THE OFFICIAL 2015 FANTASY BASEBALL THREAD

[venom lyrix]

Anyone want to rate my team for my yearly Yahoo money league? 10team H2H Standard

Salvador Perez
Freddie Freeman
Jason Kipnis
Nolan Arenado
Ian Desmond
Andrew McCutchen
Matt Kemp
Matt Holliday
Marcel Ozuna
Jean Segura

Zack Greinke
Jordan Zimmermann
Alex Cobb
Alex Wood
Jose Fernandez
Ian Kennedy
Danny Duffy
Dallas Keuchel
Mark Melancon
Joaquin Benoit

Its funny, this is my third year in this league and my very first year I won the whole thing without ever playing fantasy baseball before

You have big injury concerns with your staff. Cobb and Fernandez are both out for a while, which leaves you without an ace. Greinke and Zimms are #2's. Wood is a hype guy who has a lot of promise. I like your bats, I think you may want to sure up your bench if Segura and Ozuna are the only ones there.

 

[venom lyrix]

I was offered Jose Reyes and Bryce Harper for Ian Desmond and Matt Kemp. Good deal?

I would not do this. Reyes is too big of a risk. Desmond is a better player and Kemp v Harper is essentially a wash

 

[venom lyrix]

So I mentioned before I'd post some players to look out for and target. I also subscribe to the notion that if you're punting saves, you can still win with middle relievers. You can always get them cheap and if you look at their numbers they often will help in Holds, K's, WHIP, ERA.

Here's a list of guys I compiled who would do just that:

Wade Davis
Andrew Miller
Ken Giles
Tony Watson
Pat Neshek
Kelvin Herrera
Joakim Soria
Josh Fields
Zach Duke
Darren O’Day
Adam Ottavino
Danny Farquhar
Joe Smith
Will Smith
Jake Diekman
David Carpenter
Jordan Walden
Kevin Quackenbush
Tyler Clippard
Anthon De Sclafani
Brad Boxberger
Nick Vincent
Grant Balfour

Those of you who play with bigger rosters I'd target 2-3 of these guys.

 

[venom lyrix]

Other guys I'm high on this year:


Hanley Ramirez
Ian Desmond
Matt Kemp
Jason Heyward
Jonathan Lucroy
Brian McCann
Yasmani Grandal
Brandon Moss
Adam Laroche
Brian Dozier
Arismendy Alcantara
Marcus Semien
Alciedeis Escobar
Jay Bruce
Shin-Soo Choo
Lorenzo Cain
Christian Yelich
Avisail Garcia
A.J. Pollack
Curtis Granderson
Oswaldo Arcia
Joc Pederson
Dalton Pompey
Jake Arrieta
Jose Quintana
Alex Wood
Garrett Richards
Andrew Cashner
Jake Odorizzi
Danny Duffy
Mat Latos
Shane Greene
T.J. House
Kendall Graveman
Jesse Hahn
Wade Miley
Colin McHugh
Shelby Miller
Tyson Ross
Doug Fister
James Paxton

 

[run.lmc]

You have big injury concerns with your staff. Cobb and Fernandez are both out for a while, which leaves you without an ace. Greinke and Zimms are #2's. Wood is a hype guy who has a lot of promise. I like your bats, I think you may want to sure up your bench if Segura and Ozuna are the only ones there.

Thanks for the input man, I also forgot to put that I had Joey Votto and Jose Quintana as well but I will definitely look into shoring up my pitching

 

[johnnyredstorm]

thoughts on my team, Venom?

Spoiler

Travis D'Arnaud
Freddie Freeman
Ian Kinsler
Jose Reyes (keeper)
Panda Bear
Jorge Soler
Nelson Cruz
Jayson Werth
Matt Carpenter
Melky
Elvis Andrus
Brandon Moss
Oswaldo Arcia
Daniel Murphy

Chris Sale (keeper)
Wainwright (keeper)
Rosenthal
Britton
Gerrit Cole (keeper)
Jacob deGrom (keeper)
Rick Porcello
RA Dickey

and I stashed Addison Russell but am trading him to CP for a draft pick. Will probably pick up another youngster to stash.

