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Chad Young’s Ottoneu Chat – January 31, 2023

Transcript is now available

2:59

Chad Young: Hi all – going to get this started in just a moment. This chat, for those who missed my update last week, is part of our expanded Ottoneu coverage. I don’t know yet how regular they will be, but there has been demand for chats, so we’ll keep doing them semi-regularly.

3:00

Chad Young: Happy to answer any Ottoneu questions, but I also cover keeper leagues in general on the Keep or Kut podcast, so I am open to any questions. Just know that whatever you are doing in your other keeper leagues, Ottoneu is better!

3:01

Chad Young: For any questions, when possible let me know the basics of league format. For Ottoneu, that just means scoring type, but any info you give me can help me give you a better answer.

3:01

Chad Young: Also, I am new to this chat thing, so if I mess things up…uh…sorry. I’ll do my best. Let’s go!

3:02

Jeff: Which do you like less: $10 Nimmo, $8 Renfroe, $9 Happ, $3 Kwan?

3:03

Chad Young: I have Nimmo a good deal above the rest of those guys and given the price, I like Kwan a good deal more than the other two. Renfroe vs. Happ is pretty close to a tossup for me, so I’ll take the extra dollar saved and say Happ is my least favorite. But I like them all and wouldn’t be looking to cut any of them.

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Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu RP Rankings

This list is a little different than the others. First, RP in FanGraphs Points leagues, where saves and holds have value but are not a category, function fairly differently than in more traditional formats. You don’t need a closer, but having a middle reliever who never gets late-inning work isn’t ideal either. Role matters but it isn’t as simple as “go get the closers to pile up saves.” Second, I value RP differently than the market or any auction calculator. So we are going need a slightly longer intro before I just drop a table on you.
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Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu Util/Missing Player Values

When doing my rankings by position, I have to make decisions on who makes the cut to be ranked and who doesn’t. Based on projections, current roster percentages and other data, some players get ranked and others get left out. Before the cut deadline tonight, I wanted to provide an update on a set of players who missed that cut but maybe should not have. Six of these players are utility-only, and therefore didn’t go on positional rankings. Others just weren’t on my radar, so to speak.

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Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu SP Rankings


Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu OF Rankings


Introducing Expanded Ottoneu Coverage

The first Ottoneu content appeared on RotoGraphs early in 2011, at the same time the at-the-time-new-to-the-world fantasy game lauched. That September, I became the first RotoGraphs writer dedicated to covering Ottoneu on a regular basis. Over the years, a number of writers have weighed in on Ottoneu strategy and a smaller number have regularly contributed Ottoneu content.

But we’ve never had a dedicated Ottoneu team – until this week.

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Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu 3B Rankings

There are two things that jumped out at me looking at 3B. First is that there are 6 really good, exciting bats at the top, and then a big tier drop. Second is that I run out of starters I really trust before I get to 12. I’ll be pretty focused on getting one of those top six via trade or auction this offseason.

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Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu SS Rankings

Going for a quick turn-around with SS after 2B yesterday, since there is so much overlap. In general, I don’t see replacement level as different for SS or 2B, so the tiers will overlap and guys will be in the same spot. There is one exception to that – see if you can spot him!

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Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu 2B Rankings

After a holiday hiatus, we’re back at it with 2B today and we’ll be powering through other positions quickly. My goal is to finish this series in January and to make updates in February as new information comes out or my thinking changes. Second base has already been delayed because of new information and updated thinking.

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Chad Young’s 2023 Ottoneu 1B Rankings

With catchers out of the way, we continue to move around the IF, going from the worst offensive position to the best. First base is always both top-heavy and deep, and that is the case again this year. It creates an interesting dynamic where there is big production to be had by adding the top guys, but there is also good value to be had by waiting out the rest of the league and seeing who shows up cheap later in the auction. It creates an interesting strategic choice in which there are a lot of ways to build a team.

As with catchers, before I share the list, I want to share some notes on my process.

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