To make sure I don’t miss any player in my rankings, I go through every team’s depth charts and I go through every eligible player who is projected for at least one at-bat by Steamer. After I looked through the players with at least one at-bat at 2nd base, I vomited in my mouth, then spit said vomit onto the ground and it spelled out, “Gnarly.” My vomit is right. 2nd base is not a pretty position. Shortstops got younger in the last year and some guys are coming to make it even better. The top 20 1st basemen wasn’t straight gorge, but there was plenty of talent there from veterans. The top 20 catchers are always ugly, but these top 20 2nd basemen are giving the catchers a run for their money. There’s only three guys with legit 20-homer power and three guys with easy 20-steal speed. One that will hit .300 and zero that will get 100 RBIs. I don’t know what happened to the latest crop of 2nd basemen, but I have a theory. Twelve years ago, when these 2nd basemen were learning the position, their role model was Bret Boone. Boone used to frost his hair blonde, so all the kids learning 2nd base at that time, frosted their hair too. Then their friends beat the crap out of them, and that was the end of all future 2nd basemen. Here’s the position eligibility chart for 2016 fantasy baseball. All the 2016 fantasy baseball rankings are under that linkie-ma-whosie. As always, my projections and tiers are included for the low, low price of zero dollars. Anyway, here’s the top 20 2nd basemen for 2016 fantasy baseball:
1. Jose Altuve – Went over him in the top 20 for 2016 fantasy baseball.
2. Dee Gordon – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until here. I call this tier, “How about we draft a power OF or cornerman? What say you?” Gordon should be okay (for what he is). If he falls, I could see drafting him. There were only seven players total last year that stole 30 bases. Ron LeFlore and his go-go 1980s are gone. 17 Red Bulls don’t do what they used to. (Quite literally, they used to kill you flat, but now with the added ingredient that Red Bull can’t even spell for their can, customers can drink up to 22 Red Bulls and merely have heart palpitations.) “A bowl of greenies” now refers to the M&M’s that the more superstition players won’t eat. “Jobu doesn’t eat green M&M’s!” Due to Obamacare, the number of quacks that will prescribe Adderall for no reason is at an all-time low. We need to do something! Enter Dee Gordon, cape and all. Damn, due to his cape and 125-pound frame, he just blew back out of the room. 2016 Projections: 101/3/42/.297/59
3. Brian Dozier – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until here. I call this tier, “Take me to church! I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies! I’ll–Wait, that’s Hozier, not Dozier.” I don’t enjoy breaking up tiers this quickly, but these first few guys are all their own thing. Dozier’s projected average for me is .231. Steamer has him bouncing back from his .236 average last year and hitting .241. I kinda feel that my .231 average for him is being optimistic. I have concerns that he’s headed in the direction of being a .210 hitter. He found more power last year with 28 homers, but it was at the expense of him swinging at everything like he was Tarzan. I’m likely being overly cautious since he’s in his prime and proven to be a .240 hitter. Either way, or eye-thurr way if Clingy is reading, I’m likely not drafting him unless he falls. 2016 Projections: 92/24/72/.231/10
4. Rougned Odor – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until here. I call this tier, “What’s that smell? Ironically, it’s all of the 2nd basemen except Odor.” The tier name refers to the one 2nd baseman in the top 100 overall that I’m extremely excited about. I wanna rock this sweater and waft some Odor onto my team. I already gave you my Rougned Odor sleeper. I wrote it while wondering if The Chronicles of Riddick had anything to do with Riddick Bowe. 2016 Projections: 81/19/69/.253/15
5. Matt Carpenter – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Cano. I call this tier, “Pass the Dutchie, and Carpenter and Cano.” This tier refers to how I’m avoiding these guys. As for Carpenter, I’m gonna be real with you, I don’t even know what Carpenter is at this point. Knowing isn’t half the battle like an STD. Knowing is the whole battle. I don’t want to not know what I’m drafting. He seems like he could hit 25+ HRs if he wants to, but how the hell are we supposed to know what he wants to do? Do we have Magic Eight Balls on top of our shoulders? No, we have heads. We can’t tell the future. And I’m not talking about capital Future and f*ckin up some commas. 2016 Projections: 97/19/62/.275/5
6. Robinson Cano – I can’t imagine anyone else ranking Cano this late, which means whatever I say here won’t matter because there’s no way you’re drafting him. But, what the eff, I’ll go ahead and say some stuff anyway. Stuff, stuff, stuff. Oh, and his strikeouts were a career high, his speed is gone with age, he’s a 18-homer hitter and that’s about it. I wouldn’t count on a high average from him anymore. His contact percentage was a career low and his swinging strike percentage was at a career high. He’s a guy that swings a lot and now he stopped making contact. To give this to you like a cartoon, Cano’s average is holding an anvil and he just stepped off a cliff. Next, he’ll look down, then his value will plummet to meet the anvil. 2016 Projections: 75/17/80/.275/3