Spoiler

what are the stat categories? If you're playing with OBP I like your team more than if it's avg.

I think Avg (again if you're playing with it) and steals are going to be your struggle point.

That being said I think your team is okay, can probably sneak into the playoffs, but I'd be more comfortable with 2 more BIG bats, more 5 tool players, I feel like you have a lot of guys who are 8th-15th round picks but no 1st and 2nd round bat-types.

Keep in mind you already have injury concerns with Sale and Wainwright. Werth is already out for 4-6 weeks, Reyes is always a risk, and Panda is very out of shape. Guys like Porcello don't get you K's, and if you're lucky 7-11 wins. Dickey you can't count on at all. The worst part is you don't really have too many trade chips aside from the young pitching to acquire a bat. I'd shop Sale right now for a top 15 bat.

Spoiler

keeper league, no great hitters were available to draft

 

[AgentZero]

Just had my draft for a categories league. I'm trying to repeat my strategy from last year which was strong pitching coupled with good hitting averages and steals, I finished 1st in the regular season but got upset in the semis and finished 3rd. Here's my team:

I was one of the first teams to draft in the last round and most teams ended up taking a 7th SP, a lot different than last year when most teams focused on hitting. To keep pace I think I need to pick up one more SP. I'm looking at adding Aaron Sanchez and Matt Shoemaker among others. I'm not sure if I'm weaker in ERA or K/BB and it'll depend on that, what do you guys think?

Also, would you drop Pearce or Mauer for that move? Pearce adds HRs, but I think I'm already on the weaker side so it might be best to boost my AVG with Mauer.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

10 team money league. Saves worth 7 points.

Stanton
Rizzo
Greinke
Kluber
Dave Robertson (chapman went in the third round so wanted to lock in a closer)
Kinsler
Justin Upton
Tyson Ross
Seager
Gio Gonzalez
Kris Bryant (wanted to lock him up)
Glen Perkins (wanted Britton but he got picked early)
Melky
Santiago Casilla (need to fill 3 relief spots)
Porcello
Starlin
Alex Gordon
Dan Murph
Darnaud
Jorge Soler
Jose Quintana
Russ Martin
Johnny Peralta

 

[stick]

Anyone have links to any articles or anything for beginners? Me and my friends were out last weekend and decided to get a league together. I've never played fantasy baseball though so I'm kinda lost. The good thing is that none of my friends have ever played either so we'll all be noobs together .

It's gonna be an 8 or 10 team H2H league with categories. Average, HRs, RBIs, Steals, Runs scored for offense; ERA, WHIP, Ks, Wins, Saves for pitching. I think it's just a snake draft. One thing that seemed kinda weird for me was the roster. The "offense" portion of the lineup seems normal. You start 1 player from each infield position, 1 2B/SS "flex", 1 1B/3B "flex", 4 OFs, and 1 Utility. But then you start 9 pitchers with no restrictions on starters/relievers. I feel like you should have to play X starters and X relievers, right? Also there's only 3 bench spots. Is this a normal roster config?

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer .

 

[johnnyredstorm]

the NT league I'm in it's:

1 c
1 1b
1 2b
1 ss
1 3b
3 of
2 utility

2 sp
2 relievers
4 pitchers (doesn't matter which)

bench

 

[venom lyrix]

Just had my draft for a categories league. I'm trying to repeat my strategy from last year which was strong pitching coupled with good hitting averages and steals, I finished 1st in the regular season but got upset in the semis and finished 3rd. Here's my team:

View media item 1466817

I was one of the first teams to draft in the last round and most teams ended up taking a 7th SP, a lot different than last year when most teams focused on hitting. To keep pace I think I need to pick up one more SP. I'm looking at adding Aaron Sanchez and Matt Shoemaker among others. I'm not sure if I'm weaker in ERA or K/BB and it'll depend on that, what do you guys think?

