Speaker 1: You like fantasy ball, sense talk, chasm that I shall
not me hear myself stops fans and they can't even
count some of uniforcasom s rodo you ain't better the health?
Well yeah, several charges on everyone coming else and I'm
alreadium to hear my baby sounds just like your name was, Mark.
And it's a ride by podcast.
Speaker 2: It's a rapop podcast.
Speaker 1: It's a rapp podcast. It's a ride bo podcast. It's
a rap up podcast. Don't have a rap up podcast?
Speaker 2: Got a turn?
Speaker 1: It should rap bo podcast. Everybody, welcome back. It is
the Raspball Fantasy Baseball podcast. I am beat on. This
is where you find the fantasy sports and sarcasm and
the fantasy master litario across from me. If you're watching
on YouTube or you know, just the other voice that
you're gonna hear if you listening to the audio, pray,
all right, how's going over there? Great? Good man? Lee?
Speaker 3: I got my raz Slam shirt on if you're watching
on if you're watching on YouTube.
Speaker 1: Razz Slam t shirt.
Speaker 3: Not not a customer or service rep at seven eleven.
You can say I I don't I don't work at
seven eleven it's a razz slam.
Speaker 1: Not that there's anything wrong. Working at seven eleven.
Speaker 3: They have a lot of rotating meats that are are
quite delicious in at three in the morning. So I
so I went to New York this past week for
tat Wars. So this is uh so, this is kind
of funny. I was telling you a little bit uh
before we started the pod. But I will say again
for the people lessing. So I have a long long
standing keeper league. I want to say, like twenty five years.
Speaker 1: I've been doing it.
Speaker 3: It's a NL only keeper and I've never won the
league ever.
Speaker 1: I literally have never won.
Speaker 3: I had like I had a real good, like it
looked like I had a good like three months back
in like oh four when Hanley Ramirez and Jose and
Jose Rays were both really good. Crazy, So it's so ridiculous.
I've never won this league. So anyway, one guy, one
guy in my league, and we'll call him Allen because
that's his that's.
Speaker 1: His actual name. But he's really good.
Speaker 3: He wins the league all the time. So a couple
of years ago I was talking to him and he
was saying how he was writing for Baseball HQ and
I'm like, oh, that's cool, like you should write for
rasball and he's like, you guys don't really pay dude.
It's like, well, I mean.
Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, that's fair. You know, that's a fair point.
Speaker 3: So anyway, so I was like, okay, yeah, so you're
working for you're writing for Baseball HQ.
Speaker 1: That's cool. So anyway, cut to a couple of years later.
Speaker 3: Now turns out that so I go to New York
for tow Wars and it turns out my buddy Allen,
who is in my long standing NL only keeper league
for the last twenty five years.
Speaker 1: He's now in my N now only tow Wars league.
He's like ridiculous and he's good.
Speaker 3: It's really bad. It's like, it's not it's not fair.
To be honest, it's really not kind of fair for me.
It's not fair.
Speaker 1: We all feel so so bad for you, Gray. You know,
I guess I haven't seen the results. I don't know
if they're out anywhere just yet. How to go Gray?
Did you like your team? Yeah?
Speaker 3: I mean not as good as Allen's team, obviously. I mean,
oh man, you know, actually I'm not sure people know that. Laura,
who writes for Rasball on Fridays, her her Friday Fab column. Laura,
she's in the league as well. She's also in the league.
It's like and her. Yeah, a lot of people anyway,
the league's really She's won a bunch of times too.
I've never won.
Speaker 1: Uh so, yeah, I don't know. I think I like
my team, uh more or less. I don't know.
Speaker 3: We'll see, We'll see what happens. I came in second
last year, so you know, fingers crossed.
Speaker 1: I guess.
Speaker 3: Uh, you'll be happy to know I did come away
with Louis Rengeefel.
Speaker 1: You're welcome. I hope he was a reserve picky. I
just I hope that you didn't. You didn't stoop the
pain in real, real.
Speaker 2: Auction money, big Bundy. I've been money for him. Yeah, yeah,
I paid money. I wanted him.
Speaker 1: He didn't hurt you enough last year. He had to
you had to double down.
Speaker 3: Okay, No, no, seriously, seriously though, on the Brewers, you
know he's gonna run?
Speaker 1: Is he?
Speaker 4: Is? He great?
Speaker 1: I don't know, man.
Speaker 3: So anyway, So the other big topic in the baseball world,
because uh, you know, it's free we're free wheel, it's early,
it's early podcasting time. It's before the season starts, so
we're doing a little improvisation. So the other big story
is the World Baseball Classic.
Speaker 1: Have you been watching us? I've been watching it where
I can, yet it's been Yeah, I haven't watched any
of it.
Speaker 3: I mean I've seen highlights, right, I've seen like, I've
seen clips. I saw Mark de Rosa doesn't know the
rules of baseball. I saw, I saw a couple. I mean,
I've seen some of the stuff, but I yeah. And
then you see stuff like Aaron Judge talking about how
like it's better.
Speaker 1: Than the World Series.
Speaker 3: It's like, well, why are we playing one hundred and
sixty two games?
Speaker 1: You wouldn't know, would you, Aaron Judge? You wouldn't know.
Speaker 3: I mean yeah, I mean you wouldn't know about winning it,
I guess, but he was in one. So it's a
little disconcerting when guys are like, this is better than
the World Series. It's like, if this is better than
the World Series, then maybe we should start thinking about
how to make the baseball season better, because like it's
you know, I mean, I appreciate a good tournament, but
it is like a totally made up tournament that just
like you know, to sell tickets. I mean it's like,
I mean it's all made up, and technically baseball in
general is made up, but I mean this is really
like just I mean, like the Italian team, for instance,
is just like major leaguers who happen to have like
who happened to talk with their hands or something.
Speaker 1: It's just like it's hard to.
Speaker 3: Tell exactly, like like I know, like in USA, I
know they didn't come over on the Mayflower, so like
how are they how are they more American than like
Vinnie Pascatino.
Speaker 1: I don't, I don't understand anything to do with like
how the teams are are like set up.
Speaker 3: But I don't know, man, I mean I'm happy people
are happy watching it.
Speaker 1: You know, it's like and it's good for the game.
That's great.
Speaker 3: I just I can't get like super I can't get
super into it.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 3: I mean I watch it for you know, if it's
like not like when I'm not in New York and traveling,
I would watch it, but I just haven't.
Speaker 1: I don't know. Yeah, I mean I feel like they're
definitely following like the FIFA rules for for nationality or
like or like the equivalent of Yahoo position eligibility for
nationality for for WBC. You just like, did you once
have it? Is it somewhere in your DNA results from
any of the online things? Okay, you can go play there.
Speaker 3: That's honestly, so, this is so, this is one hundred
percent true. I did one of those twenty three and
me things where they do your DNA, and it turned
out I was like five cousins removed from Albert Einstein.
Speaker 1: So I don't know if anyone should trust twenty three
in me. I mean, you definitely should put your data deleted. Gray.
Speaker 3: That's that if I discredited an entire company with one sentence,
they yeah.
Speaker 1: They notoriously use data, So you should, you know, as
a part of my real job, just saying you should
probably request your data to be deleted from them if
you've ever done a twenty three and me, including you Gray,
But yeah, I mean you probably play for anybody you
wan Gray at that point. You know, I think my
options may be a little more limited, But who knows,
you really, you really never know.
Speaker 3: I do. Actually, I like the fact that I like
the WBC uses Yahoo ancestry.
Speaker 1: That's a that's a that's a good line. I like that.
Speaker 3: All right, let's talk what we're talking about today. You ready, Yeah,
let's talk about it. And what we are talking about
is going to be some position battles. We're just going
to kind of rifle through some of the teams here.
I don't know if every team has a position battle
worth talking about, but we're gonna at least get through
most of them.
Speaker 1: Let's start in Boston. Marcel Mayer left the game due
to left knee soreness over the weekend. That kind of
opens things upgrade. That could be second base. They could
shift around Rafaela and he can move to second base,
and that could open space in the outfield. What are
your what are your thoughts here on the Boston second
base slash outfield spot here? And then they also have
a you know, a question mark and what the rotation
is going to look like as well. But we'll get
that to that after we talked about the hitting side
of things.
Speaker 3: Yeah, So I think Marcelo Mayor is probably on the
strong side of the platoon. I think at excuse me,
at second base. I think there's a chance.
Speaker 1: That he is.
Speaker 3: Kind like he's more than just platooned out versus.
Speaker 1: What's we called lefties.
Speaker 3: I think there's a chance he could be like kind
of like, you know, either platooned out a lot or
just you know, even again, even against writings, that is,
he could be platooned out against rightings.
Speaker 1: He might he might get some potential.
Speaker 3: I wouldn't be surprised if there's potential for him to
get sent down. You know, I I'm not a huge
Marcel Mayor fan. Obviously, I think he's probably better for
real baseball than he is for fantasy, which clouds my
judgment a little bit. But I want to be shocked
to see other people get looks there. You know, Christian
Campbell was like, you know, obviously the guy last year
and that that didn't work out. But he's not completely done.
