Fantasy Baseball 2016

[homer]

Figured we can start a thread for this.....might die off after the draft but maybe someone will want trade advice or something.

 

I'll open by asking a keeper question:

 

My league allows three keepers (max two pitchers) and you can keep guys as long as you want (e.g. I've had Braun since his call up).

 

I can keep two of the following three players:

 

Kris Bryant (3B, OF)

Nolan Arenado (3B)

Kyle Schwarber (C, OF)

 

Going to keep Arenado for sure and then the question becomes Schwarber or Bryant? I'm guessing Bryant will be better long term but given the paucity of really good catchers is Schwarber a better option? Guess I should mention it's a 13 team league and I draft 8th.

[brewcrewdue80]

That's tough. Because Schwarber may get booted as Catcher. His bat is a plus yes but he won't steal bases. Premium Catcher for 2seasons guaranteed but then you may lose that and have OF/DH. I haven't sat back and looked at projections for all three. I'd assume Bryant/Arenado would be drafted earlier than Schwarber but with Catcher eligibility, maybe I'm wrong. If your #8 that's 8, 18, and 34th picks if snake? Or 8, 21,34? Would he be around to draft(wisely+value) at those selections to get? Anyone in the league really high on him&want him where they're not letting anyone get him if he's available.. like you've done with Braun?

How's the scoring go within the league?

[homer]

Schwarber moving off of catcher is a really good point from a long term perspective. Short term (next two seasons) he'll be pretty close to elite at catcher but after that he's simply really good in the outfield. Bryant could move off of third but then I still have Arenado.

 

As for the draft, yes it's 8, 18, 34. He may make it to 8 but remember there are three keepers per team so our first round is more like a 4th round. I'm worried he won't make it to 18.....guy a the end of the draft would take him and there is one Cub fan that might snag him.

 

Our scoring is weird. I've been in this same league since pre-internet days. It's basically a total points system (i.e. a single is a point, double is two, triple is three, RBI is one, run is one, stolen base is two, strikeout is minus 1/2, hitting into double play is minus one etc.) and then standings are based on how many points you've accumulated in total. So it's not rotisserie but kind of.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Bryant all the way every day. Tough position to boot.

[BrewersSuperCollector]

Bryant

[TURBO]

Bryant, for the reasons stated above...also, I would think he would have some pretty good trade value if your league does a lot of wheeling and dealing...

[TURBO]

I have a couple keeper situations that I am more than perplexed about.

 

Situation #1:

 

12 teams, very active and competitive, total point scoring

Took first place in the league last year.

 

I can keep 5 players

 

1. Votto (1B)

2. Correa (ss)

3. Braun (of)

4. G. Stanton (of)

5. Kershaw (sp)

6. Sale (sp)

7. deGrom (sp)

8. Tanaka (sp)

9. Wainwright (sp)

10. Stroman (sp)

 

I know for certain I am keeping Kershaw, deGrom and probably Sale. This is a pitcher heavy league, if I drop an ACE, I'll never get him back as the league values pitching a LOT! On the flipside, I can't imagine throwing guys like Votto, Correa, and Stanton back into the draft pool either. I know I'm letting Braun go, so I can cross him off the list. Losing Wainwright is going to hurt, and Tanaka is a wild card in my eyes. The one who intrigues me, that I might be able to get back via draft is Stroman...

 

Some extremely tough decisions to be made in that league for sure...

 

 

 

Situation #2

 

12 team VERY active and competitive league, total point scoring

 

I can keep 6, won this league last year by 500+ points, just killed it!

 

1. Prince Fielder (1B)

2. Lindor (ss)

3. Altuve (2b)

4. Bumgarner (sp)

5. deGrom (sp)

6. Kershaw (sp)

7. Sale (sp)

8. Scherzer (sp)

9. Syndergaard (sp)

10. Rodon (sp)

 

Kind of the same situation as situation #1, very heavy pitching league, if you drop an ACE, they will be drafted and gone for good!

 

I am extremely inclined to keep all 6 starting pitchers. Always seems to be an injury, and with my pitching covered, I can concentrate on nothing but offense and closers for the first 10 round.

 

Then there is Altuve, who is consistently ranked the #1 2B in fantasy baseball. In fact, I haven't seen a single website yet that didn't have him at #1. With 2B typically a weak fantasy position, he is another guy I might have to hang onto, to do so, I'd have to dump Syndergaard back into the pool. yikes!

 

This is who I am thinking of keeping: Bumgarner, deGrom, Kershaw, Sale, Scherzer, and Syndergaard...

