A friend of mine Pete Gabriel looked at my team and said, “This team is going to be a sledgehammer!” Then after a brief pause said, “I didn’t capitalize sledgehammer, and I am in no way related to Peter Gabriel or Peter Gabriel’s estate. Any potential confusion is just unfortunate mistake. Please don’t sue me.” Then after filling out a ten-page contract clearing him of any liability, he said, “Your hitting will go boom, boom, boom! Son,” he said, “Grab your things, your hitters will drive guys home!” Then, after a lengthy reconfirmation that he was 100% unrelated to Peter Gabriel, he said, “The light…the heat…Your team is complete in your eyes.” Then quickly added, “But I didn’t sing any of that so don’t confuse me, Pete Gabriel, with the Grammy-winning singer, Peter Gabriel.” It’s exhausting hanging out with that guy. For those unaware, this league is 5×5 with OBP instead of AVG, two-catcher, 12-team NL-Only league. Anyway, here’s my Tout Wars draft recap:
C: Elias Diaz $1
C: Andrew Knizner $1
1B: Anthony Rizzo $25
2B: Josh Rojas $4
SS: Trevor Story $35
3B: Josh Fuentes $4
MI: Orlando Arcia $4
CI: Colin Moran $10
OF: Juan Soto $44
OF: Cody Bellinger $36
OF: Raimel Tapia $16
OF: Cristian Pache $4
UTIL: Isan Diaz $1
Bench: Cole Tucker, Yonathan Daza, Drew Waters
P: Yu Darvish $27
P: Pablo Lopez $13
P: Tyler Mahle $9
P: Freddy Peralta $8
P: Luke Weaver $5
P: Daniel Bard $4
P: Mark Melancon $4
P: Spencer Howard $2
P: Anthony DeSclafani $2
P: Adrian Morejon $1
Bench: Aaron Sanchez
I’M GOING TO TRY TO BE IMPARTIAL, BECAUSE I’M JUST A SCREAMING VOICE IN YOUR HEAD RATHER THAN ACTUALLY YOU, BUT HOW DO YOU HAVE AN OFFENSE THAT LOOKS LIKE A 12-TEAM MIXED LEAGUE IN AN NL-ONLY LEAGUE?
I know, Mr. Al Caps, it is a gloriously-gorgeous, insanely-beautiful, adverbially-adjective team. My War Room totals (free with the Razzball subscriptions) are as follows:
One quick word about those totals, Cole Tucker was drafted as an extra bench bat, but this league has a Swingman — excuse me, Swingperson — and can be used for an extra bat, so two utilities. Or you can put an extra arm in your lineup, so ten pitchers. Most weeks I use an extra bat, unless the matchups are just too juicy, so my War Room is Cole Tucker in my lineup and Morejon out, but I drafted the team as you see it, getting Cole Tucker and other bench guys for free.
IS THAT YU I SEE ON YOUR TEAM? YOU DRAFTED A NUMBER ONE ACE? DID YOU HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH EXTRATERRESTRIAL BEINGS WHO CAUSED YOU TO BUILD A SCULPTURE TO DARVISH OUT OF MASHED POTATOES OR WAS THAT AN AUTO PICK? I WILL NOT EXCEPT ANY OTHER POSSIBILITY.
Like Gumby on a yoga mat, you have to be flexible. With pitching, I am usually very rigid. Instead of Gumby on a yoga mat, I’m like a chewed-up piece of green gum that has been sitting out for a few days, and if you try to bend it, it’s so brittle it falls apart in your hand. I don’t even bid on a pitcher once they go over $20. Just never happens. On our NL-Only rankings, we have Jacob deGrom listed as the #1 SP at $34, and he went for $40. Wouldn’t be me, I’m telling you that, while also pointing out that I’m telling you that. Our 2nd and 3rd starters are tied at $27 — they are Trevor Bauer and Yu Darvish. In my giant brained out head, I have Darvish above Bauer, but whatevs, I wouldn’t touch either. Then.
Dot dot dot.
As the bidding started to slow on Darvish at $26, I watched the clock tick down, and my price listed for him at $27, and I turned into that Marvel superhero who still hasn’t got a 4-hour film made about him, the Price Enforcer.
“I see a price that needs…Enforcing!” I screamed internally, as I spun around, transforming into the Price Enforcer. My cape got tangled in my ergonomic chair, but, as I fell to the ground, I pressed the button, bravely I might add, for Darvish at $27.
I’m sorry, y’all can go crazy for deGrom, but the 2nd best NL pitcher is going for $26? Not on my watch. With the addition of an ace, I simply readjusted my codpiece and game plan going forward. Though, slightly less so than usual, because at the end of the draft I had a 71% split, spending only $185 on hitting. Usually I’m about a 68-70% split.
YOU STILL MANAGED TO NOT DRAFT ANY CLOSERS, SO YOU CAN PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK FOR THAT, UM, “PRICE ENFORCER.”
