Brad Johnson RotoGraphs Chat – 4/12/16

Brad Johnson: Ok, I’ve opened the chat early since I forgot to set the queue to open. You should be able to post questions now.

Brad Johnson: I’ll be back in a half hour

Brad Johnson: Last week was very business like so let’s try to have a little more fun this time!

Andy : Bold Prediction: Tony Zych finishes the season a Top 10 closer. Guy is straight filthy. Crazy idea?

Brad Johnson: Yes! Thank you. I got so much crap for my Zych hype last week.

Matty I: I drafted Jansen early and waited on another RP, and never got one until David Hernandez. Trade Jansen and punt saves or scour waivers?

Brad Johnson: Never punt if it can be helped. Sit on Jansen for now and hope for more later.

Eastern NC: Trevor Story or Babe Ruth?

Scott: Is there a place where I can find the fantasy value of hitting in a certain slot? As in how many more RBI opportunities will the 2 slot have over the 7 etc?

Brad Johnson: Sounds like an interesting article, but it’s very lineup dependent.

Brad Johnson: Ok let’s get rolling in earnest

Phil: Is it time to think about dropping B. Buxton at this point? 11 k’s in 22 AB’s!

Brad Johnson: League depth matters. If it’s shallow i.e. Josh Reddick types are free, then absolutely.

Brad Johnson: if the wire is thin, then be patient. The upside is still excellent.

Phil: Eno is a beer drinker, what’s your beverage of choice?

Brad Johnson: beer or whiskey. My body doesn’t cooperate though so only in moderation

Mikey: Juan Nicasio – do you believe? Sell or hold?

Brad Johnson: Sell sell sell. I think he can be a solid enough #5, but he’s fringy for a 12 team mixed league

Dan: Im in a 10 team roto. I have hitting but no pitching. My out feild is Trout, Bautista Carlos Gomez, Dickerson, and Soler. Should I trade Bautista for thor? is that too much?

Brad Johnson: Smells reasonable although I’d rather have Bautista.

Garg: In a H2H league, do you have any advice on managing a pitching rotation? I have a decent top 5 (Kluber, Price, some others) but it’s never clear to me how often or when I should stream pitchers.

Brad Johnson: In H2H it’s all about the matchup.

Brad Johnson: Early in the week you have to project what will happen based on the players involved

Brad Johnson: later in the week, you react to what has already happened and the stats you need.

Bill: If you are stuck with Segura right now as your starting SS, would you think about stashing Trea Turner? The Nats are probably going to call him up in about a week, right? (12 games or so to gain the extra arbitration year)

Brad Johnson: Wouldn’t treat the call up as automatic

Brad Johnson: And he’s not an automatic upgrade to Segura either. But I also don’t mind stashing him.

Jon: Please rank ROS: Park, Myers, Piscotty (5 standard stats + OPS)

Brad Johnson: reverse order. Park’s about to go into a part time role. Myers will keep playing but won’t be particularly great

Jon Snow: I’m looking to trade Glasnow or Berrios for a pitcher to help me now. What sort of value should I expect now and which should I keep?

Brad Johnson: treat them as assets. Keep whichever one merits a lighter return

Brad Johnson: If it’s a keeper, you’ll get a lot. In a redraft, something like Jose Quintana maybe

Zorak: my closers are Jefress, Cishek and Doolittle. Madson is on the wire, plus McGee and any Phillie, as is O’Day, the only high quality non-closer still out there. Who do I keep and who do I dump? Can’t really justify more than 3 relievers on my squad.

Brad Johnson: Keep your trio

Andrew: Does 20 homeruns seem like a reasonable expectation for Nomar Mazara?

Brad Johnson: Absolutely

Brad Johnson: As long as he doesn’t get demoted later. Texas is soooo deep.

rustydude: On the waiver wire, Joey Rickard or Preston Tucker?

Brad Johnson: Rickard or something else. Tucker’s about to lose time to Gattis

Casey: Mad Mallex – a Jarrod Dyson/Billy Hamilton one category wonder, or someone who can help in OBP and runs as well? Hold or sell?

Brad Johnson: There’s potential for him to stick as a leadoff man. Like Delino.

njs: lost schwarber (so sad). picked up yaddi then traded pomeranz for hundley… now d’arnoud and james mccann just got dropped. should i have just waited a few days and picked up tda or mccan? was trading a mistake?