 

 

 

Situation #3

 

10 teams, total point scoring

2nd place finish last year

 

keep 7

 

1. Abreau (1B)

2. Lindor (ss)

3. Mookie Betts (of)

4. deGrom (sp)

5. Sale (sp)

6. Strasburg (sp)

7. King Felix (sp)

8. Syndergaard (sp)

9. Wainwright (sp)

10. Matz (sp)

11. Stroman (sp)

12. Rodon (sp)

13. Kimbrel (rp)

 

Same as the above league, pitching is a premium...

 

As of now, I know I am keeping deGrom, Sale, Strasburg, Felix, and Syndergaard. The question now is, who will be the last 2? Can't really see myself throwing Abreu back into the draft pool. I'm pretty sure I won't be keeping Betts.

 

 

 

Any thoughts on my "situations" will be appreciated. Always nice to have input on keeper teams as I tend to get pretty one dimensional. I usually have pretty good success with my strategy, but as you can see, I am going to be throwing a LOT of premium talent back into the draft pool this year.

 

Thanks!

[homer]

Re: situation #1

I think you have to keep Correa simply because he is elite at a position where there isn't much after the top few (that may change in a few years and might this year but seems like a safe bet). Votto's numbers may drop simply because they aren't going to have a lot around him and his RBI, runs, etc. may take a dive. Stanton is the other guy I'd keep. Power is down all over baseball and having mashers on your team is valuable. For that same reason, I feel like there's more pitching out there than there used to be. So keep your elite guys and find others in the draft.

[MrTPlush]

Abreu is an easy decision for #3...I would also lean Matz(or Rodon if you like him long term). Lindor is nice...but if pitching is premium maybe go with the pitcher.

[KCBrewerfan34]

I love Lindor but since pitching is so valuable go pitching heavy, Correa and Stanton must be kept.

[TURBO]

Thanks for the replies guys! Still debating on a few, always good to get input...

[brewcrewdue80]

Situation 1 to me is Keep Correa you are blessed to have that ability. I'd have to choose Stanton as well.

 

Situation 2 You obviously reduce Syndergaard and Keep Altuve. Proven Batting Champ right? And he'll have Correa batting around him. He may just go off for 125runs scored this year at .340+

 

Situation 3 You've got 5 great pitchers. You get to keep Syndergaard in this one so letting him go in #2 won't be that hard. You keep Abreu and Betts apparently who's got that 20/25 with high BA/Runs for a player meaning well rounded. It's become a Pitcher's League overall in baseball, so it makes sense why pitching is well regarded. I don't know how big Rodon will be. But over Betts I could see the longer term Keeper situation as it doesn't seem like Betts is going to be truly elite in a single category of HRs/SBs just a handy number. The only problem for me is keeping 6 pitchers. You'd have to have a plan of maybe trading one for a better player to keep later on than Betts. Snagging an Altuve or Correa for personally offering Strasburg of your list in #3.

[brewcrewdue80]

Who would you keep more? J. Cueto at a 15th rd cost? Or Jeurrys Familia at an 18th rd cost? Also, Arenado at 4th rd 1st pick or Votto at 6th rd 1st pick? I'd also have the option to keep Starling Marte 3rd round 12th pick.

 

12 team League that I won last year so I'd pick 12/13,36(Marte),37(Arenado), 60,61(Votto) 84,85. I'm guessing smart would have to be Arenado. Really just seeking confirmation if there's better value with Votto or Marte. We Keep 2 Hitters/2Pitchers

You would figure 20 of top 32 players overall. But then it gets mixed with lesser overall ranking in players due to the value you can keep them for draft. Like I could keep Familia at 18th round pick. As I'm keeping Corey Seager at 17th rd pick. Guess I just answered myself for Pitcher choices as Cueto would be 12th selection in rd vs Familia #1.

So while 48 players are kept overall, it's not going to be the 48 best it'll be probably 32 of the best 48. 16 within next top 120. I could keep Marte and try to draft Arenado #12/13. Keep Arenado try drafting Marte/Votto 12/13. Something like that. I'd imagine none of the three make it to #36/37 if I don't keep them. But maybe Votto lasts that long?

[jerichoholicninja]

Currently we have three openings in our fantasy baseball keeper league. Our league has been going for about five years, with a league constitution that is very in depth. Many of our members are also on this site and brewerfan. It is a twelve team league, with a $50 entry fee, and payouts to the top three teams after the playoffs. The scoring system uses ten categories split between hitting and pitching.

