Baseball, like a flower, blooms in the spring. They also share equally effusive PR people. Just the other day I read about how a petunia’s branches gained 15 pounds and was in the best shape of its life. Sure, it’s always good to look at spring training numbers to give you an idea what you can expect from guys during the season — can I draft Ronald Acuna yet?! Players in spring training are facing the top pitchers who are all displaying their best stuff. No one needs time to get warmed up. No one’s trying new pitches or getting a feel for the ball. They are at the height of their game in the beginning of March. Our former commissioner, Bud, once doffed his toupee and tried to have the World Series played in March. Since these spring training numbers mean so much, I decided to look at some players stats so far:
Greg Bird – Hitting .451 with eight homers. Why have you not drafted him everywhere yet? Are you avian adverse? Afraid of eggs and think avian means ovarian? Did your mom-mom tell you a stork brought you to her doorstep, and have wondered ever since where that stork went and have always felt that stork is an absentee father, so you refuse to draft Bird?
Adam Duvall – Hitting .302 with six homers. How about we give him an early MVP award and let a computer play out the season? Can’t Elon Musk work on this instead of building a Taco Bell on Mars? That is what Elon Musk is doing, don’t fool yourself.
Maikel Franco – Already has badonkadonked six homers. Glory Bea Arthur, Franco has joined the fly ball revolution! Not the Fly Ball Revolution, which was a revolt in the 18th century which saw Russian soldiers going around kicking enemies in the testicles. That’s how the Cossacks got their name. Any hoo! No, this is Maikel and it’s break out time!
Paul Goldschmidt – Only has one homer. Sad trumbone. All spring Au Shizz has been playing in a bubble to simulate the humidor and we see how poorly he’s doing. Move hime down to 400 overall and draft Mike Napoli and his mom’s gorgeous breasts instead!
Carlos Carrasco – Has the worst ERA in the history of ERAs at 10.80 through 15 IP. I didn’t even know ERAs went above 10! Obviously something is not right, and it’s time we just accepted it’s better to just draft Robert Gsellman, who has a 2.31 ERA. Yes, Gbuy Gsellman!
Oh, please. This is such nonsense. Now we get to grade everyone’s reading comprehension because these are LAST YEAR’S spring training stats. If someone can read everything but capped words, I apologize in advance if you draft Adam Duvall. (I DON’T.) I like to do this post every year because every year I get the same comments about how well a player is doing in the spring and if I’m going to change my fantasy baseball rankings because of it. Spring training stats are a joke. They mean nothing. Let me say it again for emphasis, spring stats mean nothing.
Bird had the best spring training in the history of spring trainings last year, and that led him to do what last year? Adam Duvall looked ready to follow-up his break out in 2016 with last year’s spring, and that led him to losing his full-time job. Maikel Franco is talking about hitting more fly balls this year. Sure, just like he did last spring and went on to have another poor season. Goldschmidt struggled to hit for power last spring, and went on to have his biggest power year. Carrasco? Did he seem phased by last year’s spring? Yeah, and how did Gsellman do? You should only be looking at who’s healthy, who’s winning position battles and who’s winning rotation spots. The rest is meaningless.
It’s great Jason Kipnis has a bazillion home runs this spring, but bazillion isn’t even a real number, and who knows if Kipnis’s newfound stroke is real either. More than likely, he’ll turn back into a pumpkin in April like Mr. Grapefruit, Billy Butler, always did. Speaking of which, here’s the most relevant spring training graph:
Hey Grey, love all the content on this site (from you and the other contributors).
Have a roster move question. 15 mandatory keepers, no price tag associated with players. 6×6 H2H cats (OBP, SLG, QS, IP, K/9).
Hitters: Contreras, Votto, Albies, Machado, Arenado, Gallo, Bellinger, Springer, Khris Davis, Eaton.
Pitchers: Kluber, Thor, Carlos Martinez, Greinke, Godley — I will also be drafting Ohtani at #1 so counting him like a keeper
Question: Which of these two trades do you like more for my team? Thanks in advance!
1. Give Greinke to get Conforto (would keep 11 hitters, 5 SPs)
2. Give Greinke, Eaton to get Conforto, Raisel Iglesias (would keep 10 hitters, 5 SPs, 1 RP)
hey, Grey
we can keep 3 keepers in our league
should i keep billy ham 7th round pick over nick castellanos 19th round ???
other candidate (gerrit cole 9th round , zach godley 10th round )
my other two are locked ( jd martinez 4th and rhys hoskins 10th)
Just watched the 3rd inning of Bauer’s start against the Cubs. Threw mostly curveballs. Most of them were either out of the zone or right down the middle. Got knocked around pretty good.
@Big Magoo: I don’t like his command.
