Fake Teams

top 5

Kemp
Bautista
Cabrera
Pujols
Tulo

Upton is a close 6th
I am assuming Braun will be suspended for 50 games.

Who's the first pitcher that should be taken?

Kershaw?
Halladay?
Verlander?

Halladay

as he has been the most consistent, but I have to say, one can argue for taking any of these 3.

Got any big time sleepers?

sleepers

see below

Justin Smoak
Kenley Jansen
Chad Billingsley

Who are some great value pitchers you can get late?

sleepers

Edinson Volquez
Scott Baker
Pedro Alvarez
Adam Dunn

Dunn and Alvarez are better than what they showed in 2011. Baker and Volquez pitch in pitchers parks, and Volquez strikes out almost 9 batters per 9 innings with a 50+ ground ball rate.

sorry

responded to sleeper question here. my bad.

Thoughts on Moore and Strasburg for 2012?

Who you taking first?

I am a big fan of both

but you have to take Strasburg over Moore, but can see Moore performing very well in 2012.

Where should Granderson be taken?

Grandy

early-mid second round

Quentin

yes, his power numbers should drop in Petco.

What should we expect from Morse?

Same as last year over a 162 game span?

I think so

He was very consistent month to month in 2012. He may not hit .300 again, but he should be very productive.

Who will be this year's Pineda, freeman etc.?

2012 rookies

Yonder Alonso and maybe, maybe even Bryce Harper if he wins the RF job in spring training.
Moore should outperform 2011 Pineda in 2012

forgot about Montero

he should outperform the 2011 Freeman this season

Mesoraco

i hope you are right

I own him in a keeper league. I can see him hitting 15 homers this season with a .260-.270 BA

Ray Guilfoyle - January 8, 2012 via mobile reply

Best reliever?

Kimbrel?

yes

but Axford, Rivera and Papelbon are all very good as well

Internet Bullies - January 7, 2012 reply

Storen!

Sorry for all the questions

no problem

How many homers for Mike Stanton?

I will guess

40+ this season.

and

I think he can steal 10-15 bases as well.

Do you think Ubaldo Jimenez will bounce back?

Beat me to it

Was curious on thoughts about him as well. Could last year have been a hangover affect from workload in 2010?

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

Jimenez

I think he will bounce back. I may have to write about him.
His FIP was a run lower than his ERA in 2011, and he still Ks alot of batters and induces 47% ground balls.

Who has the better season between Alex Presley and Lorenzo Cain?

gorillakilla34 - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

Cain

I think he can steal 25+ bases in 2012, with double digit HRs. Not sure I am buying on Presley in 2012.

Now that Moore will be starting 2012 in the majors, how far do you bump him up in the SP rankings?

gatorenginr88 - January 7, 2012 reply

Moore

Robert ranked him as his 37th best pitcher in his early 2012 rankings, and i could see him moving up when we publish our final rankings.

Biggest Mlb splash

From a prospect not named Moore this year?

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

Or Montero

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

Alonso

Yonder Alonso should see plenty of time at 1b in San Diego now that they traded Rizzo
Bryce Harper maybe?
Travis d’Arnaud

Mesoraco

Alex Gordon

Will he carry over success from 2011?

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

I think he can

his worst month at the plate in 2011 was May when he hit .236. He hit .288 or higher in every other month.
I ranked him as my 10th OFer overall.

What do you think Danny Duffy's potential is this year?

gorillakilla34 - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

Duffy

struggled in his rookie year, but he had high K rates in the minors. If he can cut down his walk rate and improve his K rate, he could be a sleeper in AL-only and mixed leagues. Not sure he is draftable in mixed leagues, but is someone to watch.

Who do you think gets the closer job in Oakland and San Diego?

gorillakilla34 - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

closers

Huston Street in SD
Oakland is tough to call…Balfour probably gets the first shot, but Fautino de los Santos could get some opps as well.
We will watch what roles they have in spring training.

I have one open keeper spot

For either Ogando or McCarthy, at the same price. Really agonizing over this one.

Dandy Salderson - January 7, 2012 reply

McCarthy

is guaranteed a spot in the A’s rotation, Not sure how the Rangers will handle Ogando, but i think he should start.

Short term/long term

Halladay/Greinke/Lester

Who do you like for next year and for the next 3?