7. Jonathan Schoop – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Russell. I call this tier, “Get your sleepers! *pokes you with a stick, waking you* We have sleepers as in underrated players, not meaning for you to take a nap.” I already went over my Jonathan Schoop sleeper. I wrote it while ghostwriting Drake’s lyrics. 2016 Projections: 73/26/85/.245/3
8. Brett Lawrie – I already went over my Brett Lawrie sleeper. It was written without the letter J due to my broken typewriter. 2016 Projections: 71/20/82/.264/14
9. Starlin Castro – Here’s what I said this offseason about Castro, “I want to say unequivocally that this is the best landing spot for him in the majors outside of Coors. Castro has totally failed as a top prospect– Oh, wait, he’s only 25 years old. This was a case where the Cubs didn’t make a bad deal; they just had too much of a good thing with middle infielders, and their eyes set on Messin’ Wit’ The Zo’. Starlin Castro feels set up to have his biggest season to date, and I’m going to project him as such.” And that’s me quoting me! 2016 Projections: 72/16/77/.274/7
10. Addison Russell – Member when Joe Maddon said he was batting Russell ninth to help take the pressure off of him? Of course, that was complete nonsense, he just didn’t know how to squeeze him into the top of the lineup. Be interesting to hear what he says in Russell’s third season when he still has him batting ninth. I’m guessing something like, “He’s just really comfortable batting ninth.” Ri9ght. Sadly, I don’t see how Russell moves up now. Maybe as the two-hole hitter if Zobrist gets hurt, but otherwise I don’t see it. That’s a shame too. Not a shame, a product, Naughty by Nature. 2016 Projections: 62/16/66/.252/7
11. Ian Kinsler – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Phillips. I call this tier, “Do you have a death wish?” With this tier name, I mean if you draft someone from this tier, you could die of boredom. I don’t want to draft an MI from this tier. For an MI, I prefer to take a late flyer. Now whether that is an upside flyer from the 2nd basemen or the shortstops, doesn’t matter. As for Kinsler, how much you like counting stats? The answer to that will explain how much you like Kinsler. 2016 Projections: 92/12/73/.277/12
12. Anthony Rendon – I like Samardzija this year after he moved to San Fran, so, yes, Rendon screwed me big time last year, but I don’t hold grudges. I hold grudge matches with strangers off of Craigslist! At this point, I need to see another top season before I go in on Rendon again. In his big season, he stole 17 bases. He has speed for around five steals. Not sure where the 17 steals came from, but I doubt we see them again. Last year, he stole one base in 80 games. I get it, he had injury concerns, but still I’m not expecting 17 steals again. Then, in his breakout season, he hit 21 homers. Up until that point, his high in a season of the minors was seven homers. Last year, he hit 5 homers in 80 games. He feels like a guy that could go 14 HR/7 SB with good counting stats. That, really, truly, interjection, is not that exciting. 2016 Projections: 88/14/68/.285/7
13. Jason Kipnis – If he had neutral luck on his BABIP last year, he would’ve had a season of 9 HRs, 12 SBs, .260. Seriously, he could be that bad. He’s only ranked this high because he stole 30+ bases in the past, hit 17 HRs in the past and is only 28 years old. Similar to Carpenter, I have no idea what we’ll get. What I do know is he’d need to hit about 270 fly balls to approach 20 HRs (he hits around 130) and, when he does hit a homer, he doesn’t hit them far. He has a better chance of stealing 20 bases and I don’t see him doing that either. So, we’re left with good counting stats. Yay. 2016 Projections: 91/10/54/.288/15
14. Neil Walker – Here’s what I said this offseason, “(Walker was) traded to the Mets for Jon “The Nose” Niese. Niese’s WWE catchphrase is, “Get in pecking order!” I imagine the Mets were over the moon to make this trade. For example, ‘You mean you’re going to give us something for a guy we don’t need at all?’ This is like Alanis Morissette getting a knife for one of her 10,000 spoons.” And that’s me copying and pasting me! 2016 Projections: 72/18/69/.273/3
15. Dustin Pedroia – I’m guessing someone from this tier will emerge to have one more season that won’t kill anyone with boredom. I would not guess that guy to be Pedroia. He now has two straight subpar seasons under his belt, and, on the Red Sox, only Sandoval has room for that much under his belt. 2016 Projections: 78/10/51/.274/5
16. Howie Kendrick – Sure taking a long time for the offseason to develop, right? Kendrick is usually the kind of player that teams love to sign. He gives you okay/bleh/okay/solid/bleh. I mean, where else can you get that?! I will update Kendrick’s projections when he officially signs somewhere, but he’s the type of guy that is exactly the same wherever he is. Sounds like he’d be the life of a party. Sideways, squiggly emoticon yawning. UPDATE: Howie re-signed with the Dodgers and is slated to leadoff, which should last until about April 3rd. Or until Dave Roberts sees Corey Seager’s shadow. 2016 Projections: 73/10/68/.285/6
17. Ben Zobrist – Here’s what I said this offseason, “(Zobrist) signed with the Cubs. After Castro was traded away, there was a millisecond where Javier Baez’s dynasty owners thought they had a starting infielder for the Cubs. If you play back the tape between Castro being traded away and the Cubs signing Zobrist, you can hear a champagne pop, then immediately you hear a whiney, “Oh, c’mon!” I’m not a huge fan of Zobrist for fantasy, but you know who is a fan of his? Joe Maddon, and that’s why Zobrist will likely bat 2nd in a stacked lineup.” And that’s me–Well, you know. 2016 Projections: 89/12/59/.279/9
