Brad Johnson Baseball Chat: 4/24/2018 by Brad Johnson April 24, 2018 Here’s today’s chat transcript, including a bunch of questions about whether or not you should use Shohei Ohtani tonight. 4:00 Brad Johnson: Hey folks. Start sending positive thought vibes for Makesiondon Kelkboom. We need him to make the majors. 4:00 Mengden’s Dastardly Moustache: With Hoskins attempting to steal bags, am I out of my mind thinking he can put up a final stat line similar to what Machado did in 2015? Might not get 20 stolen bases if the league catches up with what he’s doing or keep the K% below 20%, but one could only dream! 4:01 Brad Johnson: As long as his legs hold up, he could have some crazy roto numbers. Typically, players of Hoskins’ speed and size don’t stay frisky on the basepaths for long 4:01 Brad Johnson: He’s not actually similar to Machado in athleticism 4:01 Marc: 12 team QS league. Should Marquez be held on to and just play matchups or should that spot be more of a streamer spot with guys like McCarthy/Williams/Newcomb/Stratton/etc? 4:02 Brad Johnson: All four of those alternatives are better – either as streamers or full time rosterees 4:02 Mengden’s Dastardly Moustache: I know that you boldly predicted 70+ SB from DDS, but having missed a month, is 40+ still within reason? 4:02 Brad Johnson: 40+ was the saner version of the bold prediction. I think he could do it, but it’ll be a stretch. 4:02 Kiermaier’s Dashing Good Looks: Hey Brad! Currently in the first year of a 10 team mixed 5-year keeper league with limited keeper slots (6). Do you generally have a strategy when designating your keepers? Balance between value picks and prospects? Mostly prospects? Best players overall? Thanks! 4:03 Brad Johnson: It depends on league type and format. I do tend to be very focused on present value. Especially young present value. But so is everybody else. 4:03 wadz: Sell high on Charlie Morton? 4:03 Brad Johnson: Hold. Your buyers are going to treat him like a 30 to 50 SP. He’s a top 20 arm. 4:03 Vegan Man!: I have Lamb, Suarez, Andrus and now Cargo on the DL in a 12 team roto. Is Cargo worth holding onto? UTIL spot is empty as of now… Thanks! 4:04 Brad Johnson: No, move on. 4:04 Marc: Scale from 1-10 how comfortable should I feel starting Ohtani tonight between the matchup and the blister issues? 4:04 Brad Johnson: 4.5 4:04 Brad Johnson: I think you basically always use him and take the good with the bad 4:04 Brad Johnson: but you don’t have to feel good about it 4:04 Holen Sving: Sonny Gray was thrown into the pool last weekend. Am I all wet or should throw Tomlin overboard and drag Gray on board? 4:05 Brad Johnson: Absolutely swap out Tomlin for Gray. Only possible exception is a K/BB format. 4:05 Al: Thinking about trying to move Kershaw. Would Bregman + Archer + Shark be enough? Deep 12 tm OBP + QS 4:05 Brad Johnson: That’s a weird disaggregation. If I’m trading Kershaw, it’s for Trout, Betts, or similar. 4:06 Brad Johnson: I’d need more if I were in your shoes 4:06 Joey Lou Cheesy: Holland is on waivers, drop Giles, Brach, or Devenski to grab him? 4:06 Brad Johnson: No 4:06 Brad Johnson: Sounds like you have two closers sewn up (plus anybody you didn’t mention) 4:06 Rick: Joey Gallo or Matt Chapman in an OBP keeper (keep 9, same price) 4:07 Brad Johnson: Why choose? I’ll say Chapman today. They’re both great. 4:07 Kiermaier’s Dashing Good Looks: Zack Cozart was just released in my 10 team OBP and Total Bases league, would you cut ties with Villar to scoop him up? 4:07 Brad Johnson: Yes, assuming you don’t desperately need SB 4:07 Ozziemandias: Just traded Jose Ramirez for Severino in a keeper OBP/SLG league. Which side do you like absent needs? 