@OaktownSteve: Me neither. You can tell he was mostly working out the kinks in that one pitch, but it was all over the place. Couldn’t locate at all.
Kurt Suzuki had the 4th best wOBA vs LHP last year, just below JDM and two spots ahead of Giancarlo. Not saying he’ll hit 19 homers or bat .283 again but it looks repeatable on paper. Very good park helps.
I like Flowers, Suzuki feels like a 175 AB guy… I could be wrong, but I think he needs Flowers to get hurt…
@Grey: They want to give Suzuki same ABs as last year. I’ll take 300 productive PAs.
I just don’t see him getting that many, but we’ll see…
@Grey:
He got that many last year, had a very good year and the Braves manager says he’ll get the same this year. So, y’know…
awesome article, made my day. Great stuff.
12 team H2H yahoo, 6 keepers with no limit or cost
Bryant
Springer
Strasburg
Carrasco
Need help with the next 2. Sano health/legal worries me, and I’m leaning toward Ozzie and Eloy. Or maybe Happ (6 DINGERS SO FAR THIS SPRING!!!!!)
Sano
Albies
Happ
Gerrit Cole
Eloy
Robles
Kopech
Thanks!!!
Thanks! Ozzie, Happ
@Grey: thank you sir, much appreciated!
No problem
Grey: I know that spring training stats don’t necessarily translate to the regular season…but what is your take on Kolten Wong’s aggressive base running? He’s been working with beauty queen Willie McGee and has been quoted saying he wants to swipe 20 this year. Stole his 6th today and has the skills to make it happen. I’m moving him up my draft board and targeting him late in deep leagues. Thanks for your thoughts!
I don’t know if he gets the ABs for 20 steals, but I guess if he sees 520 ABs he could get there…
@Bill Lumbergh:
I think he could surprise. He also shed a lot of bulk and changed to a different conditioning program. Seems in the past he was a weight room animal. Going for more flexibility. He’s got a very good OBP so he should have ample opportunity. Was quietly having a pretty good year last year before getting hurt. I think there’s a lot to like here this year.
@Bill Lumbergh: he should’ve had 20 each year by now, it’s managerial, matheny has jerked wong around for years. whether benching, bad lineup placement, curbing his steals, usual matheny b.s.
Hey Grey,
I was wondering if you could give me some keeper guidance. 12 teams, 5×5, H2H. Keep forever.
I’ve currently got Trea, Betts, Bellinger, Rizzo, Springer
Another owner has offered me a deal based around Machado for Trea. The rub is that he is including other players who I certainly won’t keep. I’m considering countering with :
Trea & pick 97 for Machado & pick 64.
Should he accept I would pick 61, 64, 72, 73, 96 and have Manny, Mookie, Bellinger, Rizzo, Springer.
What are your thoughts on this deal?
Thanks, Homie!
Keep Trea
@Grey: It is easy to overthink stuff like this when you are counting down the days until the draft & the season. Thanks for the help, Grey.
No problem
First Honeywell, and now De Leon down for the Rays. Pitching’s getting thin down there. Fortunately, I have a simple solution for them – 200 innings for Snell! Do the right thing, Tampa.
Sadly, Eovaldi and Andriese will likely get 200 IP now
@Grey: Oh man, Eovaldi. Forgot about him. Maybe Vazquez can get to 15 homers!
Haha, our luck Vazquez will only play vs. number 1, 2 and 3 starters…
Hi Greym
My goal is to draft if possible Trey Mancini and Matt Olson.
Both qualify at 1b and OF, and both would idealy be of2 and of3.
Would both this combination of OF2/3 be workable, or would it be limited?
Depend on the draft, and if i go heavy on infield, so maybe Mancini and Olson would be my OF1 and OF2, if I cant manage to draft a top OF.
Would that scenario work?
League 12 teams mix, h2h
avg, obp, runs, rbis, hr, tb, sb
thanks,
Chris
Works for me
12-team roto, ops & nsb, keep 5
JD(11)
Severino (12)
Ray(13)
Benintendi (14)
Devers (15)
Replace any of the above with
J Turner (10)
Pollock (7)
Thanks!
I’d go with the 5 you have
thoughts on Willie Calhoun in my dynasty league? do i really need to hang onto this guy with betts, benintendi, buxton, gallo and acuna in my outfield spots?
You don’t
So, if I’m in a 10 team H2H Yahoo league, should I use your rankings or Rudy’s? IYHO?
Also, Yahoo has Miles Mikolas 141 overall and Jon Gray 409.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..ok.
Haha, Jon Gray isn’t that low, is he? I’d use my rankings… 14 team and under my rankings are fine…
@Grey:
YES HE IS. 409. LIKE THE CLEANING PRODUCT.
409.