18. Daniel Murphy – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2016 fantasy baseball.
19. Brandon Phillips – His 2016 comes down to whether or not last year was a dead cat bounce? Hard to say, but I wouldn’t want to draft him and get a repeat of his 2014 with 8 HRs and 2 steals, which was a total me-ouch. By the way, do you think Siamese cats move to the other side of the road when they see Ben Carson? 2016 Projections: 78/10/52/.271/14
20. Scooter Gennett – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Spangenberg. I call this tier, “Part-time lovers.” By the tier name, I mean these guys are projected to platoon. Also, you’d have to be blind to miss my love for these part-time lovers. You have an MI slot? Then fill ‘er up! As for Scooter, beep-beep! Here he comes. Hopefully. If not this year, then prolly never. Oh, and there’s something to what I was saying about this tier. I’d go for a guy in this tier in shallower leagues because there’s a good chance I’m gonna want to drop one by mid-April, and, in shallower leagues, there will be waiver options. 2016 Projections: 72/12/51/.266/9 in 500 ABs
21. Kolten Wong – Another thing about this tier and why this tier is more for shallower leagues, you can pick up a guy to fill in on days Wong or someone in this tier is benched vs. a lefty or a tough pitcher. Matt Carpenter has 3rd base locked down in St. Louis, so that leaves Wong and Gyorko as the most unfortunate named platoon since Rusty Kuntz and Bradley Gingerclam. I’m guessing (hoping) that Wong emerges with 80% of playing time and most of the value as Gyorko fills in on occasion for Wong and Carpenter. A fill-in for Wong? Sounds like someone has a detachable penis. By the way, “Detachable Penis” is the most unlikely hit song ever or only top five? 2016 Projections: 55/14/58/.259/13 in 480 ABs
22. Alen Hanson – “Micah Johnson is the sleeper that no one is talking about that everyone is actually talking about,” said every fantasy baseball ‘pert last year, except me. “He’s an absolute steal of drafts that is no longer a steal because everyone is telling you he is a steal. Plus, he can steal!” That’s still ‘perts from last year talking up Micah Johnson. You can change the name to Alen Hanson for this year and it’ll be the same thing. When it appears all but a lock that Hanson will be the starter, everyone is going to go crazy for him. Well, they’ll go crazy for him until he hits .215 in April. Hanson did have 35 steals in Triple-A last year, and hit double digit homers other minor league years, so he’s worth a flyer at MI, but you have to be ready to cut bait by mid-April. Hanson could be mmm good or mmm-flop. UPDATE: Sadly, the Pirates signed David Freese, which kills Hanson’s value. Mmmflop. 2016 Projections: 53/4/51/.234/26 in 420 ABs
22. Jace Peterson – I call this segment of our program, “Know your Jace, playboy.” I just went to investigate his speed in a two-minute highlight reel because something wasn’t computing for me. Mostly, his 12 steals in 22 attempts. That’s like the success rate of the World’s Dumbest Criminals on TruTV. So, my takeaway from his highlight reel? He’s a tall guy with some speed. Physically, he looked like a tall Rafael Furcal. I will call him Rafael Furtall. Though, he didn’t have Furcal’s speed. He doesn’t look like a 50-steal guy as he was one year in the minors. Maybe 20 to 25 steals. He is old for having never done anything in the majors (will be 26 this year), and will likely split time unless he breaks out, as with everyone in this tier. 2016 Projections: 51/8/57/.232/17
23. Trea Turner – I like Turner a lot. No, it’s not because he sounds like a 90s talk show host that would specialize in awkward family reunions. “Coming up right after Jenny Jones, it’s Trea Turner! Watch when blood tests lead to brand new fathers!” I like Turner because he could have 35-steal speed, but, I have to be honest, I have no idea what the Nationals are going to do with him. My guess is they’ll send him down until June. So, he’s not exactly a part-time player, but he will get about as many at-bats as the guys in this tier. There is a chance Turner breaks camp with the club, which will in turn break the internet. Or at least the fantasy baseball internet. The fantasy baseball internet is represented with a badonkadonk like Kim Kardashian’s, but it’s on Ron Shandler instead. 2016 Projections: 42/6/57/.243/19 in 375 ABs
24. Cory Spangenberg – His last name sounds like a euphemism a frat boy would call a girl he’d sleep with. “She’s a total Spangenberg!” *high five* “Totes Spangenberg!” *high five* “I Spangenberg’d her and now I gotta go get my Spangenberg test from the free clinic because I can’t stop itching!” *and he is left hanging for a high five* The Padres have Pirela to platoon with Spangenberg, and, as you might imagine with Pirela, he has some serious wheels. Spangenberg is younger and should have the edge simply because he hits lefty. 2016 Projections: 62/6/40/.251/16
25. DJ LeMahieu – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Panik. I call this tier, “They have a full-time job. Lowercase yay!” The guys in this tier have a full-time job and that’s about the nicest compliment you’re gonna hear from me. A few of them just had a career year, and in many of their cases, last year wasn’t even that good. As for LeMahieu, he had a .362 BABIP last year and a .301 average. He’s more of a .340 BABIP/.280 guy. That’ll lose him 10 runs and RBIs from last year’s 85/61. Throw in that DJ won’t be on the lineup’s ones or twos but more in the 6th or 7th hole and another ten runs are gone. In 2014, he only stole 10 bases and he’s a 5-homer hitter. Suddenly, you’re not so excited about Mr. DJ playing every day and all night, on and on and on. 2016 Projections: 65/5/54/.274/16
26. Logan Forsythe – One thing about this tier. These guys are more valuable in deeper and/or weekly leagues where you need players going every day and can’t find guys on waivers or can’t bench someone during the week when platoon guys are benched. I had Forsythe last year in a weekly league and was very happy with him. I also picked him up in a 12-team daily league, and held him for about three days until I dropped him. That’s something not mentioned nearly enough with rankings. A ten team league’s rankings are not the same as a 15-team’s. Yahoo and ESPN aren’t the same either. Luckily, we do rankings for every league. Like a bunch of ballers! My rankings are mostly for 12 team leagues or shallower, but I give you guidance how to adjust them for deeper leagues. Like moving this tier above the last tier in deeper leagues. As for Forsythe, if you have Forsythe, you’ll likely not draft Forsythe. Best thing he has going for him is a shizzy team, so he’s bound to play if healthy. And that’s word is bound! 2016 Projections: 62/11/67/.267/8
27. Devon Travis – Ryan Goins will start the year at 2nd base, but Goins going gone once Travis returns. When will Travis return? I wanna say by June. I wouldn’t even rank him or draft Travis if I didn’t have a DL slot, but I could see stashing him while he’s injured. 2016 Projections: 42/12/46/.277/6 in 320 ABs
28. Josh Harrison – At some point, Jung-yo Momma is going to return and Hanson or Harrison will be moved to the bench or a platoon shituation. I’m hoping it’s Harrison because Hanson will be 23 on his born day and is a blessing. 2016 Projections: 62/6/49/.280/13
