MLB 2016

[Stallion]

I'm pretty happy with my keepers that I have available. A big reason why I didn't 4peat was whiffing terribly on some of my keepers last year (Alex Wood and Mesoraco, even Trout disappointed based on what I paid). This year, I'm pretty stoked with what I've got available

Introducing.....STALLION'S KEEPERS (subject to change)
The List

Tier 1: 100% being kept (Last Year / Projected)

1. Carlos Correa - $17 ($0 / $34) - My teams namesake isn't going anywhere for as long as I can hold him. I stashed him for a month for good reason
2. Nolan Arenado - $17 ($9 / $34) - I hit on DeGrom as a keeper, managing to get Arenado in return after his breakout. A top 12 player this year.
3. Mookie Betts - $15 ($8 / $30) - Just kept getting better as the year went on. Another elite player I get in the teens.
4. Miguel Sano - $9.5 ($0 / $19) - I gifted ButteredToast Todd Frazier on a platter, so only fair that he gifted me Sano. Thanks man.

Tier 2: I'll probably keep them, but fuck they're expensive (Last year / Projected)

5. Mike Trout - $69 ($69 / $52) - He's probably a bit of a surprise to be here. To be honest, a big reason why I lost last year was that unlike in other years (where it totally paid off because of his performance), this was the first year that the exorbitant amount I paid for Trout could be considered an overpay, due to the sharp decline in steals. He's made a comment that he's going to look to run how he used to this season, a development that would make him well worth the $69. Not having to get into a bidding war to get him back would be very nice. A lack of other ideal options for keepers makes the decision to keep Trout a more appealing one.

Tier 3: Upside (Last year / Projected)

6. Lance McCullers - $4 ($0 / $8) - I've been burnt by keeping pitchers before. Out of all my starters though, McCullers has the best combination of elite upside and value (David Price would set me back $30), plus I don't have very many other position players that I feel are keeper worthy.

Total Spent: $128 ($132 remaining).

Other Players to consider

7. Travis D'Arnaud - $4 - Could be a top 5 player at the hardest position to fill. After the Mesoraco experience from last year though, and the injury prone nature of the position, that puts me off the idea quite a bit.
8. David Price - $30 - Depending on how many elite pitchers are kept, Price is definitely worth considering. I've always historically found lots of value for pitching later in drafts though. Also, maybe ButteredToast will trade me a fortune for a beloved Red Sox player y/n?
9. Andrew McCutchen - $49 - Great player, but not really worth $49 anymore.
10. Jake Odorizzi - $4 - Same reasoning as McCullers, just less upside in my eyes.
11. Steven Matz - $1 - See McCullers, but cheaper.
12. Any of the 5 elite pitching prospects that I stashed (Giolitto, Reyes, Urias, Glasnow, Berrios) - $1 - I did it in case one of them decides to have a breakout spring training. Getting the next Jose Fernandez for essentially nothing is a possibility that I'm definitely open to.
13. Francisco Lindor - $4 - Forgot about wriiting about him completely. Definitely a strong contender due to being young, at a premium position and with loads of upside.

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

Tentative keepers (Last Year / Projected / Current Average Cost)

1. Goldschmidt - $52 ($52 / $45 / $52)
2. Stanton - $32 ($32 / $38 / $45)
3. Altuve - $17 ($16 / $34 / $40)
4. Harvey - $10 ($7 / $20 / $24)
5. Stroman - $4 ($1 / $8 / $9)
6. Syndegaard - $8 ($0 / $16 / $19)
-. Carrasco - $15 ($15 / $13 / $15)

Total Cost: $123/130 / $260

Goldschmidt is expensive as fuck but a top 5 fantasy player assuming he stays healthy which he has so far, almost the same as Trout in as far as it being worth avoiding a bidding war that's almost certain to exceed his current value.
Stanton is a ridiculous steal every year if he stays healthy, if he doesn't lose half the season again this year it's great value.
Altuve is the reason I traded away so much pitching that I had stockpiled last season, so that I could keep him for super cheap this one. Locking top 25 OA production in the 2B spot for that cost is incredible.
Stroman is god. Pitching comps with Ceuto and Halladay. All seriousness, he'll be the ace on a stacked Toronto team, even if he regresses he'll be locking up wins all season, legitimate shot at 20.
Entirely uncertain whether I prefer Syndergaard or Carrasco, Yahoo says I should favour Syndergaard. Any opinions?