It could be me vs. reality, but it feels a lot harder to draft saves this year. In our pitcher projections, Bard and Melancon are projected for 22 total saves combined. The unpredictability of saves says each of them could have 22 saves, and I could be fine (in this league, you’re aiming for around 40 saves), or I might get a combined five saves, and I’m a-big time a-screwed, like my Italian relatives would say.
WAS THERE ANY MOMENT WHILE YOU WERE DRAFTING HITTING AND YOU WERE LIKE, “I’M NOT TRYING TO WIN A 12-TEAM MIXED LEAGUE, SO MAYBE I SHOULD EASE UP ON THE BATS?”
Anthony Rizzo was about to go for $24, I have him down for $28 and
*WOOSH*
The Price Enforcer swooped in again from his usual job, price-checking grocery store items, and smashed that mouse button to draft him. Which was a mistake. The Price Enforcer adjusts his mask, which is just a bunch of clumped-togerther price tags, and says, “It was double coupon day at Von’s on Saturday, so I was sorta amped up going into this draft.” Hardly an excuse, Price Enforcer. I usually draft one $40 hitter, one mid-$30 hitter, then one or two $20 hitters, and I so did not follow that game plan at all. Throw Darvish into that and I’d like to blame it on online drafting vs. in-person, but like my surfwear says, No Excuses. Like Aroldis on a date, I should’ve used more restraint.
Hairline fracture of forearm for Gallen. Is able to play catch at low stress levels during recovery.
Is it worth swapping Haniger for Kiermaier? I’m enticed by Mitch getting locked into the top 3 of the order but obviously they’re both waiver wire bats
So now that yates is going to have tj #2, is he droppable in a keeper format. Keep 25. He will be 34 in two days. Not sure how how effective pitchers are after having a second surgery especially ones that are on the back 9 of their career.
Prolly, I’d wait for official word
Any speculation on the guy who steps in for the job? I’m rolling the dice on Jordan Romano and his peripherals. Dolis might get the first shot though?
Happy to have baseball back at full go, happy to be back in the arms of Sir Grey!
Best of luck on all the leagues friends!
-Jayrod
Hey Grey what do you think of my RCL team? I already know I’m weak on SAGNOF.
C – Sanchez
1B – Au Shizz
2B – Hiura
SS – FTJ
3B – Devers
CI – Urshela
MI – Bichette
OF – Judge
OF – Castellanos
OF – Happ
OF – Hicks
OF – Haniger
Util – Ty France
Bn – Villar,
Util/P – Ohtani
P – Snell
P – Paddack
P – Price
P – Kluber
P – E Hernandez
P – Hand
P – Colome
P – Rogers
P – Bass
Bn – Kikuchi
IL – Severino
Yeah, not great on speed, solid on power and likely AVG — Pitching looks solid up top and RPs, but I don’t like your 3rd and 4th SPs
Is it worth swapping Haniger for Kiermaier? I’m enticed by Mitch getting locked into the top 3 of the order but obviously they’re both waiver wire bats
Logan Webb or Daulton Jefferies for a long shot? Thx Grey!
Jefferies
Oops didn’t realize it got my question the first time. Thx Grey!
No problem
Hey Grey, who do u like better for end of rotation shot? Daulton Jefferies or Logan Webb? Thx ?
Jefferies
Tough day for the Blue Jays. Looks like TJS for Yates and an oblique injury for Springer. Not to mention Tanner Roark. No news on him that I’m aware of, just that he’s still on the roster.
Hahaha — Hoping Springer injury isn’t awful
Same. injuries suck and they’re even worse if they happen before a player even plays his first official game with a new team. At least they have Grichuk to fill in. Still don’t completely understand their strategy this offseason though. Score lots of runs and hope that Ryu can throw 300 innings, I think.
Ha, yeah, they have 6 OFs, 6 IFs and no SPs, smart stuff, Jays
Robbie Ray fell down the stairs. Bruised his pitching elbow.
You’d think he’d be an expert on walking by now
Ha, made a similar joke in the roundup that won’t be coming for a few days
Hey Grey,
Whatever happened to baby seal? I remember all the back & forth between you guys last summer as we waited for the season to start.
Hope he’s alright.
RICK
Yeah, hope he’s okay
Prayer circle for Tatis?
Also, would you take a $15 Trea for your $24 Robert, $19 Devers, and $10 Voit?
Ugh, killing me
Devers side
Logan Webb. Damn the change up is all that.
Daulton Jeffries is dealing today too. Pretty sure he’ll start the season in the rotation. He’s probably been their best starter in camp.
I got Jefferies in one league recently, and I have no idea which it was…Hoping Best Ball so I don’t have to manage it
Big Time is another good Peter Gabriel tune “… with snow white pillows for my big fat head”
Great song!
Wasn’t he kinda in the vanguard of the expensive highly-produced music video? Seem to recall there was quite a bit of hype around the Sledgehammer clip?
Yeah, think so
Last Friday I drafted Neris and Greg Holland at $1 each to go along with Edwin Diaz in a 12 team roto keeper auction with a $375 in season salary cap. Waiver pickups are priced at $10. Should I go after any of Romano,Pagan,Wittgren,Bass,etc in place of either $1 closer?