4:07 Brad Johnson: Ramirez 4:07 Brad Johnson: Sorry 🙁 4:08 Brad Johnson: If you can guarantee health, I prefer Ramirez by a not small margin. Since pitchers are more injury prone, I actually prefer Ramirez by a large margin 4:09 Brad Johnson: We’re talking a top 20 player for like the 40th player. You could still come out ahead, especially if opportunity costs dictated the move. 4:09 Dingo Babies: Should I be stashing Kyle Tucker in my 10 team mixed roto keeper? Can drop Franchy, J Bell, Kingery or A Cabrera. Or a saves stash in O’day, Minter, Reed, Barnes 4:09 Brad Johnson: No need to stash players in 10 team unless they’re game breaking 4:09 Brad Johnson: better to actively use your entire roster 4:09 Heathcliff Slocumb: Do you think Luis Urias ever grows into some power? With his hit tool and similar progression as Ozzie Albies albeit with less speed, this isn’t out of the realm of possibility right? 4:09 Brad Johnson: Urias will hit for decent power 4:10 Brad Johnson: I like his power potential more than I ever liked Albies as a prospect 4:10 Brad Johnson: Admittedly, I never thought Albies could be more than a glorified Joe Panik 4:10 Vegan Man!: Robles too much to give for one of Keuchel, Arrieta, or McCullers in a 14 team dynasty points league? I’m in win now mode. Thank you! 4:11 Brad Johnson: Boy that’s a lot to pay in a dynasty league for a pitcher 4:11 Brad Johnson: Should be able to get two of them for Robles and a throw-in 4:11 Chris: What type of return can I shoot for in a 15 team 5×5 roto league for Lowrie? I’m deep on MI and short on OF and was about to try for McCutcheon. Thoughts? 4:12 Brad Johnson: Sadly, I don’t think Lowrie is tradeable. You can shoot for a McCutchen, but I bet it’s rejected 4:12 Brad Johnson: People are very locked in to thinking he’s a waiver guy 4:12 Brad Johnson: They mostly won’t pay 4:12 Brad Johnson: And I believe enough that I’m not selling for cheap – https://www.patreon.com/posts/18275964 4:13 Chippy: Brendan Rodgers lack of plate discipline concerns me. Would you move him for Eduardo Rodriguez in a dynasty league? I’m a contender already. 4:13 Brad Johnson: I’d shop him, but I want better than ERod. Going back to the last dynasty question, one of those three pitchers would be around my asset class target 4:13 Why Me!?: I drafted J. Grey, G. Richards, C. Archer and J. Paxton..my ERA and WHIP are last in my league. Am I going to be okay?? 4:14 Brad Johnson: Sadly, these things happen. And no, you won’t be ok. It’s time to plan on working around a high ERA/WHIP. 4:14 Brad Johnson: I do think those specific players will be fine 4:14 Brad Johnson: So you shouldn’t cut them or anything 4:14 Vegan Man!: Ian Happ on the wire in a 12 team h2h, Drop Franco, Villar or Semien for him? Thank you! 4:14 Brad Johnson: Maybe Franco or Villar depending on needs. Definitely not Semien 4:15 Guest: Does Gleyber Torress have Top 10 upside at 2B or SS this year as a potentially part-time player batting at the bottom of the order? 4:15 Brad Johnson: Not a chance 4:15 Brad Johnson: Those are very deep and talented positions 4:15 Brad Johnson: Gleyber is a core performer. A volatile one 4:15 Brad Johnson: At least until he’s established 4:15 Bert: 10 team mixed 10 keepers. Trade Dee Gordon and Michael Brantley for Kingery and Greg Bird? 4:16 Brad Johnson: I think you’re forcing it. Keep the elite SB total. If you wait a couple more weeks on Kingery, you can probably buy much lower 4:16 Brad Johnson: No promises though, so if you really love those guys and would kick yourself if it backfires, follow your heart 4:17 Brad Johnson: That’s the fun thing about fantasy 4:17 Hannah Hochevar: Thoughts on Lourdes Gurriel? Does he stay up after hot start? Or was last season’s mediocrity his truth? Thanks! 4:17 Brad Johnson: Nah, he’s improved. He’ll be a good player. Might get bumped back to the minors if the Jays are ever healthy 4:17 Joe: Okay to flush Domingo Santana in shallow 10-team to churn my roster? Because, sheesh… 4:17 Brad Johnson: Yea, go ahead 4:17 Turp: Hi Brad, I’m in a 12 team OPS league, 5 keeper forever with an NA spot. Best chance of helping me this year – Kyle tucker, eloy, robles? 