Brad Johnson RotoGraphs Chat – 7/19/16

Brad Johnson: Howdy folks, let’s get this under way

Brad Johnson: I briefly considered using only plagiarized responses for this chat, but that seemed like a lot of effort

Dan: Drop Smyly for DeSclafani in a 10 team roto?

Brad Johnson: Smyly is streamer only in 12 team or less leagues. DeSclafani is probably a similar asset

Brad Johnson: so…yes, but don’t plan to hold Desclafani

RangerRich: Should I be worried about Cole Hamels? Fielding independent metrics still look pretty shaky based on walk rate and don’t seem to be trending better. Eno et al still peg him as a top 20-30 SP but is it time to sell?

Brad Johnson: I’m with Eno et al

Brad Johnson: That said, he’s iffy enough that I’d constantly be looking to sell high

Brad Johnson: you can get lucky with similar production from someone much cheaper

Dog: Been stashing Bregman in an AL 10 tm dynasty. I’m worried that HOU might trade him (risk is to an NL team) and with hype so high, should I consider selling?

Brad Johnson: Listen, but only pull the trigger on a monster offer. I DOUBT they sell Bregman for anyone short of a monster

John: Is it officially time to cut bait with Smyly? 12 team Mixed 6×6 H2H. My only reluctance is that I dumped Matt Moore at the height of his struggles and now he’s doing great.

Brad Johnson: There’s always a chance these guys rebound. Don’t worry about Moore though, he’ll decline again

Avi: Lopez is just getting one start and then is being sent back down for Ross/Giolito?

Brad Johnson: That’s my thought. Haven’t seen it confirmed.

Brad Johnson: but I don’t expect Lopez to thrive in the majors

Brad Johnson: not until he has a command breakout

Dan: Who has a better second half Conforto or Pence?

Brad Johnson: I’ll say Pence without checking in on his rehab progress

Brad Johnson: I’m out of touch on him because I own 0 shares

BT: Pick two for ROS – Mazara, Pence, Brantley? H2H points league

Brad Johnson: I’ll go with the vets. Mazara needs an adjustment. Hard to bet on those

Drassel: Nothing to do with AJ Reed this season or be patient with him?

Brad Johnson: I didn’t think he was ready when they promoted him

Brad Johnson: turns out he isn’t

Martok11: When does Manual Margot get called up?

Brad Johnson: whenever they dump Kemp and/or Upton

Balsamic Vinegar: Been holding Gallo for a while because I’m in an OBP league. What do you think the chances of him getting playing time whether it’s through call-up or trade? What do you see his OBP and power like ROS? Please don’t use plagiarized responses!

berezin: Conforto or Gallo ROS (after august 1st)

Brad Johnson: Conforto because I don’t see Gallo getting more than 25 PA RoS

PF: Just traded away Thor in exchange for Jon Lester and Adam Jones. Did I do good?

Brad Johnson: eh, it’s solid risk management especially if the cut was somebody bad

Brad Johnson: I’m usually swapping in the other direction

brent: Willson Contreras. What are your thoughts? Will his k rate normalize? Is he a keeper in a 20 team/keep-8 league?

Brad Johnson: absolutely a keeper

Brad Johnson: not enough data to make sense of his strikeouts

Brad Johnson: it’s weird to see a spike that extreme though

John: 12 team keeper, looking to upgrade my offense for the stretch run. My salazar for his edwin encarnacion fair? Or selling too low on salazar?

Brad Johnson: steal for you

BostonRob: I’m in a 12-team H2H categories league with 2B, SS, and MI slots. I currently have Javier Baez and Eugenio Suarez in my SS and MI slots now, with Panik coming off the DL in a few days time. Out of those three, which two would you roster? OBP league

Brad Johnson: I might try to hang onto all 3 if possible

Brad Johnson: They all have warts so it’s nice to have the flexibility to adjust as needed later

Eric: Baseball America just ranked Turner ahead of Swanson. Would you agree?