29. Yangervis Solarte – Went over him in the top 20 1st basemen for 2016 fantasy baseball.
30. Joe Panik – He doesn’t have a ton of power or speed or really anything but he has shown the ability to hit for a decent average and should be towards the top of the lineup. Panik in the two hole should lead to lots of runs. Hehe, sounds like you have IBS. 2016 Projections: 74/7/49/.292/8
31. Brad Miller – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Gyorko. I call this tier, “In your best Bob Sheppard voice, ‘And batting ninth or should be batting ninth…'” All the guys in this tier are bottom of their lineup hitters or should be. As for Brad Miller, I likely would’ve moved him up a tier or two if he wasn’t platooning with Tim Beckham, who might be the one guy who has disappointed on his promise more than Miller. The Rays will be giving coins out to their first 10,000 fans of the season. Those coins were made by melting down promise rings their prospects reneged on. 2016 Projections: 48/13/52/.246/12
32. Johnny Giavotella – Hey, it’s Johnny G. Fist pump! Looks to once again be the starting 2nd baseman for the Angels. Scioscia obviously has a soft spot for goombas. “Pfft!” says Mike Napoli. 2016 Projections: 48/5/53/.254/8
33. Enrique Hernandez – Enrique’s nickname, Kike, reminds me of the old joke about a man named Jose going to a baseball game and then being so overwhelmed with joy when everyone started singing to him, “Jose, can you see?” I wonder if Enrique is ever driving through the deep south and sees some hate graffiti and thinks, “Wow, it’s so nice how they welcome a Kike here.” 2016 Projections: 44/6/32/.255/3 in 300 ABs
34. Cesar Hernandez – His BABIP last year was .342 and he hit .272. In other words, with neutral luck and on any team except the Phillies, Cesar would be Roman the minor leagues. 2016 Projections: 49/1/32/.237/16
35. Danny Espinosa – He could be used as a litmus test for Nationals fans for how good their team is doing. I’ll explain. “The Nationals are doing so good they don’t even have to bring up Trea Turner!” Or, “The Nationals are doing so bad Espinosa is gonna be benched any day now so Turner can come up and spark plug this mother.” Or, “The Nationals are doing so bad Espinosa is the leadoff hitter and playing 2nd, Rendon is injured and Stephen Drew, at short, is their cleanup man. I never thought I’d miss Jim Bowden.” 2016 Projections: 52/15/48/.235/6
36. Omar Infante – Hispanic Baby Omar isn’t just any player, he’s HBO. Unfortch, he’s more like the Arliss HBO than the Game of Thrones one. Hodor! 2016 Projections: 44/6/49/.241/4
37. Aaron Hill – With the trade to Milwaukee, Hill should have a starting job until at least Arcia is promoted and perhaps longer if Villar fails to impress. Of course, that would mean Hill does impress and it takes a whole lot of tryin’ to get up that improbable Hill. 2016 Projections: 46/10/49/.237/4
38. Martin Prado – A bad hitter in a bad lineup and that’s not bad as in good, but bad as in bad. 2016 Projections: 48/7/53/.278/1
39. Jedd Gyorko – See what I said for Wong or 12 inches above, and that’s the only time I ever used 12 inches and Wong in the same sentence. 2016 Projections: 25/8/30/.256/1
40. Jose Peraza – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until the end of the list. I call this tier, “I like these guys, but their clubs don’t.” I already gave you my Jose Peraza fantasy. I wrote it sitting behind Shia LaBeouf as he watched Even Stevens. 2016 Projections: 27/1/20/.275/14 in 170 ABs
41. Wilmer Flores – As Common once sang, “It doesn’t take a whole day to recognize sunshine.” For the Mets, it would indeed take a full day. Possibly even a whole weekend if Wilmer was involved. 2016 Projections: 28/10/38/.277/1 in 275 ABs
42. Micah Johnson – Yo, Micah check one two, what is this? It’s one of the ugliest positions, so seckle with the mission of trying to draft a legit 2nd baseman, you listen? Here’s what I said about Micah this offseason, “Went one of the other ways in the Frazier deal. I get the sense that the Dodgers handle offseason trades like this, “Does this help move Alex Guerrero further down the depth charts? Then let’s try it!” I’m guessing Micah unseats Enrique Hernandez this spring, but never really keeps the job full-time.” And that’s me quoting me! UPDATE: With Howie back in LA, no one is unseating anyone for the 2nd base job, which made that the quickest game of musical chairs. 2016 Projections: 21/1/19/.247/11 in 150 ABs
43. Javier Baez – Now starting for the Nippon Umamis…Javier Baez! Or maybe someone will get injured on the Cubs. 2016 Projections: 17/3/19/.224/2 in 150 ABs
Grey, you kill these rankings every year, you’re the best on the planet and love reading everyday, keep it up! Is there anywhere to donate to the cause, or just throw my money at the DFSBot?
One quick thing since we’re on the topic of 2B. Gordon is intriguing and I 100% agree with your projection. I’m in a 12-team 6×6 OPS keeper league and already have Goldschmidt, C Davis, Cruz, deGrom and Price. Got 1st pick with options like Gordon, Tulo, Frazier, C Gonzalez, Cain, F-Her, Kluber, Keuchel etc available. Gordon seems appealing to combine his SBs with the power bats I have, you like him here or another option mentioned?
Thanks!!
@mc2Rumba: Thanks! On the home page there’s a donate link… I’d go Frazier
Grey! Good to see you again.
Regarding Cano: Let’s say, hypothetically, my six keepers in a points league are Kershaw, Cole, Kluber, Arenado, Corey Seager, and one of Cano, Puig, Dickerson, Danny Salazar. Is Cano my sixth?
Also, a guy offered me Archer for Kluber straight up. Do I take it?
Thanks!
@Todd: Hey, man! Hold Kluber, go Puig
Thanks for the early morning laugh with the Bret Boone comment. It’s this kind of in-depth analysis that other fantasy experts are sorely lacking. Well done!
@Shaggy: Thanks!
