And we have have our first stupid team decision! Don’t worry, there will be more. Or maybe I should say Willie be more. Or maybe should say Willie be less now. The Rangers decided to send down Willie Calhoun to start the year. I’d laugh if I wasn’t so horrified by this terrible decision. Talk about blatantly thinking about a bottom line vs. what’s best for the team. On one hand, Willie Calhoun was ready to help the team win right now. On the other hand, the Rangers are as cheap as my Jewish grandmother who used to order three free lemon wedges, two sugar packets and make lemonade at the table. Hey, she escaped Nazi Germany in the middle of the night. What’s your excuse, Texas Rangers?! In my Willie Calhoun fantasy from way back in October, I predicted Calhoun could be in the minors until June. Looks like I didn’t underestimate the Rangers’ boneheadedness (big word of the day!). Now the Rangers will go with a blahtoon of the Asian lion, Ryan Rua, and Drew Robinson. I’ve updated my top 100 outfielders, top 500 and War Room. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in spring training for 2018 fantasy baseball:
Neil Walker – Signed with the Yankees, so the Mets would be totally jealous. Here’s the Mets, “Giancarlo? Okay, whatever. Sonny Gray? La di da! Gary Sanchez? We’ve got d’Arnaud! Aaron Judge? I said, ‘we’ve got d’Arnaud!’ Neil Walker? YOU’VE TORN OUT OUR HEART!” Walker will play 2nd until Gleyber is officially ready, and fill-in for Bird if/when he gets hurt. I updated the top 20 1st basemen.
Stephen Vogt – Experienced a setback with his shoulder. *moves Vogt from 467 to 468 in top 500, rethinks, moves him to 469, shakes head, moves him back to 468* Do you see how much phony deliberation goes into these rankings?!
Marcus Stroman – Won’t be ready for Opening Day. I haven’t touched him in my top 40 starters, because I already wrote there I wasn’t drafting him, so he can get ruled out of the 1st half of the season and doesn’t change my outlook on Stroman.
Josh Donaldson – Dealing with a calf injury, which is the same general area of the injury that made him useless for three months last year. If you drafted Donaldson after I gave you a Josh Donaldson overrated post, I’m going to log into my eBay account, bid one penny for the world’s smallest violin, then, in three to five days after it’s sent to me, I will play it for you.
Troy Tulowitzki – Officially ruled out for Opening Day due to a heel injury. 2008 Grey is shocked!
Nelson Cruz – Diagnosed with a strained quad. Or as Mariners fans are now exclaiming, “Whoa Nelly!” If you already drafted Nelson Cruz on your fantasy team, then, for $35, you can get the rapper Nelly to put a Band-Aid on your fantasy team. I’ve docked Cruz two weeks of regular season at-bats and moved him into my top 40 outfielders, but obviously there’s cause of concern now.
Rob Whalen – Has been pitching well this spring training, and could be the guy who replaces the often injured, never duplicated, Erasmo Ramirez in the Mariners rotation. Or Whalen is this year’s Sal Romano, a guy I like for about a second in March, only to never speak of again. Though, a one-year aged Romano sounds delicious!
Anthony Santander – You, “Santa-who now?” Santander is a Rule 5 guy who has to make the Orioles. He also happens to be ripping the cover off the ball this spring — Guatemalan baseball seamstresses, “Well, that’s not frio.” — and who is in front of Santander on the O’s? Colby Rasmus? So, Santander might be a preseason washout, but worth keeping an eye on him.
Michael Conforto – Sounds like he’s aiming to return mid-April vs. May, which would be ahead of schedule. Another feather in the cap of Mets trainers. Ow, eye roll headache!
Yoenis Cespedes – X-rays were negative after he hurt his wrist on a swing. A combo platter of brittle player and the Mets trainers is a Molotov cocktail. Now the Mets trainers will attempt to rehab Yoenis. This is like that old idiom, the cure being worse than the sickness. I just realized something, the Mets training staff is like watching an improv troupe reenacting the TV show, The Knick. “Are you sure this will relieve my headache?” “Definitely!” *moves person into position, drops anvil on their head* To unconscious, possibly dead, person, “Does that feel better?” I haven’t updated my top 40 outfielders over this news, but here’s a hypothetical for you, is Yoenis really that different than Nomar Mazara?
David Wright – Out for eight weeks with “being David Wright.” Imagine after all this time of Wright struggling to get on the field if he were traded and seen by another team’s trainers. “Wow, my back feels 100% better. What did you do?” “It seems that you just had a pumpkin seed under your toenail.”
Had my first rcl draft last night. Thoughts please. I had the 4th pick in the draft
C REALMUTO
1B. EE
2B MURPHY
SS T TURNER
3B LONGORIA
MI DEJONG
CI MYERS
OF SPRINGER UPTON CUTCH HANIGER CARGO
U FRANCO
P KERSHAW
P TANAKA
P WEAVER
P MAEDA
P TALLION
P CORBIN
P MORROW
P VIZCAINO
P LEONE
BENCH ZEIGLER, STROMAN TODD FRAZIER
Did not expect KERSHAW to fall to pick 21. Wasn’t planning in taking a pitcher that early
@Marti: I can understand wanting to take Kershaw at pick 21, but it’s still hurt your hitting… I’d be concerned about your hitting, you really need Edwin to come through… Your pitching looks fine
Yeah really threw-me off. If I had known, I would have taken arenado in 1st round
Gotcha
14 Team H2H redraft auction league:
Choose 1: Matt Chapman, Maikel Franco, Todd Frazier, Solarte for 3B
Please rank: Miles Mikolas, German Marquez, Marco Estrada, Dan Straily, Jason Vargas
Thanks!
@Savoy Special: Jason Kipnis or Jonathan Villar for 2B?
@Savoy Special: Kipnis is back. Villar was a fluke.
@Savoy Special: along with Mikolas, Marquez, Estrada, Straily, Vargas, please also include Sean Newcomb. Thanks!
@Savoy Special: and throw in Vince Velasquez too please
@Savoy Special: See rankings
@Cram It: Lol
@Cram It: See above post referring to checking rankings
@Savoy Special: https://razzball.com/2018-fantasy-baseball-rankings/
@Grey:
Grey also says see rankings lol
14 team H2H redraft league – auction free agents. QS instead of Wins. K/9. Saves+Holds instead of just Saves… OPS league.
C: JT Realmuto
1B: Josh Bell
2B: Jason Kipnis
3B: Maikel Franco
SS: Francisco Lindor
OF: Mike Trout
OF: Steven Souza
OF: Mitch Haniger
UTL: Carlos Gonzalez
Bench: Jonathan Villar
SP:
Clayton Kershaw
Max Scherzer
Sean Manaea
Patrick Corbin
Joe Musgrove
Mike Foltynewicz
Miles Mikolas
RP:
Kelvin Herrera
Addison Reed
Shane Green
So I tried a new strategy this year by going for broke in the auction draft with Trout, Lindor, Kershaw and Scherzer.
Did I do alright with my “value” picks? The reason why I finally went this route was because by the end of each season, my lineup at the end looks nothing like Opening Day.
I could just “stream” hitters if I need to and hopefully find that next breakout star.
Thanks!
@Savoy Special: From the famous words of Lloyd Christmas “I (We) don’t care!!
@Savoy Special: Your hitting and pitching look solid, just a lot riding on those big names, fwiw, your hitting looks worse than your pitching, which isn’t the best thing
@Grey: I just dropped Maikel Franco for Matt Chapman. Been hearing about Franco’s batting stance changes and being mentored by Carlos Santana, but the video just shows him pulling off and stepping in the bucket on all pitches I’ve seen. He’s got a bad approach. Chapman might be a batting average risk but he also has a decent eye and just looks like he has somewhat of a game plan.
I also dropped Musgrove for Vince Velasquez because Musgrove’s ranked 100 and Velasquez is ranked 62nd in your rankings. Hopefully there’s finally a VV breakout
I don’t mind that, I drafted Chapman already and am worried about Maikel… I like VV too
Which catcher do you prefer out of the following: grandal, chirinos, hedges, ianetta, mccann (hou), mccann (det), avila, martin, Barnhart, pina, barnes, i.e., the usual suspects who are left after the top options are gone (gattis is owned). Stats are obp, ops, r, hr, rbi, tb, sb. Please rank top 3 from the list since i have a feeling the catcher run is about to happen. Thx
@Scott: *see rankings
@Scott: https://razzball.com/2018-fantasy-baseball-rankings/
@Grey: Chirinos
Uh-oh!
