Brad Johnson RotoGraphs Chat – 5/3

Brad Johnson: Hey all, I opened the queue early to post a poll, but I’m not taking questions yet. If you submit one, I WILL skip it. See you in a half hour.

Brad Johnson: Help answer Sporer and Wiers’ debate on twitter. I think you know which answer I choose.

Brad Johnson: I’ll start up in a moment. I need to finish a paragraph while the thought is fresh!

Brad Johnson: Ok you have my undivided attention. Let’s address these burgers for a moment…

Padilla Eephus: Can’t have a which burger survey without Shake Shack.

Brad Johnson: I don’t know or care what that is. This applies to any of your preferred burger chains. Moving along…

Pat: Not a fantasy question, but do you think the Yankees could trade Chapman betances or miller for joey gallo if they become sellers at the deadline?

Brad Johnson: They definitely could/should trade their relievers if they continue to suck

Brad Johnson: I don’t see Gallo as a reasonable target

Brad Johnson: they already have a Gallo-like prospect in Judge. No need to double down on a high bust rate profile

Matt: Might have to end up bowing out of this season, so I’m collecting high upside pitching (dynasty keeper). I have Eickhoff, Conley, Finnegin, Graveman. Fulmer just got brought up for bid. Get rid of any of those guys to fit Fulmer?

Brad Johnson: If it’s Michael, no. If it’s Carson, I’d probably still stick with what you have.

Brad Johnson: They’re all around the same asset class. The Fulmers may have higher ceilings though

Fisk, Baby: Heyward and Gordon–time to cut bait?

Brad Johnson: Negatory

Brad Johnson: Do put them on your bench though

PS: drop one: Nicasio, Finnegan, Conley, Glasnow, Berrios

Brad Johnson: If it’s redraft, I’d just cut Glasnow. In a keeper, cut Nicasio.

Pirates fan: What are your thoughts on Gerrit Cole this year? He seems to be struggling to go deep in games to start the season, missing his spots and giving up a lot of baserunners.

Brad Johnson: I’ll admit I’ve only watched bits of his starts. What I’ve seen looks like he’s trying to throw through hitters and not getting there.

StroShow: What are your general expectations for John Lamb this season? Do you think he will stick in Cincy’s rotation?

Brad Johnson: I’m not on the Lamb bandwagon. CIN is a terrible place to be a unfinished pitcher

Horn Please ThankYou: Who would you rather have, Odubel (who seems to be enjoying a breakout already) or D. Santana/Soler (who are still mostly projection), in a keeper league?

Brad Johnson: Speaking of bandwagons, only the Phillies front office beat me onto the Odubel bandwagon. I’m a big fan of his.

Brad Johnson: I don’t care for Soler, I see him as a fourth outfielder

Brad Johnson: so do the Cubs if their moves tell us anything

Brad Johnson: I do like Santana a lot. Call it a push between Santana and Odubel. Herrera’s the better option in OBP

Royal Man: You think Saunders stays in leadoff spot? If so, can he approach 100 Runs in that lineup?

Brad Johnson: He’ll never stay healthy for 100 runs. But yes, he’ll match that pace at the least. And who else leads off?

Joe: 12 team points league, would you deal Posey to get back Odor and Wilson Ramos? Currently platooning Castro and Lowrie at second.

Brad Johnson: No. Maybe if it’s a keeper and Odor has a good price

Young Jeezy: What is your outlook for David Peralta? He has been pretty disappointing thus far. And still clueless against lefties.

Brad Johnson: That’s an accurate assessment. He’ll come around against righties. He won’t hit lefties.

Robbie: Has Chris Tillman finally turned the corner in becoming a higher-end starter?

Brad Johnson: No.

Brad Johnson: He’s turned a corner at picking upon the Rays crappy offense.

Astro Boy: Is it time to cut bait on Tyler White, even in AL-only leagues?

Brad Johnson: Not AL Only, but just about everywhere else

Young Jeezy: Maikel Franco going to be a series of highs and lows this year?

Brad Johnson: Ayup.

Brad Johnson: I comped him to Edwin Encarnacion with fewer walks. I stand by it

Young Jeezy: No love for Five Guys and Fries? Their burger is pretty amazing!