Brad Johnson: not for fantasy purposes. I don’t get the Turner love.

Brad Johnson: I’m clearly not seeing something everybody else is

Brad Johnson: looks like a good utility player to me

Eric: What are the chances we see a SD trade that brings up Renfroe? Who good to do you think he can be? .250-.260 with 20-25 HR in a full season?

Brad Johnson: It’s about 50/50 between Margot and Renfroe for the first call up

Brad Johnson: Margot has a vastly superior skill set. Renfroe’s kinda fringy without some improvements

Brad Johnson: it’s definitely possible they’ll trade 2 outfielders away

SlumDog: I need a 3B upgrade in my 10-teamer. Trade Kluber for Verlander and Justin Turner?

Brad Johnson: I don’t hate it, but that formats so shallow that you can probably just wait out a 3B on the wire

Slamboni: better Seattle dynasty stash, DJ Peterson or Tyler O’Neill?

Brad Johnson: O’Neill

JD: In my keeper league, 1/2 season of strasburg for 4 of Urias if I’m going for it this year?

Brad Johnson: ooh that hurts, you’re trading Urias?

Brad Johnson: you have to calc the value added, I can’t advise you based on this info

Brad Johnson: if Strasburg’s giving you $50 EV, then you may have to suffer without Urias

Brad Johnson: if it’s $5, just keep the stud prospect

Eric: Is this just a trade audition for Reynaldo Lopez? Who would you compare him to based on his likely MLB stats?

Brad Johnson: Vince Velasquez maybe? With way worse command and fringier secondary stuff

Avi: Conforto is in a platoon still. Until Lagares cools off or he learns 1B/3B.

Brad Johnson: Right, I think I only recommended him over Gallo though if memory serves

Pops: I just traded away Glasnow, Francis Martes, and Dylan Bundy for Andrew Benintendi, Yohander Mendez, and Michael Feliz in a fairly deep dynasty. Thoughts?

Brad Johnson: Love it. I always convert pitching into hitting when I can

Jimmy Sak: Carrasco, Kluber, Quintana, Pomeranz, Hamels, Maeda, Leake . . . which two are the worst ROS?

Brad Johnson: First, one of those is not even slightly like the others. (Leake). I’d say Pom or Maeda for the other

Anthony: In a keeper, do you think I could move Buxton and VMart for a decent pitcher (that I wouldn’t keep)…such as like DeGrom, or Lester?

Brad Johnson: depends on the keeper depth and rules, probably looking slightly higher

Eric: Trying to trade Choo or Odubel straight up for pitching w Pence and Fowler coming back. Is Bauer or DeSclafani reaching too high? Maybe Guerra?

Brad Johnson: Odubel is much better than Choo now. They might be comparable on a rate basis, but Choo can’t stay healthy

Brad Johnson: go ahead and get a Guerra or DeSclafani for Choo. Keep Odubel.

Borxa Dork: What do you make of Dickerson quietly getting PT in SD and might he be sneaky value this year and into next?

Brad Johnson: I don’t see it happening

Brad Johnson: he’ll be a 4th OFer behind Margot, Renfore, and others

Josh: I have the opportunity to trade away Jose Abreu and Kang for Pujols and Justin Turner. Do I do this ASAP? Tired of waiting for Abreu.

Brad Johnson: No, be patient or negotiate a better deal.

Steve-O: What do you think a peak Dahl-comp looks like?

Brad Johnson: I need moment to think about this one

Brad Johnson: somewhere between 2014 Ian Desmond and 2011 Dustin Pedroia

Eric: What are your thoughts on Ryon Healy’s first games? Have only seen stats, but he hasn’t seemed overmatched as some suggested

Brad Johnson: I haven’t seen him play yet either. Been meaning to watch some replays

Josh: Steve Pearce was mashing prior to getting hurt, and those awesome hitting contract reports on the site said that Pearce’s bat was (mostly) legit. What say you?