Grey,
12 team AL-Only 5×5 league with 9 keepers allowed, resulting in pretty high price inflation/oddities. Which 9 should I keep?
THANK YOU!
Fullmer $13
Berrios $8
Clevinger $8
Giolito $8
Parker $8
Betts $25
Merrifield $5
Hicks $2
Polanco $10
Abreu $32
Kiermaier $18
Moustakas $19
PS: The argument for keeping Abreu is that in this league: 1) his average stats and consistency will make it so he owns the position, with E5 a somewhat distant second; 2) all better 1b, except E5 will be kept due to attractive pricing. The argument for the pitchers is that all the “aces or arguable aces” will be kept along with many 2,3 and 4s, so I’ve decided to try to compile a really good staff of 2/3s.
@bbboston:
One other guy I forgot to throw in the mix: Ryon Healy at $15
@bbboston: All of the hitters and Clevinger
@bbboston: Agree with Cram
@bbboston: Perhaps all hitters and Berrios, but that’s a personal choice
would you drop Cargo or Villar to stream pitching? thanks!
@Great Bambino: Carlos Gonzalez*. stream or hold*
@Great Bambino: Season hasn’t started yet, do you need to stream?
@Cram It: to rephrase, I meant hold Cargo and Villar or drop one to use spot as an SP streaming slot
@Great Bambino: You can drop one to stream if you need. They’re probably just bench bats anyway and not very good ones at that.
@Cram It:
Yet you’re in mid season form ha.
BSOYLN!
@Great Bambino: CarGo
drop Mikolas, Musgrove, or Folty for Sean Newcomb? or hold. Thanks!
@Great Bambino: Folty. Or see rankings.
@Cram It: Musgrove is ranked like 15+ spots behind the others according to Grey’s 2018 rankings. Folty has failed enough/learned and is entering his age 26 season. Musgrove is getting over a shoulder injury and has a lot to prove too. anyway, I don’t think the answer is as clean cut as “see rankings”
@Great Bambino: I didn’t look at rankings for these guys. So you’re saying Musgrove is the drop, which coincides with the rankings. Then drop Musgrove.
@Great Bambino: Why are you dropping guys before the season starts?
Hypothetically Is cespedes really that different from Mazara? Even hypothetically, yes.
@Justin: Did I have a typo?
@Grey:
No, it’s just Cespedes and Mazara are so different it seems like a strange comp. Cespedes injury-prone, way better average and power numbers.
27/5/.280 vs. 25/3/.275
@Grey:
My projections say this:
Mazara: 150 games, .265/25/2, Age 23, Fav Ninja Turtle Rafael
Yoenis: 130 games, .285/32/4, Age 32, Fav Ninja Turtle Rafael
Now, my projections have never been wrong because I have never made any… but it’s safe to say they both like the same ninja turtle. And if you disagree on with them on TMNT then you clearly don’t understand how useful a sai can be.
Other than that, I think there should probably be 50 spots between drafting the two. Incorporate a waiver wire replacement to compensate for Yoenis’ inevitable DL stint and your counting numbers are even better. I think ESPN has them ranked accurately, which is like urinating in your tea, I know, but I think they got them in the right spots this time.
I have them ranked with Yoenis 60+ spots before Mazara, I’m just saying if things break right (or wrong for Yoenis), one can see how close they could be…
@Grey:
Glad you didn’t argue me on the Ninja Turtle point. I figured you as a Michaelangelo guy but maybe you’re deeper than I’m giving you credit for.
How dare you!
drop Joe Musgrove for Vince Velasquez or Sean Newcomb? thanks!
@Great Bambino: No. Or see rankings
@Cram It: I think you live to wake up each morning and type see rankings.
@The Great Knoche: See rankings. I mean, it seems especially fitting today.
Lemme see your starting lineup in NFBC.
@Cram It:
C Chirinos
C McCann
1B Abreu
2B Odor
3B Castellanos
SS Turner
MI Dejong
CR Zimmerman
Of Hoskings
OF Rosario
OF Calhoun – Kole (Was both Calhpun’s until yesterday)
OF Deshizz
OF Markakis or Nick Williams
U Asdrubal – I think
P Paxton
P Hendriks
P Richards
P Gio
P Roark
P Davies
P Gohara (Now will be Chacin, Stratton, Fried)
P Kenley
P Ziegler
Like my hitting, Pitching is OK but I’m in trouble on saves if Ziegler struggles. Injuries/Calhoun already biting my ass.
@The Great Knoche: Yeah that’s a really good offense, but at the expense of your pitching, naturally. Back end OF/Util might be troublesome. Hopefully Hoskins, Rosario and Cast don’t fall on their faces.
@Cram It: Lemme jump in on this chatter…? Is this rude? Drafted this NFBC squad from the end of January to mid Feb.
C- Alfaro
C- Christian Vazquez
1B- Hosmer
2B- Dee
3B-Arenado
SS-Lindor
CI-Rendon
MI-Tim Anderson
OF-Puig
OF-Castellanos
OF-Mazara
OF-Mancini
OF-Brinson
UT-Pence
P Verlander
P Tanaka
P Bauer
P Pomeranz
P Wacha
P Snell
P Osuna
P Treinen
P Ziegler
Thoughts?
Got Acuna on the bench till he plays. And figure I’ll use Ziegler now, while there appear to be saves for a few months maybe. But have Clevinger and Straily as my top SPs off the bench to swap in whenever.
@knucks: Nice. 15 teams? I really like it!
@Cram It: Oh shit my b. 12 teams. Its one of those $50 leagues, no overall winner. Just be the best of 12.
@Great Bambino: Why are you dropping guys?
Will He call Houn soon?
don’t tell me he’s droppable at this point ,,,
Dynasty team, blocked on my bench !!
if so, would you rather add:
Yusmeiro Petit / AJ Mint / Keone Kela
or Pivetta !.?
Nick
@Nick: Those names don’t jump out at me right now
So yesterday I asked you, Grey, about trading David Price for Puig in a dynasty league which you told me to do and run. Well it’s a good thing the guy who wanted that trade didn’t respond right away because I got a text 20 mins after your recommendation, and ended up trading Price for Albies.
Needless to say I took that one and ran as fast as Albies 70 grade speed.
@Chris D.: Nice!
In GREY WE TRUST……….Our keeper league has 27 rounds 5 keepers per team. We are locked in with our keepers below (thoughts). We got 12 picks in first 8 rounds. and the 5th overall pick which looks like we should land either Manny or Freeman. WE LOVE your feedback and any suggestions. It’s roto, 5 OF, 2 UTL spots the normal INF plus CI, MI and cather and the normal pitching spots.
Here are our keepers……please tell me the honest truth
hoskins 27th (obvs great value but I’m not sold on him. can you talk me into it)
Acuna 27th
Chris taylor 26th
jake lamb 24th (thoughts on trading him for yoan moncada?????
Buxton in the 7th
@Kwoox: As a Phillies fan, I can give you a good report on Hoskins. First of all, you don’t have to be sold on him for 27th round value. That’s insane (paired with Acuna that’s just filthy stealing from your league mates). Anyway, Hoskins has done nothing but mash pitching at every level of his development. Last year that included a healthy stint in the bigs. Now Hoskins won’t hit like that for an entire season, but he doesn’t have to. If he did, he would be a top 5 pick. I’ve been watching Hoskins play for the past 3 years and I can tell you he is a professional hitter. He studies, rarely gets fooled, knows the strike zone, waits for his pitch, and hammers it when he gets it. For a guy with great power he doesn’t strike out a lot, and also knows how to work a walk. He won’t run, and doesn’t provide great defense, but in fantasy, he’s someone you want.
Now this is a lofty comparison, but as a life long Phillies fan, I can tell you that Hoskins at the plate reminds me of Mike Schmidt. Without the gold glove defense of course and with less swing and miss. He rarely slumps, he wants to be great, and works at it. And that is something that is true of all star athletes. You’ll be happy he’s one of your keepers.