Brad Johnson: Come on. You all get so excited about the worst hamburgers

Zack OKC: How long before Arcia replaces Villar for the Brewers and Urias was switched to come out of the pen Friday night, seems like that call up will be rather soon if they are trying to limit his innings , no?

Brad Johnson: It’s hard to get a read on the Villar/Arcia situation.

Brad Johnson: Probably whenever they think Arcia is ready to go – sometime after the Super-2 cutoff. And Villar will continue to start at 2B or 3B. Because he’s good too.

Uncle Vito: I have chapman coming back. good idea to deal Miller & E. Suarez for Lindor?

Brad Johnson: Seems light. You already have a good SS, upgrade elsewhere.

Joc Pederson: Am I going to be relevant this year?

Brad Johnson: Sure. In a streaky sort of way

RAP: Who do you like ROS- Todd Frazier or Maikel Franco?

Brad Johnson: Franco in terms of actual talent

Brad Johnson: But don’t sleep on Frazier having a supporting cast

Tom: Will AJ Reed make his major league debut at some point in May?

Brad Johnson: I think Singleton might get the call first. Almost identical numbers to Reed. Depends how panicked they are in Houston

JRick: It’s obviously a super small sample, but Hyun-soo Kim is 9-15 this year while Joey Rickard’s hot start has slowed down. Any chance Kim takes over the job soon?

Brad Johnson: Kim should start to play more, not necessarily at Rickard’s expense (at least not always at his expense). I just grabbed him off waivers in ottoneu the other day

Justin: What in the holy h. e. double hockey sticks is wrong with Howie Kendrick? Career 291. hitter-batting .143 w/o an xbh in 58 abs. Is he hurt? Cuz he’s killing me!

Brad Johnson: He missed spring training

Matt: I traded away an affordable Cespedes for a VERY cheap Corbin plus a full round upgrade in the minor league draft this offseason. Right now, I’m regretting it, but I was initially afraid of Ces’ OBP. He’s not going to keep this up all season, is he?

Brad Johnson: I’d hazard a no, but I was saying that last year too. Cespedes is a weird one – he’s been terrible just about every time I’ve watched him

Brad Johnson: and that’s a lot. I only see him play poorly. And when he does drive a ball, it’s because a terrible pitcher threw a cookie.

Brad Johnson: You all ask a lot of questions. Everything I’ve answered was posted from 1:45 to 1:48

Brad Johnson: and I even skipped a couple

MD: Trying to consolidate assets…who is a realistic target to package Manaea/M. Fulmer for?

Brad Johnson: Assuming a redraft, Jose Quintana?

Oliver: Who to cut when Kang comes off the DL 5×5 OBP (10 Keepers no $): Lamb Panik HanRam Joe Ross Manaea

Brad Johnson: Probably manaea but reevaluate based on the latest info. Could be anybody but a healthy Panik

bmitch: Will Matz finish the year a top 25 SP?

Brad Johnson: top 30-35

Brad Johnson: definitely could be top 25, but I’d want more wriggle room

keuchel: what should i do with keuchel? look for a trade? or hold him? do you think he will back on track?

Brad Johnson: ugh. I loved him going into this season. Sometimes that works out in my favor. He was stolen from me in EVERY league.

Brad Johnson: For you, I’d try for a trade

Brad Johnson: Keuchel and another good player for an ace

Matt: Why would the Astros possibly call up Singleton over Reed!? Haven’t we already seen how that plays out? Reed looks like a better player presently, is two years younger and doesn’t have a long history of failing miserably against Major League pitchers.

Brad Johnson: Well, 40-man rosters, super-two deadlines, and projections will all come into play.

Brad Johnson: They can give Singleton a short trial at almost no cost. If he hits well, he reestablishes his value. If he doesn’t, they can dump him with more confidence.

Coke Gobbler: Does Ortega stay in LAA lineup when Nava comes back?

Brad Johnson: Possibly. Not like Nava’s a star

Jerry: Can you list your top 3 dynasty shortstops?

Brad Johnson: Tough question on the fly.