I also drafted Kluber at $6. Do you like Yarbrough,Waino,Pearson or Cease over Kluber?
Thanks and good luck in your leagues this year.
Yes and yes
Yes what—smile.? Which closer to claim and who should I drop? Which starter over Kluber?
https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2021-fantasy-baseball/
Keep 3 in rd drafted
Leaning soto 10 rendon 4 bichette 27
Rendon 4
Soto 10
Bichette 27
Semien 22
Javy baez 15
Bauer 14
Adal mondesi 5
Luis Castillo 13
Rizzo 2
soto 10 bichette 27 Bauer
Hi Grey! Thanks to you and all the other Razzball writers helping me get prepped for the season.
A. How would you rank the following: Skubal, Rodon, Kikuchi?
B. Looking to snag Romano off waivers, which would mean dropping either Gallegos or Diekman. Who should it be or neither? Saves = 4 pts and Holds = 2 pts in my league
No problem! Skubal, Kikuchi
B. Lose Diekman
Thanks! Just learning about D. Jeffries and L. Webb from other comments. Do you like either of them over Skubal or Kikuchi?
Nah
Not yet at least
Afternoon Grey. 8 team keeper auction draft. in a vacuum best last keeper. Maeda $5,Luis Castillo $13, Eloy $30. Thanks
Castillo
Hi Grey!
Atrocious fantasy baseballer here. I mean, really truly awful. I do one RCL a year and it is my only redraft league (I am also terrible at keeper/dynasty). is this RCL squad halfway capable of a sixth place finish?
C: Contreras
1B: Dom Smith
2B: Hiura
3B: Urshela
SS: Mondesi
CI: Turner
MI: Gleyber
OF: Acuna, Eloy, Buxton, Senzel, Nimmo
UT: Gimenez
SP: Burnes, Berrios, Musgrove, Paddack, Davies, Price, Ray
RP: Hader, Colome, Fairbanks, Pagan, Romano
Thanks for the feedback!
Hmm…Not sure what you did with your pitching, but it’s a mess — why didn’t you draft a #1? Welp, there’s always the Streamonator! Hitting looks okay, if slightly low on power
Separate question….are you drafting Sonny Gray at this point with his back issues? Same thing he was dealing with last year. If Sonny Gray was on board and next best available from your rankings was Dylan Bundy, which one?
I’d still draft Gray
You’re not drafting Gallen anymore right?
Really sucks, I have a keeper draft tomorrow where I already own 4 bats and really wanted to spend a first round pick on tim anderson or Javy Baez to fill SS. Now I might have to grab a pitcher in the 1st because I risk not getting any #1’s in round 2 with Gallen going down.
Basically if I go SS in 1 I now risk my first 2 pitchers being something like Paddack and Plesac. The alternative is go pitching in 1 and having something like Ryu and Plesac, risk here being having someone like jorge polanco as my SS in a league that starts 10 hitters (2 Util) because I think both anderson and Baez will go before I pick in 2. What would you do?
14 teams H2H only start 10 hitters.
Nah, I’m holding steady for now and would not draft him for now — if you own 4 bats already, that means you’re in the 5th round, draft a SP
Hey Grey,
16 team h2h weekly points league…
McNeil(2B/OF) or Baez (ss)
thanks,
Baez
Thank you, kind Sir!
No problem
Beat writer in Cleveland dropped on Twitter a hint that maybe Wittgren has the edge for the closer job. Magoo made that call weeks ago. Fingers crossed.
And yet I’ve only managed to get one share. I have a feeling that saves are going to be a huge pain in the ass in no transaction formats like the DC
I don’t buy it, but who knows…Surprised Kirilloff was sent down
Same here – drafted him for Holds in the ol’ H2H but would be sweet if he magically became a closer, given my others are Rasiel, Bard and Barnes (gritted teeth emoji)
Back in the younger Magoo days, I went to a bar with some friends (when going out and having friends were still things) on karaoke night and and belted out a one-off rendition of Sledgehammer. Even did the dance towards the end of the video and everything. It’s a shame that there were no talent scouts in the audience that night, or else, well, they probably would’ve felt quite uncomfortable.
Afterwards, I signed my buddy (who is a huge Sinatra fan) up for his take on My Way, and I’ll never forget his face when the music hit: Bum Bum Bum Bum Bum Bum Bum Bum Bum Bum Bum… I like big butts and I cannot lie…
Good times
HAHA, that’s awesome — Sir Mix A Lot brings the crowd tho
He does indeed. A couple of girls from our little group jumped up onstage once they saw his predicament and became his groupies. I’d say that Sir Mix A Lot treated him well.
If you have to be famous for only one song, is Baby Got Back the best? Methinks
It’s funny, my daughter is obsessed with those one hit wonder countdowns on youtube. Baby Got Back is definitely up there. I played Tubthumping, Mambo No. 5, Informer, and a few others for her. She loves em.
Must be fun to hear a one hit wonder 20 years later for the first time and be like, this slaps!