Brad Johnson: Can’t predict somebody as good as d’Arnaud would get dropped

Harrison: Cespedes for Archer/Beltre?

Brad Johnson: For the pair? Yes please and thanks.

Mr. Wrestling IV: 4×4 Ottoneu with $16 Keuchel, $22 Archer and Cole, $40 Sale, with decent depth behind them. Which would you trade for offensive upgrades?

Brad Johnson: I get a lot of “which would you trade” questions. It’s a matter of maximizing return which means you shop them all and sell the one you get the most value on

Tommy: What do you make of D. DeShields? Off to a slow start, and the team has used Odor as the leadoff hitter recently. I’m concerned they will move DeShields to the 9th spot which will reduce his value some, or even send him to AAA if this keeps up.

Brad Johnson: These are risks, especially once they believe Lewis Brinson is ready

Felix: Gerrit Cole and Tolleson for Keuchel and McGee in H2H, which side do you prefer?

Brad Johnson: Keuchel, most would prefer Cole

Jason: Why do you say Park is about to go into a part time role?

Brad Johnson: He’s obviously overmatched and they don’t need him starting. They’re better off working him as the Pirates did last year

Victor: Is Devon Travis worth stashing in a 12 team H2H?

Brad Johnson: I just did this morning.

Brad Johnson: Had Grandal coming off the DL

Brad Fan: It seems like your pretty concerned about Park? Think he reaches 30 hrs this year

Brad Johnson: No, thinking about 350 PA for him now. I expect him to adjust more slowly than Kang

cmalcolm: A.L. only…when Gausman comes off the DL….I have Greene, Eovaldi,and Hughes supporting Kluber Salazar and Zimmerman. I also have SS Anderson $3 and Profar $5…on my bench in a keeper league. Who should I drop?

Brad Johnson: Whichever of Greene/Hughes looks worse

Andrew: I know you love Zych. Where do you have him relative to other non closers like Giles, Kela, or Madsen? Saves, but not holds.

Brad Johnson: Giles then Zych

Tommy: I know is a very, very SSS. However, are you excited to see that Christian Yelich is not hitting nearly as many GB’s as in past seasons? Could we finally be looking at the power breakout that has long been predicted?

Brad Johnson: I’ve false alarmed on Yelich before and I haven’t watched any Marlins games yet

Brad Johnson: so I’ll wait

Juan: Really on the closers question? I’d rather have McGee over Cishek

Brad Johnson: The Rockies seem to want somebody else to close

Brad Johnson: Worried Castro takes the job even if McGee pitches well

Paul H.: If a win is “worth” 6 million what is the true worth of a player like Terrance Gore, or formerly Jarrod Dyson. Win’s like the Royals had on Sunday can largely be attributed to their speed and are one of the many small factors they have outperformed their projections the past two years.

Brad Johnson: Don’t take it so literally

Brad Johnson: Think of those as leveraged incidents. Better to use WPA for that kind of scenario

chig: What lever of pitcher could i trade and get Billy Hamilton?

Brad Johnson: You won’t get him, but I think Jason Hammel sounds right to me

Max: Better for Holds now/Saves later: Jumbo Diaz or Mark Lowe?

Brad Johnson: I hope neither. I’ll say Lowe though

Brad Johnson: Blake Treinen not available? Strop?

Compton: Thoughts on Colin Rea tomorrow @ PHI? Daily Grind says to exploit. Is he just a mediocre arm that you can’t even use against the Phillies?

Brad Johnson: Yerp, that’s my take anyway.

Mallex Smith: Any chance I see regular ABs after Inciarte comes back?

Brad Johnson: Definitely a chance

Ryan: Part time role for Park? Surely they aren’t doing that after one bad week, are they?

Brad Johnson: Not really an overreaction if the guy can’t make contact

Rand Corporation: In a saves league, my RP consists of: andrew miller, giles, and vizcaino. FA available include: dyson, madson, jeanmar gomez. What’s the best move here, replace all 3 or just Giles, and if so with who? Thanks 🙂

Brad Johnson: I’d keep the superior pitchers

Matt: I came into the season with Giles at $6. For context, $6 is about what a no-saves Betances goes for. Any chance Giles gets the closer role back, and relatively quickly? Or should I drop him?

Brad Johnson: Yes and yes. Gregerson has to open the door, but Giles has a pattern of starting a little slow. He’ll be fine soon.