@Pocket Prospector:
i had hoskins last year: he was very awesome until the last 5 weeks–when all he did was K. i fear pitchers figured out some of his holes and may be rated too high in drafts this year. comments?
@Seth Swirsky: You are misremembering somewhat. It was only the last 2 weeks or so of the season that Hoskins slumped. He had 19 Ks in his last 65 plate appearances (29.2% K/PA), which is not good, but hardly cataclysmic. Any power hitter is going to have a few two week slumps over the course of a season.
@Kwoox: I go over Hoskins in the rankings https://razzball.com/2018-fantasy-baseball-rankings/
I’m sold on him
I’d go Manny
@Grey:
What are your thoughts on the other keepers? I know acuna should at some point be a super star maybe not this year but we have him for at least the next 5 years. Lamb? Taylor and buxton? and their value?
I’ve gone over all guys in my rankings, I think Acuna could be a star this year
Mets’ training staff! bwaha!!!!!
@Tim Leary: Hehe
Have any thoughts or feelings about the Giants OF? I’m reading they don’t want to go with Austin Jackson in center. And assuming Pence gets hurt…you’ve got Chris Shaw, Steven Duggar, Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker competing. See any of these guys as sticking out?
@Cram It: @Cram It: see rankings
@Great Bambino: Heh. These guys aren’t even in the top 500!
@Cram It:
Create rankings, then see rankings
@Justin: Only a mad man would create a top 750.
@Cram It:
Hehe, top 2000 at least. How else am I supposed to know where to place Miguel Gonzalez?
@Cram It: I think with the early spring Duggar is having he will at least be in contention for strong side of platoon in CF with Jackson/Gorkys. I think Shaw is the long term answer (in a Corner outfield spot) replacing Pence, but won’t start season on roster.
@The Great Knoche: Blech, you think Gorkys is in play? Yeah they seem to be grooming Shaw for LF only, so it will take a Pence injury.
@Cram It: good lord enough people don’t talk about just how horribly that franchise has been run lately. last year i’m pretty sure they had more games played by rookies than any other team, and like not one of them ever had any real prospect status nor did anything remotely last year. duggar does though, seems odd he’d start this early (hope so)
@Cram It: I think so. I don’t think anyone but those 3 can play defense in that big outfield. Unless they move Cutch back to center and put Shaw in RF which I think is doubtful.
Best bet for ABs is Duggar.
@Cram It: Duggar went in my draft about 8 rounds ago, prolly a bit early, but he’s the stand out… Parker would be my 2nd…
@Grey: Yeah that’s early. I’ve done a hell of a job staying away from AAA guys. I have maybe 1 to 3. But in round 45, that’s really all that’s left.
Yeah, same… I took Dahl and Adames for minor league upside, and Dahl was an accident due to CarGo not signing prior
@Grey: I only have Anthony Alford who’s slated for AAA. Hopefully can provide some mid-season SAGNOF. I guess Andujar will be in AAA or a bench guy? I tried cornering the Yankees 3B market with him and Drury.
Yeah, I like those two, cheap with a path to PT
@Grey: Plan on doing a write-up of your team/draft? I can’t remember if you have prior, or if it’s just too big of a roster to cover.
I’ve already written it up, I just need to finish the final seven rounds
@Grey: Nice.
What’s with the annoying pop-up autoplay video??? This is not a positive step…
@Will: yesterday he said “fox sports asked them to put that up”. i SURE hope that doesn’t mean they are owned by fox sports now.
Auto play pop up videos need to be banned.
@Will: i at least had a wave of relief when i was assured it wasn’t a virus. as every other times i’ve ever seen anything like that it was in fact, a virus. back to factory settings time of life. awesome.
@Will: There’s no auto audio, and you can minimize it and never see it again
@Grey: Father Coug’s razzing last weekend get to you Grey? Perfect way to show him who’s boss, get a fox sports video ad and start bringing home the big bucks
Making duckets in the buckets, snitches!
@Old School Brother: you might think yr kidding here. but them having that thing sit on the screen all the time i’d hope they are making a LOT here. if others can get rid of it or “”minimize it and never see it again “please let me on that one, it’s still down there either bigger or smaller. you can shrink it to make it smaller as far as i can tell, but it’s still there and quite visible.
they’ve pretty much just gone from NHL hockey jerseys to KHL jerseys. for those who don’t get this reference:
KHL:
https://sport.aktuality.sk/fotogaleria/254548/roman-tomas-odchadza-zo-znojma-miesto-musel-uvolnit-da-costovi/1/
NHL: https://theathletic.com/30164/2016/12/16/patrick-kanes-warmup-routine-goes-beyond-superstition/
I know your rankings are geared for Roto leagues, I normally use them as is for H2H non roto. You also avoid pitching till roughly pick 45. But how much more valuable is pitching in a H2H league? Thanks
@Ben: Pitching is less valuable in H2H, I’d just want more of it, quantity-wise
Quickie keeper question…standard 5×5 12-team auction league:
Carlos Carrasco or Justin Upton? I can keep either – but not both – for the same amount.
@LeftCoastYankee: might be influenced bywho your other keepers are since it’s close but in value and age.
@LeftCoastYankee: Agree with goodfold
@Grey: I’m keeping
Jose Ramirez $15
Ed Rosario $9
Merrifield $9
And…either Upton $21 or Carrasco $22 (can’t keep both)
@LeftCoastYankee: carrasco in that spot then.
Abreu or Rendon for a keeper?
R/HR/RBI/AVG/SB
@Chris: Abreu
Hey Grey –
Thanks for all the help last year. Finished first regular season and won playoffs following your advice. Getting ready to draft for this year. Keeper league. I can keep 7 players at their draft cost from last year. I had to put back some big players because my allotted time with them (Blackmon, Sale, betts) is over. Anyway, looking for advice. Here’s who I’m likely keeping:
Judge @ $7
G Sanchez @ $1
Moncada @$5
G Richards @$1
Here are the other options I have. I’m not obligated to keep 7, but the low cost for some of these probably pushes me to do it. Who would you go with?
Batters:
Eugenio Suarez ($2), Cozart ($1), Travis Shaw ($1), Nelson Cruz ($34), Margot ($1), Matt Olson ($1)
Pitchers: K Hendricks ($1), Snell ($1), Berrios ($1), Chase Anderson ($1), Jimmy Nelson ($1),
K Jansen ($12)
Our league, btw is: R, HR, RBI, SB, OBP, SLG // IP, QS, K/9, WHIP, Saves/Holds, ERA
Thanks,
Jeff
@Jeffrey Gilden: Your four and Shaw, Jansen, Olson
@Grey: Grey’s top 500 rankings have Garrett Richards at 263, while Berrios is at 116, Hendricks is at 144, Margot at 154, Cozart at 166, Snell at 184, and Chase Anderson at 185, all of whom are also at $1.
Not sure why you would keep Richards over any of those guys, several of whom are young and have a lot of upside – I would keep Berrios instead of Richards.
@LenFuego: Because if Richards is healthy he’s a top 100 player. I like him a ton this year. Just need him to stay in one piece.
Weeeeee doggies!
Stoked I can get me rodeo news here too…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ae5JG4Pku0
@FrankGrimes: Haha
Who has more potential this year Zimmer or Michael Taylor?
@billiejak: Taylor
I showed up at a birthday party Saturday night with a six pack of PBR tall boys. My friends proceeded to dog me for my beer selection. “What is this OSB, 2008? Are we in Brooklyn right now? I thought you were down with craft beer, braj”. To which is responded “Krogers has this shizz for $5.99! That’s a deal too good to pass up, even if it tastes like horse piss and makes me look cool which in turn makes me uncool”
Now I realize this must be some sort of phenomenon where life imitates your team’s GM. JD must’ve looked at Bartolo with the same loving eyes that I did when I saw that sweet deal. “Why start the clock on Willie when I can wait until early May and squeeze an extra year out of him? muahaha” and that’s me quoting my Jewish GM from New York who got an Economics degree from Cornell!