Wow, you’re really hard on the Wong this year, Grey!
Would I be totally insane to go to the well one last time on Brad Miller this season?
@Nittanychris: Not insane, but you prolly will drop him by mid-April
I like Altuve a lot actually wouldn’t mind getting him, this position along with shortstop and of course catcher is thin. I feel unless a guy falls in the draft I’m not that interested. I feel load up on the corners and the outfield is the way to go. Two guys I like a lot more than you is Brad Miller and Joe Panik. Isn’t it better to just wait on second base get somebody like Neil Walker or Daniel Murphy very boring but predictable. I like both Odor and Schnoop, unfortunately it seems like Odor is on a ton of sleepers list already. So when does he become overrated?
@Robert: When he doesn’t fall past the top 75
Tissues for other fellow Rendon owners in keeper/dynasty leagues :(
He’s only 25 and Grey had him ranked inside of his top 12 last year while talking about him as if he was an MVP candidate. Talk about completely bailing on a player….
@JW: He’s a first round talent provided he can stay healthy.
@JW:
Haha yeah. Completely apples and oranges but imagine the same fall for Correa lol. Obviously CC is the real deal, the SS Trout…Rendon never felt legit to me as a 1st rounder but i was able to nab him for cheap last year. My team kinda fell apart / got old fast, now Im praying for a Rendon comeback!!
@danny almonte: Ha
Hey Grey. Are there 2nd baseman listed who get a notable drop or bump in rankings in leagues that use OBP in addition to AVG as a category?
@G: There will be OBP rankings in Feb
OBP Rankings!?!?
Are you doing them?
Not me personally, Rudy does them
Looking forward to it.
Is it broken down by position or a top 300 type?
Top 300 type
@Grey: This is awesome!!! As if Razzball couldn’t get better.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: every year the player rater goes much deeper than 300. but to merge pitchers and hitters you have to do your own merging, but it’s not hard just use the dollar values shown.
So I should punt 2b and invest that auction money in a 1b or OF?
I agree with the above at the amount you soured on rendon.
@The discarded head of Ted Williams: Yup
Roman the minor leagues, hahahah
@Gray’s Sports Almanac: Hehe
Thoughts on Refsnyder in a dynasty? I know he doesnt have a place to play today which is why you didnt rank him. Wouldnt take a lot for that to change
@danny almonte: Getting Castro kills him
Mr. Grey,
Which side roto, 12, teams:
Abreu, Wright, wainrite
Or
Franco, boegarrts, leake
Sry to ask…
@joe shmoe: Abreu
@Grey: pulled the trigger on that deal…i have this proclivity to develop a sickly stomach feeling when trading two unproven players for a proven one…now im…yaaawwwnn..rooting for abreu too-Zzzzz
Ha, hopefully it works out
Hey Grey!
Why is Peraza not loved by the Reds? They traded for him twice this off season. I know Phillips currently holds his position but it seems they’re desperately trying to get rid of him and it’s not like Cincinnati is stocked in the infield.
I hate how Rendon has fallen so much in your eyes, but as I’ve learned in the past you’re usually right goddamnit.
Thanks for the rankings and good luck on the season.
@Niceguybilly: No problem
Any chance Cano can replicate his post allstar break numbers? 15/331./540 in 278 ABs… I was done with him heading into July and then boom.
@Alex: I wouldn’t bet on it
Greetings, Grey…. Would it be madness to basically punt all three of 2b, ss, and c? Gracias!
@Gordon Shumway: That’s more or less my plan every year
@Gordon Shumway:
Plan for 2b, SS: Find someone with speed who doesn’t kill your BA/OBP
Plan for C: Find someone who doesn’t kill your BA/OBP
This is like going to the dentist with a sore tooth. You know the news is going to be bad but still kinda hope for a miracle like “it’s only a jammed popcorn kernal.” Then, of course you hear root canal, reality sets in and you get all depressed. Like you said it’s expected out of catcher but 2nd base is usually better than this pile of dung. And you know the price on some of these guys is going to be high cuz of their name and last year’s production. Regardless, thanks for the reality check.
@Copperhead Road: Ha, yup
Mmmmm, gotta lurve Roog. Unfortunately in a league full of Rangers fans he’ll be drafted too early.
Question: in a 12 team weekly head to head with roto categories, would you draft Dee Gordon as high as he’ll probably go? I had him last year as my only SB guy and loved it. Allowed me to concentrate on all the other hitting categories while still winning SB category about half the time.
@Old School Brother: Unlikely
So would you treat 2B like catcher in that there’s so few good ones you may wanna punt the position altogether? Starting to feel like doing that by snatching a guy like Travis late, sticking him on the DL, & then grabbing a free agent filler post-draft could work.
@Clint: I usually punt middle infield, yes
I have a keeper decision to make on Starlin Castro. I already have Altuve but since Cas has one more year of SS eligibility, and I look at how weak SS will likely be (the good ones will be kept by other teams), I probably will have to hold my nose and keep him.
I could see him stepping up under the spotlight but I could just as easily see him get killed in the press for gaffes and imploding.
Hard to predict how it will turn out…
@papasmurf: I’d likely hold him
Mets and Cespedes discussing 3 years with 1 year opt out. Get ‘er done! I want it to happen mostly to shut the cramholes of all our stupid fans and bloggers blasting management for thinking they weren’t trying to do anything this whole time.
They really only need to do one thing, get a middle of the order bat… Their pitching should carry them to a ton of 2-1 wins on its own
@Grey: Totally agree, but there are no FA left like that, except Cespedes. I was hoping they’d make a trade for a stud bat. Deal a pitcher. Trade Harvey for all I care. Get a George Springer-type.
Yeah, which makes it imperative to get Yoenis… Like I said yesterday to Ghosttown, I think Yoenis’s agent made up the Nats story to get the Mets to move on him
@Grey: Interesting take. The Mets said the whole time they would only do a short term deal. Maybe he’s crawling back now that he can’t seem to get the long term contract he was expecting. Who knows what goes on behind closed door.