Brad Johnson: Worth a stash to see if it continues

fresh basil: Rostering Buchter, Giles, Neris, Edwin Diaz, Bedrosian, Dull for speculative saves. Yes, it’s a poor strategy but do I hit on any?

Brad Johnson: I’ll give you 0.75 closers

Sean: Josh Bell sent to the OF as soon as he is demoted – quick turnaround for an injured Polanco or is he just that bad at 1st?

Brad Johnson: it’s a defense issue

Brad Johnson: I wrote about it twice today for other sites, I’m kinda worried

Brad Johnson: the bat plays, even as a DH, but I’m not sure he has a defensive home

Brad Johnson: scouting reports always hated his OF defense

Brad Johnson: could be preparing to trade him at the deadline

Erik: Won the Gurriel sweepstakes in my ten-team keeper league. What kind of numbers should I expect from him?

Brad Johnson: Really have no idea. I’d expect nothing and hope to be pleasantly surprised

Brad Johnson: like Hyun-soo Kim

Jordan: Projection for Gurriel? Must add when called up or just a name to monitor in 10 teamer 5×5 H2H?

Brad Johnson: monitor for now. Realistically, if you want him, you have to roster him preemptively

Brad Johnson: for that reason, I’m sitting him out

Chopper Dave: Jake Lamb for Javy Baez and Aaron Nola in 10-team standard league too steep? Like Javy’s versatility and could use another decent SP.

Brad Johnson: On which side? The bets smell fine for both owners.

Argo: Who would you rather have in your OF for the ROS: Saunders or Justin Upton?

Brad Johnson: JUpton me please

Josh: 12 tm mixed H2H, would you drop Valencia for either Grichuk or Conforto?

Brad Johnson: depends on position needs. I’m probably waiting

Borxa Dork: I need Anderson Espinosa to get to MLB soon so I can trade him for some value. Will you tell me he’ll be up by June of next year so my competition will read this and want to trade for him?

Brad Johnson: he’ll be up by June of next year

keith: Traded Duvall for Shoemaker (desperate for pitching) before Shoemaker’s gem. Did I get ripped off?

Brad Johnson: no, either guy could turn pumpkin without any notice

Brad Johnson: the hitter’s usually the safer asset, but you have to answer your needs too

Brad Johnson: just because pitchers are poor investments doesn’t mean you can ignore 5 categories

Balsamic Vinegar: OK, so you’re not up on Gallo. What about Josh Bell? Is his power for real? Does he play?

Brad Johnson: If you’re thinking he has Freddie Freeman-like power, that’s probably about right

Brad Johnson: I don’t think he plays much for the Pirates this year

OddBall Herrera: Thoughts on Kepler? Think he has any shot by the end of the season of looking like a better keeper than the Mazara/Conforto/Pederson tier of guys?

Brad Johnson: He could join that tier, but the lack of pedigree makes it harder to like him that much

Argo: Another ROS comparison: Sano or Upton? Who ya got?

Brad Johnson: Oh, Sano by miles

Jonathan: Similar to BostonRob, 10-team H2H, picking 3 of Baez, Rendon, Andrus, Jose Ramirez, and Jose Reyes, I’ve been targeting Rs, SBs, and AVG as a minimum

Brad Johnson: I’ll say Rendon, Baez, and Ramirez. Tough call though

Brad Johnson: I’m 15 minutes behind the comments so I’m going to skip ahead.

Brad Johnson: By the way, when I said Anderson Espinoza would be up by next June, I lied

Brad Johnson: (he asked me to say it!)

Kenny D: Thoughts on Profar ROS and next year, in a shallow keep forever league and his lack of PT is frustrating

Brad Johnson: Rumors are saying Andrus might get pushed into the utility role if the Rangers decide against trading Profar

Brad Johnson: sounds like he’ll play more either way

Hey how are ya: Bundy’s fastball… can he be an ace?