@Old School Brother: Don’t sweat it OSB. I’ll be drinking PBRs on Saturday among friends, as I have a buddy who always brings them.
You look cool, which in turn makes you uncool, BUT you play it cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgo4dnAGJ-Y
I’ll be bringin’ my DPAs and Pinners of course, as well as making my famous taco dip. Happy Holidays!
@Old School Brother: HA! An excellent anecdote!
@Old School Brother: If anyone gives you shit, you just need to channel your inner Frank Booth at them: “Heineken? Fuck that shit! Pabst Blue Ribbon!!!”
ya so my draft is just about over and now I check the news daily on my guys to see who gets hurt! So far just Cespedes but I guess I better get used to that.
I also hear Acuna is gonna start the season in the minors.
@Peacecoast: Just to delay his arbitration clock. I’ve read that he could be up as early as April 16th, but it shouldn’t be later than late April.
@Peacecoast: Agree with Magoo, everyone can wait two weeks for The Sunshine
In NL-only redraft, would you trade Harper for Freeman and Acuna?
@Weird Fishes: Absolutely
@Weird Fishes: Agree with Magoo
Hey Grey! Are there are any SPs with no major league innings (other than Ohtani) that you see making a rotation out of camp? My pitching corps sucks so bad I need to find some bodies and perhaps I can snag one in my minor league draft!! You know things are bad when you are reduced to bidding $23 on Teheran and $16 on Triggs. (52-man roster league… that’s knuckle deep).
@J-Dawg: https://razzball.com/prospectonator-pitchers/ Shows rookie pitcher projections
I am currently in a 5×5 keeper league using OBP and QS instead of AVG and W. The league allows you to keep up to 5 players with at least 1 being a hitter and a pitcher. These are the three definite keepers for me:
Giancarlo Stanton – $39
Anthony Rendon – $17
Carlos Martinez – $15
I’m currently wavering on the my last 2 choices. Here are my options:
Jonathan Schoop – $12
Khris Davis – $13
Eric Hosmer – $16
Nomar Mazara – $7
I’m not sure which 2 out of the 4 to keep. I’m leaning forward School for his upside and low cost but undecided on the last one since they all bring different things to the plate: Hosmer(stability), Davis (power), Mazara (upside).
@Nate: Schoop, Hosmer
The Mets supposedly overhauled their training staff in the offseason, even though the early returns appear to be more of the same: https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-hire-jim-cavallini-revamp-medical-staff/c-265194420
None of the hypothetical pairings with Betts and Stanton came to fruition last night, as Arenado fell into my lap. Paired him with Lindor, then rolled the dice on Syndergaard in the 3rd. Got Hoskins, Puig, another Acuna share, Godley, McCullers, Pollock. Kind of upsidey, but what the hell. Can always work the wire if some of the risky players don’t work out.
Got your auction values ready?
@Big Magoo: Yeah, I heard, but busting chops on Mets trainers is funny…
Oaktown was talking yesterday about how he didn’t like Godley… I’m with you, and I like Arenado/Lindor — sexy! But nice floor sexy, and then upside sexy later on, surprised by you Magoo, must be rubbing off on you
@Grey: Didn’t expect Arenado to fall to 7. He’s #3 on my board, so I obviously couldn’t pass him up. I think that Trout, Altuve, and Arenado are the safest bets for elite production in fantasy. You know what you’re getting, and it’s awesome.
I saw that comment from Oaktown on Godley. We had a similar discussion on Kluber a couple of years ago. He didn’t completely trust him since his fastball didn’t grade out very well. I don’t think it matters that much as long as a pitcher has at least two plus offerings including an elite one like Godley does. I like him.
I omitted some of the unsexy picks. I’m sure you’d never take Jansen where he’s going. Lorenzo Cain, Kyle Seager, LuCroy. No Baez, Anderson, Bauer, or Gausman types. Pretty typical draft for me. I’m all in on Acuna this year. Hope the Braves don’t dick around with his clock too much.
I’ve drafted Acuna once, and hope to get him at least once more… I’m pumped up for him like I haven’t been for a player in a while… I think we’re looking at Kris Bryant’s rookie year type fantasy value… Down for twenty days, makes up for that in less than a week… Lucroy is terrible, but I don’t mind Cain and Seager… Jansen’s fine, that’s a personal preference thing…
@Grey: I agree on Acuna. He looks special. Think he’ll end up overtaking guys like Blackmon and Votto in the overall rankings in a year or two.
Decided to build a super relief core on the fly in this league: Jansen, Morrow, Bradley, and Miller. Got the last three guys pretty cheaply. I’m not crazy about the 2nd tier SPs this year, and more and more starters are being pulled early from games, which hurts their win potential. I think it gives the elite relievers more value. You don’t lose much in the way of Ks when comparing them to non-elite starters, and they typically get a decent amount of vulture wins and saves. Really help with ratios too. Might be a good way to complement an upsidey staff where streaming is heavily utilized.
I don’t know why you can’t get on the Bauer bandwagon, look at his 2nd half and how he started throwing some new gold…
@Grey: Oh no, how’d we get back on Bauer? Cause of my 2nd tier SP comment? He’s in the 6th tier of my SP rankings, if we’re being technical.
In the 2nd half, he threw a few more curves and sliders. Didn’t affect his K rate (exactly 10 K/9 in both halves) at all. Opposing hitters slashed .267/.333/.454 in the 1st half vs .263/.324/.436 in the 2nd. Slight improvements in HR/9 and BB rate.
The big difference? Strand rate. 67.9% in the 1st half; 87.1% in the 2nd. Bad luck led to a 5.24 ERA in the 1st half; good luck led to a 3.01 in the 2nd. With neutral luck, he’s low 4s ERA, 1.3 WHIP pitcher, just like he’s always been. Solid K rate and win potential. The Jon Gray of the AL. Nothing wrong with that. It’s just not a top 30 guy in my book.
Fair enough, we shall see on Bauer… So, I have Tout Wars this weekend, give me some deep NL guys you’ve peeped…
@Grey: I don’t know how deep you’re looking for, but I can give you some interesting cheapish options. Brinson (post-hype) and Maybin (cheap speed) in Miami, Frazier (2B/OF) and Moran in Pittsburgh, Martinez in StL. A Williams/Altherr platoon could be profitable if it’s daily lineups. Newcomb in Atlanta is a high-K, upside arm you might like. He’s looked good this spring. Kingery and Senzel shouldn’t have to wait long to get called up. Don’t forget about Dahl. Might be able to get him pretty cheaply.
Great stuff… You in this Kingery camp? I don’t see why the Phils suddenly lose Cesar Hernandez, do they bench Maikel? I’m not saying he’s not worth a $1 or 3 in NL-Only, but the hype seems to be building on him… Rudy really likes Sierra on Miami, not sure he gets any real PT tho…
@Grey: By the way, I meant Jose Martinez in StL. Carlos won’t be cheap.
Kingery looks like the real deal. I don’t think he bumps Hernandez though. If Crawford or Franco struggle, he’s probably next in line. Just needs one injury to get a shot too. I think he’ll get it, one way or another.
Up in April vs. up in July changes drastically how I go after Kingery, which is my dilemma… Head says July, heart says April/May
FWIW, obviously: https://twitter.com/Razzball/status/973977632810319872
@Big Magoo:
My Godley spidey sense is more a Shoemaker argument than a Kluber. Remember you and I went back and forth on Shoe.
@OaktownSteve: Yeah, we went back and forth on Kluber and Shoe (among others). One’s an ace and the other’s a back-end guy. Godley’s likely somewhere in the middle, but I think he’s closer to the former than the latter. Way more grounders and missed bats than Shoe. Two plus pitches vs one, which is probably the biggest difference. We’ll see though. He’s not a sure thing, but I like what I’ve seen so far.
@Grey: the Mets trainers remind me of what my buddy in London called the Irish Carpenter. I went over to his flat and I noticed part of the bathroom door was missing. The door was intact on the hinges but a 6 inch by 3 inch section was missing from the edge. I asked him about this and he showed me where they replaced the sink but it was too large for the bathroom so they just cut out part of the door because you couldn’t open the door without it hitting the sink. Why didn’t they just order the right sink? That’s the Mets trainers in a nuts shell
Haha, awesome! That’s exactly them, “Isn’t it better if we just cut off your leg and put it when your arm should be?” DeGrom looking nervous, “Um, are you guys accredited somewhere?”