At first, was kinda surprised he can’t find a deal, but then I heard he turned down $90 mill, and I understood why he couldn’t find a deal…Yoenis thinks his feces tastes like Reese’s Pieces
@Grey: I don’t think Ces is that good so I am happy the Mets now show some restraint rather than overpay again for level B talent.
I think the Mets need Cespedes more than most, and I’m also surprised the Angels haven’t shown any interest
@Cram It: I like the addition of walker and he’ll I even like asdrubal in a weird this might be a good real world decision.
@J-FOH: Yup I’ve really liked their moves so far. Love the Walker move. At absolute worst, Asdrubal will add competition to the MI mix and hopefully push Wilmer to play better. If not, solid all around veteran. I truly feel we will be good without any more moves, but man, landing a little more thump in the middle of that lineup (Cespy) would be tits.
@Cram It: It would be double D titties
@Cram It:
Mets definitely need Cespedes bat but where’s he playing every day? He’ll be the worst defensive CF in baseball if he plays there every day.
@Cram It: since most of these supposed teams about to sign him are AL ones i’d be happy to see this for an NL only where he’s my by far best 3rd keeper, over schwarber or somebody in that range. could keep that dude that grabbed kershaw’s cy young since greinke was also on same team as kershaw and baseball writers make bad objective voters.
@Cram It: Looks like you got him
Hi Grey, good writing, thanks.
@Wilson: Thanks!
One man’s vomit is another man’s opportunity
Apologies if someone mentioned this already, but did DeShields lose 2B eligibility? After your sleeper post I thought I had a great option for drafting late at 2B.
He played one game there
@Grey: Well, excuuuuuuuuse me. ;)
@Hugman: He played about 50 games at 2B for me!
Haha
@Hugman: pretty sure this was in fact mentioned in that post you intimated you actually read.
Keuchel/Shields or C. Seager/Lucroy in a dynasty
Seager
Hey Grey. Kudos on the Bret Boone theory. I think Dick Pole was pitching when Kuntz and Gingerclam were up the middle.
They all played during the same era…
Wow, Grey, you buried Rendon, didn’t you? Like, we’re talking Goodfellas-style here. Hopefully you don’t end up having to dig him up in a few months with a handkerchief over your mouth…
Until then, remind me to never break your heart.
Stay on my good side, RJ
Not buying Cano’s 2015 second half?
Nope
April 2015 Devon Travis: Never Forget
Ha
Aren’t you a little low on LeMahieu? I get the BABIP-based regression but he had 23 SB last year with solid OBP. Steamer has him at 17SB with .287/.338/.383. Not saying that’s something to shout about but he’s ranked below a guy that might not even come up until the summer.
Don’t love him… Really dislike him if he’s at or near the bottom of the lineup… You won’t hold him during any extended road trip
Great information here! There are some good 2B to be had here, but they have you have to be drafting from the right spot to get one. I could see pairing Altuve with Abreu, JD, or Davis with the 11th pick. Possibly sneaking Odor in if he falls to 75-80, however, that will be when I make a run for my SP’s.
When will steamer/Rudy rankings come out? I love comparing your rankings to his.
Mid-Feb usually
Oh and thanks!
Based on these rankings, all of your loyal readers are going to own Schoop as their 2B or MI.
As someone in an OBP league, I’m not sure I can join that crowd.
I hear ya
The chorus to Hotline Springer: “Giancarlo me on my cell phone…” if you wrote drake lyrics
Ha!
Ok, just one last debate for my keepers. OBP league.
Locks:
$14 Rizzo
$15 Donaldson
$16 Harper
$4 Correa
Two slots left for these guys:
$19 Arrieta
$13 Gordon
$10 Abreu
Would love to have one ace locked up so I can just wait till the end to stock up on cheap pitchers, but Gordon and Abreu have amazing value. I already have lots of power locked up though, so I am wondering if the 50 steals from Gordon is what I need.
Thoughts?
Abreu, Arrieta
@Grey: ive gone wong, gyorko and lawrie last three years. i miss the days of drafting kinsler in the second round. all aboard the odor train. if nothing else, he gives good name options…
Ha, Odor!
Apologies for not posting this question on the 1B thread, but where does Hanley fit into the 1B rankings assuming he spends most of his time there this season (or at least enough to qualify for 2016/17)?
I’ll do overall rankings where you will see where everyone goes
@Caitlyn Jenners Penis: Grey said about 15th-ish for 1B yesterday.
it’s so funny that lawrie continues to be valued this high, clearly it’s not him, but the other 2nd basemen are worse than last year. He’s the true test of 2B being this bad this year. FREAKIN 8th.
Yeah, he’s just about at the point where he needs to do something big or he’s going to be gone
Keeper decision help Master Lothario… 12 team 7×7 OBP + SLG + HR/9… 2 at each IF and 5 OF, 9 P. Must keep 15-18 players
Au Schizz
Schoop
Seager
Frazier
Trout
Stanton
Betts
Pederson
CarGo Lite
Conforto
Bumgarner
Salazar
Wacha
Pineda
Sharky
Do I also keep any 3 of the following?
Bauer, Rosenthal, Wong, Calhoun, Ozuna, Sandoval, V-Mart
Keep Bauer, Rosenthal, Calhoun
@Schlurricane: Rosenthal, Wong, Calhoun for me
@J-FOH: Thanks fellas! As Meatloaf would say, “Two outta three ain’t baaaaad”
@Schlurricane: you need a second baseman more than the Walkman bauer
Just because I want to draft him every year, think any chance Gyorko gets moved all around the infield and finds a way to get 400ABs this year?
Think he’s gonna have a hard time finding 300 ABs without an injury to someone
Why so down on Zobrist? He has a higher projection for tge guys ahead of him?