Haha
Spring training is useful to determine health and position battles. That’s pretty much it. And to spot idiots like Thor who are already maxing out and making me question my ranking of him.
Saw the brief discussion on Ohtani above. Think his best case scenario for this year is Rich Hill. Nothing wrong with that from a ratio and K-rate standpoint, but the volume won’t be there. There were already red flags in his medicals and the Angels seem committed to starting the season with a six man rotation. Only threw twenty something innings last year. Don’t see the reward where he’s going in drafts.
Agreed on Ohtani… Feels like a solid 2-3 with 120 IP… Rich Hill is a good comparison, I like Hill for his value, and opposite on Ohtani… I think there’s way more downside than upside… Not like he’s suddenly going to throw 170 IP… And the hitting is cute but not a legit fantasy add…
@Grey: Yeah, 170 innings seems like a pipe dream for this year. Getting credit for his offensive numbers provides a little bump, but it actually increases his risk of injury too. Kind of surprised that Rudy is so high on him. Doubt I’ll own him anywhere.
I’m surprised too, he threw 25 IP last year and has only past 150 IP once (I think)… He’s all hype…
10 team 5×5 OBP dynasty one util
My Brinson, miles mikolas
For Ryan McMahon, Luiz gohara
My OF pollock, Puig, Olson, Thames, Kiermaier, austin Hays
My CI Goldy, Sano, Rendon, Smoak
I’d take Goldy and McMahon, that order
Grey, 9th pick in draft and Goldy seems to be left for me but i love Stanton.If i take Stanton i would grab Freeman with 16 th pick. Should i take Stanton or just follow your rankings?
@Cohen: Follow his rankings. Unless you like Stanton, take Stanton. It’s your team.
Follow rankings
i inherited a team in a 12 team keep 6 league,i planned on keeping
Gary Sanchez
Encarnacion
Verlander
Severino
Mad Bum
who would be the 6th
D. Murphy
Hamilton
Moustakas
Dejong
7×7 roto,thanks
Hamilton
@Grey: thanks boss
NFBC deep catcher thoughts that I want to discuss…but not here, ya know, just in case. Maybe tomorrow.
Someone took Flowers, I just drafted Vazquez
@Grey: There’s like 3 legit starting catchers left. I’m afraid I have to take one with my next pick. I’m thinking about taking Cisco. Or am I?
But there’s a guy out there ranked in the 500’s who’s a catcher eligible OF/IF guy that I owned last year but he got hurt on like the first day, who his team either has to DFA or have on the roster and they’ve been shopping him around and he WOULD pay huge dividends if on another team.
I don’t mind Cisco, but prolly less ABs than most 2nd catchers… In theory/projections, at least… You talking about Herrmann?
@Grey: I was thinking Swihart, but could be Herrmann
@Big Magoo: Yeah Swihart. He’s a sexy proposition.
@Cram It: I think we have different definitions of sexy, haha. It’ll be interesting to see if the Sox move him. I think they’ll make room for him on the roster.
@Big Magoo: You’re right, I’m stuck in what seems sexy at pick 350. Sexiness is all relative!
@Cram It: There might still be some sexy on the board at that point. I really like Maybin for cheap speed this year. Soler, Drury, Fisher, Matz, Kela, etc. Could be nothing or return a nice profit. Choose wisely.
@Big Magoo: I read. I’m high on Matz. Even though he’s shutting the bed in ST and has shown nothing for over a year.
He needs a Swihart deal
@Grey: Well 2 catchers went in front of me so it’s either Cisco or Pina’s half a season, Cervelli’s 5 Hr’s or Castro’s 10 HR’s and .220 avg. I’m going Cisco.
Cisco would be my direction there too… Not like Caleb is anything great…
@Grey: I took the ‘Cisco kid. Can back him up with Caleb later.
Yeah, no one will want Caleb…Or you can just grab a different backup, like Devin M.
@Grey: Nice, he’s my #2 in one league too, so we can root for a guy who’ll hit 9 homers together. Uh, cool… I think.
Ralph talked me into it, he will try to deny this, but it’s true… Plus, Tyler Flowers was drafted right before…
@Grey: I like him since he’s unlikely to tank your average and should steal a few bags. Don’t see a ton of power upside though. I’d be thrilled if he hit a dozen bombs.
I’d take staying on the field for 130 games and hitting .275, rest is gravy at 2nd catcher
@Grey: 130 games? Someone’s an optimist. Only four catchers did that last season (can you believe that Martin Maldonado was one of them?). I’d say anything over 110 games is gravy. If he goes .270/10/5, I’ll be happy.