Brad Johnson: Some combination of Correa, Seager, Lindor, Bogaerts, Story, and Suarez

Brad Johnson: Suarez could lose the eligibility, Machado! could retain it

Brad Johnson: Swanson and Bregman could deserve consideration by the end of the season. It’s a good time for SS

Slide’nURdms: What caliber of hitter would a Velasquez& Melancon package return? top 20?

Brad Johnson: In a redraft, not close. In a keeper, probably

Quirks: As the Cubs dont appear to need the offense, will they keep Willson Contreras at AAA to work on his defense? Also, his bat appears ready. Any reservations about Contreras offensively ?

Brad Johnson: None offensively, he’s ready

Brad Johnson: I think they’ll manage his service time at the very least. Working around Montero and Ross is a challenge (when both are healthy)

Javier Baez: Am I a fantasy monster in the second half or should single season/dynasty owners going for it cut me/trade me?

Brad Johnson: I’d go the trade route myself

Ricky: Who would you rather carry in a keeper league, Berrios, or Buxton?

Brad Johnson: ooh, good question. Nobody’s hurt their future projection more than Buxton this year.

Brad Johnson: I might still prefer him because I don’t quite see ace when I look at Berrios

Brad Johnson: Buxton’s kinda like Soler, Baez, and Gallo now.

Brad Johnson: We can see why it might work, but he needs a massive breakout for it to play

Brad Johnson: I don’t like betting on breakouts, they’re kinda random

Steve: Kim is pretty sluggish in the OF which will hurt his playing time in Baltimore.

Brad Johnson: Yea I’d expect some DH juggling to be involved. Especially if Alvarez continues to do very little

Cheeseburgers : Is it worth taking it in the shorts to hold Trea Turner until the call-up, 14 team league with a small rooster.

Brad Johnson: Small roosters can be challenging to manage…

Brad Johnson: Turner is either days or months away from promotion. Just depends on what the org is trying to do with his service time. I think they’re foolish to have left him down while Revere is out. They’re lucky to still lead the division

RePete: What do you make of Drury? Just a hot streak or sustainable with playing time?

Brad Johnson: Hot streak for sure, but he looks like a solid core player. So does Lamb fwiw

Bill: Watched Carlos Gomez the other day swing so hard that his helmet fell off… on three consecutive pitches. He’s clearly lost at the plate, and most definitely pressing, (and now he’s injured), but what is the likelihood he finds himself again?

Brad Johnson: Very low. That’s classic CarGo Jr. though. Love his massive hacks.

Jeff: Who do you getting called up first, Arcia, Crawford, or Turner? Thanks

Brad Johnson: Turner

Brad Johnson: should have been called up weeks ago

Sean: Have Zych, Giles and Trevor May and i’m going to drop one with some starters coming off the DL soon. Which one gets dropped? Already have good RP for ratios and k/bb help, just want some saves.

Brad Johnson: Zych

Brad Johnson: Good chance you can grab him again later when Perkins returns off the DL

Matt: Assuming Manaea sticks for the ROS, will his production keep him rosterable (or maybe even #5 worthy) in a 12-team ERA/WHIP/K/S/QS?

Brad Johnson: I think he’s a streamer

rpo: Weak on pitching, looking to flip V Mart for some SP help. What tier is a realistic target?

Brad Johnson: I’d be looking Danny Salazar quality arms

Brad Johnson: you probably won’t get it, in which case you should shop something else

Brad Johnson: VMart is back, but remember how often he’s hurt

TD: Conley, Eickhoff, Pineda or Conley in a redraft?

Brad Johnson: One of the Conley’s?

Brad Johnson: In all seriousness, you could flip a coin. They all have upside and warts.

Dale: Does Matt Carpenter turn it around? Or should I look to dealer him?

Brad Johnson: I think so. He’s just a little too pull happy at present

Tony: While Price’s FIp, XFip all look good, should I still pay ADP value for him or not run the risk?

Brad Johnson: If you need to add an ace, you have to pay ADP value. If you don’t need an ace, then don’t pay for him at all

Cubbies: What the h do I do with Felix? And is there any way his whip/era are sustainable with these BB numbers?