Burlin White - January 7, 2012 reply

ST/LT

2012-Halladay-Greinke-Lester
Next 3 yrs-same

You don't see a drop in Halladay after 3 years?

or do all three fall off proportionally over that time?

asyouwish33 - January 7, 2012 reply

He's been getting progressively better with time

His workout routine is robot like, and I can’t see Halladay falling off more so than any other pitcher.

dudedudedude - January 7, 2012 reply

10 Team Keeper League, I can only keep 7.

Braun, J. Upton, Mike Stanton, Ellsbury, Trout, Ackley, Starlin Castro, Bryce Harper, Kershaw, Lester, Gallardo, Bumgarner.
Who should I keep? Factor in me being a huge Brewer fan, haha. You can keep guys forever and through some trades, I own 6 of the first 20 draft picks next spring.
Thanks!

Tedaldtada29 - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

keepers

wow…that is some list
I would keep:
Braun
Upton
Stanton
Harper
Trout
Kershaw
Castro

I could see swapping Ellsbury for Trout or Castro though. Nice problem to have.

Which prospect would sell high before the season and which prospect would you buy low?

asyouwish33 - January 7, 2012 reply

Do you mean prospects that are on MLB rosters

or guys in the minors?

Let's say on a major league roster.

Which prospect do you think would be a good sell high candidate and which one is a good buy low on a ml roster?

asyouwish33 - January 7, 2012 reply

who has the higher ceiling? who is more likely to reach it?

between bauer, bundy, and archie bradley?

rangersfan24 - January 7, 2012 reply

Bundy has the highest ceiling

Bauer is the most likely to reach it. High school arms rarely reach their full potential because a lot can go wrong in the amount of time they are in the minors. Bauer is close to ready and should have a better shot of reaching his ceiling. If you have a choice of those 3, I’d go Bauer, Bundy, Bradley.

dudedudedude - January 7, 2012 reply

I agree

with dude. I think Bauer can make the DBacks rotation this year.

Lincecum.

I have Votto at 1b, Hosmer was DHing for me. I traded Hosmer, Ubaldo and Profar(I have Tulo) for Lincecum, Logan Morrison and Robbie Erlin. DH options for 2012 post Hosmer are Morrison, Trout, J.D. Martinez, Chris Parmelee, Wil Myers(maybe).

Did I make the right move?

I don't like that deal

for you.
Who are your other pitchers?

uhmm

well this league was like the wild west for a while, we had no draft, and i sabotaged 2/3 years for developing prospects that i added for free and its a 12 team league. We just started doing a rookie draft this past year, due to me adding and holding all the best specs lol.

Felix, Cliff Lee, Lincecum, Strasburg, Price, Lester, Hanson, Holland, Bauer, Duffy, Taillon, Vizcaino, Erlin. Matusz, Gray – Start any 7. my goal is to basically roll with 2 starters every week as it is a head to head league.

I have gotten very lucky trading for guys before they breakout.

well done

but I don’t think you needed Lincecum with all of that talent.

Morneau

What should I expect from Morneau?

delmonfan - January 7, 2012 reply

The unexpected

Dandy Salderson - January 7, 2012 reply

Morneau

I read recently that he is still dealing with the post concussion syndrome. I imagine you could get him very late in mixed league drafts.

Deep Keeper League: Montgomery or Segura?

I need to cut Montgomery or Segura to get my roster down to size. I’m already pretty set with SS and SP prospects, so it really comes down to long term value, positional scarcity, etc. Which player do you see as the better long term keeper?

jgregson16 - January 7, 2012 reply

Segura

is he can stay healthy, he will have more LT value.

Long term dynasty, 30 teams.

Not looking to win for a few years. Who would you take with FYPD pick 1.1.. IFA like Darvish are not available. I have been leaning towards Rendon but only cause I feel theres a lot of good arms available in next years draft where I will probably be top 5 too. But I have a mini man crush on Bauer.

Best bats:Posey, Trout, Viciedo, Darnell, Machado, Segura, S.Marte, LJ Hoes, C.Carter(OAK), Liddi, Borchering, Christian Villanueva

Best P’s: Britton, Taillon, J.Parker, Skaggs, Chad James, Dave Holmberg

Rendon

would be my pick.

Is the list of best bats/pitchers your current roster, or guys available?

my roster

best players on my roster.

Rendon

I would pick Rendon for sure. I always take the bat over the pitcher if they are at similar talent levels.