She just mentioned the other day that 80s and 90s music are her favorites. I thought to myself, maybe I’m not THAT bad at this parenting thing…
Haha, well played (music)
Love it. Funny, I’ve been making a 90’s rock playlist for my disc golf outings, and I’m rediscovering those one-hit wonders that would just destroy anything topping the charts these days. I don’t think I’m being biased old guy saying that.
Oh definitely. I am that crusty get off my lawn guy, so I have no problem saying it.
Its not just the young ‘uns – my wife’s name is Sandra and she loves Mambo No.5!
Hope you are well, Magoo.
Good to see you, Steve. I’m doing ok. Hope you are as well. And that’s funny about your wife. Glad she enjoyed the Mambo shout-out, haha.
Damn Magoo. Cold.
He was mouthing the words in preparation, had his non mike hand in his pocket, cool as a cucumber, then… shock and horror. It was great.
Haha, that is awesome
Hey Grey,
As always, thanks much for your write-up. Which side do you like:
My Wheeler and Carlson or his Woodruff. (My OF is set w/JD, Starling, and Yeli, and so Carlson would be one of six MiLB keepers). OPS scoring.
Woodruff
Waino has been pretty good this spring. 6 Ks through 4 today. I’ve been gravitating towards some old guy pitching.
I don’t mind the old guy pitching…I was just talking to Coolwhip about Corbin — basically: people want SPs who have never thrown 140+ IP in their career coming off a 70 IP season over Corbin…mmkay
I know you mentioned above that you’re out on MadBum, but I could see him being a pretty good value. He’s kind of transitioning to where more of his game is spinning the ball. Velo ticked back up this spring. He’s been an inning eater. Was slightly shocked to see that he’s only 31. The DBacks really have no reason to restrict his innings at this point.
I’ve also been looking at other mid career guys with low effort deliveries. Kind of all the Z. Davies of the world. Pitch to contact means lower pitch counts. Just feels like teams will be more inclined to let those guys stay out there. Guys who manage to put up decent rate numbers without all the Ks are always pushed down the board anyway, so if some of them can make up the gap with IP, I think there will be some value.
Bum worries me just bc of his last few years, but if he turned it around it wouldn’t shock me
I’m out on Davies too — but a guy who throws an easy 150 IP isn’t a bad investment area — This year I’m looking at (mostly) guys who are max 150 IP in a good season and are great for those 150 IP
Darvish is best example of that
And Snell
I drafted Darvish in the RCL just because I wanted to have him on a team this year. I’d rank him only behind deGrom. Would take him over Cole, Bieber, Bauer etc.
Yeah, I think you might be right…Was shocked he went for only $27…He’s an easy $35 SP
I always have mixed feelings about posting draft results here. You’re a saint for the number of times you read through people’s teams and formulate some kind of response. I did this one with my 9 year old though and I think he did a pretty good job. Most of the first 15 rounds or so were pretty much him. I helped more at the end. It’s a 12 team mixed NFBC rotowire champ with an overall.
Grandal (one of the boy’s favorite players for some reason)
Dom Nunez (daddy pick)
Voit
Ketel (another one of the boy’s guys)
Mondesi
Devers
Trout (from the 7)
Verdugo
Kyle Lewis
Santander
Canha
Ke’Bryan
Gimenez
JDM
Snell
Sonny Gray
Morton
Bassitt
Happ
B. Keller
Ray
Two Logan’s Webb and Allen
Trevor Rogers
Framber
Pagan
Wittgren
Alvarado
Bobby Witt
You think Dom over Elias? I struggled with that on Tout — Your teaching your kid well, looks like a team I’d draft…Love the floors on hitting, and upsides mixed in…Pitching looks exactly what I’m drafting this year in multiple leagues — closers are gonna be a struggle in every league — I might start drafting guys like Hader next year, I know blasphemy
Kyle Lewis is another guy he loves. He’s a baseball card guy. Has memorized the backs of many, many cards. Total stathead in training.
I like Dom over Elias just a tiny bit because he’s got the left handed bat. If it evolves into a platoon could see him getting the lions share. I think there’s a little more power upside in Nunez minor league record anyway. Diaz has hit 15 home runs over close to 900 MLB PAs, so there’s not a lot there even at Coors. But if one of the guys is going to get significantly more PAs, it’s probably going to be Elias as long as he’s relatively servicable.
That’s very cool — I’d say Kyle Lewis is gonna shock a lot of people, but he just won the ROY and I have no idea why no one cares about him
That’s fair on Dom…I’ve liked him for a few years now and Black kept playing Wolters so I think I was just bitter…I should’ve went Dom in the free rounds of Tout, sigh
A guy using the name Seattle Mariners just took Lewis in the first round of my afternoon draft.
That was Dipoto
Hey Grey! Would you flip your $19 Devers and $10 Voit for a $13 Xander? FWIW, I can’t keep Voit due to keeper crunch, so this would be a consolidation move.
Feel silly asking, but any concern with Xander’s shoulder (0 homers in spring)?
Thanks!
Works for me — nah, I’m not concerned
whats the bid on yandy diaz 16 man dynasty in FA pool? or dont bid at all.