 

The league format is that you get to keep up to $125 worth of player salaries per year. The remaining roster is filled with an online auction that we are tentatively having around Easter weekend. You will have first choice of any teams remaining. Plenty of talent is on all of these teams, and I can send out team information to anyone interested. We are hoping to get the spots filled this week, so please pm me if you are interested.

[ilikewisco]

Keeper question. I can keep 2 bats and 2 arms. No round consideration. Scoring is the basic 10 plus ops, total bases, whip and holds.

 

Mccutchen, Correa, stanton, arrenado and votto

 

Price, greinke, Strasburg, harvey and syndergaard

 

Was planning on stanton, correa, price and Strasburg. 10 team league, I was stacked last year but finished 3rd.

[brewcrewdue80]

Keeper question. I can keep 2 bats and 2 arms. No round consideration. Scoring is the basic 10 plus ops, total bases, whip and holds.

 

Mccutchen, Correa, stanton, arrenado and votto

 

Price, greinke, Strasburg, harvey and syndergaard

 

Was planning on stanton, correa, price and Strasburg. 10 team league, I was stacked last year but finished 3rd.

 

Correa is a lock.

Stanton or Arenado would be 2nd. I'd pick Arenado due to Coors+Stanton's injury history. 3b over OF. Good chance you could grab at least 1 of McCutchen/Votto if not both with 1st 2 picks. Stanton would be a reach assuming you're #8/13

As to Pitching, Harvey is a lock to me. I'm surprised at Price's overall numbers last season, didn't realize how great he was. I guess you keep him too. But Strasburg I'm not as high on. If you've got Whip as a category I think Harvey outpaces him as does Grienke. Only thing to Grienke is how does he adjust to new ballpark as well as performance when not in a contract year? I'd be heavy on Harvey and Price. Love to see the teams you lost to because you're looking at those choice in a ten team league having about 8 of top 20 players I'd estimate.

[ilikewisco]

Thank you. I was thinking stanton cuz he's got a track record (for injuries too) and power is at a premium. 3rd is somewhat deep too but Donaldson is getting kept and not sure if machado or arrenado would make it to me. I was thinking Strasburg over harvey for his upside but the downside is bigger with Strasburg I think. I'm gonna take your advice and go with harvey and arrenado. My team was the best on paper but a bad week put me out, and stanton going down hurt too.

[brewcrewdue80]

Thank you. I was thinking stanton cuz he's got a track record (for injuries too) and power is at a premium. 3rd is somewhat deep too but Donaldson is getting kept and not sure if machado or arrenado would make it to me. I was thinking Strasburg over harvey for his upside but the downside is bigger with Strasburg I think. I'm gonna take your advice and go with harvey and arrenado. My team was the best on paper but a bad week put me out, and stanton going down hurt too.

 

You're welcome. Stanton is about power you think 40+ HRs. Arenado hit 42 last season. Looking at ESPNs projection has just 5 3b with 30+ and then it's 16-22. The OF mix is pretty barren for power but when I look to make a team I prefer the better bats at 1b/3b over OF. Always believed the injury potential was far greater for an OF than the IF corners. Fielder after 162 game seasons had his injury 2014. Played 158games last season. Also the 4OF slots. When you get an injury you can pick your poison generally among FAs. The OF with Avg, Power, SB, Run the category your team is weaker you can find that replacement. When you go to 3b/1b you never have that SB/Avg to pick from. They wouldn't be on FA if they possessed either. Teams carry strong 4th OFs but not strong 1b/3b because they'd be starters based on the dearth of quality 1b/3b. Just a thought on strategy. You also figure if OF is more prone to injury top OF prospects especially come September are likely to get called up and get a crack at performing. Michael Conforto-Avg, Domingo Santana-HR, Byron Buxton-SB types.

 

I look at projections on Harvey/Strasburg and the only real category Strasburg wins is Ks. And I'm not sure it's going to be that way. Believing Harvey will have better K pace than projected. And with his no doubt Innings rise that pace may beat Strasburg's total. So the ERA/Whip plus extra Out to that line of such turns out being better overall to choose him.

[brewcrewdue80]

Off to a 1st place start in my league. Won all 4 H2H matchups.

I drafted Lucas Giolito in the last round just to have a high upside SP Keeper for next season. Cueto won't be able to be kept due to our 3year Keeper Limit. I have Jose Fernandez and then no one of value.

 

But looking at overall Innings Giolito hasn't really eclipsed 100IP in a season. So you figure he's capped at 135. He's off to a poor Whip start with less K/9. Now the guy I also considered in last pick Julio Urias was snagged ahead. He was let go last week and is available. But same caveat with Giolito, He's not eclipsed 90IP in a season. So one would assume 125IP come season's end. The Dodgers did use him in a bullpen roll his last Minors outing, which says to me they are limiting his innings for a potential call-up later in season. So I'm considering switching him with Giolito. Difference would be that Giolito if kept would be 22nd rd Keeper next season. Urias would be 17th rd. Also with Innings limits Giolito stands to be able to pitch more over the next 4seasons than Urias.