Also, would you drop Pearce or Mauer for that move? Pearce adds HRs, but I think I'm already on the weaker side so it might be best to boost my AVG with Mauer.

Pitching is better than the offense, I think you'll struggle in a handful of offensive categories, middle of the pack the whole year. Shoemaker is a better add than Sanchez. I wouldn't drop Pearce or Mauer for either.

 

[venom lyrix]

10 team money league. Saves worth 7 points.

Stanton
Rizzo
Greinke
Kluber
Dave Robertson (chapman went in the third round so wanted to lock in a closer)
Kinsler
Justin Upton
Tyson Ross
Seager
Gio Gonzalez
Kris Bryant (wanted to lock him up)
Glen Perkins (wanted Britton but he got picked early)
Melky
Santiago Casilla (need to fill 3 relief spots)
Porcello
Starlin
Alex Gordon
Dan Murph
Darnaud
Jorge Soler
Jose Quintana
Russ Martin
Johnny Peralta

Strong team. Like it sans Peralta and Daniel Murphy. Not buying him this year.

 

[venom lyrix]

Anyone have links to any articles or anything for beginners? Me and my friends were out last weekend and decided to get a league together. I've never played fantasy baseball though so I'm kinda lost. The good thing is that none of my friends have ever played either so we'll all be noobs together .

It's gonna be an 8 or 10 team H2H league with categories. Average, HRs, RBIs, Steals, Runs scored for offense; ERA, WHIP, Ks, Wins, Saves for pitching. I think it's just a snake draft. One thing that seemed kinda weird for me was the roster. The "offense" portion of the lineup seems normal. You start 1 player from each infield position, 1 2B/SS "flex", 1 1B/3B "flex", 4 OFs, and 1 Utility. But then you start 9 pitchers with no restrictions on starters/relievers. I feel like you should have to play X starters and X relievers, right? Also there's only 3 bench spots. Is this a normal roster config?

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer .

FantasyAlarm.com

buy the guide for $10 and read everything. and if you have sirius xm listen to the fantasy sports channel religiously

 

[venom lyrix]

It's gonna be an 8 or 10 team H2H league with categories. Average, HRs, RBIs, Steals, Runs scored for offense; ERA, WHIP, Ks, Wins, Saves for pitching. I think it's just a snake draft. One thing that seemed kinda weird for me was the roster. The "offense" portion of the lineup seems normal. You start 1 player from each infield position, 1 2B/SS "flex", 1 1B/3B "flex", 4 OFs, and 1 Utility. But then you start 9 pitchers with no restrictions on starters/relievers. I feel like you should have to play X starters and X relievers, right? Also there's only 3 bench spots. Is this a normal roster config?

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer .

If you have to play with 8 teams your rosters should be 2 catchers, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, INF, INF, 6 OF spots, 3 UTL spots, 4 SP, 3 RP, 5 regular P. 8-9 bench spots.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Anyone have links to any articles or anything for beginners? Me and my friends were out last weekend and decided to get a league together. I've never played fantasy baseball though so I'm kinda lost. The good thing is that none of my friends have ever played either so we'll all be noobs together .

It's gonna be an 8 or 10 team H2H league with categories. Average, HRs, RBIs, Steals, Runs scored for offense; ERA, WHIP, Ks, Wins, Saves for pitching. I think it's just a snake draft. One thing that seemed kinda weird for me was the roster. The "offense" portion of the lineup seems normal. You start 1 player from each infield position, 1 2B/SS "flex", 1 1B/3B "flex", 4 OFs, and 1 Utility. But then you start 9 pitchers with no restrictions on starters/relievers. I feel like you should have to play X starters and X relievers, right? Also there's only 3 bench spots. Is this a normal roster config?

