Jeff Zimmerman: Let’s start. I may not be up-to-date on all the news. I’ve had a lot going on in my life but will help in any way I can.

Raggedy Nick Burkett: Tim Anderson’s last 2 years of extremely high bapip legit?

Jeff Zimmerman: He’s the type of player to post them. GBs with speed, but no one has ever been at this level over a long stretch. If he keeps it up, he’ll be the first.

Greg: Pick two prospect stashes for this year: Spencer Howard, Edward Cabrera, Corbin Martin, Matthew Liberatore.

Jeff Zimmerman: Howard and Martin

Doug: Do you have a favorite sleeper reliever? The best one I got in my h2h points draft was Matt Barnes, though I’m thinking I can steal someone from the waiver wire soon.

Paul Sporer: Hello everyone, let’s talk some baseball!!

Greg: Points league – How would you rank Sal Perez, Contreras, Will Smith, Grandal? I’m mostly trying to project who will be in the lineup the most because they all feel similar.

Paul Sporer: I’d definitely run it through the Auction Calculator w/y’all’s settings. I agree they are close. If Ks count negative, I might lean toward Contreras/Salvy. If BBs also count and negate the Ks, go Grandal

Chris: Thanks for the Chat!  Who do you like making the most impact this year: Gore, Gilbert or Kopech?

Paul Sporer: Thanks for coming out! I’d lean Gilbert there as I think he gets the biggest opportunity to start of the three.

KleShreen: Do you expect Shohei to be full tilt in 2021, pitching every 5th game and batting 3-of-4 in-between?

Jeff Zimmerman: Hi everyone, I’ll see how many I can get done today.

Bring back Mookie: In a dynasty points league, I traded away Correa, Snell, and Candelario. Got back Corey Seager and Chris Paddack. How’d I do?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s an even trade. I like Seager or Correa and Snell over Paddack. Candelario is a non-factor

Guest: Civale, Heaney, or Montas, simulation league like scoresheets or dmb, limited keeper league AL Only

Jeff Zimmerman: This is close, Civale I guess

Bones: Hey Jeff, thanks for the chat! Who you picking as last keeper in a 12-team, 5×5 with $280 cap: Ramirez ($56), Ozuna $35 or Lynn $16? Already keeping Tatis ($6), Hiura ($6), B. Lowe ($9), L. Gurriel ($12), Buxton ($21) and Bohm for free.

Jeff Zimmerman: Hello everyone

Jeff Zimmerman: I’ll try to get through as many questions as possible.

Big Tuna: Keeper question: in a 12 tm OPs league, would you rather keep Solak in the 21st or Nate Lowe in the 27th?

Jeff Zimmerman: Solak on potential upside.

Angelus Novus: In a points league (H2H) that favors pitchers are you keeping Grisham or Sixto in the last round?

Jeff Zimmerman: That’s tough. If it favors pitching Sixto but it feels 55/45

Jeff Zimmerman: Sorry for the delay, my heat pump just went up in smoke

Jeff Zimmerman: I need to call for an appointment

Jeff Zimmerman: Also, I’m in an area with rolling blackouts so the chat could end at anytime.

Steals: Favorite late round targets for steals in OBP leagues?

Jeff Zimmerman: None

Jeff Zimmerman: Managers need to deal with steals by then because all the options are sad.

Jeff Zimmerman: Good afternoon and congrats on blowing off your real work for the important stuff.

BringBackDeSpanielHair: MLB actually owns up to changing the ball for ’21. First thoughts on which hitters will see the biggest drop off with shorter fly balls? Obv, mammoths like Stanton and Alonso won’t see much of an effect on their HR totals.

Jeff Zimmerman: This is the million dollar question after the news broke yesterday. From what I got is that about a 1.5 ft drop in distance.

Jeff Zimmerman: I’m guessing the Doubter leaderboard at Savant is the best place to start: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/home-runs

Brian: Thoughts on how Chris Archer going back to the Rays impacts his fantasy value? Does being in that org devalue him in a league that scores quality starts?

Jeff Zimmerman: In the Launch Angle Pod yesterday, Todd Zola, Van Lee, and I dug in. I think he’s a perfect reserve round dart where he can be dropped if things are clicking.

Paul Sporer: Chat time!! My latest SP ranks are live so feel free to ask any questions about them: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/2021-starting-pitcher-ranks-january/

Greg: In a keep forever – Should I give up Albies to get Pearson and Cronenworth?

Paul Sporer: Ooh that’s a pretty interesting deal. I’m a huge fan of Albies and Cronenworth. Pearson obviously has major upside that could start paying out this year. It’s a fair deal, I’m open to doing it!

I am the Walrus: With the Wong signing, does Huira get regular PT at 1B?  Also do you like his chances for a bounce back year?

Paul Sporer: Yeah it looks like Hiura should move to the primary 1B. That’s what we have on Roster Resource. I had some concerns about him coming into ’20 that played out (BABIP & Ks) to an even bigger degree than I even thought. I think he rebounds, but I’m worried he’s still a bit overdrafted.

Bobby Bonilla Retirement Plan: Need to pick an OF: Dozier, Calhoun, Berti, Hampson?

Jeff Zimmerman: It’s time to start today’s chat. Hope everyone has had their coffee.

Raggedy Nick Burkett: Any non top 10 catchers you feel confident will start 120+games?  Thanks much as usual.

Jeff Zimmerman: Tucker Barnhart

ScottTINSTAAPP: Jeff I’ve been enjoying the late round pitching dives, super helpful. For guys who we want to see more velocity from to take a chance on, how much stock do you put into spring training velocities? I know some guys ramp up throughout the year so is there any way you try to parse what velocity changes (or lack thereof) in spring are sustainable and what we should expect over the year?

Jeff Zimmerman: First, thanks.

Jeff Zimmerman: Spring Train velocity for starters is very sticky.

Paul Sporer: OK sorry about that, had some technical issues, think we’re good to go

Greg: What do you think about Dustin May this year? Is he locked into a rotation spot?

Paul Sporer: He’s got one right now, but normal Dodger shenanigans plus the short 2-mo. season tells me he won’t necessarily get 30+ starts. I’d tab him closer to 23-25.

Ryan: Are you on the Zac Plesac hype train?

Paul Sporer: I feel pretty good about him. I wrote some things about him here: https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/2020-fastball-usage-decliners/ I’m not sure I’m going top 20 all the time, but I’m not too far off

Nick Burkett: I love all the SP’s the Marlins are rolling out, tell me I’m crazy.