Yeah, true… I just want an everyday catcher with a .270-ish average and it’s fine… Just everyday catcher actually is plenty at this point in my draft…
@Grey: Sounds like someone has Cervelli circled on his draft sheet…
Who, Oaktown? He punted 2nd catcher slot at some point in this draft…
Mr. Grey,
Joining a new league, 9 team mixed redraft with standard cats and snake draft. This is my first time drafting in a snake. What is a good list to use for player rankings? Should i just take your 10 team ranking and use that for ordering?
And not sure if you have a post for any strategy hints for snake but would be appreciative if you did and you can throw me a link.
Thanks,
W
@Grey: if moncada can stick in the leadoff spot, would that alter your projections for him at all?
Flip runs and RBIs
Need one more keeper in a H2H 7×7 league from the following. Extra categories are OPS and Total Bases, Holds and Losses.
Wilson Contreras (6th round)
Domingo Santana (25th round)
Joey Gallo (25th round)
Lewis Brinson (25th round)
Javier Baez (7th round)
Lance McCullers (7th round)
Keep in mind that I do not have a 2nd or 5th rounder due to trades made at the deadline.
@Smell The Glove:
Other keepers are Arenado, Kershaw, Correa and Bregman
Gallo
None are amazing, btw — if you have a preference, I’d go with that
Hi Grey. In a keep a player for 3 years league would you rather have Odor or Albies at 2B? Thanks
League size? Prolly Odor, I mean are you really keeping either of these guys? Do keepers matter here?
Grey, i got 9 th pick in my draft. Alot mocks ive done Goldy is there for me and Stanton right behind . I really want Stanton. If i grab Stanton i would take Freeman with pick 16. Bad strategy or just stick to your rankings and go Goldy if hes there?
Hey Grey,
12-team roto OPS & NSB
Need help with keepers (keep 5):
JD in 10th
Severino in 11th
Ray in 12th
Benintendi in 13th
Devers in 14th
J Turner in 10th
Pollack in 7th
Jansen in 4th
Thanks!
A few deals brewing on this non-spring Snowy day…….
10 team salary keeper league deal:
I give Carlos Martinez ($24)/Sano ($22)
I get Yelich ($20)/Quintana ($12)
Thanks!
Works for me
Heya Grey
Could use some keeper help (totally original…I am good like that)
Can keep 2 of the following in standard 5X5 roto keeper. All have same cheap contract
Moose (wish he was signed), Snell (i believe in his second half…cuz I just do alright), Margot (for SB), and Chris Taylor (if last year was for real…sign me up two times).
Already planning on keeping
2B Odor, Rougned
3B Devers, Rafael
OF Yelich, Christian
OF Acuna, Ronald
P Martinez, Carlos
P Severino, Luis
P Diaz, Edwin
P Allen, Cody
P Bauer, Trevor
SS Seager, Corey
With a lots of money left to bid on guy like Abreu, Harper, Pollock, Coespedis, Kershaw among others
Taylor, Snell
@Grey:
Awesome..that is where I was leaning…I must be genius. Eecep I forgot I need to work Tucker in too since I think he lost his minor league status in our league…drat
Thanks!
No problem
This is all true accept with prospects, their stats count double. Kyle Tucker and Miguel Andujar will battle for the AL ROY and the MVP in a true Fred Lynn tribute.
Haha
Hicks is gonna be starting CF right? I see him being ignored and may scoop him up as my last OF. Taylor already hurt his oblique again…I have a bad feeling about him cuz that Robles guy is waiting in the wings.
I feel like Hicks has been the starter every year for the last 3 years in the preseason and that lasts until about April 15th… Yeah, sucks on Taylor, hopefully minor…
@Grey: Healy or Mcmahon for CI?
@Peacecoast: dumb question, they r ranked. I capi!
Capi or no capi? I’m about to watch the whole series again with Cougs
Looking for some advice in a 12 team forever keeper league where you keep 10 players:
I am keeping Trea Turner, Correa, Machado, Blackmon, Kluber, Scherzer, Rendon.
I have to pick 3 keepers out of the following: Justin Turner, Ozuna, Osuna, Acuna, Verlander, Giles
Your thoughts?
Ozuna, Acuna, Verlander
Yo Grey!! Can keep two of these 3: Cobb ($3), JA Happ ($10), T. Walker ($15). 6×6, Quality Starts added for pitchers. Thanks brosef!
None? Cobb and Happ
Raul Mondesi JR is now Adalberto? WTF. Not a good change. Should have gone Giancarlo JR.
Ha, must have some daddy issues to drop his pops’ name
As a follow up, I found a Fox Sports article naming the following spring training “Studs” last season:
Salazar
Tanaka
Taijuan
Darvish
Kershaw
Jon Gray
Yup
@Grey: This is always one of my favorite posts of the year. It really makes a good point.
I got sucked into the Franco spring training hype a few years ago and Bird last season.
