, so streaming is very expensive – looking for long term value. Also, Kjerstead, Eury and Crews are prospects so can’t drop.
Oswaldo Cabrera (OF)
Jared Walsh (1B)
Tanner Houck (SP)
Ronel Blanco (SP/RP)
Sean Manaea (SP)
Garrett Whitlock (SP)
Zack Littell (RP/SP)
Brock Stewart (RP)
David Robertson (RP)
Hector Neris (RP)
Nah, not yet
Sorry, last one for the day on this thread. Given that I’m currently starting Rengifo as my second 3B starter, would you think about claiming Triolo, Lipscomb or Paulie? Given our format, rookies are a bit more valuable, but really it’s power potential that I need more than anything.
Lips
I picked up Julien for 2B when McClain went down. Since it looks like he might be out there only against RHP, would you still roll with him or would you either replace, or reinforce, with one of: Cronenworth, Donovan, or Turang?
I only have two adds left this week but I do also have one empty slot.
Donovan
If you need speed and can afford the power shortage, Turang looks like he’s a very good base stealer
He does, but if that plate discipline doesn’t turn around, he’ll be the next guy in a long line of great fantasy base stealers who went from regulars, to super subs, to bench guys, to pinch runners. I want to believe the minor league numbers that suggest he should be better than what we’re seeing but, boy, he makes it hard to keep that faith.
12-team roto 6×5 (+OPS) league…I’m already very behind in RBIs. Currently rostering Andrew Vaughn in my Util spot. Drop him for Schanuel, E. Duran, Frelick or Donovan?
Schanuel
10:team AL 5×5..need a SP…clevinger or Blackburn?
Blackburn
Started Blanco in my AL only, but also started Bowden Francis…so yeah….
It H2H 10 day week so I got that going.
Grabbed Joc… will he give me a boost?
Free Rengifo!
Seems ok
Thanks Grey.
I’m giving Puk another start or two on my bench. Want to believe in Marlins pitching machine.
Yes
Question: I have Senga,Woo,Grissom, Steele,McLain and MCClanahan on all my IL and all my reserves. It is a keeper league. With Jung going on IL I need to drop one. Who is the drop?
Question: Jared Jones, Jordan Hicks and Max Meyer? Who do you like?
THANK YOU!
McLain
Looks like a disappointing number of rain outs possible today.
oh man
Please rank
Whitlock,Jared Jones,Houck,Gore
Houck and Whitlock toss up
Jones highest upside but innings cap may hurt. remains to be seen.
i have a gore share but he makes me nervous. bad reverse split, iffy make up, iffy fastball comnand.
Gore, Jones, Whit
you talked me in to gore. i’m on the bandwagon but I’m like the nervous guy keeping to himself on the corner of the band wagon.
You have to be all in or all out!
I’m a straddler. A hedger from way back.
Haha
I’m out. How many years has it been? Feels like Waiting for Guffman, that guy ain’t ever gonna show and you’re left hanging with Corky St. Clair in the stool capital of the United States. If it happens for Gore, I’ll give props to the owners who kept the faith
Corky! He sings, he dances, he directs. The only other person who can do that is Barbara Streisand…
HA, it has been a while
Gil start is frustrating for his owners but 83 pitches in 4 2/3 is high which is on him. Same thing happened to Hunter Brown the other day. Can’t average 20 pitches an inning this early and the season an expect to stick around. Still, most managers try to get their guy the win
So ridiculous
I grabbed Blanco in the 6th inning. I watched in awe as he spun the gem. This morning I dropped him for Ezequiel Duran, because I just cannot bring myself to believe that a 30 y/o journeyman will ever do anything like that again.
Duran seems to have legit power & speed, and his SS/3B/OF is very handy if he gets every day PT with Jung likely out for months.
Maybe I’ll regret the drop. I’m betting I won’t. I guess we’ll know after he faces the Rangers.
Yeah, maybe…every no hitter is a gem tho, right?
Oh definitely – but I don’t get to put his no no in my stats, and the most likely outcome here is the Rangers take him behind the woodshed.
Unfortunately the Astros just called up an infielder, so now I’m wondering if Duran Duran will still be platooning. Will he be Hungry Like the Wolf, or will I be dropping him with the Reflex?