Brad Johnson: Same thing as with Keuchel. Add a solid second player and trade for a performing ace

Chris: 10 team, mixed league – 4 keepers at +1 round penalty:
Someone just traded Price for Conforto (23rd round keeper next year)

Is this as bad as I think it is (Price owner is in last place, Conforto owner in first)?

Brad Johnson: Seems reasonable to me. People like Conforto a lot more than I think is reasonable, so I’m not even sure which side you think is favorable here 🙂

Pie: Just flipped Story and Odorizzi for Chris Davis. Did I do good?

Brad Johnson: Awesome in a redraft

Brad Johnson: less good in a keeper

Brad Johnson: but acceptable still

Matt: Wainwright seems to have limited his walks in the last 2 starts. He was still touched up a bit last night, but it seems like progress is…progressing. Can he return to a mid-rotation fantasy pitcher this year?

Brad Johnson: I think that’s the key. Look for him to be a spot guy like Justin Verlander

Brad Johnson: somebody who can go deep into a game and control it from time to time

Brad Johnson: but you’ll also avoid his starts against good teams

Brad Johnson: those types of pitchers are very hard to roster in 12 team mixed. Wasted roster spot.

Brad Johnson: and it hurts when you guess wrong

Pomeranz: in NL only is Finnegan and Cashner too much to give for Matz?

Brad Johnson: Not at all.

Brad Johnson: Do it quickly

Jeet: Sorry. This is my second Tulo question. I have Desmond as my other SS. Should I look to trade him? What should I be realistically looking for in return in a dynasty (kind of going for it and rebuilding at the same time)

Brad Johnson: You’ve missed your chance to trade peak Tulo. He’s not coming back. Maybe Story or Diaz’s owner is looking to sell high?

mario mendoza: Better stash: Daniel Norris, Skaggs, Cobb, Heaney, or Hutch. AL Keeper but win-now

Brad Johnson: Cobb

Brad Johnson: you’ll be happy next year

twins: now with trevor plouffe returning to the Twins, Eduardo Nunez is a drop? or sell?

Brad Johnson: Drop in most leagues. Not too many people are dopey enough to trade for Eduardo Nunez

Dan: Who would you drop in a 10 team roto? Gordon C. Gomez or Dickerson?

Brad Johnson: If I have to drop one, Gomez

Brad Johnson: or both

Brad Johnson: it’s 10 team. Bet you have a top 50 player sitting on the wire

Padilla Eephus: Catcher is an absolute disaster. Should we expect any relief from catching prospects Mike Zunino, Wilson Contreras, or Gary Sanchez? Should we expect anything or just continue accepting that catcher is a disaster?

Brad Johnson: Acceptance is a vital part of grieving, I’m told

Better pitcher ROS: Corbin or Roark

Brad Johnson: Corbin

Greg: 7×7 lg (TB,BB / K/BB,HRA) – Dealing Bautista, Hamells, Zobrist for Kluber, Tanaka and Kyle Seager…currently last in ERA, WHIP, K…gotta do it, no?

Brad Johnson: This could be a post by itself…

Brad Johnson: I think I’d hang onto your end

Brad Johnson: It just depends on your offensive depth. That’s a huge downgrade

Trea Turner: What are your projections for me? Do I get regular time? Do I replace Rendon?

Brad Johnson: Why would you replace Rendon?

Brad Johnson: Danny Espinosa and Stephen Drew are terribad. That’s who he replaces

Brad Johnson: Drew gets DFA’d and Espinosa moves to his rightful places as super UTIL

Brad Johnson: as for projection, roughly .275/.325/.380 with 10-20 SB. Run production depends on where in the order

Brad Johnson: if he hits first, fewer steals and a ton of runs. If he hits bottom of the order, more SB and few runs.

Brad Johnson: 2 HR

Brad Johnson: In other words, he’s not a star

Matt: Let’s use the new interface! Select from your new options as to how this makes you feel: Patrick Corbin.

Brad Johnson: Patrick Corbin

mazara: what do you think rangers will do with mazara once shoo is back?