I’d be curious to see a counter-post to this one that looks back at guys who performed well in the spring last season that ended up having breakouts.
If we look at spring training studs from last year, then we’re clouding the waters…
I think Franco has only hit 1 HR so far this spring? (he hit 6 total last spring and has 6 TB so far though)
He’s saving them this year!
Hey Grey,
H2H 12-team cat. keeper (keep12) balanced stats (R,H,HR,RBI,SB,BB,AVG, OPS,XBH / W,CG,SV,K,GIDP,ERA,WHIP,QS), limited moves (35 per year)
Need to pick my 12 Keepers, so far have:
1B – Paul Goldschmidt
2B – Brian Dozier
3B – Nolan Arenado
SS – Xander Bogearts
Mi – Trea Turner
CI – Justin Turner
CF – Charlie Blackmon
BN – Christian Yelich
And I need to pick 4 from this list (was leaning 4 pitchers):
Mike Zunino ( C)
A McCutchen (CF/RF)
R. Braun (LF)
C. Carrasco (SP)
J. Verlander (SP)
J. Paxton (SP)
J. Quintana (SP)
G. Cole (SP)
A. Wood (SP)
A. Chapman (RP)
W. Davis (RP)
G. Holland (RP)
thanks in advance
Carrasco, Aroldis, Quintana, Verlander
Seth Lugo has pitched 8.1 innings with 6 K’s, 2.16 ERA, and a 0.72 whip so far this spring. Suck it 2017 spring Gsellman!
Haha
@Grey: I’ve got both Lugo and Blach in the razz30, fingers crossed at least one of them makes their rotation
Hey Grey,
You heard anymore about the Rockies OF situation? It seems like most everything i’ve read so far is that they seem to want Tapia leading off. You hearing or seeing anything different? or too early to tell
Thanks!
He seems like the leadoff man every spring then never plays… Parra, Desmond, Blackmon is the OF, not even sure where Tapia plays (or Dahl)
Long term 10 team h2h dynasty league with k/9 instead of k’s, QS instead of wins, obp instead of avg and B.B. added on for hitters. Which side you like? 3 years of scherzer or 4+ of both Acuna and Sano?
Acuna
Dynasty league, in a vacuum: Eloy Jimenez or Willie Calhoun?
Eloy
Good morning Grey! I had my first draft last night, using your ranks exclusively since this site is FBB gospel. During the draft and immediately after, I was bummed about my pitching as it seemed any guy I was going for was taken. Waking up this morning though, I think I’m OK with it. Let me know if i get the GASA? (Grey Albright Seal of Approval. I’m kinda bummed the thesaurus doesn’t have a word for approval starting with “Y”).
Sale (Keeper)
Severino (Keeper)
Wacha
Morton
Velasquez
Mikolas
Trevor Williams
Rivero
Melancon
Treinan
@mcmi11ions: Pitching looks solid, hopefully WIlliams, Mikolas and Velasquez produce
Crazy to send N. Cruz to get R. Ray in a 12 team keep 10 keeper? Have Bumgarner and McCullers, but worried this is the year Cruz falls off. Is it close?
Thanks!
@Baseball: You already have enough pitching… If you’re worried abotu Cruz, trade him for something you need
Grey! Since you’ve let me to many cashes in fantasy baseball I figured I’d ask. Looking to join a Home Run pool. Try to accumulate the most points by selecting 7 baseball players who you predict will most exceed their Target Home Run Number. I know you can’t see the target numbers, but do any players jump out to you who could be a sleeper for home runs this season?
Thanks!
@synyster: You do this every year, don’t you? Sounds familiar from last year… Either way, you want me to pick players to exceed their target home run numbers without knowing the players’ targets?
@Grey:
I think you’re thinking of someone else lol. This is my first year doing this home run thing. Just asking off the top of your head anyone that could exceed their home run expectations this year. They have Adam Duvall as 16 home runs, and if he does what hes done for the past few years he should have 30+. No prob it was prob a stupid question since you can’t see their targets.
Yeah, Duvall will pass 16 HRs by a lot, but I don’t know the players’ targets to be of any use, you need to tell me possible choices
Really hope I don’t get in trouble for this long post lol. Apologize for the long post below.I have my eye on Duvalll so far.
These targets are goofy low… Trout, Springer, Rizzo, Edwin… I mean these aren’t close… I’m deleting this now tho, it’s way too long…
@synyster: You just broke the website!
@Cram It:
Lol. Thx grey/cram!
No problem
@synyster: And Grey has him for 24 HR’s, so doesn’t that should answer your questions. Can’t you compare these Targets with the projections on here?
@Cram It:
Yeah that’s good advice as well! Thank you.
Grey or anyone else! I play in a 12-team contract league where players are given 1-5 year contracts, so the player pool is always decently shallow each year for the draft. I am in a SS conundrum and would appreciate any advice.