Zero dollars
also, are you worried about luis robert? he seems to really have discipline issues. no walks and a bad average creating a low avg and low obp with high strikeouts. It looks to be continuing this spring.
Would you start looking at trading him in anyway. or would you hold tight.
Hold
Good stuff Grey!
Like the team a lot…but my last ‘Only’ was in the mid-80’s! So, what do I know.
What did you do during the middle of this draft whilst not price enforcing…Did you run to your local Dollar Tree/Dollar General/Everything’s A Dollar??? :)
Haha, yes!
What do you think of my team? 14 Team Mixed, Roto 5×5
C- Mitch Garver
1b- Pete Alonso
2b- Jean Segura
3b- Isaiah Kiner-Falefa
SS- Marcus Semien
MI- Elvis Andrus
CI- Jose Abreau
OF- Mookie Betts
OF- Cody Bellinger
OF- Hunter Renfroe
OF- Randall Grichuk
OF- Manuel Margot
Util- David Fletcher
P- Kenta Maeda
P- Hyun-Jin Ryu
P- Zach Wheeler
P Lance McCullers
P- Jose Urquidy
P- Carlos Carrasco
P- MadBum
P- Mike Minor
RP- Chad Green
RP- Matt Bush
RP- Ian Kennedy
RP- Jose Alvarado
I don’t like Wheeler, Carrasco, Bum or Urquidy — so pitching issues — your hitting looks solid, tho, your speed guys are drains in other categories
Was just offered Eduardo Escobar and Odorizzi for McCullers, what’s your take?
McCullers
This team is absolute trash!!! holy f
Hey Grey, do you have any idea how Ohtani is being used in RCLs this year? Looks like he’s only Util eligible. Does that mean he needs to throw a handful of starts before being eligible for pitching stats?
Yes, I believe so, question for Truss, he posts today (I think)
Ohtani on RCL
He will be eligible after 3 starts
Grey GOD IM BACK!!!!!!! missed u bro I know your pumped for a full year of roto
Who would you guys keep? I can only keep 4, and the number in parenthesis is the round in which they would be kept. Very difficult decision, I have had 2 years and still cant decide. Thanks gents! And lady lol. 6×6 QS and OPS H2H league
Story (1st)
Bellinger (1st)
Cole (1st)
Alonso (20th)
Eloy (8th)
Hiura (14th)
Flaherty (8th)
Castillo (6th)
Giolito (14th)
Can only keep 4, and before you say it, I have won the title 2x in a row with this squad Lol. TIA for any and all feedback
I saw u took 2 of my 4 keepers from this post yesterday. In essence Im getting 3 1st rounders in the top 3 rounds, no brainer here or is giolito/eloy something worth thinking about also?
Haha, hey man, good to see you!
Story (1st)
Bellinger (1st)
Cole (1st)
Alonso (20th)
lol we are having a copy/paste duel! so its that obvious huh who would be #5 and how close is it
Meh, any of them…Lucas
Who would u swap I like Lucas as well, really tough decision, kinda splitting hairs but also kinda think story could be traded and has no protection and Belanger has injury risk and loaded lineup. Is it completely nuts to go eloy Gio and swap out say cole n story/belli
I wouldn’t, I’d go with my first choices
respect bro GL in tout IM still trying to figure how u got story belli and soto on a fixed auction roster who u pay off
Haha, thanks!
Thanks as always for your time and thoughts, Grey!
Dynasty Question: I had an owner approach me about Gallen yesterday right after news broke on him. He gave an hour to accept this trade and I did.
Gallen for Grishman and two of the top 3 picks in our league’s Rule 5 draft ( I am between Urquidy, Heaney and Taijuan Walker, Justus Sheffield and maybe but probably not Honeywell).
1. Is this a good trade given the circumstances and news on Gallen?
2. How would you rank those arms?
You’re the best Grey!
1. I’d take Grisham
2. Urquidy, Heaney, Justus
Grey,
It will take bad luck for you to lose in Tout this year with that team. Hitting is unreal for NL only. Wish my auction had gone like that. Two questions for you:
1. How excited are you about Freddy P this year?
2. Which side of this trade do you like better?
Trea Turner
Austin Riley
Alex Verdugo
For
Jose Ramirez
Lourdes Gurriel
Kevin Gausman
Thanks!
1. Pretty excited, hope he gets 110+ IP
2. Jo-Ram
is Freddy P starting? I was targeting him as this year’s “Chad Green” – multi inning RP with a juicy K/9 and the occasional hold in my SV+HLD league
Nah, middle relief, maybe 10-12 starts
How much FAAB would you use on Pagan and/or Romano in a 12 team mixed roto league? These are post-draft waivers, and given the only other time to use FAAB in the league would be on players dropped mid-season, I’m leaning towards a larger bid ($70+).
70+ out of what? 100?
Yes, sorry out of $100 – thanks!
$70 is way too much — $70?!
Save all your FAAB for mid-season. You’ll appreciate it.
Grey:
Yahoo 12 team roto lg: Drafted 12th. Hows the team look and what do you think I could improve in?