Brad Johnson: Can? Sure. He has the raw stuff. He needs to get out of Baltimore. They ruin their pitching prospects

Larry : ROS: Bats or Brantley?

Brad Johnson: Bats

baby bull: Should I trade Willson Contreras or Lucroy?

Brad Johnson: Well if you can only play one of them, then it makes sense to look around

Brad Johnson: I wouldn’t pick one over the other, shop em both for best upgrade

JD: How do you like JBJ the rest of the season? Seems solid but nothing special since hit streak.

Brad Johnson: that’s about right, solid player

Kenton: So, back to Conforto – is he a 10-team redraft guy for you, or too shallow?

Brad Johnson: he could fit there in 5 OF leagues

Brad Johnson: fringy until he plays every day

Dave Kingman: 12 team 5×5 keeper. I got offered both Miller and Chapman (neither at a good keeper price for next year) for Lamb at $3. Close for first place and I could make up points in SV, ERA & WHIP.

Brad Johnson: That is very tough. As I advised before, try to calculate how many expected USD you gain from the trade. If it’s small, keep the stud keeper

Tommie Agee: Are any of these SPs worth picking off the goat-pile in AL only: Jered Weaver, Sabathia, Eovaldi, Nova, any Twin SP, Mengden, Manaea, An Sanchez, Boyd, Pelfrey??? Help…

Brad Johnson: Maybe Sabathia, Eovaldi, Mengden, or Manaea

Brad Johnson: I’d try Manaea first

Brad Johnson: it could be ugly, but you know that

mookie best: NHL and NFL are leagues divided into conferences. NBA is an association divided into conferences. MLB is a league divided into leagues. I have no question.

Bregman: Would you own shares in a 5×5 12-man redraft?

Brad Johnson: Sure, but only if I had no pressing needs solvable on the wire

keith: How long would you hold onto Paxton in a redraft? Do you see him putting it together this year? Thanks

Brad Johnson: I just cut him in my MLBTR league. Or maybe I just decided I was ready to, I forget

Brad Johnson: in any case, I’m about fed up

Brad Johnson: depends on your depth of course

Brad Johnson: if you’re cutting him to get CC Sabathia, then hang tight

Jordan: What’s with Mike Leake’s 21 Ks in his last 13 innings? Just SSS against K heavy lineups or did he change something? Either way, I’m glad I started him for both games.

Brad Johnson: I’m not changing my expectations yet. But I’ll be watching more closely

John: Salazar going to keep this up all season, or stop pitching like an ace?

Brad Johnson: Salazar is a very good pitcher

Brad Johnson: he’s been a very good pitcher for 3 years but he’s disguised it with some ugly early season starts

Larry : ROS: Cueto or Price. I know it’s close. Can’t figure it out.

Brad Johnson: I think I’m going Price

Brad Johnson: no, Cueto

Brad Johnson: is there a reason you need to figure it out? They’re the same asset class, similar distribution of stats

Nathan: Would you rather trade Rich Hill for Adam Jones or Johnny Cueto for Jose Bautista in an OPS league? Staff is JoFer, Kluber, Cueto, Hill, Nola, Shoemaker.

Brad Johnson: Hill

big al kiddie’s pal: hi brad, what are your thoughts on alex reyes for this season? is he going to have any kind of impact as a reliever? or should i look to cash in while the hype is still there and try to get like a mid-rotation fantasy option like cashner or keuchel? it’s a dynasty league, fyi. thanks.

Brad Johnson: if it’s dynasty, keep him for his future SP innings

Brad Johnson: might be the best SP of this current crop of highly touted starters

Wally Balls: Want to move Stanton for Moncada in a keeper league. What level of pitcher should I be asking for in addition to Moncada?