Yea

Thats how I feel, as much as I love Bauer I think Rendon is the wise choice.

Rizzo

Is Anthony Rizzo worth $5 in a $260 NL-only auction keeper league ($5 is the lowest possible keeper cost – salaries increase $5 each season)?

Wilbury - January 7, 2012 reply

yes

but there are some questions about whether he can catch up to a major league fastball.
From Buster Olney’s blog this morning:

Rizzo’s ugly numbers from his first turn through the majors — 18 hits in 153 plate appearances, with one homer — tell only part of the story. Rival talent evaluators were taken aback by how overwhelmed Rizzo looked against even mediocre fastballs last summer; to many, it looked like Rizzo simply lacked the kind of bat speed needed to be a productive major leaguer. “What I saw scared the [bleep] out of me, to be honest,” said one AL official, describing how he saw Rizzo get tied up inside by right-handers throwing 88-90 mph fastballs.

McCutchenIsTheTruth - January 7, 2012 reply

Hope

this makes sense.

10-team standard roto dynasty/keeper league. We can keep 12 players.

Here are my players in contention to keep.

Napoli
Pujols
Votto
Pedroia
Reynolds
J. Upton
Trout
Felix
Lester
Greinke
Weaver
Darvish (if I can get him on the waiver wire)

Caveat. Common sense, but if I only keep 9 (for example) I can then draft in the 10th round. The following players were left unkept last year with the round beside them that they were drafted in.

8th Round
Josh Johnson
Jared Weaver (not sure why; I didn’t draft him in the 8th, I got him via trade)

10th Round
Francisco Liriano

12th Round
Billy Butler
Colby Rasmus
Drew Stubbs
Shawn Marcum
Michael Bourn

The two players I’m really debating are Reynolds and Darvish. Who (and thus how many) should I keep?

Keepers

I would keep the 12 you listed, including Reynolds. Power is down in MLB and getting 30 bombs from Reynolds is valuable, despite the low BA.

evanmatthewvogel - January 7, 2012 reply

Keeper League?

I can deal Dan Hudson or Gio Gonzalez for Anthony Rizzo and Michael Choice or Neftali Feliz in a lifetime keeper league. SP get points on W (5), IP (+2), ER (-1) and hitting gets points on TB, R, RBI.
Pitching would still be ok with whoever I keep out of Hudson/Gio, Garza, Cueto, Porcello, E. Santana and Edwin Jackson, with H. Alvarez.
Thoughts?

I'd go

Hudson for Choice/Feliz.

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

I would deal Hudson

his drop in K rate is concerning to me. Gio’s K rate increased in 2011 and now he is moving to the NL.

Arenado

Read projections of his peak power sitting at 20-25 HR. If so that not overly impressive at 3rd. Think its low ceiling?

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

Arenado

I posted something about him over at Minor League Ball a few days ago. I am curious how much HR power he has. Will be very interested in seeing how he fares against AA pitching this season.

If so that not overly impressive at 3rd.

have you seen the 3B play recently?

McCutchenIsTheTruth - January 9, 2012 reply

Hence

why I’m strongly considering keeping Mark Reynolds.

What stats do you look at..

to help predict future fantasy production?

mikeschieve - January 7, 2012 via Android app reply

stats

for pitchers its K/9, BB/9, K/BB, GB rate, FIP
for hitters BA, OBP, SLG, BABIP, K%, BB%

I also look at the trend in each of these stats. Are there trending up or down?

Bogaerts VS Cuthbert

Which do you prefer and why?

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

I like both

and may have to write something on this over at Minor League Ball……as both are the same age and will eventually play the same position.
Right now, I would lean Bogaerts. BA had a nice writeup on him in their Top 10 Red Sox prospects.

Good Stuff!

Ray, I can’t quite tell if the discussion has ended…but beyond taking in your response to Bogaerts VS Cuthbert, I’d love to have you explain why you are bullish on Smoak…. A number of experts only see worrisome patterns in what he’s been doing the last few years….

Fanthead - January 7, 2012 reply

discussion still going on

and still taking questions.

Smoak had a tough season on and off the field in 2011. He dealt with a hand injury and still hit 15 HRs, and off the field had to deal with the death of his father. He just turned 25 yrs of age, so he still has plenty of time to reach the potential many expected.
But, if the Mariners do sign Fielder, I could see them dealing him to the Rays possibly.