4:18 Brad Johnson: I’ll say… well not Robles 4:18 Brad Johnson: With the injury, he’ll probably be slow to recover 4:19 Brad Johnson: I think it could be Eloy although the safer bet is Tucker 4:19 guy: Time to cut Bradley Zimmer or Matt Carpenter in a 12-team 5×5 league? I like Zimmer’s power/speed combo but batting 9th not exactly ideal. Carp seems like he is getting dinged by bad BABIP but not 100% sure skills are still there (though like the multi-position eligibility) 4:19 Brad Johnson: Both are holds for me 4:19 Lars: Franchy Cordero interesting to you? 4:19 Brad Johnson: Of course, hugely talented 4:20 Brad Johnson: one of those toolshed types whose baseball acumen trails the physical traits 4:20 Yu: Is Tyson Ross turning into something more than streamable yet? 4:20 Brad Johnson: Yea. He’s a hold in 12 team now. Still streaming in 10 and under 4:20 Josh: Is Mallex a must own in 12 teamers? 4:20 Brad Johnson: Somebody should be rostering those steals 4:20 Brad Johnson: Not necessarily you 4:21 Marc: David Dahl an all-leagues grab? 4:21 Brad Johnson: No, I’m mostly passing unless I have a fallow roster spot. 4:21 Brad Johnson: Obviously a lot of potential there, but he hasn’t shown much since returning from his latest injury 4:22 Kyle: Mallex or Michael A Taylor? 4:22 Brad Johnson: Ooh… I guess it’s an opportunity cost thing. Can you afford to only target SBs? Then Mallex. If you need a blend of power and speed, Taylor. 4:22 Josh: Would you drop Stroman for Ross? 4:23 Brad Johnson: I don’t think so, but I’m also not starting Stroman 4:23 54: Josh Bell or Justin Smoak, rest of season? 4:23 Brad Johnson: I’ll very tentatively say Bell 4:23 Brad Johnson: Probably close to a push 4:23 Neal: Drop Kiermaier for C Santana in a 12 team OBP dynasty league? Guy can’t stay on the field! 4:23 Brad Johnson: Can do 4:23 Turp: It is a bummer about Robles…he was my pick of the 3 (eloy, tucker, robles) until the injury. Thanks for the answer man! 4:23 Sonny: Puig or Chris Taylor for a waiver flyer pickup in a 5×5 with OPS dynasty league? 4:24 Brad Johnson: Taylor 4:24 Brad Johnson: Puig is mediocre 4:24 Brad Johnson: I stand by my words! 4:24 Brad Johnson: Come at me @sporer 4:24 DJ: Drop Montgomery for Cahill? 15 team mixer. 4:24 Brad Johnson: I’d stick with Monty 4:25 Brad Johnson: I like Cahill though 4:25 Brad Johnson: Should be owned 4:25 SayItAintShohei: FWIW, I loved that Franchy said re: flossing when he hits a dong, he just puts his head down & trots bc he never wants one of his teammates to pay for his flexing with a beaning. This was a big reason for why I picked him up over some other hot tickets this week bc I think his acumen may be further ahead than what everyone’s giving credit for 4:25 Brad Johnson: I think we’re talking about different acumen… 4:25 Vegan Man!: Best SS replacement for Andrus: Ketel Marte, Peraza, Russell, Owings, Diaz? Thanks! 4:26 Brad Johnson: Marte 4:26 Shrooms: Would you do pivetta for sano in a deep dynasty, assuming pivetta can be kept long term and sano just for a year? 4:26 Brad Johnson: Hmm… 4:26 Brad Johnson: I read the first part and was like WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR 4:27 Brad Johnson: I’m honestly not sure. It comes down to your specific needs. I mostly believe in Pivetta. See him as a high 3.00s ERA with a solid WHIP and over a strikeout per inning. 4:28 Brad Johnson: If Sano’s HR are the difference between you winning and losing a championship, it’s a doable trade. 