Brad Johnson: if it’s keep forever with minimal costs, maybe a Shoemaker? If costs rise quickly, I’d ask more

Brad Johnson: Moncada is a monster though

Deke: Can we disspell the rumors of Schwarber to the Yankees in return for a RP (either Miller or Chapman)? That seems like an extreme overpay unless the Cubs are convinced that Schwarber can only DH, at which point, it’s only an overpay. Thoughts? Thanks.

Brad Johnson: Schwarber for Miller smell fine to me

Brad Johnson: obviously, Chapman wouldn’t work without an extension

Brad Johnson: and there’d be some bits going with Miller

Tim: Would you shop Carlos Gonzalez? Been great so far, but BABIP is pretty high (.370s) for a career .330-ish guy, and getting dealt out of Coors would be rough. What’s an equivalent target bat or even a buy low you might try?

Brad Johnson: My experience trying to shop him is that everybody suddenly remembers his health history as soon as they don’t own him

Brad Johnson: in other words, he’s very hard to trade.

gausMAN: hi brad, do you like gausman or pomeranz moving forward in a keeper, fip-based points league? Ks are really good, BBs are bad, HRs are really, really bad, W/L/ER don’t matter at all. thanks brad.

Brad Johnson: I like Pom more. Not a fan of either in a FIP format though

Brad Johnson: like them both more outside the AL East

Friend: Traded my Pedrioa for Aaron Nola and Dee Gordon. Wanted to buy low on Nola while he was slumping and need steals. Thoughts?

Brad Johnson: Bueno!

Dannymac: Would you prefer Gattis or grandal in a 6×6 (obp and slg)?

Brad Johnson: Grandal

Brad Johnson: I keep drinking the kool aid

another bad dynasty manager: 16 team pts. league. Playoff bound. Got an offer of Folty for a prospect and a fifth round draft pick. Take it and not worry about the bone chips?

Brad Johnson: having trouble imagining Folty as startable against anybody but the Phillies

Tim: Thoughts on Y. Solarte? Great batting line so far in 2016, and second half of 2015 was also very nice, too. Perhaps a .280/20/80 guy over a full season?

Brad Johnson: 20 home runs is a stretch for him, but the rest smell reasonable if he’s batting cleanup

Brad Johnson: and 17 HR isn’t that far off

Brad Johnson: the issue is he’s a zero in SB

Brad Johnson: it’s hard to roster those these days

Nutmeg: Yes Tyler Anderson plays in Coors, but his skills look great so far (esp GB% and K/BB) despite middling K numbers in the minors. Why not more talk about him?

Brad Johnson: you answered the question already. Middling talent with a terrible home park

Brad Johnson: it’s nice that he’s fully actualized, but that doesn’t do much for us fantasy owners

JD: severino worth a look in the 2nd half?

Brad Johnson: Yea I have some stashed shares

Pedro: How valuable is Jackie Bradley in a 12-team keep-10 6×6 (OBP and SLG)? Top-25 OF?

Brad Johnson: smells about right

Correa: Would you keep me over C. Seager and Bregman in dynasty?

Brad Johnson: Over Bregman definitely

Brad Johnson: why not keep all 3

Brad Johnson: or trade one for a haul

Brad Johnson: it’s not a dynasty if you can’t keep those 3

Friend: Should we be excited about Grichuk’s performance since being recalled? Seems he made an adjustment to his swing that’s adjusted his launch angle for the better.

Brad Johnson: excited is a stretch, but hopeful?

JD: Luis* severino worth a look in the second half?

Brad Johnson: I assumed you weren’t referring to Severino Gonzalez

Darrell: Is C.Gomez droppable in an AL-only roto league? Seth Smith and Lonnie Chisenhall are available. Thanks.

Brad Johnson: I might continue suffering with Gomez

Garza Man: What if anything could be expected from Zack Wheeler ROS?

Brad Johnson: expected? nothing

John: Re: salazar for edwin in a 12 team keeper. My other starters are stras, carrasco, and scherzer, without much depth beyond it. Would letting salazar go hurt too much?