2nd Duran Duran joke in as many days! What is this, 1983? Heyo! Tip your webmaster, try the veal. I’ll be here all week!
Yeah, Duran’s gonna platoon still…they hate him for some reason
Well, imma have to drop someone when Lodolo comes off IL, so I’ve got that going for me, which is nice.
Duran is Bochy’s favorite player on the team. Doesn’t seem to translate, but his love for him is on the record.
I wish he’d play him!
I miss Bochy’s post game sling blade impersonation – Bob Melvin lacks his grunting charisma.
HA
How many more games before we decide Jordan Walker was overrated. Only half kidding. Because of hype was meh last year. Didn’t have a good spring and so far seems whatever. I know, too soon. But as Joe would Come on, man.
Ouch
“ They need to change the Win rule. No way does a middle reliever getting one out to get them to 5 IP make him more valuable. It’s stupid and needs changing. Normalize the official scorer giving the starter who goes 4+ IP the win. Please!”
We had this EXACT discussion last night on the way to the Sillies Reds game. My brother in law wanted to know everything about baseball, and about an hour in we got to the ‘elephant’.
It’s absurd. If you are winning. And you have pitched more than everyone else, why should you not be given the win by the “official scorer”.
I don’t know if it is 4 innings as a barometer, but if you pitch 4 2/3 then you are above 50%.
And yes, I have Gil and I hate the Yankees.
Yes, it sucks so bad….Official scorer can give him the win too, but never does
I don’t think that is true. The official scorer can award the win to any Reliever he chooses. But a SP has to pitch 5.
You sure? Hunh, that stinks…That needs to change then too!
Yeah, the rule does state this.
Bummer, they need to change it!
h/h points 12 team … tell me again why I drafted B Ober …
Meh, it’s one start
Grey, would you drop Thairo Estrada for Ezequiel Duran? Roto 5×5 OBP league
No
Hey Grey, struggling at 1B and I could use some upside. Would you hold with France, Cronenworth, and Vaughn or drop one for E. Duran assuming he eventually gets playing eligibility? worry about playing time when/if everyone is healthy.
Meh
20 team H2H, 5×5 Keep forever. Thoughts on these offers:
A. Jordan Walker
B. Hunter Brown
or
C. Morel
D. Hunter Brown
*Sorry if this was double posted
Bat side
Thanks!
No problem
Somebody get Triston McKenzie a sandwich!
HAHA
In a deep daily dynasty league- 15 teams/OBP, 40 bench spots including minor leaguers.
Would you drop Wallner, Scheider or C.Taylor for Connor Joe who has 23 AB’s 7 run and 5 RBI’s already? Mostly the playing time intrigues me.
Joe plays vs. lefties, which Pirates have faced in every game
Got it. Again being daily I can use platoon players. So would you drop any of these for him?
Son and I went to the A’s “game” yesterday. Paid for the $14 tickets and the lady at the window who has probably been at that window since the 70’s said, “are you going to cheer for the A’s? Are you going to yell sell the team?” Smiled and handed us the tickets. After we got through the gate I looked at the tix…$90 bucks a piece, front row behind home plate. Lady is stickin’ it to Fisher.
Observations…A’s clownishly bad. Five errors. Little League stuff.
Houck (yes it’s the A’s) has significantly upgraded his arsenal to try to be able to get lefties out. Righties still have no chance on the slider. He worked righties with a new cutter in, sinkers and changes away. The split change was effective as was the sinker when he located it well. He’ll need to consistently get that cutter all the way in a couple inches off the plate on the hands. Broke a few bats when he did, but the loudest contact of the night (not much) was when he got bites on the plate with it.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more effortless baseball swing than Devers. He didn’t have much to show but he hit a ball way up in the upper deck about ten feet foul and missed a home run in the deep right center alley by two feet and both times it was so loud and so easy. The old cliche about just dropping the barrel down in the zone. So fun to see these guys up that close.
Did watch a little of that Max Meyer start yesterday. He actually looked a little better than I expected him to. The fastball has life and the slider is tight and a dandy. Late drop. Definitely showed promise.