We’re currently in the third round of the draft and I pick 8th. Amed Rosario is my starting SS as of now and that has me a bit itchy. I have been offered Tim Anderson on a 3-year contract or Orlando Arcia on a 2-year contract for the pick. Here’s my current lineup:
C – Sanchez
1B – Bellinger
2B – Altuve
3B – Seager
SS – Rosario
LF – Benintendi
CF – Buxton
RF – Judge
UTIL – Cruz
I feel like I need SBs out of the SS slot. Anderson could be interesting in that regard, but I also feel like we don’t know what Rosario is at this point (other than injured and on the Mets…eek). Players left in the draft pool: DeJong, Russell, Peraza, Semien, Beckham, etc.
Do I take one of the players offered or go with someone like DeJong and sacrifice the SBs? Thanks!
@Bill: I’d prefer Anderson…
Great and established Grey and Razzball community, I am needing help deciding on my last 2 keepers. I’m leaning on D. Santana and Clevinger but I can also choose A. Rosario, Cueto, or Senzel. I could also throw dust to the wind and keep a pathetic reliever.
I play 5×5 roto obp and Wins for pitching.
And if people need to know I’m currently keeping Bellinger, Chaz Noir, Odor, Rendon, Jo-Ram, and Mr. Robbie Ray.
I actually don’t bite unless you pay me too.
Advice is appreciated
@Just A Lonely Terrorist: D. Santana and Clevinger
Hey guys this is my start in the 15 team draft 50 NFBC DC league. 6th pick, went:
Stanton
Dee
Abreu
Ray
K. Davis.
I know Rudy has been drafting Rivero in the 6th round. I feel I need a SP next though. I know one of my next two picks should be a pitcher of some type. Only 4 closers off the board now, I’m looking at Bauer, both Grays, Weaver, Morton types for SP’s. The other thought is Shaw could be there too. It feels like the next two picks are real important for my team. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
@Packers: Bauer and RP, or RP then SP… I ‘d likely go Bauer first, then RP
@Grey: Yep, that’s what I’m going to do. Rivero is gone. Geez 23 SP’s off the board and only in round 6. Each draft is different. Thanks.
Yup
Thoughts on this squad: 10 team keeper league Season 4- keep 20 throw back the rest
League stats R 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB AVG- W SV HR K ERA WHIP K/9 QS
1B- Votto
2B- Dozier
3B- Seager
SS- Seager
OF- Betts, Springer. Benintendi
UTIL: Abreu, Pham
Bench- Polanco, Carpenter, Puig, Peraza, Moose
SP- Madbum, Carrasco, Paxton, Cole, Stroman,Ray, Lamet, Shark
RP- Jansen, Chapman, Diaz
any advice here?
@jon:
Yes I don’t have a catcher yet…. have to drop someone or make a 2 for 1 trade.. just not sure what to do.
@jon: Drop Moose if he doesn’t sign… Can lose Carpenter too, he’ll never play on your team
Yo Grey,
I inherited a squad in a 12-team Yahoo League where you can keep up to three players (lose a draft pick for each player kept). Here are my potential keepers:
Freddie Freeman
Jonathon Schoop
Starling Marte
Nelson Cruz
Justin Verlander
Who are you keeping? I am leaning toward just keeping Freeman and Marte, but would also consider adding in Cruz.
Thanks for your input and looking forward to starting my days with Razzball in a few weeks!
@C: Thanks! Freeman, Marte, then wild card, I guess Verlander, but no strong feelings on 3rd
Hey Grey,
Wondering your thoughts on my first round selection. With my team starting off with keepers of Arenado, Machado, Trea Turner, Correa, and Severino, my first round pick based on available players may come down to a choice of Abreu and Dee Gordon. I know your rankings, but based upon my keepers, and that my league counts OBP and AVG for categories, which way would you be leaning. 1st base, 2nd base, and OF are the spots I need to fill with two of my keepers filling my utility spots due to overlap of shortstops I have. Turner already gives me speed and my other guys give me power so not such a clear decision. Gordon and Turner would win me steals every week but Abreu would be a bigger boost at OBP.
@G: Abreu
Love the write ups! I have 4 keeper slots with 5 candidates. Please let me know which one I should leave behind. Bear in mind that there are 10 teams keeping 4 guys each so much of the top end talent is already off the board.
Zack Greinke (Would have to give up a 7th round pick)
Elvis Andrus (10th)
Andrew Benintendi (17th)
Tommy Pham (18th)
Joey Gallo (19th)
I am inclined to let go of Pham because I don’t believe he’ll be able to replicated his numbers from last year. Thanks!