Brad Johnson: That’s up to you to weight the category effects

Carlos Gomez: I can’t drop him. But I should, shouldn’t I? For Napoli? Holliday? Yasmany Tomas?

Brad Johnson: Holliday is better, Nap might be too

Fred: I can trade Cargo and Abreu for Votto and Wil Myers, this year only – do it?

Brad Johnson: I like it if you need to add a few steals

Spaceballs: Thoughts on trading Jean Segura for Addison Russell in a keeper league, where I’m planning more for the future than trying for this year?

Brad Johnson: Excellent gamble

Psst…Hey you: How did I do trading C. Seager & Z. Greinke for Joey Bats, S. Cassilla & J. Schoop? 12 team H2H where I need offense

Brad Johnson: I probably would have kept Seager and just targeted Schoop and another piece

Brad Johnson: Seager’s so good

Bregman: I will not be ignored: would you own shares of me in a 5×5 12-man redraft?

Brad Johnson: I answered you! There’s 200 people chatting in here, backlogs happen

jb: Question was sent early, sorry. Duvall has cooled off considerably over the past month and I have doubts about his ROS performance. In a 12 team H2H league, would you drop him for J. Upton or Grichuk (both available).

Brad Johnson: Certainly can. I have zero shares of all 3 at the moment!

Brad Johnson: So I probably would hang steady

Joey: How confident would you be with Jon Schoop as your primary 2b in a 10-team H2H league? Is he a top-5 dynasty second baseman?

Brad Johnson: I have no confidence in Schoop

Brad Johnson: there’s certainly talent there, but he walks a tightrope

Traded?: Michael Fulmer for Andrew Miller in 12 man redraft – pretty fair all around

Brad Johnson: not a bad gamble. I’d rather Fulmer for now

Brad Johnson: but if Miller gets a closing job, I’d rather have him

Johnny: Schwarber and Soler for Miller and Chapman. Which team says no?

Brad Johnson: Cubs do

dpc: What can I expect in return for Yasiel Puig at this point?

Brad Johnson: impossible to guess, Puig is so weird

Brad Johnson: the name value is high, but you almost have to hide him in a large deal

Brad Johnson: he doesn’t make sense as a fantasy asset

Brad Johnson: minimal HR, few SB, inconsistent AVG

Brad Johnson: sometimes he a monster and usually he’s nobody

coastal carolina: Do you see Miller going to the Cubs, and if so, does he close, as rondon has been great.

Brad Johnson: I think he sets up in Chicago

League: I’m in a 6×6 league with balks counting as a possible pitching category. Who’s my best bet RoS? Salazar??

Brad Johnson: balks!?

Brad Johnson: I’m afraid I’ve conducted no fantasy analysis related to balks

Brad Johnson: but yes, a Cleveland pitcher makes sense. Bet on midges

Steve: Jake Lamb top (blank) player ROS?

Brad Johnson: 50?

Brad Johnson: I believe in the breakout, but such pull heavy approaches tend to include holes

I want to believe: Thoughts on Dee Gordon? Most folks seem to think he’ll still steal a lot, but if he used PEDs to get faster, wouldn’t he be a risky 2B going forward?

Brad Johnson: I don’t see the PEDs as directly affecting his speed right now

Brad Johnson: the thing to remember about PEDs is that it’s easier to maintain a skill than to develop it

Brad Johnson: the idea behind their use now is to get better with them and maintain without them

big al kiddie’s pal: hey brad, thanks for answering my question. as a follow-up, i failed to mention that i’m in contention this year and have a really good shot at winning the whole thing, if my pitching holds up. do you still think i should hang onto reyes and stream, or look to get the best possible SP and win it all this year? it’s just that it just seems like so many highly-touted SPs fail to make it. thanks again, brad.