I need somebody to make me feel better about Tanner Scott. First of all g’dammit bringing him in on back to back day in non-save sitch, not happy. Is this the worst closer pool ever right now?
Wow, that’s awesome! Red Sox SPs are sneaky good…As good as Tigers? Devers is gorgeous, so easy…re: Meyer, meh, maybe…Scott is a mess, only thing helping him is they don’t have much better
picked red sawks to win east. documented here.
Not a bad call!
gonna give meyer a step above meh. but more of a deeper leaguer. definitely a keep for now in nfbc 15 format
Yeah
Do we think Puk moves back to the pen and becomes closer?
possible
Ugh, I think the Cardinals are ruining Walker. Time to cut bait in a dynasty league? Would you deal him or Morel for Hunter Brown?
20 team keep forever dynasty H2H 5×5
You gave up on him after 4 games?
Houck or Blanco?
Houck
Ruiz was only on pace to steal 54 bags far fewer than last year. Maybe the A’ss want him to work on base stealing skills.
HAHA
Is it worth dropping Maeda for Blanco, Manea or Keaton Winn? Who would you rank on top? Points for quality starts and K/9
Manaea, Ronel
I think Jung needs a bone density test.
He might, it’s super sad
Yeah, such potential. Hope doesn’t turn into Bryant
Yeah
Between Severino, Houck, and Varland, who’s worth keeping as the last man in my rotation ? Or are they all expendable
12 teamer
Varland
Man this Josh Jung news is such a bummer. He had just gone 6 for 14 at the plate with 2 HRs, 6 RBI and a steal and now he’s out for probably a month or more. Joining Royce Lewis and Josh Lowe on my bench. Sigh…
Best pickup option from this list – Polanco, Westburg, M Chapman, JD Davis?
Thanks.
Add Oswaldo Cabrera to that list of potential replacements.
Yeah, sucks…Westburg
*whispers* “It’s me, I started Blanco yesterday ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… in a 15 team AL only dynasty league with over 400+ players owned”
The only reason I owned Blanco though is because the Itch put me on to him last season, so listen to the Itch everyone
HAHA, nice!
For 12 team h2h points redraft league, Is Mason Miller a drop for Brady singer, or Logan Allen. I have 4 closers already in Phillips, Helsey, Leclerc, and Foley. Just struggling to find his worth especially on that team where the wins will be few and far in between. TIA
Yes, Singer
just saw an article that thinks that both ruiz being sent down and rooker being benched is cause they wore protest gear against ownership: https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/esteury-ruiz-optioned-triple-a-brent-rooker-ldb-19380203.php
That’s not actually the conclusion of the article. Instead the more mundane Oakland is a fucked-up organization that will do anything to save a buck.
I heard, sounds like a conspiracy theory
I know he’s not an ace but JP Sears didn’t pitch great.
I have Keaton Winn in my minors….and Alec Marsh (KC) pitching tonight and available. Stick with Sears?
Winn over Sears
Gooooood Morning & Happy International Fact-Checking Day!!
(not surprising this immediately follows April Fools)
I was just about to snag Reynaldo Lopez to stream today, but got all star-struck by the illegitimate offspring of Betty White. So now, Blanco is on my squad. What can I say, I’m a sucker for Betty!
Now, I’m debating whether I should still add Lopez @CWS or Assad v. COL (both play in Chicago & the weather here is not good).
Question: Would you cut anyone from my below roster to add either SP?
(I’ve used 4 of 6 “adds” for the week, so just 2 left)
12-team, 6×6 (OBP/QS), H2H, Redraft league
C: Will Smith
1B: Harper
2B: Altuve
3B: Maikel Garcia
SS: Oneil Cruz
OF: K. Tucker, Seiya, J. Duran
UTL: Langford, L. Gurriel
BN: Westburg, Vinnie P.
SP: Pablo Lopez, Hunter Brown, Pepiot, Max Meyer, Kremer, Logan Allen, Detmers, R. Blanco
RP: Hader, Evan Phillips, Leclerc (can start 3 max)
IL: Steele, Braxton Garrett
Thank you as always!!
P.S. You trusting Logan Webb today @ LAD?