@Grey: I’m imagining them like that Steve Guttenburg classic Bad Medicine where they go to medical school in Mexico
Was thinking same thing!
Grey, previously you agreed that it’d be smart to keep N. Cruz over Buxton (more or less the same price) in a 6×6 +OPS league. Now with the Cruz injury, should I switch to Buxton?
@Pouss-Pouss: Meh, sounds like he’s only out two weeks, he’s much better in OPS
Keeper Question
NL only 9 teams 4 keeprs per team you can keep guys for 3 years max and it increases $3 per year
I have Trea Turner on his last year for $8, Cody Bellinger for 2 more years at $4, Jose Quintana for 2 years at $4. Trying to decided between Luke Weaver for 2 years at $6 or Michael Conforto for 2 years at $4. Conforto’s injury makes me a little nervous. What do you think?
@John: Conforto
Hey grey,
Im down to my last pick in my 12 team H2H keeper league. I love my pitching staff but it is chock full of upside/injury risk. BUMGARNER, PAXTON, L.CASTILLO, MCCULLERS, SAMARDZIJA, BUNDY,MANAEA, LAMET, A.CHAPMAN, TREINEN.
I was leaning on taking a third RP. Which one do you like best to round out this staff.
Claudio
Ziegler
Soria
Devenski
Boxberger
Reed
Ramos
I’d look at my rankings, I’m guessing Claudio
@Grey:
Thanks Grey. I was leaning Claudio/Soria
Works for me
hey boss
which side in a dynasty do you like?
myers/chris taylor or bogaerts/willie calhoun
Myers
First RCL of 2018. So hard to stay online (during draft) up in north Canada. What do ya think?? Is my pitching a bit to iffy? Thanks for your post and comments.
Altuve
JD Mart
Abreu
Ozuna
Devers
Mancini
Tim Anderson
Mazara
Jose Peraza
Zunino
Kepler
Robles
Belt
Rob Ray
Bauer
Sonny Gray
Corbin
Gausman
Giles
Bradley
Shane Greene
Ziegler
Minter
Nate Jones
Lyons
I love the hitting, solid mix of guys, might be a little low on speed… Your pitching looks great, I’d be happy with that staff
I had my draft last night to fill out the rest of my dynasty roster so now is where I come to Razzball hoping for praise and recognition that I have applied the principles espoused here better than any man, woman, or child before me.
Or hopefully someone can at least give me an honest assessment because after the prep, offseason trades, and minor league maneuvering im sure I have some blind spots and am probably overvaluing folks by virtue of owning them.
12 team dynasty, H2H, 6×6 w OPS, Holds, QS (no W). Lost on a fluke final weekend last year.
C- Zunino
C- Flowers
1B- Hosmer
2B- Schoop
SS- Segura
3B- Bryant
OF- Harper
OF- Betts
OF- Margot
OF- Zimmer
UT- Story
UT- DeJong
BN- K. Seager, Buor
SP- Scherzer, Bauer, Hill, Pom, Maeda, Manaea, Folty, Porcello, Trevor Williams, Justin Montgomery, Straily, Nova
RP- Hand, Neshek, Shaw, Neris
My thoughts are; pitching is a little upsidey, shallow bullpen, back of the OF could use something, trade Scherzer for two top-40 types if I can (got him in a salary shedding trade, not in a draft). Other obvious holes?
Thanks for all the help Grey, and commenters too for the occasional insight and constant irreverence.
There’s been a few kids and one woman who applied principles better, but very few… I love the team, and agree with your sentiments to a degree… Shallow bullpen, yes, but don’t love the back of your OF for OPS, but could be okay, Zimmer is likely gonna be tough to own here, fine for now tho… Love the pitching, don’t think too upsidey
@Grey:
A full 20% of the female readers are high achievers?
The (fantasy baseball) future is female indeed.
Without them, there’s no future, sex ed teacher told me once
@Grey:
So insightful!
Just noticed that Michael Taylor somehow flew under the radar on our draft. Worth dropping any of my folks for him as a Zimmer back-up/ replacement?
Not yet
@Matty: “Justin Montgomery” really means “Jordan Montgomery.”
Did I see a Whoa Nellie?
https://youtu.be/J8_5Isb-hd4
Haha, RIP
@Grey: my favorite football voice
Not Dennis Miller? Shame on you!
Or OJ!
@Grey: This reminds me that there was an equivalent to Razzball in sports talk radio when I was a kid. His name was Jim Healy. I bet Oaktown will remember him.
Yeah, I don’t, never heard of him
@Grey: it was a little Dr.Demento and a lot of sound bites. He ripped everyone and everything in a way that is now dead in the media. All I know is nothing was better than being in the car when his show was one because every mis speak and audio gaff was played as a sound bite to comment on the days news
Sounds like a Cali thing before I lived here
@Grey: Oh yeah, but it was great, back when we weren’t so sensitive. He would always rip USC, would only refer to them as the brain surgeons, yet every USC fan I knew would listen to him to hear what he wa going to say next
Yeah, I Googled him, he was dead way before I moved here, so never heard him…
10 team H2H points league
Chris Taylor or Ian Happ at 2b this season. Are they close?
Taylor, close
I went back and watched some more tape on Godley and then I looked at some of the numbers as well. His second half hard hit went from 29 to 34. His soft hit went from 20 down to 16 percent. His GB went from 59 to 52 ( still very good) and his FB went from 23 to 28. wOBA against went from .243 to .317. His k rate spiked second half but so did his walk rate and his second half whip was 1.30. Some of the second half k spike was fueled by games against Wash, CHC and MIN all seeing him for the first time. With the exception of the Rockies, every team he faced multiple times hit him better the second time out. The Dodgers and Padres were two of the three teams (Rockies) that saw him 3 times and did damage in the third outing with 9 runs and 14 hits in 11 innings.
Godley must pitch ahead in the count more than most because of the weakness on his fastball. It’s not terrible. Some arm side run and downward plane but generally 91-92. To get to strike one he often used get over fastballs or out of zone curves. The game plan for hitters will likely be hunt first pitch fastballs and try to recognize the breaking ball to lay off. Familiarity might improve pitch recognition and help lead to favorable counts. I think Godley will still be above average and a good source of Ks but I’m less optimistic overall as you’ve pointed out.
Damn, coming with the bummers on the daily! Couldn’t 2nd half issues be summarized as “he just got tired,” and now with another season under his belt, he’s better outfitted (pun) for a deeper run into the 2nd half? I.e., seeing guys a 2nd time is not good if you’re laboring a bit vs. having your best stuff… Otherwise, if he’s struggling on 2nd and 3rd time through a team, what happens when he’s seen them six or eight times? Does his regression plateau at some point or is he just getting worse and worse with each time he sees someone until he’s Josh Tomlin in Coors by the 10th time?
@Grey:
I really don’t know what will happen. Everything I just said could be jibberish and I’m sure fatigue was a factor. Anytime I see a guy like him drafted early on a short track record I do like to dig in. As I said the other day, he gives me a Matt Shoemaker vibe. All the peripherals for Shoe that off season seemed to be super solid, and then…
I’ll get back to you later with some NL thoughts
I hear ya, and as I say with Gerrit Cole, he could be fine, but he won’t be on my teams until I see him actually be fine in the majors for this season… re: NL — Sweet, looking forward to it!
Okay, I have Tout wars this weekend, NL-Only… Give me some cheap NL flyers, if you have any…
@OaktownSteve: I brought up Jim Healy to Grey because Razzball feels like the Jim Healy of fantasy. Do your remember Jim Healy?
@BJFOHOHL:
Go listed to his spot on the Bevaqua-Niedenfuer beanball game. Klac
@OaktownSteve: hahaha, so good. Classic Tommy. So at least I know one person who remembers him
Santander can swing it. Buck loves him. Os have said he’ll be with the club to start as he only needs like 45 days as he was a rule 5 from last year who didn’t meet the games requirement due to injury. After that he can be sent down. So a chance to audition for a month or so.