Brad Johnson: in that case, go ahead and shop him. Just be open to saying no a lot

Brad Johnson: I think you said it was a dynasty, you should be able to package Reyes with something else for a huge name

Young Jeezy: Does Javier Baez find himself a regular role?

Brad Johnson: He’s basically there now. He won’t have a regular position any time soon

OddBall Herrera: Villar – #9 on ESPN player rater, leading the league in steals, this late into the season, yet < 80% owned. Have you ever seen a breakout year get treated with such massive skepticism?

Brad Johnson: Yea it happens, but I can’t recall a specific example without going through some leaderboards

Hoff: 15 tm mixed roto keep $260 budget – Lindor a keep at $18 for 2017? What about Kang at $1?

Brad Johnson: Both are way underpriced. Lindor’s like a $29 player and Kang probably $14ish pending legal action

Bill: Keep the faith with Valencia in 10-team redraft, or stream the CI slot he occupies?

Brad Johnson: You can probably stream in a league that shallow

Patrick: So you if I got offered JBJ for Bregman in an AL dynasty where keep cost is identical, I should do it?

Brad Johnson: I don’t think so

KD: 5×5 NL Keeper (3 years): Arenado or Lester, Giolito, Albies?

Brad Johnson: Arenado

Brad Johnson: big time

Young Jeezy: Baez or Pedoria ROS in a re-draft 12 points league?

Brad Johnson: Baez on a rate basis, but Pedroia may play more…might depend on your ability to roster a caddy for Baez

Bill: 10-team redraft SS challenge trade: Bogaerts for Correa. Who you got?

Brad Johnson: Correa me

Jake: I’ve been rolling w/ Abreu as my 1B… Do I continue or perhaps try to sell him on name value while I still can?

Brad Johnson: ask around, but don’t force the issue

AA: Steve Pearce worthy of a pickup over Max Kepler in an 7×7 (OPS BB) deep league (15 team)?

Eric: Do you think Urias will be on an innings limit next year too? Debating keeping him in the 16th round of a 12 team OPS, but 4 of my 7 keepers are already pitchers

Brad Johnson: I’d hang onto Kepler

Brad Johnson: and Urias is definitely on an innings cap next year

Brad Johnson: I’d sell him in that situation

Chopper Dave: Is there one SP not named Kershaw you would trade Betts for in a 10 team keep forever league?

Brad Johnson: no

Brad Johnson: not sure I’d trade him for Kershaw

Brad Johnson: he’s eventually going to be injured

Brad Johnson: and then he’s probably going to be less good

Brad Johnson: and by injured, I mean seriously

Will: Traded my bogaerts osuna and saunders for scherzer and russell in a 12 team standard h2h. I needed pitching help badly and my offense is still in really good shape without X. Thoughts?

Brad Johnson: I don’t love it, but pitching can be so huge in H2H

Brad Johnson: I have a keeper league where I got Kluber, Carrasco, Fernandez, and Arrieta years ago

Brad Johnson: been placing just from their numbers

Avi: Ryu is going to see team doctors: Elbow Inflammation.

Bill: Kershaw still your #1 SP ROS, even with health uncertainty?

Brad Johnson: yep

Heathcliff Slocumb: Eickhoff enough of a return if I trade Estevez and Kelley in dynasty 12 tm?

Brad Johnson: yea I think so. Not that I’m a huge fan of Eickhoff, but I don’t see much of value on the other end

Brad Johnson: Estevez needs a breakout

Buff: Currently in first in NL only league, need 2 rotation anchors. Choices include Arrieta, Strasburg, Wainwright. Who should I go with?

Brad Johnson: The first 2

Tim: Hanley or Rendon RoS?

Brad Johnson: uh do you need ceiling or reliability?

Brad Johnson: Hanley’s the ceiling play

Josh: I’m middle of the pack in SB but my two top thieves thus far have been Harper and J Ramirez. Do you think Harper keeps this pace or would you look to acquire speed?