Ryan Madson

Do you think he gets stuck setting up for a team, or does he close for someone? Assuming Cinci signs Cordero, who is still in need of a closer that would pay for one?

highheat - January 7, 2012 reply

Madson

i am not sure why the Reds haven;t signed him yet. He is better than Cordero and younger. What’s not to like.

The Angels might look to sign him, but the chances are small. He will sign somewhere on a one year deal, possibly to set up and then get traded at midseason, I think.

who has the better career? ie which do u want in your dynasty team?

Strasburg or Bumgarner?

ViolentMike - January 7, 2012 via Android app reply

Strasburg

I do like Bumgarner, but Strasburg should have the better 2012 and career. Strasburg has the talent to win some Cy Young awards, and is on a team that I think will be contending as soon as this season.

This is no slight to Bumgarner though.

Lucas Duda or JD Martinez?

5×5 Roto League. Thanks!

Duda

I think he will hit for the better BA and approach 25 HRs this season.

Will Brett Gardner continue to get the ABs to be a 50 SB threat?

I think so

unless the Yankees get in on Cespedes.

Gardner

should be their leadoff hitter and I could see Girardi moving him up there this season, and pushing Jeter down to 7 or 8.

What are your early projections for Zack Cozart? SS for Cincy

Potential 15/15 or 15/20?

Cozart

I think he is a sleeper and could go 15-15 with regular playing time in Cincy. He just may push himself up the SS rankings in 2012

Chris Carpenter and Tim Hudson

Still gas in the tank to be solid mid-rotation SPs for a 12 team league?

yes

but I do say I am concerned with all the innings Carp threw last year and with Duncan taking a leave of absence, who knows how he will perform in 2012.
I like Hudson a bit more than Carp as he consistently owns a low ERA and WHIP.

Brett Wallace

Is there any hope for him in Houston?

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

SOME HOPE

and I think Houston should just let him play everyday in 2012 so they can determine if he is an everyday starter or a bench guy.

Thoughts on Stetson Allie?

AckAttack - January 7, 2012 reply

Allie

I hear that he was all over the place in extended spring training in 2011, and may start there again this year.

should go back to 3B

Casey Crosby

Still a solid SP prospect?

highheat - January 7, 2012 via mobile reply

stay away

he walks too many batters, but could certainly turn things around in 2012, assuming he repeats AA.

taking a break

from responding to work on a few articles.

Keep posting your questions, and I will get back to them tomorrow. thanks

2 trade questions

1. . i own colby rasmus would you trade him for grady sizemore? i have mike trout and cameron maybin also in center. 6 outfielders count. i also have logan morrison, stanton, bautista, and heyward in the outfield.

2. i own jose bautista would you trade him for hosmer and starlin castro. i have tulo, jed lowrie, and jeter at short and i have smoak at first.

i’m in a keeper dynasty league 35 player roster. 14 batters count.

callmezeke - January 7, 2012 reply

trades

I would keep Rasmus. Not a fan of an injury prone outfielder like Sizemore.

I would deal Bautista for both Hosmer and Castro……like both of these young hitters.

12 team keeper and we get to keep 7. Help me out please.

Jose Bautista
Jay Bruce
Prince Fielder
David Freese
Carlos Gonzalez
Bryce Harper
Eric Hosmer
Kelly Johnson
Paul Konerko
Yadier Molina
Buster Posey
Mike Stanton
Mike Trout
Troy Tulowitzki

angelskid2210 - January 7, 2012 reply

wow

nice roster

Here are my 7:
Fielder
Cargo
Harper
Hosmer
Stanton
Trout
Tulo

I can see dropping Cargo for Bautsita, but would prefer the younger hitter.

If playing for just 2012, my keepers would be:
Bautista
Bruce
Fielder
Cargo
Hosmer
Stanton
Tulo

????

Drop Bautista for Mike Trout? Even if you’re not playing for 2012 (and why would you not play to win this year), chances are if you drop Trout you could redraft him after the 8th round. You won’t be able to do that with Bautista; if you drop him he’s gone from you forever. Drop Trout and redraft him in rounds 8-13 seems to make more sense. No?

jswinea - January 8, 2012 reply

agreed

but, how many more years will Bautista hit like this? he is 31 years old so he is nearing the end of his peak seasons. Plus, I am not sure he is a .300 hitter.
Trout has the potential to be above average hitter with some power and excellent speed. He may take a few years to get there, but he will be valuable should he do so.

but . . .