He's still you know, he's still in the organization. They
didn't go out and get which we call it I
KF just to have him like sit on the bench
for the entire time. You know, if he's if I
KF gets hot and Mayer isn't, I wouldn't be surprised
if I KF is in there against some righties too,
So it's not yeah, and you know, Raphaela can shift
a second too, if you know, they want to get
Yashida in the outfield or something. So there's a lot
of there's so much, uh sort of flexibility in the lineup,
which is good for them. I'm good for real baseball,
not I don't think it's gonna be great for fantasy.
Especially when it comes to Meyer. I think he's probably
gonna be the odd man out on a lot more
days than people were expecting. If I had to say,
if someone said his over under was three ninety on
a bat, I'd take the under. So and and his
numbers aren't really that incredible to begin with. So yeah,
I'm I'm kind of really lukewarm. I'm Marcela Mayer. But unfortunately,
I don't really see anyone for deep leagues outside of
like Christian Campbell.
Speaker 1: May maybe in an ale only.
Speaker 3: There's not a ton of opportunities here for other guys.
So it's kind of like, you know, avoid or you know,
take a flyer in a super deep league.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't mind a flyer on Christian Campbell. Just
in case something happens with Mayor. As you mentioned, they
they could just shift some people around. Uh Isaiah kind
of Falafa could could end up playing if Mayor struggles
or is injured, And like you said, there's there's flexibility.
Camvib Durwin can move around, Raphaella could move around. Campbell
can as well, So there's there's a number of ways
they can kind of put the lineup together. You know,
I don't I don't dislike Mayor. I think he's a
decent late round play. But you're kind of just hoping
that he figures it out and stays healthy, which he
hasn't really done. We haven't even seen him to say
he's not successful or not, because we haven't really seen him,
uh stay up at the major league level for a
consistent amount of time. So hopefully he can stay healthy
and we can see him play this year on the
starting pitcher side.
Speaker 3: Uh.
Speaker 1: You know, there's there's a lot of questions in regards
to the rotation, and the back end is kind of
setting itself a little bit just because they are missing
a few people. It looks like it's some combination of Oviedo,
Bayo early in toll, but only three of those can
really make it, and maybe that's maybe not even three,
Like who do you expect in the rotation? You know,
obviously they're waiting on a couple of guys to come back.
I don't know if they're necessarily getting bumped either. But
who do you expect to make the rotation? Who's first in,
first out? What are your thoughts here on the rotation?
Speaker 3: Yeah, so my thoughts are probably like the opposite of
Mayor when it comes to Early and Toll. I think
they're actually gonna see more innings than people are expecting, because,
like you know, we don't know. Abayo is absolutely in
the rotation. Oviado will start in the rotation, but oh
VI Eighto is either gonna be ineffective, or he's gonna
get or he's just gonna get injured or someone else.
You know, injuries happen all the time with pitchers. So
i'd be shocked if we don't see Early in Toll,
Like it could be as early. It could be early
by you know, April and or Toll. But I think
they're gonna get their innings. I think we're gonna see them.
I wouldn't be as shocked. And then also, I you know,
if if they're smart, and you know, Red Sox are
a smart organization, I would say that they're more than
likely they're gonna be, like, you know, at a certain point,
if you have higher aspirations than just winning eighty eight
games and getting bounced from the from the wild card,
you if you really want to get a push into
the playoffs, and at certain point you're gonna have to
start backing off your starters and going to a sixth man.
So at that point, early in Toll will definitely be
in the rotation, or at least one of them and
another another one might be a long man. But we're
gonna I think we're gonna see them a decent amount
in the majors. Like they've already, They've already been here,
they already look excellent. There's no reason why they need
to be in the miners other than the lack of room.
So in most deeper leagues I would be stashing early
in Toll right now.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't hate that call, Gray. I do think
they get in the rotation. And even I know you
say Beyo is locked in the rotation, obviously after last
year he is. You know, he was definitely a little
lucky last year. I don't know that. I I mean,
I I don't know. I do know. I don't trust
the numbers that he gave last year, So I think
there's even some play there with Beyo that he can
be kind of in and out of the rotation. If
he doesn't hold up, he's off to a bad spring.
But you know, at spring training there's different things people
are working on. It's not that big a deal to
be struggling in spring training, but if that carries over,
then you know that that can open up different options.
Like you said, I do like Early and Toll. Do
you have a preference on which one you'd like to
take the shot on? I feel like the early consensus
was Early, but I feel like now it's kind of
moving more towards Toll. What are your thoughts. I'd probably
say Toll just because I think he's uh if I
remember correctly. No, they're actually no, it's not sure. They're
basically the same age. Yeah, I think Toll.
Speaker 3: Feels like the first guy just has like, you know, uh,
I think a hair's a hair more ready, But Early
he's got a little bit more upside.
Speaker 1: So i'd say Toll first, Early batter, but it could
go either way.
Speaker 3: I mean, you know, it's like with pitching, it's like
if a guy if like early, uh, is you know,
if like o vi Aedo is is injured and his
rotation slot comes up at the same time as Earlies,
then Early is up first. And if Tolls is at
the same time as Oviedo, then and then Tolls coming
up first. So it's like, I don't I don't know
if there's really like a definite set. I would guess
Toll first, but it could be either of them.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean they brought them both up for a
you know, a little bit last year, so I think
either one could be called up. I guess I feel
like it was. It was Condily. It was really kind
of getting hype early in the preseason. I feel like
Tolls kind of taking that over. So it could go
either way. Like you said, I would, I would say Toll,
I'm with you. But like he said, he could happen
just injuries and where ends up with the rotation. Moving
over to Pittsburgh, let's talk about the shortstop. Obviously, we
all want to see Connor Griffin. Do you think we
are going to see him gray? There's been you know,
a Pittsburgh writer put him on the opening day roster.
That doesn't necessarily mean anything because it's not backed by
the team. In any way, shape or form. Put your
thoughts here on Connor Griffin, and I mean we all
know he's not you know, Nicko and Zala is not
better than Connor Griffin. Wait wait, wait what hold on?
Nickod Tealas looks amazing. I uh yeah, I wonder why
uh the Pittsburgh writer did it?
Speaker 3: If it was like a sort of like I I
just hate I.
Speaker 1: Hate a middle finger towards the organization just like right.
Speaker 3: I mean it feels like it feels like, oh yeah,
screw you. I'm just gonna do it because I hate
the team right for I mean, I don't know, man,
if he's got or she has got information that I'm
not privy to, then I don't know, maybe Connor Griffin
will break. I would be shocked, though, I honestly would
be really shocked if Connor Griffin breaks. But also at
this point, I would think in every league, Connor Griffin's
getting drafted like as if he's gonna be up by
the end of April anyway, so he's it's not like,
you know, Connor Griffin is gonna break and then suddenly
people are gonna run to the waivers and pick him
up like he's rostered in every league, So you know,
I don't think it really matters necessarily. Maybe you know,
some people obviously got some good deals in drafts if
they drafted them at this point because they probably because
he's probably gonna get inflated if he actually does break camp.
Speaker 1: But yeah, I don't think he's breaking camp. I don't know.
Speaker 3: I'd be shocked if he does. But I mean we
went over this with a couple in a podcast or
two ago. I just don't see it.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't see it with Pittsburgh either, unfortunately. And
you know, even though he get it's four home runs,
he's hitting two twelve right now in spring training. You know,
it's all spring training, it's all limited sample. But this
is what the team's gonna say. You know, here's sitting down,
he's not hitting average right now, let's sit down, let's
work on his defense, et cetera, et cetera. That's gonna
go Nickensaal is sitting five hundred. They'll be like, oh,
Nickensald's is gonna be our guy. So that's that's the
way it goes. Also in Pittsburgh, it does feel like
right field is kind of open four grabs and just
kind of in third, three, third, fourth, outfield in general
is open. Who's your favorite out of that grouping there
of like Ryan o'hurd and Jake Mingam Post Nixon Garcia
is still there. Who do you like to take over
that outfield spot. You think they're gonna get, you know,
a full time job or is this just a rotational place.
Speaker 3: Host Nixon Garcia was like he was a guy who
when he got originally traded to the to the Pirates,
I was like, Oh, that's exciting, Like that's something that's
fun for the pirates, Like that's good for fantasy, it's
good for the pirates. And then they went out and
for the first time ever they actually signed guys. So
in the same sort of with Maghum, I was kind
of excited for Magum, but like Ryan O'Hearn was signed,
he's not going to the bench, Marcelo Zuna was signed,
He's not going to the bench. I mean, maybe Spencer
Horwitz goes to the bench, O'Hearn place first, and Garcia
or Magum go into right field.
Speaker 1: I mean maybe, I mean that could happen. It's gonna happen,
at least.
Speaker 3: I would assume vers lefties if nothing else, But I
just I don't see the abbatch yet for Garcia.
Speaker 1: And maghum, So yeah, I don't know. Yeah, I don't
love it either. I feel like that's how it's going.
It's not that I hate Ryan O'Har and I just
it seemed like there was a little bit of opportunity
for Ingham to kind of take a role and see
what he could do. Even even once they got o'hear
and it's like, oh, you know, maybe he's got a
DH and then got Azuna. I will say there's a
non zero chance of Zuna's absolutely cooked and just gets
DFA by May first, in which case that could open
up a spot. But to open the season with you,
they brought in on her and it feels like he's
playing and probably hitting in a decent place in that lineup. Honestly,
not a bad late round outfielder at all. Yeah, No, totally.