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer .

FantasyAlarm.com

buy the guide for $10 and read everything. and if you have sirius xm listen to the fantasy sports channel religiously

Follow Ray Flowers on Twitter as well, good dude, usually answers questions @baseballguys

Strong team. Like it sans Peralta and Daniel Murphy. Not buying him this year.

Yeah Peralta was last pick, wanted Alicdes to be backup shortstop, wasn't there at the time, said screw it just took Peralta so I could get it over with. Teammate wanted Murph, I wanted Neil Walker. Didn't feel like arguing so I gave in. All goes to plan, Murph plays max once a week if that.

 

[champcruthik]

Whats an appropriate draft position for K Bryant??? 

The continued hype and media coverage surrounding his "controversial" reassignment to the minors for an extra year of team control is only driving up "Crush's" value. I've seen him go easily in the top-100, with that value heightened in keeper leagues considering he's a top-30 commodity looking ahead to the '16 season.

With that being said, I wouldn't overpay. Yes, Bryant has rare raw power and was crushing the baseball this spring but for this season alone, "Crush" is barely a top-15 option at the hot corner. Major league pitching is a different animal, and I've preferred to stash Texas' Joey Gallo at a much later price point. Offers similar power, valuable in leagues with a NA spot for holding prospects.

And johnnyredstorm : I grabbed d'Arnaud as my second catcher to Brian McCann based on his potential. What is expected of him this season over your way, but mostly what's your opinion about him.

Although this was addressed to JRS, I have the pleasure of seeing Trav play quite often at Citi. d'Arnaud figured out his hitting once recalled later in the season. Absolutely mashed in the month of August. I like his "sleeper" potential at the catcher position, along with Grandal and Zunino.

I was offered Jose Reyes and Bryce Harper for Ian Desmond and Matt Kemp. Good deal?

I would pass. Bryce's significant upside is tempting, but Reyes carries too much injury risk. He's played 236 games the last two seasons. Desmond is a top-2 or top-3 SS. Good for 25/85 every season for Washington, may be expected to carry even more offensive burden with Rendon's bothersome knee. There was no hotter hitter than "Bison" Kemp post-ASB last year. He looks healthy and rejuvenated. Easily a top-20 OF in 2015.

 

[champcruthik]

venom lyrix :
Your OF is obviously stacked and the strongest part of your team. I would try to move Bruce, Heyward, or "Ells," since there's surplus there to solidify another position.

Very high on Gyorko rebounding from a dismal '14. Grandal is one of my "sleeper" catchers, with bonus 1B eligibility. Also like Semien in Oakland, late in drafts. Offers infield versatility at 2B, SS, 3B. Micah is going to swipe a lot of bags, but his defense needs work to stay on the field. Devon Travis another of my 2B "sleepers."

Your rotation could use improvement. After Max, there's question marks. Gio was volatile last year, but I get he's 29 and in prime position as a #4 starter for the Nats. Cashner, I like a whole lot. Bumped down to #2 with the addition of "Big Game James (stupid nickname)," he's been in rare form this spring. Unlike Shields, Cashner and Ross limit the long ball. McHugh, Duffy, and Paxton have potential as high-value pitchers able to outperform their ADP. Now that I reflect, I would definitely trade an OF for a SP upgrade. In case Gio falters, you have a #3 to complement Scherzer and Cashner.

Assuring you secure the holds category with Davis and Watson. I did the same in my league with Davis and Miller instead, and punted saves. That league has an odd tendency to be closer-heavy.

run.lmc :
Your INF is stacked. Freeman a top-5 1B, Kipnis a top-5 2B, Desmond a top-2 or top-3 SS, and Arenado a top-10 3B. Arenado is the key. He was breaking out before missing games. Plus he has the benefit of playing in Coors.

Solid OF. "Cutch" leads the way, but Kemp was no slouch post-ASB with the bat. Gradually returning to MVP form. Ozuna is a bit of a free swinger, but the raw power is there in Miami.