Yeah, your pick sparked my interest, I like him from what I’ve seen… Could be a super sneaky pick
How much do you weigh position flexibility on draft day? I’m thinking of keeping Chris Taylor instead of Moustakas because my league has a CF slot and those are slim pickings. They would be the same round.
Also in the leagues where Rizzo can be at 2nd, what does that do to his value? Any chance you grab him before Lindor, Mookie, or Goldy?
Thanks as always!
I have Rizzo ranked as a 2B… Taylor or Moose are apples/oranges for type of player they are…
Grey!!!
Loved the write-up!!
a. Just got in from Naked Valley! It’s raining cats and dogs outside right now!! Guess that’s better than raining men outside, right?
b. Naked Valley was okay today. The site where we are doing the exercise is right on a former soccer pitch so really muddy and dusty. It’s going to be a pleasant 41 working days until May 24 doing this job!
c. And, lights out! The power just went off. Fortunately, my modem is still going strong.
d. Lastly, RIP Stephen Hawking. He lived a good life.
Cheers,
Ante
A. Naked cats and dogs, I presume B. That doesn’t sound awful, at least you’re stationed somewhere for a bit C. Nice! D. Yeah, his last words were “are you ducking kidding me? Ugh, autocorrect!!!”
Hey Grey,
I know that you love you some Acuna, I do too. I am doing some draft planning in my keeper league (12 teams, 5×5, H2H, keep 5) where I have Trea, Mookie, Bellinger, Springer, Rizzo. Given that I have a very solid core group and the first non-keeper round pick in hand, could you justify picking Acuna with pick 61 if he survives the few picks that will happen from teams not keeping their allotment of players?
I know that potential wise he is likely very justified to take there, I’m just not sure if making him the first pick with a “win now” team is the best move or not.
Thanks, Homie!
I can justify it, he’s only going to be in the minors for two weeks, then you will have a top 50 player for 12 years
@Grey: Thanks, Grey. Top quality advice as always.
No problem
So Im finally drafting my NL only dynasty (in round 8) . Ugh, what was I thinking. Thank god its FAAB bi weekly locks
Nice! Take Acuna!
@Grey: No, he was taken in the first round and I had the first pick and went Bryant. So far I like my team, light on arms, but lots of controlled players who shouldn’t be leaving the NL any time soon
What do you think of Kingery’s ETA in MLB?
@Grey: Lots of opportunity in Philly but you never know with the hidden contract clock
Yeah, so hard to say… I’m thinking June, but ugh if it’s April
@Grey: I took your sleeper in Wacha
So far Im Bryant, Albies, Myers, Taylor, Bell, Souza on offense and Shark, Godley, Wacha
its OBP instead of average and sv+hld instead of saves. There is no Util nor MI or CI and only 3 OF. Offense will be good, pithing will be work but I have to have something to do, and I usually do better finding arms
Love that pitching so far, I’d be super happy with that if I had it in NL-Only… You look like you’re working OBP nicely too… Solid team so far
@Grey: Ive been picking Magoo’s brain since I havent looked at jack shit. He’s been a big help. Only snipe was Quintana and Cueto. Id be happy with that offense in a mixed team league. Lots of guys are taking too many prospects so Im just grabbing them up. I wasnt going to take bell but looked at Rudys dollar values for NL only and he popped off the screen. Myers goes to the OF and Im happy as a pig in shit. So my team has some Rudy dollar value picks and your sleeper wacha
We start the AL only tomorrow
Yeah, like I told Ralph, people consistently are more optimistic on prospects, no one is realistic
@Grey: Im a prospect realist
Me too
That said, regardless of what their outlook is, you win now and worry about years down the road later. Especially in a league specific league. Guys get traded, shit happens. Ralph folded the Razznasty and all those twats who never tried to compete and just traded for and hoarded talent just wasted their time and energy for bupkis. I’ll be the first to admit if its 5 years down the road and I dont stand a chance in hell because someone actually executed the 5 year plan, then I just leave and jump into a new one. No honor among thieves
There’s never any point in drafting for five years for now, unless it’s a 30 team dynasty and there’s hundreds of millions on the line, ya know, like the real MLB
Its so true. Real life fantasy is more high stakes than fantasy fantasy
Or fantasy fantasy fantasy
@BJFOHOHL: Always happy to share my opinions, even when you completely ignore my recommendations *coughDomingoSantanacough*
@Big Magoo: are you at the doctor getting a hernia exam?
@BJFOHOHL: Do you cough for that? I just thought it was the test where they hold your junk. Either way, I haven’t been to the doctor in years. Probably have some terminal illness by now.
You do have an over sized cranium. True story,I had to get a physical for football in high school and they sent us to this shitty clinic. I got this mexican lady doctor check my junk and she claimed she felt something and had me do the test a few more times. Long story short, it moved
HA!
@BJFOHOHL: The story is it was short then became long?
no comment
Keeper 7 ROTO League 6×6 with OPS vs. AVG
Jumped from last to 3rd with some timely waiver wire pickups
lots of players near the top 70 in rankings…who would you keep
Thanks!
C
1B ABREU
2B SCHOOP
3B DEVERS
SS SEAGER
OF ACUNA
OF AZUNA
OF PHAM
DH JUDGE
BENCH MONCADA, MURPHEY
SP MAD BUM
SP RAY
SP NOLA
SP
SP
1B ABREU
2B SCHOOP
SS SEAGER
OF ACUNA
OF AZUNA
Judge
Ray
Dynasty full salary keeper trade offer of the day:
I give CMart($24)/Bregman($14)/Didi($2)
I get Berrios($5)/Lindor($14)/Lamb($5)
Yeh or Neh?
Sure for Lindor
@Grey: Much appreciated
No problem
@Chud: I’d lean yeh
That time of year again!
6×6 OPS and QS. 14 Teams. Who should I keep?
Stanton (2nd), Dozier (3rd), Rendon (6th), Upton (4th), Pham (15th), Contrearas (15th) Verlander (8th), Segura (10th)
@BG:
5 Keepers. DOH!
Stanton, Rendon, Pham, Segura, Verlander
@Grey:
Thank you sir!
No problem
14 team h2h
Keep 6 forever
Correa
For
Benintendi/Hoskins/Devers
Which side and is it close?
Devers, not close
@Grey: would just benintendi/Hoskins be better or still way off?
A little aggressive
That Willie Calhoun news has me more confused than a two-petered cub.
Haha
Hey Grey I’m in a 3 keeper league. I’ve got Stanton (rd.2), machado (rd.5), and judge (rd.17). With my first pick should I take scherzer, Kluber, freeman, Rizzo, or Ramirez. How would you rank them?
How many teams could help…. Guessing Freeman
@Grey:
14 teams. I’ve been thinking freeman as well. I have the 2nd overall pick if he’s not there?
Rizzo
Thanks for the crucial write-ups, Grey!I just traded my 10,11, and 19 round draft picks for Joey Votto! (I can pick up players after the draft to fill the void). This is a 10-team points league (keepe forever, no penalties).
My team is now:
C:
1B: Votto
2B: D. Murphy
SS: Trea Turner
3B: Arenado
CI:
MI:
OF: Betts
OF: Springer
OF: Just Dongs
OF:
OF:
UTIL:
SP: Sale
SP: Thor
SP: Severino
4 more P slots to fill.
Based on that what should I prioritize? I’m leaning CI/MI. I don’t know what players will be available until later this week. Or should I just go best available player? Can I wait until the Morton-tier to finish my rotation?
Depends who is available, but you I’d likely be looking CI — Morton tier is fine to wait for, you have 3 aces
Grey,
SHould I cut Thames from MIL due to no place for him to play? Yelich, Cain, Braun and Santana will pretty much play the OF with BRaun playing 1B.
Nope
where is he going to play since MIL has a long jam in the OF, and Braun playing 1B unless one of the of gets a day and braun moves to the OF
how much PT will Thames get?
Braun doesn’t seem long for 1B
then the brewers need to make trade
8 team AL only 5×5 standard. 1 year keeper.
Bergman or Buxton to roster through 2019?
Bregman
M Grey, please help…
H2H League, 6×6 (standard 5×5 + OPS and HOLDS), 16 teams, 6 keepers no restrictions.