Speaker 3: I Actually I was surprised that, like Marcello Zuna, I
thought everyone was under the same assumption that he was cooked.
Speaker 1: That's what I thought.
Speaker 3: I was like, I was kind of surprised that the uh,
the watch we called that the the Pirates signed him,
and then the uh and then like this weekend at
uh tow wars uh Osuna, what do you do? I
feel like, let me say, uh, oh, this is the
wrong sheet hold on h Arsuna went for I guess
that's not bad, but it's still kind of I don't know,
it feels high. He went for fourteen in twelve team
and no, only it feels a little high. I don't know,
maybe it's not, but.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I didn't.
Speaker 3: I feel like Ozuna is like it's like for Ozuna
and Cassileanos are cooked vets. Bryce Harper's headed down that road,
but he's nowhere close.
Speaker 1: To them obviously.
Speaker 3: I mean he's he's still got he's still got a
couple of years before he's there totally. But I thought
everyone assumed Ozuna is completely cooked.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I feel like it's kind of the uh you know,
every season you get a few veterans that kind of
just come back from from nothing ness, you know, the zombinos.
You know, last year George Springer, we all thought he
was dead and then he was. He was amazing, And
he's going drafted well before I want him this year
yet after last year, so I feel like it just
they'll make a case and be like, oh well, maybe
there this is this year's Springer, and look, it could happen.
He's he's thirty five, he's not forty, So I mean
it's not out of the realm possibility, like he's been
trending down for like three years in a row. It
just doesn't seem like it's it's really gonna happen. Later on, Flyer,
you can take it. You're gonna know pretty quick.
Speaker 3: I feel like, so yeah, no, totally. Ill also say this, like,
were you wearing glasses? You sound so much smarter. I
feel like I'm agree with everything you say.
Speaker 1: You're like reading my mind. Are those reading mind classes?
They actually? Uh, just look into your computer and I
can see everything you've ever looked at. So I'm really
just going back on everything that you have. Gray also
clear browsing history for everybody. Don't look at that. So
let's move on to something else you maybe not want
to look at. That is the Arizona outfield. Gray. You know,
I don't really even know who's going to start here.
I feel like Jordan Lawler should have a spot, but
really Jordan Lawler.
Speaker 3: Why It's like I feel like with Jordan Lawler, he
can have a twenty five Homer forty Steel two eighty
season and be a top ten overall player, or he
could be out of baseball and selling real estate with
Alex Kierloff by May.
Speaker 1: There's like there's very little in between with Jordan Lawler.
Speaker 3: It's like, I don't know, he's either selling real estate
or he's gonna be incredible.
Speaker 1: That's all. Yeah, I mean I'm in on.
Speaker 3: Lawler for the price, but yeah, I mean just he
has been hitting in the spring for whatever that's worth.
But I I mean I'll be I'll be, honestly, I'll
be pretty shocked. I'm leaning towards real estate with Alex
Kierloff more than I am twenty forty.
Speaker 1: I'll tell you that.
Speaker 3: I'm like, I don't know, man, Jordan Lawler couldn't get
the opportunity though, I don't know. It's gonna be tough.
I feel like it's him, Alex Thomas, and then a
bunch of guys that you're just like, man, I don't know.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean if Banning.
Speaker 3: Lawlor, Bryan Wals Walshmid eventually will come up at some
point soon.
Speaker 1: Yeah, and we've talked about him already. We don't have
to dive into him. I would say Lawler's going around
two sixty. I don't mind the upside shot. Like you said,
it's it's either gonna be something that's definitely gonna out
earn that or drop a ball in a month or
less potentially, So I really don't hate that. Like he's
going around like Carlos Korea and Brendan Donovan Andrew Vaughn,
like I don't. I don't have upside shots for any
of those guys.
Speaker 3: I take back my comment about your glasses. You're saying
Brandon Donovan and his twelve homers, three steals, two sixty
five average doesn't move it for you. It's out what
you're saying. Come on, remember earlier. I feel like earlier
in the.
Speaker 1: Draft season, he was going like crazy or for some reason,
and that just I could not could not wrap my
head around. In good disease is back where he belongs,
in the bottom of the of the two hundred somewhere.
The closer in Arizona is another position. I feel like
we need to talk about. We've we've gone through some
of these bullpens before, but as we continue to get news,
we can kind of talk about them real quick. Any
new things you want to say about the Arizona bullpen.
Speaker 3: I mean, I'm guessing it's gonna be Ginkle or SeaWorld,
and I feel like I'm leaning, like every day I lean.
Speaker 1: A different direction.
Speaker 3: I'm saying, maybe maybe Ginkle is the way I'm leaning
for the the better chance of the two.
Speaker 1: But I you know, I can't. I can't. I have
no faith in that at all. I honestly I feel
like I don't know.
Speaker 3: I mean, late in drafts, I've even been taking a
flyer on Ryan Thompson because I feel like he could
even get saves and he's going like three hundred picks
after Gink one Seawald and they're already going late.
Speaker 1: Yeah, nobody wants any part of this bullpen. And this
is this is kind of why I think it's Seawold.
Just I feel like he's the veteran. He's had closing experience,
although Gingle did to last year. Gingkle was absolutely horrendous
last year as well, So I just I don't even
want to take the shot on him. At least Sewold is,
you know, only gonna be mildly terrible. So That's where
I'm going, And for what it's worth, his numbers this
spring are better than Ginkle's. But it's you know, we're
talking about four or five innings. It's not a big,
big grouping here. We will see. But I think I
I'm going to well, it sounds like you're going Ginkle,
but he said that can change on daily basis. I don't.
I don't hit the Thompson call. And really you can
go down this bullpen and kind of just grab anybody
who's gonna look even decent. I think even like if
Jonathan Elizaga, which is I Dame, we haven't talked about
in probably a couple of years, you know, if he
gets it to come back together, even he could be
interesting in this bullpen potentially.
Speaker 3: So it's really like for him like he was like
John Jonathan Losaiga was Johnny Lasagna when he was in
New York and now he's in Arizona. And it's like
I think of Goodfellas when Henry Hill moved to the
desert and they were putting ketchup on the egg noodles.
Speaker 1: Come out, grab his paper, give it, give him away. Yeah,
just not as good. Yeah, that's it's completely fair. Let's
let's go down to Atlanta, Gray with the direction Profar suspension,
he's out for the season, who takes over for him
at d H and just general outfield and kind of
who's gonna play here for Atlanta. I feel like they're
really set on Profar having this this role and now
I'm not sure what are your thoughts great.
Speaker 3: They yeah, I mean the Braves have three well, I
mean Hasan Kim is gonna return at some point in theory,
Sean Murphy is gonna return at some.
Speaker 1: Point in theory, but Profar is not.
Speaker 3: Returning, So I don't I don't know what they're playing
is really for this spot. Like right now, in Roster
Resource they have Dom Smith. Dominic Smith is the d
H for the Braves, which is just like, come on, man,
I mean, I mean, I mean, I'm not saying uh
this in regards to Jason, who runs a roster Resource.
I'm talking about the Braves actually playing Dom Smith like,
I mean, maybe he is in the lead for the job,
but come on, get like, get someone else in there.
Speaker 1: If you're the Braves. I mean, God, that's just that's bad.
You know.
Speaker 3: I feel like there's certain red flags when you look
at a lineup and you're like, oh, you know, they
have Dom Smith in a lineup like that's a red
flag where I'm like, oh, so.
Speaker 1: Are they not trying? Is that what's going on here?
Because it does?
Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, what is that Dom Smith? I don't know, man,
I it's bad. I don't think they really have anyone
better though, either, Like Eli White sounds like he's gonna
do my taxes. I'm not really interested in that.
Speaker 1: I have.
Speaker 3: I'm the guy for my taxes, thank you very much,
Brett Wisely what it's just so bad.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 3: This is all very bad. The Braves don't really have
a DH. I guess, if anything, I would go for
Jorge Mateo.
Speaker 1: If I was in a deep league, it would be.
Speaker 3: Jorge Mateo is the person I would go for because
at least he has speed. So maybe the Braves put
Yastremsky at DH and Matteo like somehow plays the outfield
so you know, or get some or Dubond plays the
outfield and Mateo plays short. I don't know, however, they
want to work it out. Matteo would be the one
guy who is somewhat interesting to me for fantasy.
Speaker 1: The rest of.
Speaker 3: These guys, like Dom Smith's tough to even roster in
anenna only honestly, even like if he gets the bats
and okay, you're runs in RBI's and I guess average
to a certain extent, but really painful.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean that's that's really all. He would be
Eli White as middling everything, just the most boring profile ever.
So yeah, I'm with you, but Toayo would be somewhat
interesting if he gets some playing time. Do Smith average
runs arby eyes and even that's he's gonna hit the
bottom of the order. So it's not like he's gonna
do that for you either. You know, I was gonna
ask you about the rotation, but they've had so many injuries,
I feel like it's pretty set now. Any any thoughts
on the rotation. Do you like the back into the
rotation here at all? As any late round flyers and
Raynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder.
Speaker 3: Uh Actually I drafted Raynaldo Lopez in that towt Wars league,
the NL only league we were talking about earlier. Grand Holmes.
I looked at all these guys. Grand Holmes looked kind
of interesting. But I also think like he's excelling right
now in spring training as of the recording of this.