Ha, that is awesome! I’d trust Webb vs. anyone….I’d lose Westburg if you’re not playing him for Lopez
Thank you!
I currently got Westburg starting today with Cruz & PIT not playing (slid Maikel in at SS, Westburg at 3B).
Thoughts on Detmers? looked great @ BAL and gets BOS at home next.
Also, just heard TEX is calling up Foscue in the wake of Jung’s injury. Anything to see here?
Thanks again…again
I wouldn’t start Detmers vs. BOS
Foscue seems to be a speed/power/no AVG/utility man
sounds good. I benched Detmers @ BAL, where he somehow did good…so once I cut him, everyone else should immediately add/ start him b/c he’s likely to do well again.
Last one for ya (another league):
My 2 backend SP’s are Dunning & Kikuchi.
You cutting either for: Singer, Wacha, Blanco, or Manaea?
Appreciate ya!
Meh, depends on matchups
KLyle Mueller another name I’m eyeing. Read some mechanics changes
…seemed to have pitched well enough to earn a shot…this weekend?
Will be watching!
Need Josh Jung replacement — please rank Maikel Garcia; Jordan Westburg; Ezekial Duran; Colt Keith. Thanks.
Mea culpa. I should have looked at your rankings before submitting. Seems like they are all within the margin of error.
I also remembered Willi Castro (who ranks slightly below the others).
Maikel
Feel the need just because it’s starting out that this year is even worse than than last year ………. If the K-Zone is 100% correct these HP umpires are missing at least 25 Ball/Strike calls a game ..
as long as the unionized, nothing will change sadly. They have no accountability
Yeah, it’s been terrible
For guys like me, Las Vegas washes away your sins. It’s like a morality car wash.”
Nice!
More Jung replacement posts!
Please pick 2
My options: e. Suarez, j. Westburg, e. Duran, c k.Ruin, lipscomb
Thanks!
Westburg
Excellent work as usual. I know you hate catcher questions so shooting one your way in the morning isn’t probably very strategic but here it goes:
If you had to drop 1:
Heim
Garver
and now Henry Davis.
Double posted because I’m a moron. Please disregard.
Heim
I have all my reserve and IL spots filled with Senga,Woo,Steele,Grissom,McLain and McClanahan. It is a keeper league. With Jung going down, who is the drop of those injured players?
Jared Jones, Jordan Hicks or Max Meyer?
THANK YOU!
Meyer
Who is Meyer?
Meyer who? Not on the list of drop candidates.
“who is the drop of those injured players?
Jared Jones, Jordan Hicks or Max Meyer?”
Meyer — was what I read, my B
You can lose McLain
Good morning!
14 team h2h dynasty league. My SP: Gausman, Strider, Varland, Ober, Gil, Regan, Pepiot.
I’ve got log jam in CF: Trout, Jazz, Judge.
With one UT spot I have to sit one of these three on any given day. I sat trout yesterday and he hit 2 homers, sonavabench!
I was offered Zac Gallen for Trout. Take the deal?
I’ve been looking to deal trout for few yrs now, he’s been frustrating to hold onto…
Thanks
Works for me
Excellent work as usual. Have probably a weird one I need help with…I’m in a 1 catcher league where benches are deep enough that a backup catcher makes sense while having 3 is probably crazy. Right now I have Garver, Heim, and (tomorrow) Henry Davis. Which one would you drop?
Heim
Gmorning Grey . So do i give up on v scott II and grab ez duran or the likes of bryan de la cruz or lipscomb , velazquez ? Or just hold scott II ? Thank you
Hold
Frelick or E Duran in obp format. Mil so far seems to be playing the platoon splits. Frelick was supposed to get starts at 3b and possibly 2b but the mitchell injury has him pretty much OF for 4-6 more weeks
Frelick
I knew Boone was gonna come prancing out of the dugout after the 2nd out in the 5th. I don’t know if you saw the movie Made. It’s kind a worse spinoff of the great movie Swingers, but in one scene Vince Vaughn is trying to get into a club in NYC and he’s not on the list. Screetch (RIP) walks over, gets a big hug and let right in. Vaughn asks the bouncer, ‘Was that Screetch you just let in, show me where Screetch is on the list” I wanna see the analytic that says if Luis Gil throws 7 more pitches, he’s putting his ultra valuable right arm at more risk. Since teams don’t care even 1% about who gets the win, I like your idea.