My current keepers: Kerhsaw, Goldschmidt, Bregman, Pham, Bogaerts, Gleyber Torres
I’m down on Bogaerts and think 2017 is the norm than 2016 with kittle upside and can trade him for Joey Gallo or Wil Myers straight up. Is this the right move or am i giving up too much value?
Sounds fine for Myers
@Grey: Hmm but not good for Gallo? i like his 3rd base eligibility while Bregman plays SS
Fair
Ok…so I only have one guy you’ve possibly never heard of as an NL only surprise and I have to hold on to him until I make my next NFBC pick. Here are some guys that should be cheap that I kind of like. Also, I’m very firmly in the Kingery will be up early category. Point one, signing of Jake indicator Phils think they have WC chances so they are going to go with best line up. Point two…that lunatic Kapler loves this guy. You look at Kapler look at Kingery and the word “gamer” appears above his head in a thought balloon. I also think Senzel is up early. Saw Kingery went for 9 in NL LABR. Bet he goes a bunch more this weekend. If he’s at that same price I’d jump.
Andrew Toles-I’ve heard Alex Snuffleupagus on the radio twice this year and Toles name has come up in both interviews. Having a very good spring. They want to get him ABs
Nimmo-can hit, probably ends up everyday CF.s
B. Suter-all kinds of funky, decent GB rate helps him NL Central, not a great K guy but could be an innings eater with sub 4 sub 1.25 rates with good run support
Clayton Richard-went from awful INF defense to improved this year, excellent for the sinkerballer. Was good streamer at home. Could top 180 innings again.
AJ Minter is on everybody’s radar, but I think he’s a must own
Anthony Sawarzak-I think Familia is the first closer out of the mix this year. AJ Ramos not much better…next man up
Jack Flaherty-may not break camp. Cardinals have arm issues in their rotation. I think he makes 20 starts at least
Jerad Eickoff showed good promise in 16, derailed by injuries last year. Has good stuff. K rate should top 8
Brian Anderson showed good plate discipline in the minors. Marlins 3b job is his to lose.
German Marquez gets a severe Coors penalty. His stuff looks very competitive. I like both him and Senzatela, particularly if you can shield them a bit from tough home match ups.
Gotta run and collect my children. Will try to pop back in later.
This is awesome stuff! Agree on all accounts, except maybe Toles but that’s quibbling… Nimmo is the guy for the Mets, and Anderson looks like he could be Healy
@OaktownSteve: Can’t wait to see who this NL only guy is.
Here’s my depper targets
Chris Stratton- Good ballpark. Guarnateed rotation spot. Started to limit walks better late last year, which helped a bunch. Has 2 + breaking pitches with Curveball and Slider. Saw him hogtie the Brewers in August when he had full control. Thye couldn’t touch him.
Matt Boyd – Has shown at AAA he can dominate. Is he Quad A? Maybe, but I don’t think so .330 BABIP against both trips up, and has shown 8+K rate in minors. Could be sneaky 4 ERA in that park.
Aaron Wilkerson – What is this guy going to have to do to get a shot in the bigs. I get it no velocity, but he doesn’t walk anybody. Other than a blip in 2016 which cost him some accumen he has been right around a 3.0 ERA at every stop. He’s older, but gets guys out. Should get first crack at Brewers starting gig over Guerra if someone gets hurt.
Bo Bichette – This is more dynasty play, but everyone is on Vlad and Tatis, but this guy might be the best hitter of the three. .372/.427.591 across both A levels. Should be on more people’s radar.
Austin Hays – Yes he’s getting drafted, but I dont see him yielding starts to Rasmus or Rickard. Great batting eye will translate better in year 2. Could see .280 w/ 25 HRs very easily.
Max Moroff – Only 2B eligibility at this point, but could see him getting platooned with Mercer and Frazier and playing a bunch. Potential 25 HR power. Needs to work on plate discipline.
I need NL-Only Moroff is interesting tho
@Grey: Yeah, being switch hitter Moroff will likely play 2B against all lefties, and I bet maybe get 1/3 of starts at short in place of Mercer against righties. They could chop playing time three ways. Would be good NL only late pick if you need MI.
I don’t even see him on the bench in depth charts, where are you seeing this?
@Grey: https://rumbunter.com/2018/03/03/get-final-bench-spot-pittsburgh-pirates/
I extrapolated the rest based on the fact that he has shown power in the minors, and there’s no reason Hurdle won’t platoon MI spots when he has the option.
Hmm…Maybe, wouldn’t be awful for fantasy…
@Grey: My 2018 Taylor Motter.
Hello Motter!
@OaktownSteve: Yes, Kapler seems to love Kingery, I read somewhere that he claimed Kingery is a winning player…Franco is not looking good, maybe they give Kingery a look at 3B and OF as well.
Just had a draft. Inherited a team with nado, degrom and Upton as keepers. 10 team using OPS instead of average. What are your thoughts? Other than the enormous bench size…
C-zunino
1B-hoskins
2B-albies
SS-gregarious
3B-arenado
OF-ozuna
OF-marte
OF-upton
Util- wil Myers
Bench-Murphy, Olson, acuna, beltre, bird, E.rosario, zimmer, j.polonco
SP- degrom, Paxton, bauer, godley, Snell
RP- kimbrell, holland, betances
Looks super shallow, so solid team but a lot of people will have solid teams… I’d want more SPs and less bench bats, in general
@Grey: thanks! Maybe I’ll look to flip some bench bats for arms. I think I have like 4 first basemen which I don’t need
No problem
Hey Grey – keep forever roto (12 team)…
Move $11 Devers for $3 Albies, $12 Dee, or $18 Bregman?
If so, any preference among the players you’d trade Devers for?
Thanks.
@Duda Want to Build a Snowman?: You need steals? If not it’s Bregman, otherwise Gordon.
@The Great Knoche: Thanks, Knoche. It’s keep 7 only, so if I don’t keep steals I’d target them in the draft – looking to roll into the draft with the best keepers I can + then fill needs when I get there. Current keepers are [Devers] + Harper, JDM, Blackmon, Bellinger, Robbie Ray, Godley.
No real preference… Albies, Dee, Bregman, but could see reverse order too
@Grey: Cool – good to hear you like all over Devers . . . should be able to snag one of those.
Keeper advice?
I’m in 13 team mixed league. Can keep 8 players, up to three years each and one franchise player you can keep up to 8. Keeper length is how many drafts you held onto him for.
Going into my draft the team looks like this (showing years kept beside). I can keep any of them but need to keep franchising Miggy to keep him. Which 8 would you recommend?
Miggy – 5
Dozier – 2
Jo Ram – 0
S. Marte -1
Yelich – 1
Buxton – 1
Moncada – 1
Andrus – 0
LeMahieu -1
Bour -0
CarMart -0
Hill -0
Berrios -0
Godley -0
L. Weaver -0
A. Reyes -0
Thanks!
Dozier
Jo Ram – 0
S. Marte -1
Yelich – 1
Buxton – 1
CarMart -0
Berrios -0
Godley -0
Could see Moncada or Andrus over Godley or Berrios, if you prefer
@Grey:
thanks!
No problem
Grey looking forward to a great season.
Ok in a 6×6 roto league ( k, sv, era,whip,w,k/9 – hr,rbi,pp,r,sb,avg)
It isn’t an auction league and we have a budget of $300. We are allowed to keep 8 from the following year up to 4 years. Who do you keep?
No brainless
Bellinger $4 2nd year
C Seager $5 3 year
Shaw $2 2year
Luke weaver $3 2 year
But I have to bring down the following to 4 more
Verlander $29 2 year
Quintana $14 3rd year
McCullers $10 4th and final year
Vizicano $6 2nd year
Odor $6 3rd year
Whitfield $6 2nd year
Smoak $6 2nd year
I’m thinking Whitfield and smoak , then verlander Quintana …..do you agree….
Helping obi won grey , your my only hope
@Wheelchairman: I forgot I also have Zach Godley $6 2nd year to consider.