Final option I probably won't do is Chris Davis for (12/16/23)

 

[Stallion]

Tentative keepers (Last Year / Projected / Current Average Cost)

1. Goldschmidt - $52 ($52 / $45 / $52)
2. Stanton - $32 ($32 / $38 / $45)
3. Altuve - $17 ($16 / $34 / $40)
4. Harvey - $10 ($7 / $20 / $24)
5. Stroman - $4 ($1 / $8 / $9)
6. Syndegaard - $8 ($0 / $16 / $19)
-. Carrasco - $15 ($15 / $13 / $15)

Total Cost: $123/130 / $260

Goldschmidt is expensive as fuck but a top 5 fantasy player assuming he stays healthy which he has so far, almost the same as Trout in as far as it being worth avoiding a bidding war that's almost certain to exceed his current value.
Stanton is a ridiculous steal every year if he stays healthy, if he doesn't lose half the season again this year it's great value.
Altuve is the reason I traded away so much pitching that I had stockpiled last season, so that I could keep him for super cheap this one. Locking top 25 OA production in the 2B spot for that cost is incredible.
Stroman is god. Pitching comps with Ceuto and Halladay. All seriousness, he'll be the ace on a stacked Toronto team, even if he regresses he'll be locking up wins all season, legitimate shot at 20.
Entirely uncertain whether I prefer Syndergaard or Carrasco, Yahoo says I should favour Syndergaard. Any opinions?

Final option I probably won't do is Chris Davis for (12/16/23)

Assuming Syndegaard and Carrasco are projected to put up similar numbers, I'd rather Thor at half the price. $8 is insane value

 

[Del Rio]

Wow, Stallion not even considering Lindor for cheap?

Texas Cloverleaf - Syndergaard

Anyway, as I've said all along, I've got five guys almost entirely as locks and the sixth is a tough choice.

LOCKS Tier (Last Year / Projected):
Josh MF Donaldson - $19.5 ($12 / $39)
Jose Abreu - $19 ($19 / $27)
George Springer - $11.5 ($11 / $23)
JD Martinez - $11.5 ($5 / $23)

Holy fuck I could get 30 homers from a catcher Tier:
Kyle Schwarber - $11 ($0 / $22)

Last but not least Tier:
Joey Votto - $20 ($20 / $29)
Carlos Martinez - $4 ($0 / $8)
Danny Salazar - $6.5 ($1 / $13)

Any advice on my last keeper, ladies? Probably going C-Mart if he's truly healthy but we'll see. Assuming C-Mart,

Total Hit: $77

 

[Stallion]

Wow, Stallion not even considering Lindor for cheap?

Texas Cloverleaf - Syndergaard

Anyway, as I've said all along, I've got five guys almost entirely as locks and the sixth is a tough choice.

LOCKS Tier (Last Year / Projected):
Josh MF Donaldson - $19.5 ($12 / $39)
Jose Abreu - $19 ($19 / $27)
George Springer - $11.5 ($11 / $23)
JD Martinez - $11.5 ($5 / $23)

Holy fuck I could get 30 homers from a catcher Tier:
Kyle Schwarber - $11 ($0 / $22)

Last but not least Tier:
Joey Votto - $20 ($20 / $29)
Carlos Martinez - $4 ($0 / $8)
Danny Salazar - $6.5 ($1 / $13)

Any advice on my last keeper, ladies? Probably going C-Mart if he's truly healthy but we'll see. Assuming C-Mart,

Total Hit: $77

Lindor is an option too, I actually forgot to write him down heh. He never was projected to be a star on offense but he played awesome last year, so it's really tough getting a handle on his potential upside for the year ahead.

Also fuck me dead your keeper list (for its price) is insane

 

[ButteredToast]

It's insane even not considering it's price. He's got to be the front runner by a large margin right now.