The key to your rotation is "Jo-Fer's" return in June, hopefully for your sake. Wood is a trendy upside pick, run support and wins will be problematic in the A however. "Z" is a top-12 guy in fantasy, and Cobb should be back by mid-April. He was a beast transforming into Tampa's lead ace with Price's departure to Detroit.

AgentZero :
To answer your question, I would drop Pearce before Mauer.

For 1B, I personally preferred Hosmer and Grandal to LaRoche at a similar ADP price point.

I would prepare some SS insurance for Reyes. Someone like Jean Segura would be ideal.

Love the Betts pick. He's Boston's leadoff hitter of the future, just a matter of finding enough AB on the Red Sox's crowded roster.

You have three top-20 SP with Kershaw, "Z," and Shields. Be careful with Ryu, most people in LA don't believe he'll finish a full season this year. Pitching shoulder discomfort is usually a bad sign.

Lastly, I much fancy Sanchez to Shoemaker. He's been glistening in spring and the upside is huge. Stroman's unfortunate injury accelerated Sanchez's jump into Toronto's rotation, a spot he's technically still battling for.

stick :
PM your email. I will send you my personally drafted material which helped with two drafts I completed in recent weeks.

 

[run.lmc]

champcruthik thanks a bunch for your input man, greatly appreciated!

 

[AgentZero]

Pitching is better than the offense, I think you'll struggle in a handful of offensive categories, middle of the pack the whole year. Shoemaker is a better add than Sanchez. I wouldn't drop Pearce or Mauer for either.

@AgentZero:
To answer your question, I would drop Pearce before Mauer.

For 1B, I personally preferred Hosmer and Grandal to LaRoche at a similar ADP price point.

I would prepare some SS insurance for Reyes. Someone like Jean Segura would be ideal.

Love the Betts pick. He's Boston's leadoff hitter of the future, just a matter of finding enough AB on the Red Sox's crowded roster.

You have three top-20 SP with Kershaw, "Z," and Shields. Be careful with Ryu, most people in LA don't believe he'll finish a full season this year. Pitching shoulder discomfort is usually a bad sign.

Lastly, I much fancy Sanchez to Shoemaker. He's been glistening in spring and the upside is huge. Stroman's unfortunate injury accelerated Sanchez's jump into Toronto's rotation, a spot he's technically still battling for.

I ended up dropping Mauer for Shoemaker. I was about to add Sanchez, but Shoemaker's Ks and K/BB are higher and I can think I can take a slight downgrade in ERA. There are also a few similar efficient/non-power free agent 1Bs available which is why I dropped Mauer. I felt I had to add another pitcher with the majority of the rest of the league with 7 SP. I couldn't afford to lose my edge. I was a Ryu owner last year as well and know about his injury concerns, thankfully my league has two DL spots so I can save him if he's out.

Sure enough Segura is still available and I will look into picking him up if anyone ends up on the DL. I initially thought I had strong advantage with SB during the draft, but realized I just had three players who excel. Segura could help me there but I'm concerned his AVG will hurt what I think is one of my strong offensive categories.

I typically hold off on trading in the preseason and so I'll wait a few weeks before determining what categories I should sacrifice and players I can give up in an effort to turn certain categories into locks. I was hoping SBs would be one of them, but we'll see. I'll continue to post in the thread throughout the season, you guys give some great advice.

 

[pacificnorsewst]

champcruthik : Always appreciative of your input, brotha.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

man i'm not worried one bit about Jose's injury history. although, i did hedge myself by drafting elvis, but still, I like the upside Reyes has this year in that lineup.

 

[champcruthik]

champcruthik thanks a bunch for your input man, greatly appreciated!