4:28 Brad Johnson: But I think there’s enough of a chance that Pivetta is 75% of Sano’s value for multiple years to come that you may regret the deal 4:28 Aaron: Someone dropped Buxton in my league with OPS and SLG. Worth even rostering in that format? I understand speed isn’t something that typically becomes available via waivers but I already have 3 outfielders who will steal 15-25 4:29 Brad Johnson: Sounds like you aren’t the right guy to own him. If you have a fallow roster spot, it doesn’t hurt to stash until the inevitable hot streak 4:29 Eugenio Suarez’s Thumb: Can you believe how fast I healed? Moran or Happ, RoS? 4:29 Brad Johnson: No I can’t. I’m always skeptical when this happens. I think I still like Happ. 4:30 Joey Lou Cheesy: Not confident Holland gets the closing gig soon? 4:30 Brad Johnson: Seems like he basically has it. I just don’t see him as an upgrade to the Astros and Orioles closers 4:30 The Man With No Name: Cahill or Gibson RoS? 4:30 Brad Johnson: EZ Cahill 4:31 Mediocre or mediocre: Patience running thin on Moran – should I grab Gyorko while he’s still available? 4:31 Brad Johnson: meh 4:31 Brad Johnson: I’d stick with Moran. He’s pretty steady. 4:31 Brad Johnson: Gyorko’s playing time depends entirely on better players slumping 4:32 HappyFunBall: Kept Ramirez(2/3) as my 2B, Bregman(3/SS) as my SS, and drafted Justin Turner as my 3B. Picked up Albies and Baez(2/SS) in middle rounds as backups and … wow. So now Bregman is mostly on the bench until he remembers how to hit, and I’m wondering who I sell when Turner comes off the DL? 4:32 Brad Johnson: Cool 4:32 Brad Johnson: I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It’s nice to have depth. And if you have a specific need when they’re all healthy, just plop them all on the trade block and say you want whatever it is you want 4:33 Ben: The Red Sox have a .592 OPS against lefties this season. How good can JA Happ be tonight? 4:33 Brad Johnson: You mean these 20-ish games they’ve played in this bizarrely cold April? 4:33 Brad Johnson: Let’s not get carried away with the platoon splits yet. 4:34 Brad Johnson: I’m not opposed to using Happ though 4:34 Brad Johnson: He’s a good, unsexy pitcher 4:34 Phil: Hold Castillo over Gray, ERod, Flaherty, or Mikolas? Also, hold Mazara or Beltre over Andujar? Thanks 4:34 Brad Johnson: Yes and yes 4:34 Brad Johnson: I like those pitching options on your wire though 4:34 YO: Trade Story for Corbin? I have bogaerts 4:36 Brad Johnson: I don’t know. I just can’t bring myself to believe this much in Corbin. Even though I have a few shares. 4:36 Brad Johnson: Story has cut his O-Swing rate, and he’s picking out better pitches in the zone too. 4:36 Brad Johnson: And he already has five SB 4:36 Brad Johnson: Think you’d be selling on a better roto player than Xander 4:37 Vegan Man!: Cahill viable in a 14 team points league? Thanks! 4:37 Brad Johnson: Yes 4:37 A Random Dude: 12-team, keep forever, roto league I’m offering Goldy, Jose Martinez, Ketel Marte, Mike Clevinger for Hoskins, Addison Russell, Benintendi, Felipe Vazquez. Is that a fair offer? Thoughts on Goldy vs Hoskins? I also have Rizzo, so I’m big on getting Hoskins for his youth/future replacement 4:37 Brad Johnson: Smells pretty reasonable to me. That’s a lot to unpack though 4:38 Tony: would you trust starting Ohtani tonight? 4:38 Brad Johnson: Weekly notice that “trust” has nothing to do with using a guy 4:38 Brad Johnson: You should use Ohtani for every start unless your league has unusual constraints 4:39 Brad Johnson: Not all of them will be good. Don’t try to guess which will be good or bad. 4:39 Brad Johnson: That’s for fringy arms 4:39 NoTroutAboutIt: Thoughts on selling high on Manaea? I keep reading about his regression and now it has me thinking… 4:39 Brad Johnson: I had someone ask me if they should Manaea for McCullers. And it was accepted. That’s the kind of swap I’d target 4:40 Joe B: Cory Seager- hidden injury (elbow) or just a really slow start. Power is near non-existent. 