Brad Johnson: They’d be foolish not to start him every day

Brad Johnson: I don’t know what’s happening with these faces. whatever it is doesn’t work right in the mod panel

Pat: What’s decent return in a trade for Glasnow in a redraft right now: batter or SP

Brad Johnson: Mid tier guy would be a good return. i.e. Piscotty or Richards

Brad Johnson: probably have to settle for less

Brett: Tulo… I feel like there’s no choice but to hold him for the year (or a good portion of it anyway) and just hope he figures it out. Your thoughts?

Brad Johnson: You’ll be left with his withered corpse by the end of it

Brad Johnson: find somebody who thinks he has SOMETHING left

Saul: How long till Gallo is in the majors?

Brad Johnson: all of the time

Brad Johnson: well…he’s injured now

Brad Johnson: and he’s stuck behind Mazara and others on the depth chart

Brad Johnson: and Beltre’s still in the way at 3B

Brad Johnson: and Brinson probably passes him soon too

Brad Johnson: so…whenever they finally trade him

Jackie T. : Salazar and Yelich for Polanco in a standard league?

Brad Johnson: Polanco and ?

Brad Johnson: should be a second piece there

Oliver: What to do with Dozier in an OBP league?

Brad Johnson: Cry

Brad Johnson: and either suffer through it or make a move

Josh: Who is a comp for Trea Turner in the next few years? LeMahieu?

Brad Johnson: non-Coors LeMahieu isn’t a bad comp

Brad Johnson: though LeMahieu is a singular individual

Brad Johnson: nobody uses the oppo field like him

Matt: Lost Gordon in a deep league and only have Jed Lowrie (yuck) as a backup at 2B. Am I better off trading for someone like DJ LeMahieu or Brett Lawrie or grabbing Chase Utley off the FA scrap heap (he’s probably the best option)?

Brad Johnson: well, trade if the cost isn’t painful. Otherwise suffer with an Utley/Lowrie platoon

Matt: Can I trade Cano, Tulo, J. Zimmerman for Correa and Brock Holt? 6×6 OBP/Slug% league….Jung Ho Kang, Jonathon Villar are my other players that could fill in at MI.

Brad Johnson: I think Cano will continue to outperform Correa. It’ll at least be close

Brad Johnson: But yes, you can do that without too much risk for serious regret

MD: Will Castellanos and Myers finish as top 10 at their positions?

Brad Johnson: Maybe because 3B is a dumpster fire. And no because 1B has too many good players

Yordano Ventura: What to expect from me ROS?

Brad Johnson: 8.00 K/9, 4.00 BB/9, 4.00 ERA, occasional gems and meltdowns

Jeet: Random but are you on Rock Time haha. You seem to wake up the earliest among all FG writers coz you answer early when I tweet @ you

Brad Johnson: I had to look this up

Brad Johnson: I get up at 6 or 6:30 every day. Most of my colleagues submit the day before they post

The SSs: Wait. Story and Suarez over Albies, Acria, Crawford and Trea Turner?

Brad Johnson: Arcia and Albies could factor in down the road, but they aren’t close for now

Brad Johnson: he did ask top 3

Brad Johnson: they aren’t top 3 candidates

Brad Johnson: Story could hit .220/.285 and still have top 3 value with 35 HR/15 SB

Brandon Drury: Am I worth owning?

Brad Johnson: Sure. In a modestly deep league

Brad Johnson: you’re a speculative add for now

Steve: Wow – You’re higher on Story than most. What puts him in that company?

Brad Johnson: To reiterate – 35 HR and 15 SB does a lot for you at the SS position

Horn Please ThankYou: Something about Scott Kazmir’s wrist and Ross Stripling’s general presence screams Urias is incoming sooner than later

Brad Johnson: Maybe for 6-10 starts

Gavin: It’s time now to try and deal Rendon for Odor (or similar), isn’t it?

Brad Johnson: I’m actually buying Rendon. The batted ball peripherals look mostly fine

Matt: Are you buying Jonathon Villar OBP? Been a great middle infield OBP-league fantasy option so far with those steals…

Brad Johnson: Not exactly

Brad Johnson: He has something like a .370 OBP

Brad Johnson: he’s projected around .310

Brad Johnson: I think the middle ground – .330 to .350 is a fair expectation

Duane: Who out of this group do you see any upside ROS? Av Garcia, Oswaldo Arcia,De Jennings, A Hicks.