Isiah Kiner-Falefa Tex – C,3B,SS
Freddie Freeman Atl – 1B
Ozzie Albies Atl – 2B
Tommy Edman StL – 2B,3B,SS,OF
Dansby Swanson Atl – SS
Christian Yelich Mil – OF
Jorge Soler KC – OF
Ramón Laureano Oak – OF
Nelson Cruz Min – Util
Matt Olson Oak – 1B
Leody Taveras Tex – Of
Myles Straw Hou – SS,OF
Yuli Gurriel Hou – 1B,3B
Luis Castillo Cin – SP
Hyun Jin Ryu Tor – SP
Edwin Díaz NYM – RP
Devin Williams Mil – RP
Patrick Corbin Was – SP
Greg Holland KC – RP
Giovanny Gallegos StL – RP
Jordan Romano Tor – RP
Zach Eflin Phi – SP
Marcus Stroman NYM – SP
IL
Noah Syndergaard NYM – SP
Looks solid, I think your hitting is weak on power and speed, and maybe AVG…Your pitching is stronger than you need…I wish you went for bats when you were taking Castillo, Diaz and prolly Devin
Wondering how OBP/TB changes your ranking of certain top guys, if at all. In league with OBP, R, HR, RBI, SB, TB, how would you rank the following?
Story, Turner, Lindor, JRam, Yelich
https://razzball.com/playerrater-preseason-espnmlb12-6X6obp/
Thanks! Wasn’t sure if those were your or Rudy’s rankings so apologies for the already answered question
No problem
Gotta agree with Peter Gabriel, sledgehammer of an offense. Well done, again. Pitching is pretty, pretty good as well!
Thanks, MP!
16 team h2h points league…
CJ Cron or Franmil for Util spot?
thanks again
Franmil
Soto, Story and Bellinger? LFG!
LFG right? I mean, cmon!
Hey Grey
my draft is tomorrow night 11 team mixed
I was going to keep
Zac Gallen at $6
Dinelson Lamet at $6
I haven’t heard the extent of Gallens injury yet so I guess it depends on the news and Lamet is pitching tomorrow so that could be good too
would you keep both?
Thanks
I’d keep both
Ya who knows but here’s a great chili recipe while you decide…
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/01/print/the-best-chili-recipe.html
Hey, I like chili, we’re making chili?
Let’s do it. Still boggles my mind that you almost was on a baking show hahaha
Yeah, it’s pretty hilarious…Once we’re out of Covid, I’m gonna try out again too haha
Nice… you got this.
I’m working on a treatment for a fantasy sports cooking show.
Bring me on as a guest judge!
I really like that Aaron Sanchez flier. I just had to drop him in dynasty to spec on the Rangers saves, but I would prefer to withhold the name of which arm I grabbed. Bc its embarrassing. Hopefully one of these guys I’m holding in that league gets put on the IL soon so that I can re-add Sanchez. League prob plays about as deep as this NL only, minus the touts of course!
I’m pretty excited about my Razzslam squad. Maybe I will share it later this week if I get a free chance to type it up.
There is def going to be a severe dip in my comments this season, hard to hold a bottle for baby and also click reply on all the comments that I’d usually like to chime in on. Maybe I will become one of those talk to text nerds soon
If only there was a dip in Duda’s comments too lmao
Congrat on the baby… buy one of those bottle holders and comment away!
I’ve been too tired to even realize that a bottle holder needs to exist. Looking into that shizz immediately.
And thanks for the kind words Grimey! Best of luck with your fantasy squads in 2021.
Draft a team for your baby this week!
Congrats on the baby! Put your baby on your lap and comment, no excuses!
I’ll write up Razzslam in the next day or so (maybe early next week)
Looking for opinions Razz Nation
Grey 10 team mixed OBP league
Been offered a trade Trout for T Turner
I already have some speed with Biggio, Bichette, Robles, Yellich, & Roberts
Which side you like
Trout
Agree with Grimey
Thanks guys that was my thought as well
No problem
What does it mean you were the most accurate SP ranking expert? Is it rankings based on SP’s season-ending statistical results for a standard roto league?
It means nothing. Pretty much like the AVN awards for fantasy.
Hahaha, yes!
NICE!
Hey Grey,
16 team H2H weekly points league… redraft
I was offered Yordan Alvarez for my Matt Olson… I have Cody Bellinger (OF/1B)
what do you think?
Thanks! Olson works for me, but can’t go wrong either way
Grey I just sent you an email. Would like to hook you up with a producer friend of mine to discuss your Price Enforcer script.
It’s in turnaround, Maikel Franco is attached
Relentless Franco jabs. I love it!
Haha
Gray,
14 team $260 budget. I’m keeping Bieber $20 and Alonso $6. I have three more seats on this sail boat to the champions, who do I leave on loser island?
Hayes $3
Lewis $6
Tucker $11
Luzardo $6
Luzardo
If Myles Straw wins the starting job who do you like better overall, him or Leody Taveras?