4:40 Brad Johnson: Seems like that lingering elbow my still be lingering 4:40 lmb326: projections for gleyber? better real life player or fantasy? 4:40 Brad Johnson: better real world until I see otherwise 4:40 Patty V: Ozuna’s been struggling, and I was higher on him pre-season than even the 40-50 range of his ADP. What do? 4:41 Brad Johnson: I was very concerned that Ozuna was coming off an unrepeatable career season. That’s what it’s looking like right now. Only thing you can do is be patient or find somebody willing to pay full sticker price to “buy low” 4:42 Suarez’s Magical Fingers: Dude I don’t want to lose my spot to that Senzatel guy. Who is that anyway?? 4:42 Brad Johnson: You just signed a long term contract extension. You’re safe 4:42 SayItAintShohei: lol maybe I am confused by what u mean by “baseball acumen.” I’m seeing a lot of the same responses from experts about Franchy (toolsy, unpolished). And I see a winter league MVP with huge ISOs and a minor league K rate mid-20s, which ain’t all bad these days esp with that tool bag. What are his biggest holes that u see? 4:43 Brad Johnson: Plate discipline, pitch recognition, the actual hit tool 4:43 Brad Johnson: He’s a powerful, speedy player who may not make enough contact to be a regular. I kind of view him as Randal Grichuk with a better pedigree 4:43 Brad Johnson: which means he’ll get a decade to figure it out 4:44 Josh R: Does Ian Desmond just suck for good now? 4:44 Brad Johnson: Sure seems like it. I don’t have any additional insight 4:44 Brad Johnson: I’m getting a lot of questions about him, presumably because he stands in the way of Dahl/Tapia/McMahon playing regularly. 4:45 Jobu: Are you buying Zach Godley keeping it up? I was offered Quintana or Robbie Ray for him and Treinen. I’m set at closer 4:45 Brad Johnson: I view Godley as the same asset class. No issues with betting on Ray instead though. I’d aim just a little higher than Ray though for that pair. Remember, you’re helping an opponent with those saves even if you don’t need ’em 4:45 ThePrince: If Wisler has a good start vs. the Reds tomorrow is he worth hanging onto? What’s his upside? 4:45 Brad Johnson: Nah, his upside is a streamer. 4:46 Sonny: Semien must own in 10t mixed? 4:46 Brad Johnson: MI – yes. No MI – no. 4:46 David: Thoughts on Christian Villanueva? Is he for real? Obviously the AVG will come down, but in an OPS league, does he have ROS value? 4:46 Brad Johnson: Yes! 4:46 Brad Johnson: To the third question 4:47 Brad Johnson: I do think opponents are going to find a gnarly hole in his swing. Might be 2017 Story-like without the speed 4:47 James: Kershaw for Sale, what are your thoughts? 4:47 Brad Johnson: CHALLENGE TRADE 4:47 Aaron: I don’t understand why some analysts are still in on Colin Moran. Guy hits 7th and only plays 75% of the time. The Pirates lineup isn’t stellar but it’s deep enough he’s not going to climb into a better lineup spot without forcing his way up there 4:47 Brad Johnson: It’s situational. If your league is shallow enough that platoon bats aren’t playable, then you can safely ignore him 4:48 Brad Johnson: He’s a solid high floor guy for leagues where you have to scrape a little deeper. There’s potential for him to adjust and become a legit full timer 4:48 What’s the real worth: Albies for 7 years and $12 total salary, or Trout for 4 years and $53 total salary – $150 yearly cap.. I didn’t think it was close but now I’m not so sure I don’t prefer Albies. Am I crazy? 4:48 Brad Johnson: I read this wrong twice… 4:49 Brad Johnson: Could imagine how you could spend 1/3rd of your budget on one player – even Trout 🙂 4:49 Brad Johnson: It’s still Trout. Always Trout. Both are wonderful assets though 4:49 Sonny: Extremely cheap Severino (like 6ys for relatively little) is worth what type of hitter? Trout is off the table but worth asking on the 1a tier of players? 