Tom in NJ: How do you like Trumbo this season? Batting 4th in a great home park, and some nice road parks in the division too. Seems like he just needs to stay healthy and could have a bounceback season.

Brad Johnson: I have trouble with Trumbo. One of those guys I just don’t time well.

Brad Johnson: The situation does seem ripe for a good year

Thor: Keeper league….need future saves doesn’t have to be this year….who would you add Mauer, May or Givens?

Brad Johnson: May is most likely to save some this year. Givens is most talented

Brad Johnson: I guess Maurer should save some too. Just see him more as a middle relief/setup type

Donny B: Howdy Brad. I drafted Kiermaier for bench steals with some upside. I still need bench steals but have Segura to go with Correa at SS. Rays offense looks even more anemic than advertised. Dump KK or wait it out?

Brad Johnson: All about alternatives

Brad Johnson: if there’s a comparable player who isn’t cold, then sure make a switch

Marcell Ozuna: Time to worry about me being just ok?

Brad Johnson: I’ve never been an Ozuna guy myself. I mean I see some upside but he’s not an actualized talent

Brad Johnson: So yea, I think he’s probably just ok

Martin: Eugenio Suarez or Matt Duffy rest of the season? H2H keeper league.

Brad Johnson: Both!!!

KC: Re: Mazara, I keep hearing that his spot is vulernable due to depth in Texas. At OF? Is that including Brinson? Maybe people are bullish on Josh Hamilton but I just don’t see much OF depth in Texas.

Brad Johnson: Choo, Desmond, DeShields, Mazara, Brinson, Gallo, Profar

Brad Johnson: oh and Hamilton

natsfan: I picked up Kepler, Lowrie and Coughlan either really cheap or in reserve rounds of my auction. Who do you feel has best chance to make an impact, both this year and in the future?

Brad Johnson: Lowrie now, Kepler in the future

natsfan: Same guy bought Storen and Giles. How bad should i feel for him? Or just smacktalk him?

Brad Johnson: Tis sad

Brad Johnson: I didn’t get any shares of them, but I did recommend them to others

Brad Johnson: so I feel bad about that. Giles will get the job back

Tom in NJ: For the ROS, would you take Cueto or Greinke, or is it pretty even?

Brad Johnson: Greinke

Make WAR not Love: Is this just Park’s adjustment period, or is he going to K 40%+? Is it time to flush the TP for my Byung-Ho?

Brad Johnson: I think there’s a good chance he’ll adjust

Brad Johnson: big risk he won’t adjust

Brad Johnson: so, again, it’s just a matter of your league depth

Scuba Steve: Zych above Benoit for saves?

Brad Johnson: Not yet.

G: My SS platoon of Desmond/Semien isn’t going too well, should I sit tight or make a move for a Suarez -type?

Brad Johnson: If you can get a Suarez then do it

Brad Johnson: Huge fan of his, had him on every team

Drew: Why do managers hate lefties as closers?

Brad Johnson: platoon splits

Brad Johnson: They also don’t like too many lefties on the roster and prefer two for situation purposes

Tom in NJ: Michael Brantley came back in spring training, hit a HR, played the next day, and has been out since. Just starting his rehab assignment, when he comes back, how tempered are your expectations of him?

Brad Johnson: Not at all. He’ll be good. 15/15 batting third

HR: Was offered Story for AJ Reed in deep dynasty. I’m set at SS with Xander. 1b Freddy Freeman. Thoughts?

Brad Johnson: That’s very interesting. They’re both going to be excellent long term pieces

Brad Johnson: both have first round ceilings, I might call this a draw

Brad Johnson: I’ve fallen behind on the comments so I’m going to skip ahead

Avi: Is it worth to keep Cozart over Lowrie or Kepler?

Brad Johnson: Go Lowrie

Jon: hazebaker cutting into grichuk’s playing time?

Brad Johnson: Yes sir. And Moss and Adams

Brad Johnson: Unlikely to be permanent

Matt: Jake Lamb, or Danny Valencia?

Brad Johnson: Ha, I own both and I can’t decide

The Original Greaser Bob: With Keuchel’s velo down a little and all the walks any reason to be concerned? Or just two game noise?

Brad Johnson: Always worth concern, I wouldn’t panic yet

Von Schloss: Is Cutch a top 15 fantasy asset this year?