But it feels like he's not facing the best hitters,
and it doesn't look real necessarily, like his velocity was
a little bit down. And Bryce Elder I don't trust
at all.
Speaker 1: But yeah, so yeah, I think that's exactly what I
would have said, Adam, Bryce Elder, Great Holmes is mildly interesting.
And then you know Raynaldo is He's always been solid
when he's healthy. He's just never ever, ever, ever healthy. Yeah,
he has, he has. Maybe him and the Graum have
a good innings competition over the last decade or so.
That'd be a good one to chase down. The Cub's
great the coveies the right field, say Suzuki left the
WC with right need discomfort If he's missing any time,
are you interested in anybody kind of taking over right
field slash d h as the Cups kind of have outfielders,
they may shift around.
Speaker 3: We saw the we saw the one Saya Suzuki one
hundred and fifty game season last year.
Speaker 1: Huh. That's that's really that's gonna be it, isn't it. Unfortunately,
that may be accurate.
Speaker 3: I think, you know, I think Matt Shaw was left
for dead in most leagues. I think he's gonna end
up being more valuable than people anticipate.
Speaker 1: I feel like he's gonna.
Speaker 3: Get at bats against a lot of pitchers. Like they
have to rest guys like you know.
Speaker 1: Bragman.
Speaker 3: Bush, you know, Mois's, Bellastero's like guys will be rested,
and then on top of that the wee injuries will happen.
So I yeah, I mean, I you know, I'm not
as high on Matt Shaw as I was obviously when
he had a starting job, But I think Matt Shaw's
gonna get at bats, says Azuki. As far as his
injury goes, I don't know. As of the recording of this,
I have no idea. It sounds like his knee is
a little bagged up. He might be okay. Still, he
still has what like a week and a half, two
weeks he'll be he should be okay.
Speaker 1: I think, yeah, it doesn't sound like it's serious, but
nothing really confirmed has come out, so I agree. I
think it's Matt Shaw. If you're really digging, you know,
you could you can look at Confordo. There's a there
was once promise. I don't I don't know so much anymore.
But he's he could get some some of the bats
there just as a platoon guy potentially Over in New York,
they also have an outfield. It's kind of up for grabs,
you know. I think most people would like to see
Carson Binge get that spot, but not share if they're
going to give it to the prospect right off did
jump here on opening day? Are you do you have
a thought on who does get the job? And are
you interested in anybody there? Uh?
Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I was actually because I went out
to dinner with I went out to dinner with two
Mets fans on Saturday in New York.
Speaker 1: Alan being one of them.
Speaker 3: Uh, and we were talking about Bench because I was
like saying, how you know, I'm surprised at how little
excitement people have for him in redrafts this year when
it seems like he's breaking camp. And I think the
biggest takeaway for me from what they were saying was.
Speaker 1: The you know, at bats may not be there. So
if the bats aren't there and.
Speaker 3: He's already you know a little bit of a he's
a little flourish as it is, then it's it becomes
a little less interesting. So maybe you know that could
be why the the excitement level has been pretty muted
for Carson Bench. I know, Tyrone Taylor does have a
good glove, so he ends up getting more at bats
than anyone would ever expect because they like his defense.
I think I'm I'm still okay with the flyer on
benj but I do have, you know, a little bit
of a little bit of question marks because it is
it is a little weird that we're like ten days
away from the season and no one has been like, yeah,
he's definitely the starting outfielder, starting right fielder for us,
Like no one said that, So like why, Like what's
going on?
Speaker 1: You know? So I don't know. Yeah, it does feel
a little bit weird. We don't have more information, you know.
I feel like they're I'm with you. I thought there'd
be more about Carson Bane. I feel like his I
thought his ADP would kind of rise a little bit
as we got closer and closer and he was still
up in the majors. Like you said, Tyrol, Taylor's gonna
get some playing time, but it feels like it's Carson
Binge's job to lose at this point, unless they're just gonna,
you know, give him the three weeks down to get
the service time move. Because we're just being honest. He's
probably not a huge candidate for Rookie of the Year.
I say that he will just run away with it
because that's what I said. But you know, he's not
the odds on favor. That's that's pretty that's pretty easy
to say. So I like him, but it's there's probably
other prospects you can take your your shot on van
him and in a shallower league. Moving over to Detroit,
they have a d H slash shortstop question mark. Does
Kevin McGonagall break camp? Do they hand it to Zach McKinstry.
Hobby Biz is still there, Matt Berlin sitting around. They
have all sorts of guys who can kind of move
around and play different positions. But I don't know if
we know what positions they're gonna play, And maybe that
all starts with later McGonagall breaks camp. Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 3: You know, I'm I'm hoping he does McGonagall. That is,
I hope, I hope he breaks camp. I'm pretty excited
about him.
Speaker 1: I you know, I think.
Speaker 3: We talked about McGonagall and Connor Griffin in depth. A
couple of weeks ago, so people can go listen to that,
But I I'm really like McGonagall to me, looks like
he could be a Rookie of the year lead off
guy for the Tigers, like from the jump, from from
opening day, So I would be at this point I
would be kind of surprised if he if they don't
start him opening day. I feel like they're leaning that
way versus the Connor Griffin situation where they're leaning the
other way. So I yeah, I like McGonagall a lot.
Those other guys are a little bit less interesting. Mckinstree
is fine for deeper leagues because he has a ton
of position eligibility, but otherwise those other guys do nothing
for me.
Speaker 1: Yeah, let's be honest, Gray, Pittsburgh is them leaning towards
not starting kind of Griffin. They're cemented blocked in. Uh,
they were never ever gonna let him get into the
majors off the off the jump. It's not they're not
leaning there. There's no leaning involved in Pittsburgh. But yeah,
it does seem like McGonagall does have the job. What
should in theory move McKinstry to d H slash slash
a utility role? And I mean, that's probably their best
line up if we're just being honest. Zach McKinstry had
a very solid season last year, but he is not
a difference maker unfortunately. Let's move to our favorite place
to talk about Gray, which is Cincinnati. Hunter green injury
means that it seems like the who gets in the
rotation question is is out. It seems like Singer, Louder,
and Burns should all start in the rotation. Out of
those three, which one is the one you expect the
most from and who loses their job upon Hunter Green
coming back probably for the second half, maybe for the.
Speaker 3: Second Yeah, yeah, I mean that's so far in the future,
Like let's see Hunter Green actually get healthy. And also
by the time he's healthy, maybe someone else is injured.
So I don't know who's gonna lose their job with that.
But Rhett Louder I think is probably a little bit underrated.
H as likely like someone who uh you know. I
tried to get him in tat Wars, the only league
I drafted this week. I tried to get him. I
like Rhet Louder a decent amount. If he's in the
rotation and it looks like he is, I don't see
why he wouldn't be. You know, the Reds have you know,
the stadium isn't great, obviously, but they have some really
good arms. Even Brady Singer is probably more valuable than
people expect for deeper leagues, not not for a twelve
team mixed league, obviously, unless you're talking about a streamer,
because you know, he doesn't strike out anyone. But he's
been pretty good, you know, better than you probably expect
for a bit.
Speaker 1: And then.
Speaker 3: Chase Burns is obviously incredible Chase Burns, and then there's
Brandon Williamson, who's also not bad. I mean, it's like
whoever is in the uh, you know, it's.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 3: I mean, right now, Brandon Williamson is actually, you know,
in the lead. According to a Red's beat writer, Williamson's
in the lead for the fifth spot in the rotation.
And Chase Burns had a little bit of a hit,
a little bit of a hiccup.
Speaker 1: So I don't know.
Speaker 3: I mean, i'd be sure, i'd be surprised if Chase
Burns doesn't make the rotation, but.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 3: I mean, maybe maybe Chase Burns doesn't make the rotation
and it's like our first it's our first big wow,
shocking thing because he was going. Really I liked him.
I mean, I wrote a sleeper post, so don't you know.
I'm not trying to pass the buck here. I really
like Chase Burns. I'm hoping he's in the rotation and
Williamson is not, but I don't know. As as of
this afternoon, as we recorded this, there's people saying Williamson's
making the rotation and Burns is not, So we'll see.
I like louder a lot, though.
Speaker 1: Would you draft Chase Burns at his current ADP? He
is the one hundred and eighth player off the board,
one hundred and fifteen ap Would you draft him there?
Or is that too rich for you know, what you
think you're getting, especially since he may not start the rotation.
Speaker 3: No, you can't draft him right now at that spot.
You have to you have to react off of you know,
current news, and as of right the second, he may
not make the rotation, so you know, you gotta bump
him back at least fifty overall spots or something like
the two hundred overall. I mean, potentially, if it's true
that he may not make the rotation. I don't know,
I have to you know, I'm just hearing about this
literally right now as we record this. So when we
get off this podcast, I'll look into the news a
little bit better for Chase Burns, and if he really
is not making the rotation to start the year, probably
becomes like a pick around like two hundred and twenty overall,
like in that range of like take a flyer on
a guy just to see in a twelve team mixed
league obviously.
Speaker 1: Yeah, would you rather have him or just looking at
a DP here, uh Rangers as those are very different kind.
Speaker 3: Of Chase Birds or Ragers war Rangers Wars as of
right now.