 

[Del Rio]

Imanalt has a pretty good core for the cost too. Bryant, deGrom, Arrieta, got Harper while his cost was low...

Yup, mark it down. Championship will be a rematch between me and Imanalt with me winning. It's my time fools.

 

[Stallion]

Imanalt has a pretty good core for the cost too. Bryant, deGrom, Arrieta, got Harper while his cost was low...

Yup, mark it down. Championship will be a rematch between me and Imanalt with me winning. It's my time fools.

Don't count me out. 4 of my keepers are in the projected top 15 players, so it's reasonable for me to say that I have the best core in the league. What hurts me is the cost of Trout. If I draft even reasonably well, I have a great shot at a championship. If Trout starts running again as promised, I also have a great shot. Whether these two things happen remains to be seen but I will say this: I've never prepped for a fantasy baseball league before, but this year I'm actually going to research it. Get ready to lose (at basketball too in both our leagues while I'm at it).

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

What he said, 3 top 15 picks, strong pitching core, goldy price hamstrings a bit. Not out of the realm of possibility to make a deep run

 

[Del Rio]

Also the news that the Cubs resigned Fowler broke right after I made my post earlier. Kinda makes me flaccid on Schwarber now. Having serious doubts he gets 400 ABs

 

[ButteredToast]

Also the news that the Cubs resigned Fowler broke right after I made my post earlier. Kinda makes me flaccid on Schwarber now. Having serious doubts he gets 400 ABs

For one, he has catcher eligibility. Getting around 400 ABs from a fantasy catching spot is pretty decent, especially if he hits at last years level. If he hits, he is going to start in LF. Unlike many other Cs, on his days on the bench will see him coming in as a pinch hitter almost guaranteed in high quality opportunities late game. If you plan to use him as a catcher, you're going to be able to get by. I'd also assume his projected price might drop by a few dollars as well.

Yeah, he looks worse than he did before. But he's still a deal at $10. If you're still having doubts, I'll be HAPPY to get into talks with you on a possible post draft trade. :P

 

[Del Rio]

For one, he has catcher eligibility. Getting around 400 ABs from a fantasy catching spot is pretty decent, especially if he hits at last years level. If he hits, he is going to start in LF. Unlike many other Cs, on his days on the bench will see him coming in as a pinch hitter almost guaranteed in high quality opportunities late game. If you plan to use him as a catcher, you're going to be able to get by. I'd also assume his projected price might drop by a few dollars as well.

Yeah, he looks worse than he did before. But he's still a deal at $10. If you're still having doubts, I'll be HAPPY to get into talks with you on a possible post draft trade. :P

I mean, I thought he was overranked before this news and now unless his projected value drops it's hard to justify keeping him over one of the other guys I listed for my final keeper. My thinking is Schwarber platoons with Soler and Schwarber gets lifted for defense in the late innings which depresses his value.

The one positive that comes out of it is Schwarber could see enough time at catcher in an effort to get him PT that his C eligibility carries over at least another year. That'd be freaking sweet as I'm not down on Schwarber as a player, just his ranking and possible drop in PT. Fortunately we're not having to commit on anything until spring training comes around, obviously, but still

 

[ButteredToast]

Red Sox played their annual college exhibition double header today to begin their Spring Training schedule. Despite being on both TV and the radio, MLB.com blocked it out of their MLB TV package that I pay quite a bit for. The Red Sox TV station NESN carried both games, and their streaming service refused to show the game as well. The WEEI radio app also blocked me out from listening to the game and enjoying the baseball today.

It's a collegiate double header, but I don't get why I was not allowed to watch it. If there are MLB announcers covering the game and if the MLB highlights can be paraded on the website as soon as the game is over, what's the problem with setting up the MLB tv so I can enjoy the game as a paying customer? If I can't watch it, at least let me listen to it on the radio someplace.

But no. Instead, only those who can physically tune into NESN or WEEI are allowed the privilege to watch the game. Those of us who are at work, out of town, or just live in a different city turn out to be shit out of luck.