Brad Johnson: Right around there

Pie: 12 team H2H 5 keeper league 5 bench spots, I’m currently holding onto Story, White, Reed, Giolito, and Berrios. Is that way too aggressive? I’m hoping one of the pitchers pops and one of Reed/White sticks which will set me up for the playoffs

Brad Johnson: Seems fine to me

Kyler: would you trade Trevor Story and Corey Dickerson for Dee Gordon in a standard 5X5 league? I’d replace Dickerson with Hanram and shift Russell from 2B to SS to cover Story. Also I know its early, but I am leading the league in home runs and have the core to finish there

Brad Johnson: So there are two angles, the actual players involved and the stats. I think, based on your team evaluation, you might be better off with Gordon. But how much do you trust the power to be there

doc joc: Should Travis Shaw be rostered in 12 team roto leagues?

Brad Johnson: Yea. The offense is good enough and 3B is shallow

Brad Johnson: Though I’m thinking standard deep rosters, not the shallow ones

Christian: Are you that high on Story? You’re probably the only one.

Brad Johnson: The power is very real. The AVG/OBP are going to hurt

Brad Johnson: With Coors, 35+ HR is reasonable

Thor: How is coco crispy a starter over burns…tell me this wont last

Brad Johnson: They’re comparable talents when Crisp is healthy

Tom: Thoughts on Cervelli? Top 10 catcher?

Brad Johnson: Borderline. Love him batting fifth

Von Schloss: Please rank Zych, Treinen & Clippard

Brad Johnson: You’ve done it

Rick: Are you buying Hazelbaker?

Brad Johnson: He’s a hot hand to stream while batting second

KC: Nicasio has given up 4 runs through 3 innings. I dropped Patrick Corbin for him and can still get Corbin back, should I?

Brad Johnson: Yes. That was not a smart move 🙂

Matt: I think this got skipped, so I’m going to ask again – apologies. I was offered Miggy & Cervelli for Posey & Park. I’m big on positional strength, and love Posey. But I need to do this, don’t I?

Brad Johnson: Probably, I do like this for you

Brad Johnson: I wonder if you might be able to keep Posey and upgrade 1B another way

Anal Hershiser: Any concern over Wainwright or just early/rust?

Brad Johnson: Always concern over an older guy with an injury history

Brad Johnson: but be patient

Anal Hershiser: You buying Rich Hill or will it be a season long roller coaster?

Brad Johnson: No, I think there’s too little going on in his repertoire to succeed like this

Jack: Are you concerned about Miguel Sano? Or just a slow start like the rest of the Twins

Brad Johnson: As concerned as I am about Park, I think Sano will be fine

Rick: Mesoraco worth trusting? Think the hip issue will continue to hold him back? Top 5 catcher if he is actually healthy right?

Brad Johnson: Not quite that high. The hip will merit some extra off days

Gavin: Matt neeeeeeeeeds to do that trade. And I own Posey and love him too.

Brad Johnson: Here’s a second opinion

19th nervous breakdown: Dynasty drop one:AJ Reed, Tim Anderson,Sean Manaea, Alex Reyes

Brad Johnson: Why do you need to drop one of them? Gotta be someone else you can cut. If not, Anderson

Jacob deGrom’s baby: Is my daddy’s dropping velocity cause for concern?

Brad Johnson: Coupled with the lat injury, yep

Hector: Springer or Adam Jones ROS?

Brad Johnson: Springer

Brian: You starting verrett tomorrow?

Brad Johnson: No

Brad Johnson: Ok time to wrap it up, I’ll pick out one more good one

Brad Johnson: thanks for playing

L7 Weenie: speaking of the mets staff..is steven matz going to be a regular part of this rotation? last night’s performance gives me pause, but with deGrom’s potential injury, i don’t know

Brad Johnson: So the Mets SP depth is kind of terrible

Brad Johnson: we know about Wheeler

Brad Johnson: not much else back there

Brad Johnson: Matz should be secure with or without deGrom’s injury

Ian Desmond: Do I stink?

Brad Johnson: I can’t tell, my nose clogs up near you

Brad Johnson: Ciao

John: Can’t get anyone to talk about Luis Severino, I guess. That tough to have an opinion on?

Brad Johnson: ha fine, I’ll bite

Brad Johnson: He has stuff, velocity, command, and pitchability

Brad Johnson: I see no reason why he can’t succeed. Probably not an ace now, but maybe before too long