Speaker 1: Yeah, okay, So I mean it's gonna be in the
two hundred range then or after that. You know, Ranger
Swars is very steady, very solid. I don't I don't
think you know, we see I'm not even gonna say
we don't see the upside because Rangers Warres was literally
the number one pitcher for like three quarters of the season.
But yeah, I mean Chase Burns, if he doesn't make
the rotation, there's gonna be a lot of people upset
who drafted him very early.
Speaker 3: Like the uh what's what's totally bizarre too, is like.
Speaker 1: You know, if like not not bizarre, it's not the
right word.
Speaker 3: But if it's like Chase Burns, there's overcreact, overcreaction, over
correction right now going on. If Chase Burns doesn't make
the rotation, then people are gonna be like, I mean,
dig a flyer at two fifty three hundred or something.
But you have to you have to take at least
you know, they people are gonna overcorrect, and Chase Burns
could be in the rotation as early as April fifteenth
and have exactly the same season you always thought he
was gonna have because he wasn't gonna throw a full
season anyway.
Speaker 1: Yeah, that's that's very true. He could still give you
all the innings you were gonna get, regardless of when
he kind of starts, because he was never gonna go
you know, two hundred Indians, not even one hundred and
seventy five. If he gets two, I don't know, one
hundred and thirty, that'd be a pretty pretty good successful
season in probably more innings than either of us would
even expect at that point.
Speaker 3: Potentially, someone actually in tout wars, someone drafted Chase Burns
for seventeen dollars. That would be more than any starter
I'm own.
Speaker 1: Actually, now that's not true.
Speaker 3: I drafted Brandon Woodrow for eighteen, but you know someone
drafted them for Chase.
Speaker 1: Burns for seventeen, so oops, not me. Yeah, I mean
it is probably I would guess that's about as much as, like,
not the top tier, but the second tier of closers
was going for. So yeah, that's a that's a decent
amount of money to be spending on a picture you're
not sure you can count on to start in the rotation,
and then also one with inniings limitations, especially in an
you know only yep. Also in Cincinnati, the left field
slash first base job maybe open, you know, I assume
it's South Stewart, That's that would be what I'm thinking.
But that still kind of leaves open the left field
or right field job wherever they're not sticking welve Marte.
Do you like anybody there? They got like JJ Blade,
Spencer Steer, Will Benson, Dan Meyers, Garrett Hampsen's there, you know,
he just he finds a new team every off season.
In this list, other than Garrett Hampson, it reminds me
of that Robin Williams gift. What year is it? What
year is this? Garrett Hampson interesting.
Speaker 3: I I I'll be You know, the Reds always managed
to find value in in their outfield, and uh it's
never well not maybe not never, but it's hard to
pinpoint exactly where that value is gonna come from in
the preseason, Like they they have outfielders come out of nowhere.
I'm thinking of Scott Schleiebler, I'm thinking of Ryan Ludwig.
I mean, they have guys that come out of nowhere.
So I would not be shocked to see, you know,
Spencer Steer who looks like he has no at bats
coming his way, or Will Benson, who looks like he
has no at bats coming his way, if they both
end up being valuable, and you know, someone who we
think is gonna be valuable isn't right now all we
have to go. I like south Stewart and it looks
like he is the starter. So hopefully if you draft
south Stewart, hopefully it works that way. But I mean,
Spencer Steer and Will Benson, are they feel too good
to be just sitting on the bench every game?
Speaker 1: You know, no I agree, and I feel like they're
probably in there. Benson. Benson feels like a classic fourth outfielder,
so maybe he just fits in here or there right now,
you know, if we're just looking at roster resource, so
it has JJ but in there. That's probably because he's
a lefty. Bill Benson's off was also lefty. So I
agree with you that there could be somebody come out
of here with value. I would be lying if I
know who out of the group. I don't think I
would draft anybody other than Sal Stewart in a twelve
team league. I think in a fifteen or obviously, you know,
only they all become you know, worth worthwhild draft targets. Yeah, maybe, okay,
moving over to Saint Louis Alffield. I didn't know.
Speaker 3: I didn't know any of the response that. Yeah, no,
I agree, it's okay.
Speaker 1: Oh, outfield Lawy's newbar is going to start the season
on the IL. That opens up some playing time. Our
boy Jordan Walker's there, Victor Scott is there. You know
they got a number of guys Nelson Velaskaz, Nathan Church,
Josh Bias, Home, Jose furman U. There's a bunch of
ways that they could go in regards to how they
handle the outfield. I'm assuming we just both are just gonna.
Speaker 3: Hand it to Jordan Walker, right, yeah, I mean Jordan Walker,
Nelson Vasquez, and Victor Scott the second look they that
seems like the outfield I would guess right now, and
then obviously Vasquez loses the job as soon as large
new Bars ready to go, so I which, you know,
I mean, it doesn't seem like a massive injury, So
I would assume new Bars ready to go relatively quickly.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 3: I mean, he's doing he's doing agility drills. What else
do you want from the guy?
Speaker 1: I mean, I think.
Speaker 3: It's probably Vasquez in for new Bar, and then new
Bar takes over for Vasquez.
Speaker 1: Probably, Yeah, I would That's how I would guess it goes.
I mean, there's there's definitely a non zero chance that
Jordan Walker just does not get it going and he
ends up in the banchor and the miners again. But
that's that's how I would assume. Are you interested in
any of the outfielders here, Greg, You know, it's hard
to get interested in the Cardinals in general. I don't know.
Speaker 3: I mean, Vasquez has always been a guy that's you know,
sort of been a lot of tool a tools player,
you know, and back in the day, I could have
seen uh the uh Vasquez being a toolsy player and
never really you know, showing the promise that his tools
supposedly hold. I you know, I I like the fire
and an NL only, but I don't know. I mean,
maybe he starts off hot, maybe he gets on mixed
league radars, you know, the first week of the season,
but right now I know only at the at best.
Speaker 1: Yeah, with you on the leaf Gans Jordan Walker, of
course I'm drafting in every league and Victor Scott. If
you need a late steels source, you can take him.
He may not be able to hit himself out of
a paper bag, but that's uh, that's possibility if you
need some steals late second base. Do you think JJ
Weatherholt is breaking camp or is it gonna be some
combination of Thomas and Ramone Arias.
Speaker 3: Now, weather Holds seems to be the guy. It seems
like they've it seems like they haven't said for sure yet,
but he seems like he is the second baseman, which
is you know, it's good for fantasy. Uh Sagacy I
think is interesting.
Speaker 1: In and now only.
Speaker 3: But I mean I I drafted him and tout Wars
in the free round. So that's like, you know, after
a twelve team mix league, I mean, excuse me, a
twelve team NL only, and then to get to the
free rounds and a guy's still available, so you can
you can see how valuable that might be. So I
took him into free rounds. I don't expect anything. And
Ramon Euaeus is probably even you know, the first guy.
He's probably the first guy in if something happens to
weather halt anyway, you know, even before Segacy. But Segacy's
a little bit more interesting, you know, for fantasy, but barely.
Speaker 1: Yeah, all right, let's talk about the closer here. We've
talked about it before. But Riley O'Brien, Judjo Romero, Ryan Stanek,
Matt's sponson in theory. It's it's Riley O'Brien. I guess,
but what are your thoughts here? Are you grabbing rob
as a late round close guy or what are your thoughts? Uh?
Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean if he's available at like the end
of drafts, sure, yeah, I have no problem, you know, Sagnoff.
If a guy's getting saves the great I'm all about it.
I don't care if he's good or bad. But I
don't know if these guys are gonna be good. I
would be kind of surprised. But you never know when
a guy emerges from a preseason committee and becomes decent.
Like Riley O'Brien right now looks like he's in a
committee and it may be worthless to draft, But you
could get to middle of April and he emerges as
a short fire closer and he ends up getting twenty
five saves or something like you know, or that could
be Jojo Ermerow. I don't know who it's gonna be.
It'll be one of these guys, or it'll be all
of them. If it's all of them, then you know,
we'll cross that bridge when we ca come to it
in April. If it's all of them, then you're probably
just gonna want to drop them. But if it's one
of them, then they become valuable.
Speaker 1: Yeah, And I would say it's Jojo Romero if they
didn't have only one other lefty in the pen. So
I feel like it's Riley O'Brien because they really like
Romero in that lefty slash eighth inning role. So I
just it feels like Riley O'Brien's gonna get it to
start over in Cleveland. There is three rotation spots for
four guys. Who's the odd man out of slates of
Sony Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, and Parker Messick.
Speaker 3: You know, I keep I mean, I want to say
Logan Allen, but I feel like Parker Messik is the
guy out. I don't, I don't know, don't, I don't
have a strong feeling on it. I think at this
point Messick is still draftable just in case he is
the guy who breaks camp in the rotation. Cantillo's great,
Coni's good at He's solid. So I'm I'm drafting Chiconi
and Cantillo as if they are in the rotation. Logan Allen,
I'm kind of like staying away from unless it's AO
only and then Messik you draft, I think based on
a upside flyer.