Brad Johnson: Ugh. You picked three guys I like less than anybody else and Hicks

Brad Johnson: so let’s say Hicks

power batters: Pederson or Kang ROS?

Brad Johnson: Pederson. Ask me again in a month though

George A: Looking for upside sleeper prospects (if there is such a thing) at SP on the waiver wire. Just grabbed Lucas Sims? Absurd K rate. Any thoughts on him?

Brad Johnson: I don’t have a good scouting report on him

Brad Johnson: My impression so far is meh with upside

Pomeranz: better long term keeper, Blair of Foltynewicz

Brad Johnson: ew

Brad Johnson: stick with your namesake

Brad Johnson: and Blair

Matt: Obviously, each individual situation has it’s own nuances. But at what point in the season do you think it’s acceptable to decide that you’re out of it in 5×5 roto? My offense is in 3rd, and I’m in last in every pitching category. Climbing back up though. June 1?

Brad Johnson: if it’s a redraft, just keep plugging away

Brad Johnson: in a keeper, I’m constantly looking for value in either direction regardless of my team state

Brad Johnson: I’ll make a rebuilding move in second place then turn around and consolidate win now talent a week later

Cubbies: Probable that Mazara maintains full playing time when Choo is back?

Brad Johnson: I hope so

Brad Johnson: he’s basically their best hitter

Tony: Should I move Donaldson and Arrieta for Betts, Goldy and Felix? 14 team, 7 keepers. Belt is my current 1b. (OBP league) Carpenter is my other 3b (playing UTIL almost everyday). Springer, Heyward,Hanley, Tomas are my rotating OFers. My pitching staff is Archer, Arrieta, Moore, Odorizzi, (I know, a lot of Rays pitchers), Gaus with Mccullers and Wheeler on the DL.

Can Felix be moderately decent to get Betts and Goldy?

Brad Johnson: Yes! Donaldson is oldish and Arrieta could implode any time

Brad Johnson: he’s a pitcher after all

Brad Johnson: Felix probably won’t completely flop, he has good pitchabiltiy

Brad Johnson: do try to trade up in a separate move

Brad Johnson: time to wrap up

Dylan: Would it be crazy to give up Gio and Granderson for Nola in OBP? I think Gio will drop off and Nola will catch serious fire.

Brad Johnson: Probably, depending on league depth

Brad Johnson: Gio will likely drop off, but so will Nola

WTB One Shoulder: With his ever lengthening list of shoulder problems, should we at this point be skeptical of getting any reliable production out of R. Iglesias? The Reds have a TON of potential starters, and their bullpen is crap, seems like it’s only a matter of time…

Brad Johnson: I’ve stayed off the Iglesias train myself. I don’t think you can count on many pitchers playing at the sea level version of Coors Field

Tex: rank these closers for ROS: britton, ramos, colome, j gomez

Brad Johnson: You done it

Pomeranz: real puig: 1st 10 games or last 10 games?

Brad Johnson: (10+10)/2?

G Money: When will Houston figure out its time to get production at 1st and bring up Reed? Do you think they will bring up Joe Musgrove up as well? Read that he’s on the 40 man roster.

Brad Johnson: Yea, we probably see both real soon

Byung-ho Park: What does ROS look like?

Brad Johnson: 26% K rate, 25+ HR

Brad Johnson: run production is a problem with that offense, but at least he has Mauer ahead of him

Pomeranz: Finnegan and cashner for Matz? Fair?

Brad Johnson: I answered this, pay attention! 🙂

Brad Johnson: yes, run and pull the trigger now

EB: I’m just about out of patience with Gomez! Pederson, Herrera, and Piscotty are available as replacements. Should I make a switch? If so, who do you like ROS? H2H ten teamer (redraft). Thanks!

Brad Johnson: Yes to any of those 3

Josh: Start Nola @ StL today? Cardinals are raking vs righties…

Brad Johnson: I’m staying away for DFS. I’m using him in traditional fantasy

Brad Johnson: And that’s a wrap. GG folks