Quintana, Merrifield, Odor, McCullers
https://www.mlb.com/video/share/mayers-fans-kimmer-ks-side/c-1884087283?tid=69972428
Ok….just watch the video. This guy has the perfect SP to RP story. Ditched his third pitch went to just FB slider combo. Triple digit four seamer which Mike Maddux is now preaching he throw up in the zone and just look in the video it is super nasty. Has that *blip* quality. I’ve seen the slider on MLB.tv from the spring and it’s cliche wipeout. 9/0 K/BB ratio this spring. No clear cut closer in STL. This is the kind of come from nowhere guy who ends up closing every year.
Well, that guy is off the radar, literally and figuratively… I’m putting him on the free round list…
Started Sneaky Pete season 2. On the last episode now.
I’m 7 episodes in, it’s a solid show, reminds me so much of Justified…
@Grey: I havent seen justified, oh wait I did, season 1 was boring, never made it through
It was solid, a lot like Sneaky
@Grey: I have so much to watch that if it doesnt pass the quick test Im off
I hear ya, why I stopped 7 Seconds
@Grey: I may go back and check out Justified. My one caveat is when a show has an actor I like then I give it a longer leash than usual, hence why I finished Tin Star
@BJFOHOHL: did justified just a few months back after seeing literally none of it when it was on, even though i watched other FX shows at the time (saul,can’t remember others). some awesome crazy characters, dialogue.
Justified is totally enjoyable, not earth-shattering, but solid
@Grey: yeah, some just crazy weird characters, great dialogue.
and
– christeenITH from other guys as hot “love interest” but not really as he’d never choose her over chasing redneck crime guys.
– the awesome weirdos: wynn duffy, dickie, dewey crowe, constable bob, quarles, dave foley as candian mob guy, many other badass villans.
Yup and yup, not revolutionary, but highly watchable
Yo Grey, looking for first round advice. 6×5 (+SLG%), 10-team deep roto league (we start 2 at each IF position + 2 Util, 5 OF, 6 SP, 3 RP and 1 rookie hitter and pitcher). We keep 4 hitters and 2 pitchers. I’m starting with Rizzo, Stanton (DH only), Rendon, and Gordon (OF only). What I’m struggling with is whether to go strictly by your rankings, or whether I need to consider which positions I’ve got no one for yet. I’ll be picking 8th, and here’s some idea of the hitters that may be available.
Marte
Hosmer
Schoop
Buxton
Segura
Myers
Puig
Cain
Turner
Cespedes
I find myself wanting to gamble on Buxton or reach for Puig, but not sure if I’m crazy. I would guess that Schoop would be there for me, but worried that last year may have been his ceiling. Thoughts on what kind of strategy to employ?
Agree with Rudy
16 team dynasty. roto. 7 man max prospect list. stuff added to 5×5 is hits, OPS, slugging, total bases, steals % and OBP over average for hitting, for pitching QS, holds, K/9, holds, K/BB, net saves. 1800 max innings
active roster
C zunino
1B miggy
2B jose ram (3B)
3B longo
SS semien
MI solarte (2B/3B/SS)
CI r-zimm
LF mancini (1B)
CF kiermaier
RF jd mart
OF mookie (RF)
OF brocktune (LF/RF)
util mcmahon
util hanram
BN bader (CF), BN mini donkey (1B), travis (2B)
SP (optimally 6, 5 start),
wood/cueto/hamels/morton/lamet/rodon/mccarthy
RP (room for 6)
kimbrel/morrow/neris/rivero/knebel/peacock/yates (still trying to trade a closer for MI value or holds guy or both)
prospect list: c.stewart (LF), meadows (CF), fedde SP, k.lewis (RF), collins (C), trammell (LF), m.baez (SP)
would you do either of these?
1. my knebel + rodon + lamet for carrasco + green. this also opens up space i might need and since cueto was NOT the ace i drafted him to be last year it improves my SP for now. but of course it being a dynasty league losing rodon/lamet might not be smart.
or this one
2. my knebel/rodon/lamet/peacock for carrasco/green/pomeranz.
i tried trading some of my prospect OF depth in this rather than both of rodon/lamet but with all of the bigger name OF still out there in prospect draft (adell/j.jones/heredia/yordan/ramos/j.sanchez) he knows he’ll get one probably at his next pick.
I’d do either… 2 is better
Just popped my latest NFBC roster into the downloadable war room and ended up with these projections:
1121 R, 325 HR, 1144 RBI, 136 SB, 0.276 AVG
78 W, 112 S, 3.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 1238 K
That’s with Trumbo in the utility slot, Amed Rosario at MI, and Salazar at SP5. A bit low on speed, but I can live with that SB projection. Could always add another rabbit in-season. I plan on playing matchups at those spots with Brinson, Gennett, and streaming at the moment. Might be a bit optimistic on the ERA and WHIP projections, but it should still provide a decent cushion to stream 1-2 two-start SPs per week with the Jansen/Morrow/Bradley/Miller four-headed monster at RP. We’ll see how it goes.
Damn, those numbers look good, especially those pitching ratios, hot damn
@Grey: Noah + the four-headed RP monster. Streamers will bump the wins and Ks up but also balloon the ratios a bit. It’s nice to have a bit of a cushion.
on the virus scare pop up box (i know it’s not a virus but man those things have been viruses the other 12ish times i’ve seen them on my computer screen before yesterday). i certainly hope you are making commensurate money for having that thing sit there on all pages forevermore. you guys DO deserve money.
please tell me you aren’t owned by fox sports now (not likely i realize)
also though, and this one is possible, is any of the money for rudy’s tools now go to fox sports? like 3% or something like that.
@goodfold2: weird thing is it occasionally goes away.
Nah, Fox is paying for video space, you can minimize it and never see it, I’ve done it here
@Grey: i can minimize it but i still see the smaller version in bottom right of screen. maybe it’s my operating system such that you don’t see anything and i see a black rectangle that right now in it’s “minimized” size still says
” fox sports (with a circle around the logo) tips for winning your office bracket po….”
i’m running windows 7 on chrome maybe you’re using a higher version such that in the newer ones it goes away completely?
Yeah, that’s about what I see… That’s not obtrusive…
@Grey: I like it.
@VinWins: well you might have reasons to “like it” which i certainly understand if so. beware the carpal tunnel though.
@goodfold2: Compared to other ads.
Just did a 12-team draft in under a half hour. 10 autodrafters.
Damn, that’s speed drafting right there
@VinWins: worse ones do exist. yeah it’s like mock drafts after maybe pick 2 in yahoo, they go REALLY quick.
Sweet, thanks!
@Grey: weekly roto redraft. which pairing do you like better to start out my draft. stanton/rizzo or goldshmidt/bellinger?
thanks.
Stanton/Rizzo
@Grey: gracias. i know you dig the super sexy combo of stanton/bellinger, but if both rizzo and bellinger are available in the 2nd round, are you grabbing rizzo first (to pair with giancarlo)?
Yup
Hi Grey Where do you think Greg Holland landing spot will be? I drafted him with the hope he closes somewhere and not setting up Thanks
Only has about 2 places he can go to close, and lots of places to setup
GREY!
I must pull from your magical wizardry hat (knowing what your response may be from rankings and love of all things smelly)
5×5 Roto Keeper – 12 teams (must keep 2 pitchers and 7 players total)
Turner
Stanton
Benintendi
Springer
Kluber
Severino
I pick 12th. For my last final keeper, would you suggest PAXTON or ODOR? Wondering if I should shore up pitching or not.
Hmmmm HELP! Love your stuff.
Grey is there any chance in a 14tm h2h points lg that if you have limited keepers you’re holding on to Harvey or even Hamels? Start 4SP/week and I have Kluber, Paxton, Ray, Hendricks, Luis Castillo and Buehler/Sixto in the minors with the draft coming up.
Keeping either Harvey or Hamels would require me to ditch Matt Olson and/or maybe…Adam Eaton? Who is surprisingly useful in Points leagues but I don’t really *need* him.
I have found that pitching depth is king in Points leagues but I also don’t want to keep shitbags. So :) Appreciate everything.
No way, just draft 2 starters
@Grey:
lol I love it. Thank you for the speedy response.
I draft pretty late because I’m keeping more guys in general, but there is some talent still available for sure.
No problem