It's not like it's that big of a deal. But I am a loyal fan of the MLB who waited 4 months for baseball to come back on. I looked forward to today and to these games. And the only way I could see what was going on was to stare at poorly updated live box score that couldnt be expanded on or anything. At least in years past I could listen to the game. It was something. This year, all I got was disappointment. And I have to wait patiently until Wednesday to see my team play.

 

[nLTk]

Red Sox played their annual college exhibition double header today to begin their Spring Training schedule. Despite being on both TV and the radio, MLB.com blocked it out of their MLB TV package that I pay quite a bit for. The Red Sox TV station NESN carried both games, and their streaming service refused to show the game as well. The WEEI radio app also blocked me out from listening to the game and enjoying the baseball today.

It's a collegiate double header, but I don't get why I was not allowed to watch it. If there are MLB announcers covering the game and if the MLB highlights can be paraded on the website as soon as the game is over, what's the problem with setting up the MLB tv so I can enjoy the game as a paying customer? If I can't watch it, at least let me listen to it on the radio someplace.

But no. Instead, only those who can physically tune into NESN or WEEI are allowed the privilege to watch the game. Those of us who are at work, out of town, or just live in a different city turn out to be shit out of luck.

It's not like it's that big of a deal. But I am a loyal fan of the MLB who waited 4 months for baseball to come back on. I looked forward to today and to these games. And the only way I could see what was going on was to stare at poorly updated live box score that couldnt be expanded on or anything. At least in years past I could listen to the game. It was something. This year, all I got was disappointment. And I have to wait patiently until Wednesday to see my team play.

Saw some highlights. Obviously BC isn't a formidable opponent, but it was fun to see Moncada get some time. Hoping he can show up at some point in 2017.

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

biggie Del Rio Stallion ButteredToast

8 people committed to the league, time to look for new joiners?

i know Can-Eh-Dian expressed interest

 

[Del Rio]

Yeah, I think the other two were inactives so might be time to look for some new blood then set a date for keeper finalization with our rule changes, if any

 

[biggie]

The other two are drcossack and I forget the last one (maybe moi). I'd like to notify them and give them at least a little bit to re-up. Regardless though we can have more people in the league even if they both come back. I invite anyone interested to post in this thread and I'll keep track of it.

 

[nLTk]

I am interested. Religious Red Sox fan, but I follow the sport on a league-wide basis. What I don't have is a lot of experience playing fantasy baseball in particular.

 

[ButteredToast]

Texas Cloverleaf - I already attempted to do some recruiting of UncleSam and SanjivG to mixed results. SanjivG said he was pretty interested in joining if we weren't a paid lead (we aren't obviously) and UncleSam says he would do it begrudgingly if we had an odd number, but otherwise he'd prefer not to. Moi is not the . guy, he was like niggasarous or some shit and didn't play last year. I tried to look him up, but he fell off a cliff and hasn't been on Smogon since last October.

biggie - Can we honestly boot the black hole of an owner which is drcossack? The guy is on his 3rd or 4th straight year of checking out of the league before May hits and creating a zombie team that plagues our league. Those who have to play him in April are given a somewhat huge disadvantage when compared to those who have to play him in August and September when half of his team is on the DL or in the Minors.

We know what all we're getting with drcossack and it is auto drafts and 4 roster moves in a season. I'd rather give the open spot to someone new who at least has the potential to be better, and push his priority down just because of his history.

 

[Stallion]

Agreed on the drcossack front. It sounds harsh, but it happens every year without fail.

 

[Sugar K Leonard]

I would be interested in joining. I've never played fantasy baseball before though, so if you are looking to keep the league as competitive as possible thats fine too.

 

[Stallion]

I would be interested in joining. I've never played fantasy baseball before though, so if you are looking to keep the league as competitive as possible thats fine too.

As long as you're active all season, then you're more than welcome to join

 

[Mr.E]

fantasy baseball is fake and gay so real baseball talk:

lol j/k the reds are gonna be disastrous this year so I really dgaf

 

[biggie]

If we don't have the two unrenewed teams come back, should we have new players take over their rosters or release everyone else into the pool?

 

[Del Rio]

I would leave it up to them. Tho from glimpsing over those rosters, they're not completely devoid of talent