I have yet to see a mock draft where Bautista did not go in the first round. He’s hit 90+ home runs in the last two years at a shallow position.Trout has the potential to be an “above average hitter”, but he also has the potential to be another Andy Marte, Delmon Young, or Matt Wieters. The world is full of can’t-miss prospects who didn’t live up to the hype. I can’t see giving up a top-ten player for someone who MIGHT someday be a top-ten hitter but hasn’t yet shown any ability to hit major league pitching. The fact is if you float Trout he’ll be available to draft in rounds 8-12. If you float Bautista he’ll be the first player chosen.

jswinea - January 9, 2012 reply

Do you think Posey bounces back?

Do you think I should trade him while he may have a little value left?

angelskid2210 - January 7, 2012 reply

POSEY

Yes, I do think he bounces back. I would only deal him if I can getting proper mkt value for him. I would not sell low.

But not worth a keeper from that roster?

I’m conteplating keeling him or Hosmer. This is a league going for 3 more seasons.

angelskid2210 - January 7, 2012 reply

me

I would keep Hosmer over Posey….without a doubt.

Thats the way I'm leaning...thanks!

Oh and I’m trying a strategy of keeping no pitchers…is pitching deep enough to try the strategy?

angelskid2210 - January 8, 2012 reply

who do you have?

and what type of league?

My pitchers are...

John Axford
Madison Bumgarner
Yovani Gallardo
Matt Garza
Zack Greinke
Tommy Hanson
Ubaldo Jimenez
Craig Kimbrel
Brandon Morrow
Jordan Walden

Are any of these guys worth keeping as part of my 7…over the offensive side??

angelskid2210 - January 8, 2012 reply

andrelton simmons

john sickels gives him a B+ as a hitter. that seems to be a stronger rating than simmons gets from others. what is your opinion?

callmezeke - January 7, 2012 reply

Simmons

After reading BA’s scouting report on him, he sounds more like an all glove, some bat type player. No power, some speed, good glove. Not that high, but BA says he is the Braves SS of the future.

Kendrys Morales

I jumped on Morales on every team I am in at the end of last year’s season. The guy was a 30/100/.306 hitter! He got hurt. Although the injury was significant it was to his ankle. If it was a shoulder or a wrist, I would not be as high on him as I am and have been. I really think the “experts” have gotten it wrong on Morales. I think that is because there is no data to base predictions off of. MLB players do not forget how to hit. If Morales’ line in 2009 was from AAA, then there would be some questions whether he could hit MLB pitching. The guy can rake. The only question is will his ankle heal? Now give me a break. The guy is a switch hitter, which makes him an unbelievable cover for Pujols. Pujols hitting 3rd and Kendrys batting clean up. Sheesh! Yes you are taking a gamble, but look at the pay off. I went all in on Morales before the Pujols deal and the latest very positive news on his leg. All because he raked in 2009. You do not forget how to do that. If you are worried about it being only one year — look at the 193 at bats in 2010!!! He raked! This will make a fantasy team. The experts are helping that out. They have missed the boat completely. This will not last long. The other thing is that he can DH. Pick him up now! This is such a small gamble with such a huge payoff that this could be the piece that gets you over the top. Look at what the Angels have done regarding him. At first the “experts” said that with Pujols at 1B, look for the Halos to deal Morales. When that didn’t happen they said, “with the impressive numbers that Trumbo put up in 2011, be cautious on Morales — look back in the middle of next season.” Now look at what the Angels are doing — they are planning on moving Trumbo to 3B (but that is stalled because he too has an injury, but his is not healing quickly. This situation will not last long. Irish

Irishbeerman - January 8, 2012 reply

love your name

I think many are cautious with Morales right now as he has just started to run. We don’t know how his ankle will respond to the running or to baseball activities.

Feliz

What are your projections for feliz in the rotation this year and how do you see him developing in the future?

mdrob - January 8, 2012 reply

Feliz

I think he might struggle initlally since he has not started since 2009 in AAA. Plus, he has made just 30 starts in the minors, and his K rate dropped as he moved up each level.
He also gives up more fly balls than ground ball, so pitching in Texas could result in a high HR/FB rate in 2012.
I am sure we will see some excellent starts from him this year, but I think they might be mixed with some very bad starts as well.