Would you keep Buxton to cut Zobisk? Or does it depend on where Madd Joe hits him?
Thanks for thinking baseball for me.
I’d want Buxton
That seems insanely high for Owens. Literally the only thing he gets is steals. He kills you in BA and he doesn’t add in any other counting category. He’s basically like a way, way, way worse version of last year’s Raj Davis (a way way way worse version of every other Raj Davis). I’d MUCH rather have a guy who hit .270-.280 with a good number of runs and no steals or HRs — e.g., Solarte or Panik. I mean, unless I was desperate for steals.
@noah: WhoTF is owens? you can’t mean gordon due to the batting average comment (although a few years ago you could’ve easily made that argument, and so did the rest of us)
@Grey: keeper question. can only keep 1. lose draft pick in round selected:
arrieta, 4th round (can keep 1 year)
xander, 9th round (can keep 3 years)
kenley, 13th round (can keep 3 years)
c-mart, 18th round (can keep 3 years)
thanks.
@herschel: Arrieta
@Grey: Think people will ever figure out that you pretty much always say to keep the best player?
You’d think
Where’s the love for Crippled Baby Omar? That’s CBO, as in Congressional Budget Office, as in Omar is the worst use of $8mil of budget on a crippled baby of all time. He’s the Bridge That Goes Nowhere…or, that goes below .230 for the season with no home runs until August.
Poor CBO, just trying to get the same opportunities as everyone else
Matt duffy played 9 games at 2nd and 3 at ss. So in most leagues he doesnt qualify at 2nd or ss but he does qualify at MI for leagues that utilize it. He had 12/12/.296 last yr. Where would you put him in the MI rankings? Thanks you.
Around 10/11 area
Did you watch master chef celebrity show down?
I started to watch it but it was so corny I had to stop… Did you keep watching Masterchef Junior?
@Grey: yup. My daughter watches every episode at least three times. I don’t know about previous seasons but some of these kids are frigging talented. Seriously could out cook half of master chef this past season
Yeah, I was impressed with the last season I watched, I actually liked it more than I thought I would, but I just didn’t get around to watching the food Doogie Howsers this year
@Grey: there was an 8 year old from San Marino that just crushed it. The 12 year old who was better was just barely better. It’s cool and Christina doesn’t act like a bitch.
Nice that Tosi eases up on the bitch card, not sure who told her to play that up during the regular MasterChef
@Grey: she needs a night of sweet sweet sagnof to fix that
Haha
@Grey: I tell women all the time they need some dagnof. They never get it. They want to be romanced.
Haha
After his torrid start, Dozier was terrible for me for long stretches last season. (I proceeded to take 2nd in my league, so all good!) I’ll be passing on him this year, and likely punting 2nd in my draft. Outside of Altuve and Gordon, ride the wave. Streams do have waves, right?
They cause waves, I believe
Dynasty league, Wheeler or Josh Bell? Thanks!
Bell
If I need a MI, cool to trade Archer for Salazar and Harrison? Dynasty league too.
Thanks man!
Nope
@Alan: if you can get an upgrade over Harrison then maybe
thanks for the minute by minute updates rotoworld:
According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Josh Hamilton’s ailing left knee has been pain free for the past 36 hours.
I think that’s a typo… Supposed to be past 3,600,000 hours
@herschel: wow, and they make that sound like it’s GOOD news that a guy takes till middle of January to have his first 1.5 days pain free. and that his drug-and-religion-addled mind somehow thinks he’ll be good for this season.
Would you trade:
Rizzo (4th Round) For Arenado (8th) and Gerrit Cole (5th) in a 5×5 – 12 Team.
6 keeper league that we currently have:
Rizzo
Dozier
JDMart
Schwarber
Upton
Freeman
Harvey
Gray
Thanks.
I would
15 team 5×5 dynasty
Was offered McCullers for baez, Archie Bradley & Mcgee. Which side would you want? I’m leaning towards rejecting…
McCullers
Keeper due soon. Need help. All opinions welcomed.
Pick 2: Salazar, Hamels, McCullers, Garrett Richards
Pick 1: Lindor, Kemp
H2H, 6×6 league (OPS and QS)
Salazar, McCullers… Lindor
@Grey:
Thanks man! If it was Puig or Lindor, still lindor?
Lindor
I have to coach my daughters basketball team today because her coach is out of town. You want a mental image, me coaching a team of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade girls after getting about 3 hours sleep. Bobby Knight ain’t got nothing on this guy
I’m picturing Rodney Dangerfield in Ladybugs
@Grey: I cant argue that and I’ll take the compliment. We won but the other coach was talking a lot of shit all game. If this was 40 years ago I would of beat his ass in the parking lot.