@Jomogrom: Meh, would prolly let Pham go
Will you be putting out a post of good spring training stats from last year that carried over into the season? Did that even happen? I don’t know, seems like a logical counter post.
@BJFOHOHL: It would be defeating the purpose of this and just scrambling people’s brains… Corey Dickerson did hit well in spring and seemed to carry it over…
@Grey: I’m a brain scrambler
BSOHL
@Grey: Speaking of BSOHL, I was going to go to the gym this morning but said to myself, ” It’s spring, you’re in the best shape of your life, why mess with a good thing”
You sound like Moistasskiss trying to convince everyone he’s fine waiting until June to sign
@Grey: I do like Greek….food
The Greek from The Wire was awesome
@Grey: One of the few bright spots
Such a hater!
It’s in the name
Can’t argue with that
@BJFOHOHL: We oversold the show Grey. You know it, I know it, jack knows it.
Even if Jack liked the show, he had no choice but to hate.
He’s just trying to be contrarian, everyone oversells the show
Maybe it was over sold, maybe I only liked certain seasons, aspects and characters in the show. As a complete show I didn’t care for it. To sum it up again, any show that needs a 3 1/2 minute long montage to close it out because of all the storylines isn’t for me. I’ll take GOT or Curb any day over that show
Can’t say GOT isn’t ending with a 3 minute montage, wouldn’t surprise me with all they have to wrap up in a half season…
but its not boring. And I hated the hype and didnt care for GOT from the get go. But then I sat down, watched it and fell in love
*swoon* Yeah, GOT is awesome, totally different type of show but great… You should watch Gomorra on Netflix…
are you working for Gomora?
It’s amazing! What, I want you to enjoy wonderful…
Oh and a show is a show. Doesnt matter type or genre. Its either enjoyable or not
@Grey: A better companion post might be to look at all the players who had breakout seasons last year — e.g., guys like Marwin Gonzalez, Whit Merrifield, Cody Bellinger, Tommy Pham, Paul DeJong, Alex Wood, Ervin Santana, Luis Severino, Alex Colome, Corey Knebel — and show what their spring stats were last year. I do not know for sure what the results would be, but I would guess that few if any gave any hint that they were about to have a great season.
That would assume their springs meant something
Grey!!!
Great write-up!
a. Just got back 30 minutes ago from Kisoro. It’s prime gorilla trekking territory. Saw a gibbon on the highway on the way back to Mbarara.
b. RCL #48 dropped to 11/12!!! Sad emoji.
Cheers,
Ante
@Ante Galic: That’s so cool, I wanna hang out in gorilla trekking territory! B. I updated the sheet, I’m sure you’ll get another one
@Grey: Grey!!
a. Thanks a lot, man.
b. Me: ‘I saw a gibbon (casually scratch his nuts) on the highway.’
Cram: ‘I saw Gibbons (cussing as usual) in Dunedin.’
Cheers,
Ante
Haha, wait, Cram is in Africa with you? What didn’t you invite me?
@Grey: Grey!!
He’s not, but I wish he was like I wish all of you all were. I would take you all out for gorilla trekking.
Cheers,
Ante
I’d love to poach some apes! Poach means hug, right?
Kzar 2019 breakout!!
@FrankGrimes: I’m feeling a 2022 breakout for Kzar
Keeper league question. 18 teams. We keep up to 7. We have to make a decision soon. I asked a long time ago, but just checking back to see if anything changed. 7×7 league. Avg/obp/slg….
If u keep less than 7 players you get to draft in the missing rounds. Options: judge , correa, buxton, conforto, bird, eaton, snell. Thanks.
@Leon: Meh, Eaton is already battling his health, I’d prolly take my chances in the draft with him
@Grey:
How about bird and snell? would u drop them?Or would you go only judge, correa, buxton, conforto and draft 5, 6, and 7th rd. I am really on the fence about bird because of where hes hitting in the lineup and the lineup it self. But, i am afraid that is why i like him.
They seem okay to keep in an 18-teamer — It is a pretty deep league, unless you know for a fact there will be guys in the draft to grab to replace them
Yeah I’m with you on uselessness of spring training stats. Only one that has piqued my interest slightly is Kipnis hitting well. Shows he is at least healthy at the moment. I think around 200 is a decent value for him, slightly above where he has been going. Other dud with a hot spring training last year to add to your list…Addison Russell
@Justin: Oh yeah, I’m sure there’s a ton of them, I just listed a few that stood out
Happy March…..in like a mutha bleeping lion….out like a lamb……10 keep forever. 11th pick in the first round and won’t be picking until 11th in the second round and so on…..So I’m looking at #131 player after 10 keepers . Not sure who’s available but I’ll take a guess. Need 2b/ss best player available. Odor, Albies, Whit, Happ, DJ, DeJong, Arcia, Semien, Baez, Simmons, Polanco, Rosario, Kipnis. What say you?