Speaker 1: Yeah, No, I like pretty much what you said. I
like the messic flyer. Again, I don't know that he's
getting a starting rotation spot, but this could also kind
of end up being just like what we were talking
about before, where with Chase Burns where he you know,
he gets called up at some point early on because
Logan Allen's terrible, or you know, Slade struggles, whatever whatever
happens to be. He could definitely still get the innings
that you were running out of him. So don't mind
that one at all. Gray, Let's talk about their second
base shortstop, kind of middle infield issue here. I feel
like Gabriel Arias should be the he's starting shortstop. It
feels like he's locked in there, but maybe not. But
at second base, Brian Rocchio, Travis Bozana, on, Hal Martinez,
Juan Burrito, Daniel Schneeman, I mean, other than Mazanna, it
feels like you're just gonna grab back here, and it
doesn't feel like they're ready to start with Bazana yet, right, Yeah, No,
I agree. I think that's the case.
Speaker 3: If it's a Bazana probably after the All Star break maybe,
But no one else here is really that interesting outside
of like Ale only.
Speaker 1: All right, let's move on to a couple of outfield
spots Gray, Philadelphia and Baltimore both trying to figure out
their outfield. In Philly, it's Justin Crawford out of camp,
Dylan Moore maybe pedro Leone, and then in Baltimore it
should be Colton Kawser, but Dylan Biavers is definitely there,
Tyler O'Neill, Leo di Taveras, and then some you know,
maybe Ryan Mountcastle find some time as well. Well, what
are your thoughts on these two outfields?
Speaker 2: Uh?
Speaker 3: You know, Justin Crawford's been really puzzling to me as
to how little excitement people have for him in drafts.
He's he seems like he's going a good fifty picks
after he should be going.
Speaker 1: Like, I love Justin Crawford.
Speaker 3: I don't think the other guys are even on the
radar for a starting job like Otto Kemp is fine,
but he's gonna rotate as a utility player, I think.
And then the Orioles I Colton Kowser. For me, it's
Colton Kowser, and you know, then a grab bag.
Speaker 1: I don't know.
Speaker 3: You know, Tyler O'Neill probably should be a starter as
long as he's healthy, but we know he's not gonna
stay healthy. So Colton Kowser and Tyler O'Neill are the guys.
Tyler O'Neil probably isn't gonna be the guy for that
long because he's never staying healthy. And then Dylan Beaver's
should get enough at bats that he is, you know,
somewhat valuable, just you know, maybe maybe less at bats,
and people were originally anticipating.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I could see him maybe being in
a platoon with Cowser or O'Neill. But I don't mind
any of those outfielders honestly as a as a flyer
or a late round outfield grab. I think they're all
gonna have playing time, and I think they all kind
of bring their own version of a little bit of upside.
Maybe not Tyler O'Neil upside, but you kind of know
at least what you're getting. And he's gonna play, then
that's interesting. You know, Tyler O'Neill's gonna hit a home
run an opening day. You don't know, one knows he's
gonna play Game two. That's that's very impossible and accurate. Gray,
Let's move over to the Angels, like the closer is
just kind of a mess, and you know, Ben Joyce,
Robert Stevenson, you know, may involved eventually, but for now,
do you like anybody out of Kirby Gates, Drew Pomerance.
Speaker 5: Or Jordan Ramato. I just have a bit of a
throwback at this point. I don't I don't actually like
any of these guys. I'll be honest, I don't. If
one of them emerges, then you know exactly what I
said earlier for the Cardinals Bullpen, I'll say for the Angels, if,
like if Yates or Romero or even Pomerans, if any
of them emerge as the closer, then sure, grab them.
But I don't like them.
Speaker 3: Just like in general, I don't know who's closing, and
I don't think any of them are really that worthwhile.
So if Romero emerges, or if any of them emerged,
then great, then that will be the guy to grab,
But we have no idea if that's the case as
of right now.
Speaker 1: Yeah, if I was gonna grab anybody, I think I
grabbed Drew Pomerance, just because it's not so much that
he's he's not good. He's just never healthy. So if
he's healthy, you know, I think he has a pretty
decent job or decent chance at getting the job. It's
just whether he's gonna stay healthy for long enough to
actually acquire that job. Over at second base, Zach Nato
had some X rays take and they came back negative,
which is good. But if he's forced to miss some time,
are you interested in anybody there over his role?
Speaker 3: Oh no, no, no, no, no no no. Pray that hashtag.
Pray that zach Nato is healthy. Don't you don't want
anyone else there?
Speaker 1: Yes, we are just gonna hope and pray that zach
NATO's okay. Over in Miami, first base slash third base
is a little bit open. There's Grand Polly, Connor Norby,
and Chris Barrell. I I guess that you know there's
a little bit of interesting in here. But who do
you think gets the jobs?
Speaker 3: Well, Norby should get the job, and then I'm hoping
Grand Paullie gets the job versus Righty's excuse me?
Speaker 1: Uh, I hope.
Speaker 3: Grand Pauli gets the job over Griffin Conine, And then
I hope Conine and Morrell somehow if that becomes a
platoon I want, so I want Paullie and Norby. I'm
pretty sure Norby has definitely got the job. I don't
know about Paulie. Paulie's the biggest question mark. Now I
say this with selfish reasons because I just drafted grand Paullie.
So I want Paulie in the I want Paulie in
the lineup. I think Norby is definitely in the lineup.
I don't feel very strongly about Griffin Conine or Christopher Morrell.
I think I think Morrell at best is gonna face
you know, I guess he's gonna face lefties. I guess
he's fine first lefties for a deep league. But these
guys are all really deep league except Connor. Norby, I
guess is mixed league guy. But most everyone else I've
talked about is na only.
Speaker 1: Yeah, Chris marilandis to put a ball a bat on
the ball for anything. I mean, he's always been very
toold up, just can't hit. Unfortunately, it has terrible defense.
Fourth outfielder there in Miami. Also for grabs, you know,
we're talking about fourth outfielder in Miami. But are you
interested in Estuary Reeze, Griffin Conine, or Herberto Hernandez.
Speaker 3: Herberto Hernandez is kind of interesting. Actually, I don't know
if he's going to get the job, but he is.
I mean, he's got some interesting underlying numbers. I was
more interested in him than I thought it would be
when I was doing my research this week, and.
Speaker 1: I Herberto Hernandez to me is the most interest.
Speaker 3: But Ruiz if he's got any at bats at all,
which I don't know if he does. If he has
any at bats, then of course steals are good with Ruiz.
Speaker 1: But as to are Ruiz, I don't.
Speaker 3: I don't think he's gonna I think he has like
under seventy five at bats coming his way.
Speaker 1: I don't see the abats there at all. Yeah, I
don't know if he's going to get the advats, like
you said, If he gets him, he is interesting for
our game just because of the speed. He definitely has that.
As of right now, he's not projected to the lineup,
so he is he is strictly a flyer and know
only Over in Milwaukee first base, I'd assume it's Andrew Vaughn.
Jake Bowers is also there, and then you know, we
can talk about their closing situation as well as their rotation.
But let's start with let's start at first base. I
mean it's probably Andrew Vaughan. Are you interested in either
of these guys outside of you know only.
Speaker 3: Uh, yeah, I guess Andrew Vaughn for fifteen team Mix
League is fine, it's I think it's Andrew Vaughn for
sure as the first basement, Okay, the closer.
Speaker 1: Trevor McGill, Avenue Rebay, Jared Kanig, I guess is in
the mix as well. I think it's really Abner Rebay
and Trevor McGill. Which way are you leaning this one?
I feel like is McGill.
Speaker 3: I maybe I'm crazy, but I feel like McGill is
the closer until the end of July when your Rebay
will take over because McGill gets traded for someone like
I think McGill's the closer.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I think so too, And as you kind of
pointed out, if nothing else, it might be just for
trade value at some point, and you know, you go
with the veteran and avoid running up arbitration all that
stuff on Avenue Rebay. Let's move over to the rotation
when Priester is out with a wrist nerve issue, Woodruff
has a lot, Logan, Henderson is dealing with elbow sordis
who who has left for this rotation? Gray, I don't
know who their opening day starter is, and I don't
know if I want they're opening day starter.
Speaker 3: If I'm being honest, uh, yeah, no, I I I
tend to disagree because the Brewers always managed to field
a good rotation there. They are really good with pitchers.
I mean, they turned Quinn Priester into something decent. So
I I don't care who there is in the rotation,
but I'm excited for them, whoever they are. Chad Patrick,
Kyle Harrison, and Brandon Sprout I think are Sprout, Sprout, Sprout.
I think they're all interesting for for fantasy.
Speaker 1: I'm I'm in on all of them.
Speaker 3: I think there's good value to be had if you
just if you just draft brew his pictures, you could
do worse, at least as far as recent history tells us.
So yeah, I'm I'm interested in all of them. I
think the three I mentioned are in the rotation.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I don't know if I necessarily want Sprout in
any leagues. And he throws hard, but he's never been
able to command for anything. Patrick and Harrison could be interesting.
It's just it's crazy how the Brewers' rotation is just
completely falling apart before opening day. As a Cups fan,
I'm I don't I don't hate to see it. From
being honest, h shortstop, do you do you think, like
I guess, Joey Ortiz is the guy. He's the great defensively,
David Hamilton is there as well. Do you think there's
any kind of interest here in shortstop? No, I did,
I did, Uh.
Speaker 3: David Hamilton is a guy though I did draft in
the top Wars league and I Joey Joey Ortiz is
absolutely a starter. But David Hamilton is the type of
guy who gets like one hundred and fifty at bats
and steals twenty five plus bags.
Speaker 1: It's just like he's he's just that guy.