Yeah, it’s such BS…terrible movie, but I saw it, haha
Good Angels take. I think you’re right on Wash. If Steve Howe and Tony Phillips, God rest their souls, could comment on his routine they might say “how does he keep going this way so deep into the game? I was gassed by the fifth inning.”
BTW, Schanuel is pretty impressive. Yes, he homered yesterday, but he also walked twice. I wouldn’t be shocked if he finished with a .400 OBP. He’s an ideal #2 hitter. He may not ever have Todd Helton’s power but he reminds me of him in terms of plate discipline and size. Dude is 6’4” 220lbs so it also wouldn’t be shocking if he develops into a 25-30 home run hitter in a few years like Yandy. It would help his RBI potential if the guy ahead of him would not swing and miss so much. The guy is fun to watch at the plate. It would be more fun if I didn’t have to watch Rendon hit ahead if him ever again. Give me Rengifo any day of the week over him. Only 3 more years and $114 million to go on his contract. He’s making $38 million each of the next there years. That makes Ohtani look like a steal at double the price!!!
Yeah, I like Schanuel a lot, first bit of good news for Angels in a while
I dont know if you saw this:
“ Schanuel is off to a scorching start to his MLB career by reaching base in 33 consecutive games. It’s the third-best streak to start a player’s career since 1900.
He trails just Alvin Davis (47, 1984) and Truck Hannah (38, 1918) in a Top 5 that also includes Baseball Hall of Fame member Enos Slaughter (29, 1938).”
Impressive. Alvin Davis, though? I hope he has a better trajectory than Alvin. Forgotton name. He had a hell of a rookie year in ‘84. He’s right up there with Fred Lynn on sensational rookies that were mere above average career guys.
I remember getting his autograph at Angels Stadium in ‘84 or ‘85. I thought it might have value some day. Dude was decent in his 20’s and flamed out hard when he hit 30. Seemed like a nice guy.
Pretty funny…it’s like he’s doing so well, it’s almost as good as…Alvin Davis
Rengifo or even Neto
The Tigers went full nuclear bioengineering wearable science bill nye the pitching guy. their coaches all wear white lab coats. now everybody throws 100. only thing is waiting to see how long they keep it up before arms start falling off. i wasn’t joking when i said they’d win the central. i also made them my now annual FCL lock of the year to beat their vegas win total (80.5).
Their pitching staff looks loaded. Pen is solid. If their young position players continue to blossom you may just be proven correct! I don’t think you’re off the mark.
That division is wide open. Except for White Sox of course
HAHA, nice
Top three Jung replacements form the following: Siri, Frelick, Schanuel, Westburg, E.Duran, MasynWinn, Colt Keith, JDDavis.
Thanks again.
Westburg, Schanuel, Frelick
H2H daily pts league. Bench 1:
Jordan Walker @ Darvish
Langford @ Eflin
Chourio vs. Varland
J. Naylor @ Castillo
Walker
Grey! As a fantasy baseballer, I was bummed that Gil got pulled last night one out short of a win. As a Yankees fan, I was thrilled that he looked solid against a good lineup. DBacks couldn’t touch his FB at 97-98 and he even dialed it up to 100 once. Some nice changeups, including one that froze Ketel the first AB and shoulda been strike three. It was called a ball, replay showed it hit the corner. By 4th inning, the ump was more generous and Gil even stole a strike or two, which is good sign about his command. Still a work in progress and Yanks may protect his arm, especially with Cole out. Def a good pickup in 12-team leagues if he’s on waivers.
Yeah, he looked good, but ridiculous to pull him there
1. Can you please rank your top 5 for this week from:
2-start Freeland (@CHC and vAZ)
2-start Assad (vCOL and @SD)
Civale (vTEX)
Lugo (vWSOX)
Stone (@CHC)
Wacha (vWSOX)
J Hicks (vSD)
Bibee (@MIN)
2. Any of the above more than Streamers in a 11-team 5×5 redraft league?
Thank you
Hicks, Wacha, Lugo, Civale, Bibee 2. Bibee and Civale prolly rosterable
What say people about the following starts today??