@Chucky: You too! Albies
Just got keeper’s for the whole league and enter into more specific draft prep. I have #1 pick in the draft (10 team standard roto) with top available players being Hosmer, Hoskins, Benintendi, Schoop.
My keepers are Trout, Rizzo (2B eligible), Machado, JDM, C-Mart. I know the ranks are very close on available players – based on my keepers, who would you take with the first pick? Thanks Grey
@Big Ticket: Hoskins
Grey, Nick again
KEEPER TEAM now :)
my batters are SET !
but my pitchers :
SP1 Severino
SP2 Archer
RP1 KJansen
RP2 CAllen
i need to add one SP between :
Morton : 34 y-old goodie – already ready in spring + Houston lineup ! Grey believes… Yummy
Salazar : already injured !
Gio: KK+ but overated, sceptikal about another 2017 revival?
Chase Anderson: maybe the safest UNSEXY pick here
Bundy : still not paying dividends,,, see 2019 draft
Maeda: ,,, risky but 4th LAD starter
@Nick:
Morton or Gio by a wide margin.
@Nick: I’d roll with Morton
@Cram It:
Morton is selected for a Grammy : POY –> Papy of the Year ^^
@Nick: I call him Jelly Roll Morton
@Nick: Agree with others
Grey,
In a $100 auction 5×5 roto with 4 corner infielders(1b 3b) and 5 OF as part of the roster, I can keep JD Martinez for $5.50 or Rafael Devers for .25. I usually lean to try to keep the .25 guys, but I’m starting to think JD for $5.50 may just be too good. Thanks.
What site do you use? Does fantrax allow salaries under $1?
I know ESPN and Yahoo don’t.
@Ryan: I’d go Devers
@Ryan: in fantrax you can set whatever budget you want. 260, a million.
So my league just switched to net saves/holds and took away wins for win %. other cats are ratio based and HRs against. Running the numbers based on last year’s stats now we have 7 relievers more valuable than what Kershaw did…. not ideal, but that’s what people voted for.
Any advice on how leagues with net saves/holds should approach their draft? does it change things? a lot? a little?
I pulled a game-used Billy Butler jersey card from a pack a few years ago. The jersey must have come from that sweet spot in the graphic because it’s still a little damp!
@Joel: HA!
Grey,
I’m in an OBP/SLG Keeper league, 8 teams and we keep 8. I traded away some aging guys and am rebuilding this year. Current keepers headed into the draft are:
Freeman
Correa
Machado
Springer
JD
Would you trade Manny and Springer for Betts? Think that’s fair in an OBP format? Thanks
@Test Kitchen: Nah
I think it’s hilarious that people are all over these stats and base their adp around them. I’d love to be in their leagues. Haha
My pitching staff is as follows in a points league: Kluber, deGrom, MadBum, Corbin, Ray, Happ.
I think I can trade/drop one for some depth in the mi. Would you propose any of these trades (with the assumption the other owner would say yes, or at least think it’s close):
Happ for Merrfield, LeMahieu, J. Harrison, Baretto….of those players are not starters for the other teams and on their benches. Or, the following mi are available: Villar, Kinsler, Solarte, T. Anderson, Pedroia, Lowrie….but I’d hate to just drop Happ. I have Rosario as my starting ss.
@Dave: I’d take Merrifield, not close really
@Grey:
Thanks. Since it’s not close I won’t propose the deal. I think I’ll try Lamahieu and see what happens. I don’t want to offer lopsided trades….unless they say yes to the deal?
Don’t know if they’ll say yes unless you try no?
@Grey: Good point. In your experience, would a bad trade offer hurt your chances of working out a subsequent deal? That’s my opinion but i could be wrong.
No harm in emailing someone and asking them if they’d trade one player for another
@Dave: not if you immediately assume they AREN’T stupid with the 2nd “offer”. i’m very nice to people the 1st time they view me as a mark, and i explain how i’m not. when the 2nd bad deal comes across i’m less nice and talks stop. i’ve already been nice enough to waste my time to explain how i’m not being tricked, if a dude wants to continue down that road he’s doing it alone.
@Dave:
Or would you offer Rosario and Happ for Albies and either J. Harrison or J. Gray or S. Gray? I could slide Bregman over to ss.
Amed Rosario for Happ and Gray? This trade is more lopsided
Reminds me of one of my favorite songs from the 90s:
“Are you Jon Gray?
Are you Robbie Ray?
Are you Sonny Gray?
Who wants Sano!
Who wants Sano!”
@Pouss-Pousse: Haha
How could you omit Miguel “MVP” Andujar? Lol
@M: never mind -noticed they are last year’s stats my bad!