Speaker 3: So, I mean, in David Hamilton in an NL only league,
it works for me, but in general, Joey Ortiz is
the starter.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean the defense is is you know, plus
plus with Ortiz. That's why he gets to play. Hamilton's
not terrible on defense, But unless they decide that they're
going in a different direction, I don't see them unseating
Ortiz either. Let's talk about the Yankees. I mean, is
Jason diminge is really gonna be jobless when we start
the season.
Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, you know, I think Dimingaz is another
one of those where I wouldn't be shocked if he
ends up with more.
Speaker 1: Fantasy value than any of us are anticipating as of
right now.
Speaker 3: Like we all like, I feel like I fall into
this trap too, Like you look at a roster resource,
so you look at like the depth charts and you're like, okay,
so Domingos isn't gonna play this year, Oh well goodbye.
But you you failed to think about like young Carlos
Stanton is like he can't open a bag of chips.
Speaker 1: He's a he's a snack cart away from an ile stint.
Speaker 3: There's other guys in their lineup that will get injured.
I mean, I'm not a you know, I'm not a
psychic here. I don't know who's gonna be the one,
but at some point someone will get injured, like it's
it always happens. So I feel like Jason Domingez is
gonna end up getting you know, plenty at bats and
have value. With that said, I mean he's not. He's
not draftable on a twelve team mix league right now,
that's for sure.
Speaker 1: I mean he's not.
Speaker 3: I mean he's a flyer in a fifteen team mix
league and deeper, So he doesn't right now, Jason Domingoz
does not have a job. He will though at some point.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm with you. Unfortunately, SE's a late round fifteen teamer.
You know, the upside is still there, just until the
Yankees decide to give him a job. There's not much
you can do about it. Washington's second base is kind
of up for grab with Nasim Nunez, Jose Tanya. I
think Lewis Garcia Junior is going to start at first base,
so so he's out of the second base discussion, and
then a catcher, Harry Ford is making a case to
start over. Kubert keibert Ruiz, what are your thoughts on
these starting jobs.
Speaker 3: I don't think I think he I think Cabert Ruiz
is going to be the catcher. I think Naysom Nunez
is the second baseman. I think he's I think he's awesome,
so very valuable for crazy deep leagues. I think Nunyaz
could potentially be a cheap version of Xavier Edwards, very
very cheap, very cheap, very very much a poor man's
Exavier Edwards, like he could he could hit five homers
and steal thirty five bags.
Speaker 1: Nayson Nuniaz that is, that's that's there's value in that.
Speaker 3: I don't know, like what kind of runs in RBI
is going to get because he's probably going to be
at the bottom of the National's lineup, which stinks.
Speaker 1: But Nayson Nunaz might actually be pretty valuable for deeper leagues. Yeah,
I really I've gotten Nayson Nunyaz in a couple of
deep leagues. He could be a really sneaky, nice stolen
base grab. I look carry forward too. If he gets
a job. I've seen places say and he's going to
start catcher, and then I've seen other places saying he's
gonna start in the minors. So if he has the job,
I really like Harry Ford and he would fly him
up the catcher ranks like decent bit for me. But
until we see that keeper Reez is always always safe.
He's a very safe catcher. Somebody who ends up on
my team a little bit more often than he should
probably San Diego first base slash d H is open.
They have Gavin Sheets, Dick Castianos, Ty France, Miguel and
New Harr just the Who's Who two and twenty? Who's
who of? Do not want? Who's who of? Who's that?
Speaker 3: Uh So, Gavin Sheets is the first baseman and then
Miguel and Horror Castilianos and ty France are gonna They're
gonna rotate at d H and you know, probably get
some first base starts when they're facing lefties. So I
don't think any of those people are worth drafting in
a mixed league except for Gavin Sheets and Miguel Anduharr.
Speaker 1: And that's very late.
Speaker 3: That's like that's fifteen team mix league and late. And
Cassianos is barely l only viable at this point, and
ty France is the same.
Speaker 1: Yeah, agreed. Moving over to Houston. You know, it's an
outfield issue, but with Jo's l two Bay playing outfield
last year, it could be an outfield slash second base question.
Who's who's starting there Grey like they have Joey Liprafido,
Jake Myers, Bryce Matthew Sach Cole cam Smith Jordan could
play outfield at some point, Like who's who's the outfield
there in Houston?
Speaker 3: No, that's it's a tough call. So Lupervedo Joe Liperfito.
Actually they went out and got they brought him back
from the Jay's, so I think they like him enough.
So I think he's gonna have at least a strong
side of the platoon for left field, and then you
have camp Smith, who I would be shocked if they
give up on camp Smith completely. So he's the right
fielder except for days when they want to have alfield
errors and they throw ord On Alpharez out there. So
so those two I think Liperfrido and camp Smith are
more or less set. And then you have Jake Myers,
who's decent with the glove and and center field. So
I think that's the so I think the uh so,
I think the outfield is probably camp Smithluperffido, which McCall it,
Jake Myers probably, and then i'll two vase that second.
I want to say that's it. On most days, you know,
jord On might go to the outfiel On occasionally maybe uh.
You know, it's gonna get crowded once uh what's his face?
Once Jeremy payin you returns, it's gonna get crowded at
d H not DH.
Speaker 1: It will be crowded in the infield.
Speaker 3: That shortstop Karay is gonna move to third, so then
Parades is gonna have to DH. So then your Don's
gonna have to go to right field, and camp Smith's
gonna you know, maybe go to the left and lup.
Bravito's gonna go to the bench, or camp Smith's gonna
go to the bench. It'll it'll be, I think, a
pretty fluid situation. For the most part, I don't really
like most of these guys I'm talking about. I mean
for fantasy obviously, Jake Myers is super boring, your lu
Braveno is super boring.
Speaker 1: And camp Smith, I mean I liked them last.
Speaker 3: Year, but how many times I've fill him for the
banana and the tailpipe?
Speaker 1: Huh yeah, I mean for our game honestly, Like if
we're just looking at people on the ASTROS lineup and
the back end, like Bryce Matthews is probably the one
that I'm most interested in if he gets a full
time gig, just because he has the speed to make
up a difference maker in a category. It will be
interesting whenever, whenever they get a full roster of pain
he comes back, what they do and who moves around.
I think we both said we don't think Pradies is
just leaving the lineup completely, so there will be some
movement there. Kansas City Jack keg Leone seems like he
has a spot, but who else is going to start
in the outfield for Kansas City and Jonathan India Michael
Massey both have injury, So like, who's gonna end up
being the second basement for Kansas City.
Speaker 3: Well, it's Jonathan India if he's healthy, and as of
right now, I think he's I think he's healthy enough.
I think he's gonna be okay for opening day, but
I don't know for sure, but Jonathan India is a
second basement. If he is, then keg Leone is definitely
in the outfield with I would guess Isaac Collins, who
I actually do like a decent amount. And then it's
kind of like whoever can play center and not completely
embarrass themselves with the bat. It's gonna be a combination
of Sterling, Marte, Lane Thomas, and Kyle Isbel. Probably most
of bats are gonna go to Isbel, but if Lane
Thomas looks, you know, if Leane Thomas starts hitting, I
could see him becoming a regular there and moving into
the everyday lineup. So it might this is one of
those lineups where it might look like there's a lot
in flux, but it actually might end up being fairly
a rudimentary lineup from like day to day without too
many changes between like you know, uh, the outfield with Collins, Lane,
Thomas and cag leone could that could be just line
up and then India at second and Carter Jensen at
d H.
Speaker 1: Yeah, we definitely could get that. The you know, it's
I don't know if it's necessarily an exciting outfield, especially
in center, but you know, Jack Caggs is gonna be
a fun one and I'm happy to hear he's likely
going to break camp. So that's that's good news for us.
Over in Tampa Bay. Their outfield is also for perhaps Gray,
Cedric Mullins, Jake Fraley, Chandler Simpson, Johnny de Luca, Ryan Valade,
Jacob Melton. All they're all somewhat interesting and somewhat not
you know, I mean my Chandler Simpson shares definitely, I
hope he gets a job. But what are your thoughts
here on the Tampa Bay outfield?
Speaker 3: So I would kind of be surprised if Mullens and
Chandler Simpson don't have jobs. And then Jake Freeley feels
like the strong side of a platoon, so then you
really so then you're only left with like a a
lefty platoon guy.
Speaker 1: You only need a guy to platoon.
Speaker 3: Against lefties, and then you have you know, you have
the guys you mentioned with the Luca, Vivaldi, Williamson and
blah blah blah. You have all those, Jacob Melton. You
have guys that are potential to platoon in. But as
of right now, I think it's probably pretty set with Mullens, Frehley,
and Chandler at.
Speaker 1: Least against righty's. Yeah, I think if you're gonna take
a shot on anybody else, it would be the Luca.
I think to start the season, those are the three
with the injury histories. Who knows what it ends up
looking like the closer role. We've talked about it, I
think briefly before. But Griffin Jackson Garrett Clevenger I think
are the two main competitors for closing role. It is
Tampa Bay, though, What are your thoughts here? I think
Griffin jacks would be my best bet.
Speaker 3: I mean I kind of feel like, you know, with
the Rays, they have a you know, they have a
history of being like, Okay, we're gonna have Griffin Jackson
is going to be the closer until July when we
trade him.