4:49 Brad Johnson: Yes. 4:50 Brad Johnson: Or just keep him 4:50 Mo: gattis or suzuki ROS in 5×5 H2H league? 4:50 Brad Johnson: Well, Suzuki is shockingly the better player 4:50 Brad Johnson: Flowers is almost back from the DL though 4:50 Anoneemus: Drop Wacha for Cahill in a 10 team dynasty? 4:51 Brad Johnson: Can do 4:51 Vegan Man!: Matt Chapman and Eduardo Rodriguez or Matt Olson in a 14 team dynasty points league? Thank you! 4:51 Brad Johnson: Chapman is better than Olson 4:51 Al: Can/will Polanco get it together? So far he’s either extremely hot or extremely cold? Still a 30/25 believer? 4:51 Brad Johnson: Never was a 30/25 believer 4:51 Brad Johnson: 25/15 is doable 4:51 Sonny: Sevy & Zimmer for Betts & Knebel. Which side you prefer? 4:51 Brad Johnson: BETTS!!!! 4:52 Brad Johnson: So strongly preferred 4:52 Brad Johnson: don’t even need Knebel in there 4:52 Josh: Max Kepler is lifting the ball more and is hitting FB/LD harder than ever before. Plus his BB/K rate is ridiculous right now. Early signs of a breakout? 4:52 Brad Johnson: I like him 4:52 Who knows: I have Lowrie and Cesar Hernandez as my two primary 2B, I have Jose Ramirez at 3B and can move Castellanos to 3B. Do I try sell high on Lowrie while he’s hot, or do I hold. 4:52 Brad Johnson: As I discussed earlier, I don’t think you’ll find anybody willing to pay for the breakout. So you might as well have depth instead 4:53 YO: Do you play in any leagues on Yahoo!? Have you ever looked at the ‘trade market’ tool they have? Who are these people in these leagues that make these 8 player for 8 player trades? How could two teams matchup like that and both think they are getting a good deal? How do you even process if that helps you? 4:53 Brad Johnson: I do. I don’t. And those big trades are in uncompetitive leagues 4:53 Brad Johnson: But… 4:53 Brad Johnson: To break them down, it’s best to treat them like several tiny trades. 4:54 Brad Johnson: i.e. Trout for Stanton and a remainder of XChapman, Brach, and remainder for Arenadoetc… 4:55 Brett: Should I hold onto JP Crawford a while longer as a late round pick in a league where we can keep 7 players at their drafted round? Or is it time to cut him and move on to someone else? 4:55 Brad Johnson: Unless it’s 16 team or deeper (or NL Only), you can move on 4:55 Brad Johnson: the breakout isn’t that great 4:55 Hans Gruber: Start Maeda against the Marlins tonoght? What about Ohtani? 4:55 Brad Johnson: Double yes 4:56 Puig: whats going on here? Everything seems to be in line… 4:56 Brad Johnson: Some added soft contact plus regression from last year 4:56 Brad Johnson: By all means, buy low 4:56 Brad Johnson: He’s not hopeless, he’s just not the stud people make him out to be 4:56 Peter: What happened to Tuesday nights having full slates? Yankees and reds joining the Indians in these earlier start times? 4:57 Brad Johnson: Seems like the early start is growing increasingly popular in crowded cities. 4:57 Randal Grichuk: Hey, thanks for the shoutout! Do you think I’ll ever stick and break out in a meaningful way? 4:58 Brad Johnson: I won’t say no. All the skills are present. Could pull a Smoak. 4:58 Bored Employee: Who is DDS? 4:58 Brad Johnson: The Dentist? 4:58 Brett: Nick Pivetta is a top __ SP in mixed leagues ROS 4:58 Brad Johnson: No…please don’t make me 4:58 Boof: What can we expect from Teoscar ROS? 4:58 Brad Johnson: Frustration. Inconsistency. A lot of whiffs. And some wild hot streaks 4:59 Aaron: Think Hader will continue to get 2 inning saves when Knebel returns? I was fortunate enough to roster him on opening day for some ratio help, and now he’s leading my team in saves. 4:59 Brad Johnson: Not once Knebel is back 4:59 Brett: Who gets the next save opportunity for the White Sox? And what are the odds the next save opportunity for the White Sox comes before the All-Star break? (In other words, who, if anyone, is worth owning in the White Sox bullpen?) 