Brad Johnson: Can’t hurt to add more speed if you’re mid pack. Just try to do it without hurting other categories

Josh: If the Dodgers were to acquire Forsythe, would the PT be there to maintain relevance in 12 teamers?

Brad Johnson: They wouldn’t pay for him if he wasn’t starting

Brad Johnson: not sure why they would pay for him though

Young Jeezy: Clarification: Does Baez have enough of a role to warrant being restored as my only 2nd?

Brad Johnson: it’s right on the tightrope

Brad Johnson: your specific category needs matter

Rick: 5×5 OBP Re-draft League: My Zobrist/Bregman for his Kipnis/Jim Johnson. Fair?

Brad Johnson: eww, no

Chopper Dave: Betts or Arenado in standard keeper leagues?

Brad Johnson: Betts for that five category gold. So much easier to manage a lineup around a guy like Betts or Altuve

Brad Johnson: ok time to wrap this up…

Chopper Dave: Is Lester to little in return for my Springer in a 10-team keep forever league? Have an OF to spare, need another SP, and SP are way overvalued in my league. Currently in 1st, going for it all

Brad Johnson: way too little

Brad Johnson: try to get Kyle hendricks for a lesser OFer

Zorak: Is catcher really this much of a wasteland? My current choices between my roster and the wire are Martin, Hundley, Gattis and Jaso (C qualified). Forget who I can bank on ROS, who can I bank on for the next few weeks at least?

Brad Johnson: those aren’t bad options

Brad Johnson: Jaso highest floor, Gattis highest ceiling, Martin in between

Brad Johnson: pass on oft-sat Hundley

Brad Johnson: and I haven’t checked how many lefties Jaso faces

SJ: Jose Reyes or Tim Anderson ros?

Brad Johnson: Anderson

Brad Johnson: I’m a Reyes hater since back in 2006 when I was still a Phillies fan

Jake: 12-team H2H league. My “big names” – Harper, Correa, Abreu – are giving me like .80 cents on the dollar so far. Which do you hold, which do you sell? 2016 only.

Brad Johnson: 80 cents on the dollar is actually a good return for high caliber players

Brad Johnson: though I’m guessing you’re getting more like 55 cents on the dollar

Brad Johnson: you don’t roster studs for surplus value

Borxa Dork: Who is this Brad Johnson in this chat and why do people keep asking him questions?

Brad Johnson: and with that, it’s time for the 30 second rapid fire, but first…

Marty: People asking about Abreu, and you don’t seem to worried. The power numbers are WAY down…

Brad Johnson: I’ve been out on Abreu since before the season. Call it fatigue that I’m not reacting more strongly

Brad Johnson: also, the specific scenarios mentioned contained other more important elements than Abreu

Brad Johnson: now it’s blitz time

John: Valencia or Forsythe ROS?

Brad Johnson: forsythe

Jon Gray: Is he worth 14$ in dynasty?

JJ: I don’t actually have a question, so I just came here to say that my catching situation is so bad that I’m now using Sandy Leon on a regular basis.

Brad Johnson: cheers

ed: will matz finish the season?

Brad Johnson: no

Trevor: Was offered Harper for my Machado straight-up. Was I crazy to decline?

Brad Johnson: depends

G Money: Homar Bailey worth a shot or is he just a waiver wire streamer when he comes off the DL?

Brad Johnson: sure

Brad Johnson: dammit, I forgot to press I was sure

Brad Johnson: let’s try again

Dan: Is B.Hamilton a must hold in a 10 team roto?

Brad Johnson: no

Gambit: Who’s the best RP in my wire right now that I’ve never heard of?

Brad Johnson: edwin diaz?

Josh: Taillon or Wood once Wood is healthy?

Brad Johnson: taillon

Bill: Quintana a 10-team hold or stream?

Brad Johnson: hold

Rags: Wei-Yin Chen or Tyler Anderson in NL-only if I can’t bench anyone?