Mize vs Tigers
Gallen vs Yanks
Crochet vs Braves
Reynaldo Lopez vs White Sox in Chicago
Thanks
Its supposed to rain in NY all day today and tomorrow… so keep an eye on whether Mize @ Mets gets postponed.
I don’t mind any of them
It’s an ugly morning as I was Jung out to dry last night!
Can you put these possible CI replacements in some order as our 15 team FA pool is shallow?
Triolo
Wade Jr
E Montero
Lipscomb
Pauley
Thanks my friend
Ha, damn…Lipscomb, Triolo
Blanco, Singer, Jared Jones
Any of these guys over Pepiot?
Jones
I’ve been saying for years the win rule needs to be reworked.
Here’s my suggestion. I’ll keep it short. If a starter leaves with the lead and his team goes on to win the game, he gets the win. No matter how many times some crappy relievers blow the lead the win goes to the starter if he left with the lead.
Yes, I like it
Westburg, Conforto, Haniger, Wacha and Lugo to win all fantasy leagues in 2024.
Id be shocked if Conforto and Haniger don’t implode by May 15th. Until then, enjoy the ride…
Bingo
Haha
In a 5×5 roto league with limited Free Agent pickups. I’m looking at Turang, SIri, Conforto, and E. Duran with the Jung news. Who do you like and trust most for going forward for this season only?
Conforto
Grab Montcastle, or Fry?
Cut Lux (got tjairo and torres) or paredes?
Mount
Lux
Who do you like as an add?
Oswaldo Cabrera, Martini, Canha, JD Davis, Michael Taylor, Connor Joe, Olivares, Duvall, Marsh, Lipscomb, McNeil, Joc Pederson, Meneses, Wallner, Chris Taylor, Velazquez, Brenton Doyle
O-Cab
Damn, he was added 15 minutes ago. Who’s next?
Lipscomb
Tyler Wade is another option. O’Hearn, too.
Nope
Have Neto/grissom as my SS tandem. My OF and utility is currently Soto, Nolan Jones, Harris, Evan Carter, with Julien, Wallner, and Victor Scott in bench.
Thoughts on me trading away Ragans and Carter for Shota and Gunnar H?
Works for me
Anthony Volpe ..4 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored with 6 total bases and a .571 BA. Did try to get him in every league I was in but didn’t get him in any league I was in ?
Nice!
Scouring for a Jung sub at MI or CI (I shifted Westburg to CI) until Grissom arrives….not great options! Who you like here?
Turang (I need steaks)
J Walsh
E Duran
Kiriloff
Canha
Thanks!
Love the Siri autocorrect (steals* not steaks, though now I’m hungry!)
Lipscomb also available
Turang
Antony Rendon hasn’t gotten a hit since July 9, 2023. OakLand 5 errors and 4 base hit Last night.
HAHA
Ruiz apparently a playing time manipulation thing. Still insane!!!
Insane
Any idear when he might be recalled? He seems like a hold for a fantasy team that needs his speed, no?
Couple of weeks maybe
Grey!!!
Amazing report!!!
a. So sorry for Jung owners, terrible loss. Hopefully he’ll be back strong, but terrible.
b. Lugo and Pfaadt available in my RCL. Are they ‘must adds’ or ‘add over a 5th starter adds’
c. Chris Rock quote of the day for April 2, 2024
I never wanted to churn it out. Comedians tend to work all the time. They never put it down like musicians who might make an album then take three or four years off to recharge their batteries. Comedians tend to work straight through and they get stale because of that. Even when I didn’t have a lot of money I never ever did it unless I had something new to say.
Cheers,
Ante
Only the good die jung! I drafted him price enforcing but was quickly falling in love before this. Hopefully he’ll be back in 2 months and hit the ground running.
Duda!!
Thanks, man! Add Graham Pauley to your list above. (https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/224575/)
Cheers,
Ante
B. Yes
Maeda / Baeda gets the A’s next…
Yeah, hopefully he’s not awful vs. them