Which of the two would you keep? I'm leaning towards Urias due to the K:BB ratio difference he has over Giolito. Portends to better potential at ML level to maintain his stats and not be overmatched.

[homer]

After reading your post, I looked up Urias on b-ref. He played in the midwest league at 16 freakin' years old. That's insane.

[patrickgpe]

I normally don't post for advice but I am conflicted. I don't want to keep both these guys on the roster, right now carter is my 1st baseman, Justin bour is going to come off the dl this week, would you cut carter to make way for bour or just release bour once he is activated

 

ESPN rules prohibit any roster moves with an active dl guy so I can't stash him

[BeerFan]

It may be another week or so on Bour. Whether or not I'd drop him or Carter depends on league rules. Bour is more balanced across categories and doesn't rely as much on his power numbers. If it's a points league I prefer Bour just because he is more consistent and doesn't lose points for strikeouts as often. Also I think Stanton has a better second half so his numbers will get a boost from being in the same lineup. If it is a Roto league and you need the homers I'd stick with Carter.

[patrickgpe]

It may be another week or so on Bour. Whether or not I'd drop him or Carter depends on league rules. Bour is more balanced across categories and doesn't rely as much on his power numbers. If it's a points league I prefer Bour just because he is more consistent and doesn't lose points for strikeouts as often. Also I think Stanton has a better second half so his numbers will get a boost from being in the same lineup. If it is a Roto league and you need the homers I'd stick with Carter.

thanks I was leaning bour too for the reasons you outlined, our league is a point league. Homers were not a problem for me, but guys like Frazier and Cespedes have cooled on their hot start homerun pace.

[tmwiese55]

I'm in a keeper league where you can keep two players each year. Players have to have been drafter 12th round or later or were FA when acquired and you can only keep two years. It's a H2H category league. Most weeks I win almost all pitching categories but am weak on offense, especially in the power categories.

 

A guy with no shot at the playoffs this year posted today that he'd trade his best players and looking at keepers in return. I've been sitting Julio Urias from LAD since May on the plans of using as a keeper. Most here know he's the top pitching prospect in the game, likely to get full time run next year in the rotation for a good team in the NL and in a pitchers park. So I think a great keeper. But at this point I'm tied for the best record in the league so in a spot to go for the win. Would you give up 2 years of Urias for 2 months of Rizzo to try and ice a win this year? I'm no fantasy guru and it's my first year in this league(rest of league has been in it for 5+ years and I took over a team). I feel like I have a good shot at winning it anyway or at least top 3 finish to make a financial profit on the year so not sure it's worth it.

 

So far I've made a lower offer for Beltran but not sure on this

[brewcrewdue80]

I'm in a keeper league where you can keep two players each year. Players have to have been drafter 12th round or later or were FA when acquired and you can only keep two years. It's a H2H category league. Most weeks I win almost all pitching categories but am weak on offense, especially in the power categories.

 

A guy with no shot at the playoffs this year posted today that he'd trade his best players and looking at keepers in return. I've been sitting Julio Urias from LAD since May on the plans of using as a keeper. Most here know he's the top pitching prospect in the game, likely to get full time run next year in the rotation for a good team in the NL and in a pitchers park. So I think a great keeper. But at this point I'm tied for the best record in the league so in a spot to go for the win. Would you give up 2 years of Urias for 2 months of Rizzo to try and ice a win this year? I'm no fantasy guru and it's my first year in this league(rest of league has been in it for 5+ years and I took over a team). I feel like I have a good shot at winning it anyway or at least top 3 finish to make a financial profit on the year so not sure it's worth it.

 

So far I've made a lower offer for Beltran but not sure on this

 

Late to the party. You gotta decide if you have 2decent keepers still while trading Urias. How big a bat is Rizzo vs now. Personally w/o looking at the players on your team. Id trade for Rizzo. Winning a League completely ought to be about 4seasons of buyins. This years money back and the next 3years. Probably even more. Urias could get hurt, but really, hes still going to be limited in IP next season. You wouldnt be trading 2seasons of him away but 1.85 if healthy. If hes limited next year, itll occur during the playoffs. So trade him. That owner if he is competitive along with your team, and just so happens to face you come playoffs. Hes scrambling for SP, September callups. Youll be looking forward to another title.