Was worried about Leody getting the CF gig instead of Eli White, but with Dahl getting hurt, I think Leody will def be in that OF most days to start the year. Straw leading off would be key, because I have so many cheap shares. But I don’t expect that, would be silly baseball move by the Astros. But he is looking good in spring, so if he sticks at 8th slot and in CF for most of those ABs, I would love that, he could steal 40+, maybe even more, if given the 500+ ABs.
But you should go with Leody I think. And I believe that will be Grey’s answer too.
Dahl got hurt? I didn’t see but why is it not surprising
I’d try Leody
Nice draft Grey, that lineup looks pretty stacked!
I need some advice on keepers for this year, need to pick 3 out of these 4: Cody Bellinger, Adalberto Mondesi, Eloy Jimenez, Shane Bieber
Thanks!
Thanks!
Lose Mondesi
Hey Grey,
Pick two for just this year based on value, 12 team roto mixed league:
Swanson: $7
Biggio: $10
Abreu: $29
Grisham: $5
Dansby, Abreu — but I don’t think you can go too wrong with Abreu and anyone else
Thanks Grey! I had my keeper league draft last night. 10 teams, everybody keeps 5, standard roto. Feel really good about it, but wanted your take on where I might be weak. Thanks in advance.
C – Kiner-Falefa (thanks yahoo!)
1B – Bellinger
2B – Lourdes
3B – Muncy
SS – Treat Urner
CI – Allahson
MI – D Moore
OF – Tildaddy
OF – Trout
OF – Franmil
OF – Robles
U – J Abreu
SP – Giolito
SP – Berrios
SP – Lopez
SP – Urias
RP – Hader
RP – Pressly
P – Richard Rodriguez
B – Riley
B – Solak
B – DeJong
B – Price
B – Means
B – Melancon
Looks great! I love the hitting, surprised you could get that good of a pitching staff with that hitting…You have no holes that I see
Yeah, I was sort of shocked as well. Abreu at 55, Allahson at 86, Muncy at 106, Moore at 126, Franmil at 146 … all felt like massive steals.
Incredible!
Soooo, I’m a little late to the game this year, but is there no more free option for the downloadable war room? And is the paid version exactly like the one from previous years?
Paid one is Rudy’s — I tried to find Hot Rod over email for downloadable one, I couldn’t get in touch with him, sorry
Hi Grey,
Finished my draft yesterday for 14 Team League H2H
R, H, 2b, 3b, HR, RBI, SB, BB, AVG
W, L, SV, HLDs, K, ERA, WHIP, K/9, QS
C – Vazquez
1b – Alonso, k
2b – Merrifield, k
3b – Moustakas
ss – Story, k
OF – Tucker, k
OF – Blackmon, k
OF – Grisham
UTL – Kyle Lewis
UTL – Tapia
BN – Leody Taveras
SP – Scherzer, k
SP – Maeda, k
RP – Raisel Iglesias
RP – Taylor Rogers
P – Rainey
P – Neris
P – Gausman
P – Eliser Hernandez
P – Dunning
P – Peralta
P/DL – Syndengaard
I think my offense is balanced but lacks HR and AVG. Should I drop Taveras (seeing that I have sufficient SB) and add: Renfroe, Brian Anderson, Calhoun.
Or trust the draft and see later?
For Sp, my late Sps are so so… if Peralta is a starter I should be OK, and if Syndergaard is back with 80ip… two big “ifs”.
I have an empty roster spot. Can add: Mike Minor, Caleb Smith, Trevoer Rogers, Bumgardner, Sheffield, Eovaldi, Folty, Hyun Kim?
Many thanks for all your help.
Chris
Sure, Renfroe
Eovaldi
Hey Grey – which side do you prefer in a keep forever…$10 Eloy or $15 Lindor? Keep forever, $3 annual inflation.
Lindor is $18 sorry
Eloy
What a freaking stacked lineup! Really reinforces why stars and scrubs is so good in 12 team formats (even only leagues!). The scrubs are fine + if they’re not you have plenty of spots to play the wire with.
Thanks! Yeah, I was pretty happy with my team, can’t believe I own Darvish
It was the right move though, you saw a good price for the market and jumped on it! I made the mistake of being to rigid to not overpaying for an ace + ended up with $24 left in my last draft because I didn’t overpay for anyone and lived on the middle tier guys. Got one more draft (this weekend) + going to try not totally ignoring the bidding on Nola/Scherzer/Kershaw types if they are at a fairly sensible price.
Yeah, I had to, didn’t feel like I could let him go for $26, I would’ve kicked myself later
For sure. In my last draft, all the top 20 guys (even Ryu/Gray) went for $24+, so rather than pay my $25 for Sonny like I ended up doing when I realized I didn’t want my SP1 to be Bundy then Alcantara, I should have just paid $28-30 for Scherzer, Snell, or Ryu
Yeah, pretty much…Hard to know that early on tho
Haniger or Mancini and for infield help is it India josh Rojas or willi Castro
Mancini — Willi
Thanks boss. I thought so.
No problem
What do you see as Tejay Antone’s role this year? Will he be a starter or work out of the bullpen?
right now he has hip issue so not pitching much if any.
wonder how much of concern this is?