To answer your earliest question about players I'm avoiding, I'm fading: Troy Tulowitzki, Adrian Beltre, Chris Sale, Jacoby Ellsbury, Corey Kluber, Anthony Rendon, Johnny Cueto, Jose Reyes, Nelson Cruz, Adam Wainwright, James Shields, Masahiro Tanaka, Kris Bryant, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Justin Verlander.

I ended up dropping Mauer for Shoemaker. I was about to add Sanchez, but Shoemaker's Ks and K/BB are higher and I can think I can take a slight downgrade in ERA.

I can see why you kept Pearce. Power and gets on base. Streaky numbers, went ballistic last June.

Good timing by not adding Sanchez. We'd hoped his control issues were diminished, but he walked six today vs. the Phils. Sanchez's rotation spot is anything but secure, and he was great out of the pen last year for Toronto.

champcruthik : Always appreciative of your input, brotha.

Text/PM always open for more specific questions.

Last two points about Trav: Hit 10 HR in his last 257 AB. .805 OPS during that stretch would rank sixth best among all catchers.

man i'm not worried one bit about Jose's injury history.

Lofty expectations, but a healthy Reyes that plays 150+ games could very well score 100 runs with the addition of Donaldson and power guys hitting behind your boy.

 

[champcruthik]

I should post my own two rosters, both keeper leagues.

NT, 12 teams:
Brief precursor, finished second in 2013 by one category. Third place last year. Decided to shake things up by trading Sale and "Waino" for "Goldy." Shipped Beltre for moderate pick compensation. Kept Donaldson, Desmond, B. Hamilton, Goldschmidt, and Marte. Disclaimer: I always stockpile arms and punt saves.

C - Perez
1B - "Goldy"
2B - Kipnis
SS - Desmond
3B - Donaldson
OF - Marte
OF - B. Hamilton
OF - Ozuna
UTIL - Machado
UTIL - Hosmer
BN - Wieters

SP - Gray
SP - Cobb
RP - Sanchez
RP - Pomeranz
P - Ventura
P - Wacha
P - Bailey
P - Archer
BN - Weaver
BN - Smyly
BN - Gausman
BN - Lackey
NA - Salazar

Second league, 12 teams:
Finished in 11th place. My squad was downright atrocious last year. We play holds, and start LF, CF, RF as opposed to three generic OF. Went youth and keeper value since I'm likely out of contention until '16. Kept B. Hamilton, Ellsbury, Kershaw, and Machado.

C - Santana
1B - Freeman
2B - Empty (Adding Gyorko)
SS - Bogaerts
3B - Machado
LF - Yelich
CF - Ellsbury
RF - Polanco
UTIL - B. Hamilton
UTIL - Hosmer

SP - Kershaw
SP - Teheran
RP - Miller
RP - W. Davis
P - Gray
P - Archer
P - Ventura
BN - Bailey
BN - Gausman
BN - Sanchez
NA - Salazar

 

[champcruthik]

Might as reveal my personally constructed cheat sheet, since both my NT-related drafts are complete.

Players I targeted for underrated ADP and long-term keeper value:
C -
Perez
Wieters
d'Arnaud
Grandal
Ramos
Zunino

1B -
C. Davis
Hosmer
Grandal

2B -
Kipnis
Wong
Odor
Gyorko
Gennett
Lawrie
Semien
Travis
M. Johnson

SS -
Andrus
Segura
Bogaerts
Simmons

3B -
Bryant (pre-hype)
Gallo

OF -
Springer
Marte
Yelich
Heyward
Ozuna
Betts
Polanco
Castillo
Pollock
Pederson
Myers
Arcia
Eaton
Pompey
A. Garcia

SP -
Samardzija
G. Cole
deGrom
Carrasco
Cobb
Wacha
Bailey
A. Wood
Archer
Cashner
Ventura
McHugh
J. Fernandez
Odorizzi
Fiers
A. Sanchez
Smyly
Salazar
Gausman
S. Miller
Duffy
Holland
C. Martinez

 

[johnnyredstorm]

which holland? derrick is still available in my other league.