Speaker 1: You know, very similar to the Brewers.
Speaker 3: So the Rays are gonna you know, I think they're
gonna have someone be the closer until they can trade
them in July.
Speaker 1: So I think Griffin Jackson is that guy.
Speaker 3: I think Griffin Jackson is absolutely going to become a
setup man somewhere else in August. But as of right now,
I think Griffin Jackson is the guy.
Speaker 1: Yeah, and there is still and when you say to
there who will be coming back at some point. So
I'm sure if they could get you know, if they
can get Griffin Jackson saves and move him before and
when you say it comes back, that's probably an ideal
situation for and their last rotation spot is also up
for grabs. Gray and all three pitchers have done well
so far in spring training. Joe Boyle, Steven Matts and
Ian Seymour. Who are you giving them not to as
the fifth starting pitcher here? You know? I?
Speaker 3: Okay, so I want Ian Seymour. I wouldn't be totally
against Joe Boyle, and I think.
Speaker 1: It's gonna be Stephen Mattz. Yep, that's that's pretty much
all I want to phrase that exactly. Gray moving over
to Toronto, the rotation there has pretty much set itself
with the injuries, so we don't really need to talk
about that right now. Second base, it's I guess it's
up for grabs. Andre Simenez and David Schneider. Basically neither
of them deserve to be playing Major league baseball, but
one of them has to start if Ernie Clement is
not ready.
Speaker 3: Yeah, no, I'm pretty sure, uh, which was?
Speaker 1: Andres Jimenez is the guy. It's brutal.
Speaker 3: I think I think Andres Jimenez is the second basement.
I'm pretty sure it is, yeah.
Speaker 1: Or shortstop. I think there's a little like a middle
infield where it's like Clement to Menez, Schneider. They all
kind of rotate in between second and short But I
think it's yeah, I meant shortstop. Excuse me, Yeah, I
think I think it is a shortstop. Yeah, yeah, all right.
Let's move over to Seattle, where the outfield is again
not really sat Gray, uh Luke, Raley, Victor Roeblaze, Donalind
Nick Canzone, Leo Reeves, Miles Maastboni, Rob Refschneider all kind
of in that mix. I mean, I would I kind
of feel like it's Ralely in Rod Blaze to start,
but I don't know where or who the third is
and and kind of what else he goes. What are
your thoughts here?
Speaker 3: Stop Rob ref, Schneider, Arona, stop trying nothing now, DM,
I uh you know, I think, uh it's a good
it's they're talking about adding a team or two to
the major leagues. I think as we go through these
position battles, it's a good idea to maybe take away
a couple of teams we need.
Speaker 1: We don't need an expansion.
Speaker 3: I don't think like there's so many of these teams
that are like, I mean, even the contenders can't field
an outfield, like what's going on?
Speaker 1: Man uh Seattle.
Speaker 3: I mean Luke Ranley, Victor Roebliz and can Zone are
I think the guys outside obviously outside of Jay Rod,
they have one outfield. Excuse me, they have Randy and
Rose Arena too, so they have excuse me, they have
d They have a d H spot and a right
So it's Luke, Raley, can Zone and Roblez.
Speaker 1: Uh. Three guys for two spots.
Speaker 3: I would guess Raley and can Zone because they're both
lefties that they're going to face Alrightyes, and then Roblis
is going to come in at least against lefties, and
then one of Raley or Canzone, whoever is actually hitting
well at the time, he might they might stay in
versus some lefties. So it's gonna be a mix and
match of three guys for two spots. But I like
I like Canzone a lot. Luke Raley is, I mean
kind of is what he is at this point, and
roebuzz is to a certain extent too. They're fine, but
you know, I can't get that excited about them.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I'd be more excited. If Robles had an everyday job,
I'd be pretty I'd be more It's a lot more interesting.
But if he's just going to be a defensive replace
spent in weeks like Latuton guy, it's really hard to
get too excited about that. You know. Their second base
is also kind of open for grabs here. Cole Young
is I think leading the position battle right now, but
Cole Emerson's there, Leonardo reevs. Ryan Bliss, I don't know
that you've really any of us are really interested in
any of these guys though, you.
Speaker 3: Know, I mean, Cole young is, he's hitting well in
spring training, but I mean the key word there is
spring training, so I don't know how much really to
make of it. Cole Young is I mean, I guess
kind of interesting if he's in the lineup every day.
He's got power and speed, probably as of right now,
al only.
Speaker 1: But you know, I could see monkling them. Yeah, I agree.
I think we have a few left here that are
at least somewhat interesting really for only leagues Colorado. Not
a whole lot interesting there, but the first base job
is pretty much open for grabs. Charlie Condon, Troy Johnston
and Ward O Julian Blaine Krim. But I don't know
that I've ever heard of Are you interested in any
of these guys here? Gray? And don't forget t J. Rumfield.
The Rockies were like, you know what. The Rockies smoked
the Bowl and they were like, you know what, We're
gonna make up some names. Let's see, it wasn't a
major league. They grabbed a bunch of guys nobody remember.
Speaker 3: I honestly, for honestly, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2: I like, I.
Speaker 1: Respect a team that just makes up names. TJ.
Speaker 3: Rumfield, Hey, so we're looking at t J. Rumfield at first.
Speaker 1: At third? Did you just say, yeah, I did. Did
you catch that? I made up a name?
Speaker 3: Uh tj Rumfield is hitting well in spring training, but
it looks to me like he's a quad A guy,
which I mean the Rockies.
Speaker 1: Could go with a quad A guy at first.
Speaker 3: Troy Johnston is also a quad A guy, so, and
he's like penciled in technically. Edward Julian is kind of interesting,
but I think he's second base. There is such a
mess here. Charlie Condon is very interesting, but I for
whatever reason, Charlie Condon and Zach Veen don't seem like
they're anywhere near the Rockies.
Speaker 1: Radar to play.
Speaker 3: I don't, and I don't know why, necessarily because it's
like they're hitting well.
Speaker 1: Why wouldn't they play. I don't know.
Speaker 3: Anyway, I guess it's between Rumfield Johnston, and I think
that's it. I think that's the first base. I think
that's what it's Betweenen for first base.
Speaker 1: Yeah, there is a scenario where they moved Julian the
first and they let uh At Dale Amador place second. Yeah,
that's honestly what I'd like to see if we're not
gonna get Condon. I don't know if That's not what
I'm saying is gonna happen or predicting what's gonna happen.
But that's that's definitely a scenario in there. Uh Dale
omanor still sitting around spring training, so definitely an option.
Uh Texas the DH is it's it's very old Jeff
Peterson Andrew McCutcheon team like the guys leading the way,
Ezekiel Durant, Sam Haggerty also there. Let's talk about the
Texas closer while we're here too.
Speaker 3: Let's talk about the fact that Jack Peterson had one
of the worst seasons of all time and somehow managed
to come back into this season and still be the
leading candidate to hit like clean up and for the Rangers,
like he couldn't have possibly had a worse season last year,
and somehow he held onto his job.
Speaker 1: And I don't know why. I can't figure it out.
I don't know.
Speaker 3: I guess him and McCutcheon are gonna platoon. It's avoidable
and outside of Ale only I went in touch to
either of them. And then the closer situation. I really
like Robert Garcia. I fail to see how he's not
like someone who people like he's going so much later
than he should be in drafts.
Speaker 1: I like him.
Speaker 3: I think I think he's probably gonna be a top
fifteen closer, like I'm in on Robert Garcia a big time.
Speaker 1: Yeah. I agree, Minnesota their DH is wide up and
Gray there's just as such a long list of names.
I'm not even gonna around them. But who who in Minnesota?
Do you like they potentially run or started DH? Gray?
Speaker 3: Uh? So, you know, I've been seeing Victor Carratini in
the d H spot on Roster Resource.
Speaker 1: I've seen them in that DH spot now for like
three months, and I just.
Speaker 3: Can't believe Victor quarantines. Like, I know the Twins will
be bad, but I just cannot believe that they would
actually go into the season with Victor Carrottini as their DH.
So it's just so hard to believe. So I'm guessing
Cody Clements, but honestly, Cody Clements isn't much better. Maybe
Jans Outman. I think it's gonna be. I think it's
just gonna be a mix and match type situation. Austin
Martin seemed kind of interesting as a car Austin Martin
seemed interesting, but that he's been hurt recently, so I
don't know. I guess Keratini, Clement and Outman in a
mix and match situation.
Speaker 1: I guess, Yeah, it seems like a just a huge mess.
I am with you. I don't. I don't see them
going into a season with with Keratini as their d H.
But you know, the the Twins line up last year
was just just hideous in times, so I really I
really can't put anything past them at this point. I don't.
I don't really fully understand how the Twins win games,
but they do, and so, you know, good, good for them.
I'm I'm happy for them. Pitching, I don't really know.
There's not There's not a whole lot here that's interesting.
It's it's a position they they'll only specifically here. That's
pretty much all I got. Great, There's there's a few
teams that I just didn't really have positional battles for,
so we're just we're not going to force it anymore.
We're already, you know, an hour forty five to the show,
so we will call it there. If you have any questions,
you can find us on x I Am at razbeat
on Gray runs the at Rasballcount. You can find us
on YouTube dot com slash Rasballfantasy, or in the comments
section on rasball dot com. Until next week, I'll see
you later. Great, all right, lads,