I grabbed him in a league with a GS limit and I’m kinda into a swing man role, like how Gonsolin is a great buy in that type of league not getting the penalty of GS, but racking up the Ks and ratios. Like how Yarbro was clutch in previous years. Not saying that I expect that kind of piggyback situation, where we knew Yarbro was bulk.
Anyways, they prob need at least 6 starters, so even if he doesn’t get the gig right out of spring, I would still expect plenty of starts for Tejay this summer.
Yes, similar to Gonsolin
Long man for a few months, maybe 8-12 starts
Hi Grey, looking forward to a new season, and thanks to your help I have won my big money league for the past two years! So this year our 12 team league looks like it will only be NINE teams this year, the others will return next year. So I know I won’t be taking any pitchers until the 6th round, any other general drafting advice for what looks to be all star teams for everyone… thanks!
Thanks! I usually draft my 1st pitcher around 50th overall
Reggie knew what he was doing. Great quote
It is a great one!
Hey Grey,
My keeper forever league is due tomorrow for a 5×5 standard categories league R, HR, RBIs, SB, AVG, W, SV, Ks, ERA, WHIP. I am able to keep 7 players,
My initial 5 keepers are Soto, Harper, Betts, Albies, Kelenic. From the list below, which other 2 keeper would you select?
Rendon
Meadows
Vaughn
Woodruff
Luis Castillo
Castillo, Woodruff
Grey!!!!
Masterpiece theater!!
a. Peter also said about your team (it was while singing his worst song ever recorded!).
‘Hans plays with Lotte,
Lotte plays with Jane.
Jane plays with Willy,
Willy is happy again.
(There’s more names mentioned, I’ll spare you and our gentle readers.)
If looks could kill,
they probably will.
In games without frontiers,
war without tears.’
b. Awesome team, wouldn’t change a thing.
c. MLB quote of the day for March 23, 2021
1. Lee May, born March 23, 1943
‘He (Lee May) may be fooled on a certain pitch but the next time up he’ll hit the same pitch out of the park.’
Cincinnati Reds Hitting Coach Ted Kluszewski (Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum, ‘Lee May: Class of 2006’, Source)
2. George Scott, born March 23, 1944
‘I’ve never to this day seen anyone play first base like that. He was just like a big cat over there, and he saved me a lifetime full of errors. It was like you had a million-dollar insurance policy that you had taken out, and all you had to do was get the ball started over there somewhere and he could reach it.’
Former Red Sox second baseman Mike Andrews in The Boston Globe (Bryan Marquard, 07/29/2013, ‘George Scott, smashing performer in field and at plate; at 69’, Source)
3. Bo Diaz, born March 23, 1953
‘If the season ended tomorrow, Bo Diaz would be our MVP.’
Pete Rose in The Philadelphia Inquirer (Jere Longman, 06/28/1982, At last, Diaz finds a home, Section C)
4. Joe Garagiola, died March 23, 2016
‘A man who always had an anecdote on deck, (Joe) Garagiola recognized that baseball is a funny game. Indeed, he used that phrase as the title of the first of three books he authored. A good portion of his humor was self-deprecating. Speaking in Washington, D.C., in 1970, he noted, ‘It’s not a record, but being traded four times when there are only eight teams in the league tells you something. I thought I was modeling uniforms for the National League.’
By Marty Noble / MLB.com (03/23/2016, ‘Baseball, broadcasting legend Garagiola dies,’ Source)
d. Random Reggie Jackson quote of the day for March 23, 2021
‘Lee May’s about the same age as me; he’s got about the same stats. So how come he’s making about one-eighty, two hundred thousand, and I’m the best damn paid player in the game? I’ll tell you why: Because I put the meat in the seats!’
Cheers,
Ante
Ha, thanks!
D. Haha, meat in the seats!
Josh rojas looks like a lock to man 2b while calhoun is out at least against rhp. He also qualifies in OF in yahoo. He put up some very nice stats in the minors but it hasnt translated in the majors. Since you drafted him, are you expecting his nice spring to carry over?
Na why would he draft the guy then? Come on. Sometimes you guys are funny.
Probably drafted him because his name is fun to say.
I tried to let him slide in a 50 rounder. Should have just taken him.
As a minor leaguer, he ran plus 11% BB rates and minus 15% K rates with power and speed. He’s played AA and AAA with a taste of the majors. He’ll qualify at three positions. He came into this year full of piss and vinegar. Killing spring training. And there’s a spot for him if he wins it. Now, I’m really sad.
I want to know if Grey thinks he will be worthy of his starting roster 2b slot after calhoun returns. Do you think he gets enough AB’s. Will he play enough?
In an NL only, yes, he will prob want to hold him when Calhoun is back. But don’t forget about my guy Locastro! There is a good chance that Rojas isn’t starting everyday at 2B but can also play all over the place too. He’s a great grab at that price in this league.
With there being less 2B to pick from in this draft, I think Grey prob just feels fine with figuring out 2B along the way, since he’ll get a ton of stats from all those 1st round guys he bought.
I like Josh Rojas a lot for NL-Only, but don’t think he’s on mixed radars yet — he’s also in my rankings