4:59 Brad Johnson: It’s Jones and Soria still in some unknown order 4:59 Hans Gruber: What should I do with Jordan Hicks in my 10-team H2H dynasty league with holds, saves, K/9, total K, and whip? He’s not getting many whiffs and I can pick up the likes of Viz, Bearclaw, Steckenrider, or Cingrani ( 4 holds and decent ratios). Drop him for one of the above, or invest in the 101 MPH fastball? 5:00 Brad Johnson: That’s a tricky situation 5:00 Brad Johnson: I think part of Hicks’ problem is he skipped the upper minors. It’s impressive he’s competitive. But there’s growth awaiting too 5:01 Brad Johnson: Viz is a justifiable alternative (saves), but Hicks could also be a long term relief monster 5:01 Brad Johnson: I’ll add, the track record for guys who are supposed to grow into a relief monster role is not good 5:01 Brad Johnson: More Bruce Rondon than, uh, struggling for an example 5:01 Brad Johnson: Knebel 5:01 chewbacca: Would I rather start Castillo next outing or just punch myself in the balls? 5:02 54: Why is there no hype train for Jeimer Candelario? Will you blow the horn on this sucker? CHOO CHOO 5:02 Brad Johnson: Same asset class as Moran, better lineup role and plays every day 5:02 Brad Johnson: All aboard? 5:02 Dan: I was offered Giancarlo for Ozzie. Is this the world we live in now? 5:02 Brad Johnson: Do. It. 5:02 Phils: Can Brantley keep it up? 20 bombs 15 steals? Or is that asking too much from a guy with his health issues? 5:02 Brad Johnson: I’ll say this, he can perform at that rate with a good average and run production 5:03 Brad Johnson: Getting the full season would be a bonus 5:03 Brad Johnson: and considering what he cost on draft day, that’s fantastic 5:03 Edward: Got offered Corbin for Bregman. Worth it? I’m dying for pitching. 5:03 Brad Johnson: If you’re dying then you can consider. It feels like the worst of buy high, sell low to me 5:03 Ohno Lomo: Thoughts on the Lomo slump? Hold him in a 20-teamer (where I found him lonely and cold on the waiver wire) or throw him back to the wolves? Thanks! 5:04 Brad Johnson: Hold in 20 team 5:04 Brad Johnson: Can cut him in 12 or even 14 teamers though 5:04 Brad Johnson: Time to wrap it up, I have lineups to build 5:04 hscer: if there’s someone you wouldn’t start vs Miami, you should probably be cutting them asap 5:04 Brad Johnson: Indeed 5:04 54: Any thoughts on the impending NFL draft? Do you see any 2018 MLB draft prospects having an NFL like impact on baseball: getting to the Show within a year? 5:05 Brad Johnson: Personally, I totally would dodge the draft. I can still do my job in Canada. 5:05 Sam: Trade Pillar for Odor in a deep 15 team league? 5:05 Brad Johnson: Yes please and thanks 5:05 Sanamor: Need to sit one, Davies @ KC or Happ vs Bos? H2H points league. KC has a .668 OPS vs Bos with a .810 OPS 5:05 Brad Johnson: Sit Happ 5:06 Brad Johnson: Pure matchup play 5:06 Aaron A: What should I hold out for in return for Charlie Morton? Looking for a power hitter, but not sure if I can get equal value. I think Morton will stay solid, maybe top 20 starter ROS? 5:06 Brad Johnson: I think he’s around there, yea. And I don’t think you’ll find corresponding value. 5:07 Brad Johnson: I’d be asking for boring power bats like Khris Davis. People sometimes missprice them 5:07 Aaron A: Andujar or Rendon ROS? 5:07 Brad Johnson: wut? 5:07 Aaron A: Trade Paxton before he gets hurt or am I already too late? 5:07 Brad Johnson: Neither 5:07 Brad Johnson: He has to pitch well before you can trade him 5:07 Tito: Is Lindor still good? 5:07 Brad Johnson: Yes. buy low if that’s an option 5:08 Sanamor: THANK YOU! 5:08 Kiermaier’s Dashing Good Looks: YOU DONE MESSED UP A-A-RON!!! 5:08 Brad Johnson: This feels like a natural stopping point. I have an email I received at 4:01 that’s screaming for my attention. Good game folks.