@J-FOH: 40 years ago? how damn old are you there. you don’t look that old. unless you meant you would’ve been coaching and kicked his ass when you were like 8 or something.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: In the 70’s you could get away with that but in todays pussified smart phone everything is on camera world its frowned upon
@J-FOH: i misread that for “your” age 40 years ago, not the times OF 40 years ago. clearly you’re right (but would be also true much less than 40 years ago as well)
EDIT POS PLAYERS KEEPERS 4/4-4/10 PROJ OWN START 2015 3YR AVG PROJ
C Salvador Perez C | KC
1B Prince Fielder 1B | TEX
2B Dustin Pedroia 2B | BOS
3B Mike Moustakas 3B | KC
OF Charlie Blackmon OF | COL
OF Stephen Piscotty OF | STL
OF Josh Reddick OF | OAK
DH Brandon Belt 1B | SF
RESERVES
2B Trea Turner 2B | WAS
3B Matt Duffy 3B | SF
MINORS
2B Yoan Moncada 2B | BOS
OF Jesse Winker OF | CIN
DH Nomar Mazara OF | TEX
PITCHERS
SP Rich Hill SP | OAK
SP Steven Matz SP | NYM
SP Carlos Rodon SP | CHW
SP Marcus Stroman SP | TOR
RP Wade Davis RP | KC
RP Hector Rondon RP | CHC
RESERVES
SP Trevor Bauer SP | CLE
SP Yu Darvish SP | TEX
SP Tyler Glasnow SP | PIT
SP Gio Gonzalez SP | WAS
SP Andrew Heaney SP | LAA
SP Kyle Hendricks SP | CHC
SP John Lackey SP | CHC
SP Jimmy Nelson SP | MIL
SP Rick Porcello SP | BOS
SP Eduardo Rodriguez SP | BOS
SP Joe Ross SP | WAS
SP Luis Severino SP | NYY
SP Vincent Velasquez RP,SP | PHI
RP Will Smith RP | MIL
SP Sean Manaea SP | OAK
SP Alex Reyes SP | STL
SP Blake Snell SP | TB
RP Kyle Zimmer RP | KC
ACTIVE: 14 RESERVE: 16 MINORS: 8
Grey-I inherited this team a year ago and it was full of JABRONIS! No kidding, there were retired players on my team. I think Darryl Kile was in my starting rotation. Anyways I’ve overhauled it with a ton of youth and continue to develop the roster. I’m thinking of parting ways with 2B Pedrioa and Zimmerman…maybe even trading Perez and picking up Wilson Contreas. They do me no good and congest my roster when injured. I want to infuse the roster with more younger players that are on the brink of coming up in the next year or two. Call me crazy but I want to pick up players like Catcher Wilson Contreas and part with Perez for some power or pitching. My team lacks power and is hurting for some bats. Grichuk and Kris Davis are free agents in the OF but Ks are -1 in this H2H points league.
I just need a roster assessment. Who would you hold onto? Who would you look to trade? Who would you outright drop for FAs like OF Davis, OF Grichuk, 1B Belt? These are the best FA minor leaguers available…any you’d pick up and stash on the regular roster as opposed to has beens like Gio Gonz, ect. Thinking outside the box. Lots of questions but you are the top brain in all of fantasy baseball. Tanks a GREY!
1B Matt Olson 1B | OAK
3B Rafael Devers 3B | BOS
3B Ryan McMahon 3B | COL
SS Amed Rosario SS | NYM
C Wilson Contreas
SS Gleyber Torres SS | CHC
OF Ian Happ OF | CHC
OF Billy McKinney OF | CHC
SP Brady Aiken SP CLE
SP Anderson Espinoza SP |BOS
SP Amir Garrett SP | CIN
SP Stephen Gonsalves SP | MIN
SP Brent Honeywell SP | TB
SP Michael Kopech SP | BOS
SP Reynaldo Lopez SP | WAS
SP Francis Martes SP | HOU
RP Sergio Espinosa RP
Drop for Belt? He’s on your team that you listed.
@Grey: My bad. I’m currently bidding on Belt. Just a basic assessment if you would. Areas to target, ect. Thanks.
Pitching looks great for a 20 team league less great for a 10 team league, no idea how many teams
@Grey: 12 teams. I took it over as the owner paid his entry fee and gave up. The commish has paid my league fee this year so I’m basically playing with house money.
The pitching looks like it needs more help than the hitting
cespedes remains in NL! nice, and he got 3/5 of what he wanted too length-wise.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: Yeah, for a year at least. $27 million for one year is how I’d read that one. If he delivers like he did last year he could potentially cash in next year in a weak FA class. Smart deal for him.
@Iron Sheik: wonder what chance he has at that though.
@Joey Jo Jo Jr Shabadoo: my guess, 28%
Yeah, solid for NL-Only people
$0 Syndergaard for $15 Betts, which side do you like? Keeper league, players can be kept with $5 increase per year.
Noah
Would you be okay trading Iwakuma for Brandon Phillips?
Also, where would Semien rank on here if he gets 2B elig?
Thanks
Semien will be ranked Monday in SS, I’d want Iwakuma
@Joe: just better have minimum 1 DL spot. but still easy choice.
Would you trade Pollock for Bogaerts and Carpenter in a keeper league? I already have Trout, Betts, Springer but there are two utility spots. Thanks!
Sounds fair
Hello!
Hello!
Anyone here?! It’s so dark…and cold…what is this place?
January
Should I trade Miggy and Lester for Arenado and Posey? I get Arenado and Posey?
Thank you!
@FKA Ralph: yes, take Nolan and Posey
Went to a kids party out in Burbank today and on the way back to the freeway the babys mama saw the sign for Zankou. She hit the brakes made a maneuver to get in the parking lot and now I got the sauce…..I likeah the sauce!!!
Keep arrenado as a 2nd round pick drafted at 16th or keep nola at 20th round value you with a 2 round handicap for each following year (next year hed be 18th, following 16th etc etc)
Dear Grey, huge fan of your ranks.
I have the 12th pick (and 13 since is snake draft) in a standart H2H (non keeper) league, and the following players might be available. Which two would you take?
Machado, Kris Bryant, Miguel Cabrera, McCutchen, Altuve, Stanton.
Many thanks and all the best!
Thanks! Machado, Stanton
@Grey:
And a 3rd player from those?
I am not quite sure I see the love for Starlin. You said hes young and was once a highly regarded prospect. Other than that I don’t understand how he will be different from the guy I owned last year (until I traded him for ian desmond… lol). His soft hit % went up by 8 to 10% last year and his hard hit % went down 6%.
Also 6X6 OBP auction league I have to keep 4
Harper for $28
Jose Fernandez for $3
Sano for $1
Arenado for $32
Blackmon for $11
Thanks!
Not Arenado
Now that Gyorko is in STL do you see any more upside there? I agree with you projections, but I feel if I could snag him as a MI option for $1-$4 @ the end of my draft he could outperform.
14 Team league. 26 spots. 2 Catchers, blah bah….deep league thoughts…